Yana Skakun
Yana Skakun
York & North Yorkshire
Relaxed, natural portrait sessions for dogs, cats and other pets — at your favourite York walking spots, or at home for cats and small pets.
Dog & Pet Portrait Photography in York
Pets are family, and their years pass far too quickly. Professional pet photography captures what a phone snapshot usually can't — real personality, genuine expression, and the particular way a dog or cat moves and interacts with the people who love them. These are the images that matter years down the line, long after the everyday photos have been forgotten.
I photograph dogs and other pets across York and North Yorkshire, working at the parks, riverside paths and open spaces your pet already knows — from Rowntree Park and the New Walk riverside to the wide open ground of the Knavesmire. My approach is patient and entirely animal-led: no forcing, no stress, no studio intimidation. Just good light, a relaxed pet, and the kind of natural moments that only emerge when there's time to let a session unfold at its own pace.
Sessions are equally suited to a single dog portrait, a multi-pet household, or a full family-with-pet portrait session — and for cats, rabbits and other pets who are happiest at home, I photograph in the environment where they are naturally most relaxed rather than trying to coax them outdoors.
Investment
£145
45 min · 20+ images
Most Popular
£195
1 hour · 30+ images
£295
2 hours · 60+ images
Locations
A relaxed, well-loved riverside park south of the city centre, with open lawns, mature trees and a section running alongside the River Ouse. Popular with local dog walkers, with plenty of space away from the busiest paths for a calm, unhurried session.
Historic parkland in the heart of York, next to the Yorkshire Museum and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey. The abbey ruins and mature planting give a distinctive, atmospheric backdrop for pet portraits, though it's busiest with visitors in summer — early morning works best.
The tree-lined riverside path that runs from the city centre out past Rowntree Park is one of York's most popular dog-walking routes. Dappled light through the trees and reflections off the water make for beautiful, natural-feeling images.
The wide open common land beside York Racecourse gives dogs genuine space to run, with big skies and uncluttered backgrounds that suit action shots particularly well. Ideal for energetic breeds that need room to move before settling for calmer portraits.
Riverside meadows to the north of the city, quieter than the central parks, with wildflower meadow, hedgerow and open riverside walking. A good choice for a longer, more exploratory session away from crowds.
Wherever you regularly walk your dog in York or North Yorkshire — I will come to the location your pet already knows and loves, because familiar ground almost always produces the most relaxed, natural results.
How It Works
Pets are most relaxed and expressive in places they already know. A regular York walking route will nearly always outperform an unfamiliar location, however photogenic it looks.
High-value treats your pet doesn't usually get help enormously with attention and cooperation. A favourite toy is often the key to genuine, animated expressions and playful action shots.
Some of the strongest pet images come from movement rather than stillness — running, chasing, swimming. Open spaces like the Knavesmire give plenty of room for this kind of shot.
In warmer months, an early morning session means cooler temperatures, fewer other dogs and visitors around the central parks, and beautifully soft light. Energetic breeds also settle more easily once they've had a chance to run first.
Multi-pet households are very welcome — the interaction between pets, and between pets and their people, produces some of the most genuinely affectionate and funny images from a session. Please allow extra time for multi-pet bookings.
I photograph dogs of every breed and size, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses and other pets. Patience and an animal-led approach are central to how every session is run.
No. I work entirely with your pet's natural behaviour — movement, play, curiosity and the quieter moments that happen when they settle. I never try to force static poses, so there's no pressure on you or your pet to perform.
Rowntree Park and the New Walk riverside path are my most-used central locations, giving a good mix of open lawn, trees and water. The Knavesmire is excellent for action and running shots thanks to its size and open sky. If your dog already has a favourite walk in York or North Yorkshire, that's often the best choice of all.
Yes — cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other pets who are more settled indoors are photographed at home, in the environment where they are naturally most relaxed and expressive. Home sessions generally work far better than outdoor ones for most cats.
I photograph across York itself and the wider North Yorkshire area, and I regularly travel further afield across the UK. If your location is outside the immediate York area, get in touch and I'll confirm availability and any travel considerations.
A walk or some exercise before the session helps energetic breeds settle for calmer portrait moments. Bring high-value treats, a favourite toy, and ideally someone your pet responds well to for handling. There's no need to bathe them beforehand — a natural, everyday coat photographs just as well as a freshly groomed one, often better.
Yes, the Pet & Family package is built for exactly this. Portraits that show how pets and their people actually interact — rather than a stiff, posed group shot — are consistently among the most treasured images from any family collection.
York's weather is changeable, and I keep a close eye on the forecast in the days before your session. Light rain and overcast skies actually produce lovely, soft portrait light; for heavier weather, we can reschedule at no extra cost.
Tell me about your pet and your favourite York walking spot, and let's plan a relaxed, natural session.
Get in Touch
Tell me about your vision and I'll be in touch within 24 hours.