This month I’ve made a slight change to my usual ‘Photo Stories’ feature. Instead of introducing you lovely lot to someone I’ve been lucky enough to work with, I figured now would be a great opportunity to introduce you all properly to the creator and face behind the camera of The Dog Tales business…ME!!!

(Left) Me as a bambino. (Right) Me now…STILL rocking the same hair but with a bigger nose haha!!!
-So tell us a bit about yourself Frankie…
Okay, so I’m a 31 year old female photographer from London, who specialises in photographing dogs. I take great pride in capturing canine personalties in their truest form, resulting in a very raw and pure documentary style of portraiture. You won’t get any tricks, treats or squeaky toy coaxing from me; spontaneity and first impressions is what I live for!
–Why photograph dogs?

My love for animals has been a BIG part of life, here I am with some of my childhood and adulthood pets.
–Have you always been a photographer?

(Left) Henri Carter-Bresson. (Right) Richard Avedon.

(Left) Diane Arbus. (Right) Edward Weston.
After university I jumped straight into work…not the work I dreamed of though. University created a mirage of the big wide world for photographers. Here, I was expecting to be booked to photograph Vogue fashion campaigns and all sorts but instead, I was working in studios clearing up after those Vogue shoots as of course no-one had a clue who I was – a big reality check!

“Sir” Rick Guest


Examples of Rick’s photography skills.
-So what did you get up to as Rick Guest’s assistant?
Goodness, so much! The work load was constant; from back to back shoots in London, to shoots up high in the mountains of Colorado, to backstage concerts in Baku, to world famous footballers in Madrid. You name it Rick probably shot it! It was work like I’ve never experienced before! I felt extremely privileged to see, travel and work around the world and be a part of some exceptional photography. I learnt so so much – everyday was something new and I met so many fantastic people who have become friends along the way. It was because of those many jobs away from home that I first started taking photos for The Dog Tales. At the start I didn’t think anything would come of it, but over time my passion for these portraits began to take precedence…it was then that I knew that I wanted The Dog Tales to become a something!!!

Fond memories of being an assistant…this is only a few.

(Centre Left) An Exhibition Poster. (Centre Right) The Dog Tales Logo. (Surrounding Images) Some photos from The Dog Tales as well as some exhibition shots.
–To become ‘a something’?
Yes; a business, a purpose, my day job, my life! I made the decision to leave my full time job as an assistant in early March, 2020 JUST before the gargantuan reality of the pandemic hit. Some would say what rotten luck with the timing of such a decision however, I feel like it’s been a bit of a blessing in disguise, a kick up the bum as such. I mean when else am I going to be comfortable enough to leave a job I’ve enjoyed doing for so many years with a steady income and turn my efforts into creating a business?! The truthful answer is never really as I’d be too scared to but this way, with the pandemic, I was forced to focus ALL my attention to try just that and take the plunge! Now don’t get me wrong, trying to start a business, especially during a pandemic, isn’t easy but you know what, I’m giving it all I’ve got!
-So what’s next for The Dog Tales enterprise?
If you’re now thinking to yourself…‘Damn I would LOVE for Frankie to photograph my dog!’
Then please do, head on over to my services page for more details on how to do so OR feel free to email me hello@thedogtales.co