End of Life Dog Photography

A Heartfelt Tribute to Love with the Tilly Project

Portraits by Lumière Photography

Grief is an aspect of love. If love doesn’t die, and we carry people and pets in our hearts, it’s good to have photos to help us remember the details – such as the way they looked at us, and the way their paws felt in our hands. Photos don’t just preserve moments; they also trigger other senses like sounds and smells, allowing us to remember how it felt to be with them. As a volunteer with Butterfly Wish Network, I’ve photographed families with a child facing life-limiting conditions and people who didn’t have long to live, capturing memories for them to hold onto. When I discovered The Tilly Project, which connects photographers with pet parents when their dog is near the rainbow bridge, I wanted to be part of it. These end-of-life pet photography sessions allow families to create lasting memories of their pets during their final days, honouring the love and bond they’ve shared.

Holly’s Final Goodbye

I recently got an urgent call for a photoshoot with Holly, a lovely Staffie whose cancer had become too difficult, and she only had a few days left with her family.  Of course, I made space in my diary. I wasn’t going to let this family say goodbye to their dog without capturing some memories for them, so I went quite a long way away from Loughborough to capture these precious moments. On Friday, we had the session, and by Monday, they had said their final goodbye.
The love between Holly and her family was palpable. It was also obvious that Holly was tired and suffering, even if its tail was still wagging. She got her favourite treats, all the cuddles and time to rest before the long journey.  After the session, Hayley, Holly’s mum, wrote to me to say she couldn’t choose and wanted all the photos.  “It was so lovely to meet you yesterday and we can’t thank you enough for taking the photos at such short notice. It really does mean the world especially as it’s all we will have left of her soon, is photos. It’s important to keep her memory alive. Thank you for your kind words during such a tough time. Please can we upgrade to have access to them all? Of course, I will give Holly a kiss from you.”

A Meaningful Way to Say Goodbye

End-of-life pet photography is about honouring the life and love shared with your pet. These sessions create lasting memories, capturing the connection, joy, and tenderness of your time together. If you’re nearing the end of your pet’s journey, I’m here to help you preserve these moments. Get in touch to arrange an end-of-life pet photography session and create a tribute that will stay with you forever.

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