Bernie at Bank - A London Dog Photography Session Filled with Soul, Love, and Laughter
It was just before sunrise when I arrived in the City, that soft blue light hovering before the day truly begins. The Financial District is one of my favourite places to photograph - all elegant pillars, quiet courtyards and pale stone that catches the first light beautifully. And let’s not forget the seagulls that frequent the area, feasting, far from the sea, bigger than many of London’s dogs, it seems!
My love of street photography first drew me here years ago, as I was fascinated by the energy of people rushing through these same spaces, and the way light interacts with the architecture as people move through puddles of light and shadow. So there's something quietly magical about doing the opposite - standing in the middle of it all before the city wakes, with just one dog as the centre of attention.
Over the past four years, I've learned how the light moves through Bank at that hour. It slips gently between the buildings, bouncing off the stone in soft, golden tones. And on this particular morning, that glow belonged entirely to Bernie.
Bernie is a Bernese Mountain Dog, and one of those rare souls who seems to hold both wisdom and mischief in her eyes. You can't help but be drawn in by her energy - steady, knowing, but also quietly playful. From the moment I met her, it was obvious she has a big personality wrapped in the gentlest of hearts.
Her humans, Tim and Rich, had booked the session as a gift - something special for Tim's birthday - and it immediately felt like the most natural way to celebrate. A morning devoted entirely to capturing the three of them together, exactly as they are.
In their own words: "We chose to have a dog photography experience because we wanted to capture special memories with our beloved Bernie, who is a member of our family, and we are really grateful a friend introduced Amie's Instagram to us…"
It's always an honour to hear those words, but it's the sentiment that lingers with me - the simple desire to hold on to moments that feel fleeting, yet so defining.
A Session Led by Bernie
Every session is guided by the dog, and Bernie introduced herself to me like we were long-lost besties. With a leg lean, bum scratch (hers, not mine, of course) and even what is colloquially known as some “Nala Stomps”. Her confidence was matched by her charm - the kind of dog who could easily convince a crowd to stop and admire her, even at sunrise. And she did. The one staff member we met at that time of the morning stopped and admired her before going into the building with a smile.
Tim and Rich are also the kind of people you instantly warm to. They'd driven into London before dawn for our early start, yet arrived smiling, full of laughter and gentle teasing, and showered each other and their dog with praise. There's a particular joy that happens when you meet people who love their dog so openly, so proudly. It changes the whole atmosphere of a shoot - it becomes more than photography; it becomes a morning among friends.
As we moved between corners of Bank, the light began to shift, golden hues brushing the pale stone and dancing along the pavements. I could feel that subtle hum of the city waking up, but for those few hours, it felt like London belonged to Bernie and these lovely men she was spending her life with.
The Beauty of Letting Go
I often remind clients that dogs burn more energy getting up than lying down, and that we should be mindful - especially for larger breeds — to conserve their strength throughout the session. I mentioned this to Tim and Rich, who nodded with understanding.
Within minutes, Bernie offered a relaxed "down" - her own signature pose - and made it clear she was perfectly content to stay there. We all laughed. Tim mentioned that he loves how she looks when she's lying down, so, of course, we followed her lead, but we also did plenty of standing, walking, and sitting portraits. It became a lovely mix of energy and ease.
Every expression she gave had its own story to tell.
If you'd like to experience a relaxed, dog-led photography session that authentically celebrates your bond, you can learn more about my London dog photography sessions here.
Quiet Moments and City Sounds
There's a rhythm to urban sessions in London, and it’s something so magical to be up and moving through the echoes of the busy rush of yesterday - the way sound carries between buildings, the gentle rustle of signage and posters, the pause between passing buses. It all becomes part of the experience. But in those quiet breaks, when the city seems to hold its breath, there are moments of stillness that feel almost sacred.
Bernie would pause, look around, and then glance back toward Tim and Rich. You could feel the bond between them without a word being spoken - the kind of love that's all trust and quiet communication.
As I photographed them together, I remember thinking how lucky I am to do this work. Every family I meet teaches me something new about connection. Tim and Rich have an effortless warmth that fills a space, and Bernie mirrors it perfectly.
These are the portraits that stay with people - not because they're perfect and overly posed, but because they're real.
From Session to Story
When we met again for their viewing, I told them that dogs never seem to pay much attention to the photos during that part of the experience. They're usually far more interested in the treats or the somewhat familiar smell of the woman who made funny noises and instructed a morning of plentiful treat delivery.
And then, naturally, Bernie decided to prove me wrong.
For a brief moment, she jumped off the sofa, looked straight at the television screen, head tilted, watching herself. I couldn't help but laugh. It was so perfectly her - that self-aware curiosity, as if she knew exactly what we were saying. I grabbed my phone to document this momentous occasion, but of course, like many other fleeting moments with our pets, it was over before I managed to capture it.
It's always emotional seeing clients experience their images for the first time, but this viewing was especially heartwarming. Tim and Rich were so expressive - so clearly delighted by every small detail that captured Bernie's spirit. They told me, "We were blown away when we saw the final photos today - they are phenomenal! Amie managed to capture so many of Bernie's favourite expressions and her spirit."
They selected a collection of fifteen digital photographs, each carefully chosen to represent Bernie's personality and the story of that morning.
What I'll Remember Most
Looking back, what stays with me isn't just the images, but the feeling of the morning. The laughter, the gentle teasing between Tim and Rich, the way Bernie seemed to understand the rhythm of the session as if she'd done it all before.
At one point, Bernie wandered a few steps away and settled herself in a spot I hadn't planned to use, then looked straight at me as if to say, "Hello, have you seen this shot with me here?" I took it - and she was right. It turned out to be stunning.
I often talk about the emotional layers in dog photography - the way a session isn't only about the dog, but about what they represent in their family. Bernie's session was a perfect example of that. Every photograph became a love letter to their life together - the small moments, the morning walks, the shared sense of humour, and the deep, unwavering affection.
There's a reason I always describe my approach as "dog-led.” It's not a gimmick - it's a philosophy built on trust. When we let dogs show us who they are, they gift us something far more beautiful than a pose: they give us a glimpse into their soul.
A selection of images from Bernie’s session - want to celebrate your own dog with a photoshoot? Find out how here.
Bernie's Legacy in Light
I think about that morning in Bank often - how the sunlight caught Bernie's fur just as the first early risers appeared, and how her calm confidence seemed to centre the entire scene. She reminded me that elegance doesn't need to be loud, and that joy often lives in the in-between moments.
Tim and Rich's testimonial still makes me smile every time I read it. Their gratitude and warmth reflect exactly why I do what I do - to create something lasting, something that brings people back to the moments that matter.
And Bernie? I'm pretty sure she knew all along how photogenic she was.
If You're Thinking About Your Own Session
Whether it's a birthday, a milestone, or simply a celebration of the dog who makes your world brighter, a photography session can capture what words often can't.
You can explore my portrait experience here and see how we can tell your story - through your dog's eyes, in the heart of London.
