The Inside ‘Scoop’: The Blog of a Northern Ireland Portrait Photographer

Telling Their Tail: Capturing Hector’s Story with Melissa and Scott

At our pet photography studio in Belfast, every pet and hooman who walks through our doors has a unique story to tell. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming local DJ Melissa Riddell, her partner Scott, and their Pawsome dog, Hector, for one of our pet photography sessions. From the moment they arrived, as always we wanted their shoot to be special—not just for them, but for us too.

Hector the Staffordshire bull Terrier sitting on a grey background and on a Green chair

A Warm Welcome for Every Client

Like with everyone who comes into us, we start each session by getting to know our subjects. For us, pet photography is about more than capturing beautiful images—it’s about creating an experience where pets and their people feel at ease. Before any camera clicked, we connected with Hector to help him feel comfortable in our Belfast pet photography studio. Whether it’s a beloved family dog or a quirky feline, pets thrive in familiar, friendly environments, and as a family-run business, creating that cosy vibe comes naturally. Melissa and Scott’s excitement to capture Hector’s personality made the experience even more enjoyable, letting us witness the love they share with him.

As with every client, we started by getting to know Hector. Before any camera clicked, our team took the time to connect with him, to help him feel comfortable in our Belfast pet photography studio as it’s a new space for him. Whether it’s a beloved family dog or a quirky feline, we understand that pets thrive in familiar and friendly environments so we want to make sure your pet has plenty of time to get used to the portrait studio surroundings and of course to us too. As a family-run business, creating that cosy and relaxed vibe comes naturally to us. Melissa and Scott’s excitement to capture Hector’s personality made the whole experience even more enjoyable, letting us witness the love they share with him.

Personal Touches That Make the Difference

What makes a session at our Northern Ireland pet photography studio truly unique is the personal attention we offer from start to finish. From your welcome with your names on our big welcome screen to your final order collection for us, it’s all about the details. At Hector’s shoot, we got Melissa and Scott to choose from our huge range of coloured backdrops to pick ones that not only complement Hector’s fab colouring but will also suit their style and home design. We also let them pick from our wide selection of props to highlight his best features and naturally capture his personality. Every wag of his tail, tilt of his head, and playful bounce was given time to shine. We used lots of treats and positive reinforcement and allowed Hector to lead the way, so each shot reflected his authentic self.

An Experience to Cherish

Photographing Melissa and Scott with Hector wasn’t just about capturing beautiful images; it was about creating a memory they could cherish. Melissa, a familiar voice on the airwaves, brings joy to so many people daily, and it was our pleasure to give her and Scott this joyful experience with Hector. For us here at GCP pet photography is so much more than just the final product—it’s about the moments in between, and Hector’s curious expressions and playful antics made each moment unforgettable.

The Big Reveal: A Viewing Session Like No Other

After the photoshoot, anticipation builds as we invite all our clients back for their viewing session. Our viewing sessions take place in our cosy viewing room and we make it feel like a private cinema experience, letting you sit back, relax, and relive and enjoy every picture we even provide the Fizz! Melissa, Scott, and Hector saw his images on our big screen, letting them feel the warmth of the day all over again. This is just one of the personal touches, that make our studio experience special. Watching their reactions as they saw Hector’s expressions, they loved every shot, for us its, there isn’t anything better than seeing people truly love the images we captured, it’s what makes our work as portrait photographers (we think) the best job in the world. Again here Melissa and Scott chose a frame that will suit their taste from our wide range of locally made frame options.

The Final Touch: A Framed Masterpiece

Picking up the finished framed portrait is the grand finale of this journey. For this, we always have the final artwork displayed on our viewing room wall in its best light, carefully framed and ready to be cherished for years to come. When Melissa and Scott came in to collect Hector’s portrait, we presented it as the finished piece of art it truly was. At our Belfast pet photography studio, we pride ourselves on creating beautifully finished products, crafted locally with premium materials and personalized touches.

Each step of this journey with Hector reflected the love Melissa and Scott shared with him, from the portrait session to the grand reveal and framed piece. As a Belfast pet photographer, we aim to make every session feel as personal and memorable as possible, capturing experiences that last a lifetime. Every portrait tells a story, and we’re grateful for clients like Melissa, Scott, and Hector who allow us to be part of theirs.

Don’t take our word for it,  go to our socials and see what Melissa had to say herself about the whole experience. If you would like to experience this for yourself, we have a special offer just for Melissa’s followers. Click here to grab this special deal now!

 

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Hannah
Hannah Crichton is the Client Experience & Happiness Manager at the studio. Whether you are calling to book a portrait for your pooch or wanting to find out all about our five start portrait experience, Hannah will be able to answer all your questions.

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