Totoro - A Little Dog with a Lot of Love in Epping Forest
The first time I saw them, they had their backs to me, standing at the edge of the lake in Epping Forest. Adam and Jennifer were speaking softly to Totoro, their heads bent down and towards her as she stood between them, gazing out over the water. It was the beginning of summer, the air cool on what would become a very hot day in London. In that moment as I made my way from the car to them, it was as if the rest of the forest had fallen away - just the three of them, together.
Totoro doesn't just live with Adam and Jennifer - she rules their hearts. She's the centre of their universe and, judging by the way she looked at me the first time we met, she knows it.
There's something about miniature dachshunds that draws your eye. The steady, deliberate way they move. The way they seem to measure the world before making their next move. With Totoro, it's that quiet self-assurance paired with a natural elegance - every step purposeful, every glance thoughtful.
Every photo in this session told a story - even the quiet ones.
A bond built from the beginning
Adam and Jennifer have had Totoro since she was a puppy. She's still young, but already their lives seem stitched together with all the little routines and quiet understandings that only dog guardians know. They recognise exactly when she wants to be carried in her special bag, they sense when she might need space from a bigger dog, and they make sure she feels safe and seen wherever they are.
And Totoro? She's at the centre of it all - enjoying city adventures, visiting cultural spots, finding the cosiest bars in London, and making sure everyone she meets knows just how adored she is.
A week of culinary crime
In the days leading up to our Epping Forest session, Totoro had been… busy. Busy devouring several portions of stolen food in one go. "She's gotten into so much food this week, I don't even know how she's still hungry," Adam said with mock frustration and genuine affection, as we watched her work happily for treats between shots. Whatever she'd managed to sneak earlier in the week clearly hadn't dulled her enthusiasm for posing.
Why Epping Forest felt right
Adam and Jennifer chose Epping Forest because it's part of their regular walks. That cosy familiarity makes such a difference in a dog photography session. Totoro knew the paths and the quiet corners, which meant she could focus entirely on the work we were doing together. For me, it was the perfect combination - a location I know well, and a dog entirely in her element.
The dream team
From the first frame, I knew we were going to create something special. Jennifer was a brilliant dog handler, keeping Totoro engaged and comfortable. At the same time, Adam became my secret weapon for drawing her gaze - standing exactly where I guided him, calling to her with just the right tone to get the perfect expression and head turned to just the
right angle.
This is where positive training methods and photography work hand in hand. Every paw placement, every alert look, was achieved with kindness and clear communication. The results speak for themselves: Totoro's gallery is full of images that radiate presence, from the tip of her nose to her neatly posed paws.
Sometimes it's the smallest adjustments that make the most significant difference.
If you'd like to celebrate your dog's personality in a place they feel at home, a photography session in a favourite walking spot can create images you'll treasure forever.
The moment that stayed with me
One of my favourite things about photographing Totoro was seeing Adam and Jennifer's pride as she posed. Each time she nailed a shot, they exchanged a smile. The kind that says, "That's our girl." It was a lovely reminder that the real magic isn't in the forest or the camera, but in the connection between a dog and the people who adore them.
From gallery to home
When it came time to choose their images, Adam and Jennifer selected a 30x20" Fine Art Float Panel as their statement piece, along with ten digital images. When I delivered the panel, Adam smiled and said it looked like a painting. He told me how much he loved the session, how proud he was of Totoro, and that he would be recommending me to more friends in the future.
Why I'll remember Totoro
Some sessions leave you with a quiet smile for the rest of the day and long into the future. This was one of them. Totoro's elegance, her focus, and the warmth of her people came together effortlessly.
Sessions like this remind me that photography isn't just about creating beautiful pictures. It's about giving people a way to hold on to a feeling - that same feeling Adam and Jennifer have when Totoro looks up at them, knowing she's exactly where she belongs.
Ready to celebrate your own dog?
Totoro's portraits aren't just pictures of a dachshund in the forest - they're a record of joy, connection, and everyday magic. If you'd like to capture something like this for your own dog, you can explore my portrait sessions page and see how we can tell your dog's story together.
