By Tova O'Brien
Portraits of mum, dad and the kids have long adorned the living room walls and mantlepieces of family homes. And while the resident moggy or pooch has sometimes featured in those pictures, that family pet is increasingly becoming the star.
But when it comes it to pet photography, the old showbiz adage 'never work with children or animals' rings truer than ever.
If your pets however, like caterer Ruth Pretty's pugs, are a proud family fixture then pet portraits could be worth the hassle.
"People say to me, 'Have you got any kids?' and I say no, but I've got dogs," says Ms Pretty.
"Everybody wants portraits, especially pet portraits, eh," says photographer Hamish Trounson, "'cause you're one of the family, you're very much part of the family, and that's what I think it is."
And unlike children, who every parent hopes they'll outlive, pets aren't always there until the golden years.
"Photos last forever, so why not have something that's going to last a lifetime?" says dog owner Michelle Gordon. "Unfortunately these guys don't stick around for that long."
And there's a growing market for more than just your home-baked snapshot.
"Anyone can pick up a camera and take a photograph, but we bring in the lights and make that point of difference and give it that studio feel," says Mr Trounson.
And while some people's idea of pet photography is slightly left of sensible, Mr Trounson's business Petures means business.
"If they want a dog in a basket with ribbon around its neck and bunny ears or something, that's fine. I can direct them to somebody that does that."
His photos are about capturing the animal in their element, and some are easier than others.
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