Hi, my name is Katie and… I am a dog addict! And for those who are interested, here is a bit of history about my dog pack!
In 2021 I realised that after 12 years of working with dogs, my main passion in life was capturing their beauty on camera. That is when I established my business here in Norway, Vill Foto.
Photography isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a lifelong passion that began in my childhood. My father loved to photograph steam locomotives (trains). I would often go along with him, waiting out in the wind and cold for the train to pass and then rushing back home to process and develop the black and white film in our bathtub! The smell of the chemicals still strong in my memory.
After begging and pleading for years, at age 7, I finally managed to convince my parents to get a family dog. We adopted a ex-show Field Spaniel called Gemma. She was sweet, but strict with excitable kids, and my sister and I loved her deeply. Some years later after Gemma died, my dream came true when my parents agreed to get a puppy. We welcomed a Springer Spaniel x Clumber Spaniel puppy called Barney into our home. He was naughty and very disobedient, always stealing socks and swimming in the muddiest of puddles. He was the perfect adventure companion and I spent all of my time with him.
Fast forward to 2007 and I had completed my bachelors degree at the University of Edinburgh, writing my thesis on the bond between mushers and sled dogs in Canada. I left the UK behind to travel the world. During my adventures, I would always find a local dog to befriend and of course photograph. Whether it was Livestock Guardian dogs in Estonia, street dogs in Brazil or the village dogs in Vietnam, if there was a dog, I would be by its side.
It was when I was living in Italy that I finally got a dog of my own. A little street dog who I named Nemi. Nemi had been found by a local friend running alongside a busy road in the outskirts of Rome. I had only intended to look after her for the weekend, but that weekend tured into 6 months, and then of course when it was time for me to return to the UK, Nemi came with me.
Once I moved back to the UK I got the amazing opportunity to train as an Instructor for Guide Dogs for the Blind UK. It was a 3 year program, and meant living all over the country to complete the 3 year course. Nemi joined me and became “Queen of the Guide Dogs”, even though she was just half their size!
Nemi was my perfect dog model. She loved to be in front of the camera, and was so used to me putting her up on rocks or being told to wait whilst I climbed into position for the perfect shot. We went through a lot together, cranial cruciate surgery on her leg, a long recovery and of course so so many good times. My world changed when she got sick, really sick, and sadly died after only 8 short, but incredible, years together.
After meeting my husband in Norway and convincing him to move to the UK whilst I completed my training at Guide Dogs, two weeks before our wedding and moving in together, we decided that it was time to get another dog. Actually I decided this, and had to convince him that this was a great idea, just a few months before our wedding… as I had already found the dog that I wanted!
Falco was a beautiful brindle lurcher, who had been in a UK dog rescue centre for a year, because nobody wanted him. His wild energy and lack of self control hid a sweet nature and incredible beauty. I was convinced he would calm down with a daily routine and lots of exercise. In just a few months, he was unrecognisable from the wild dog that we had met in the kennels. He loved to be with me and loved to ride in the car, so I often took him with me to work, where he would play with my trainee Guide Dogs and got to share my sandwiches at lunchtime.
Falco was also a very senstive dog, who did not like to be in front of my camera. He taught me a huge amount about photographing dogs doing what they love, being outdoors and being active, as this was the best way to photograph him. I learned a lot about how to help nervous dogs feel safe around the equipment, and the importance of taking things slowly when trying to get the perfect shot.
Falco was also a very senstive dog, who did not like to be in front of my camera. He taught me a huge amount about photographing dogs doing what they love, being outdoors and being active, as this was the best way to photograph him. I learned a lot about how to help nervous dogs feel safe around the equipment, and the importance of taking things slowly when trying to get the perfect shot.
Falco was super fast, cheeky and had the most beautiful soul. It was through Falco that I learned the value of “End of Life” photography, as he battled an ongoing sickness for several years after we moved to Norway, sadly he was put to sleep at only age 7. I have a huge framed photo of Falco on our last photoshoot together on my living room wall. He is panting from running, wet from swimming, and smiling from all the treats that he had been given that day. It was deeply sad, but our last photoshoot will always be a treasured memory for me.
When we moved to Norway in 2018, I got a job working for a dog sledding company in Tromsø, as a guide and office manager. This meant that when the dogs retired and needed a sofa to live on, staff were asked if they wanted to adopt the huskies. So of course over the last few years we have welcomed many “old boys” into our home and onto our sofa. Currently we have 3 retired huskies, Diesel, Whiskey and Cognac. They are living out their days going on little hikes, playing with the children and just lazing in the sunshine. After a tough working life, they deserve the best retirement.
Retired Sled dog, Whiskey
