A Preston woman has created an award-winning business after setting up in dog photography.

Cat Race runs CatsDog Photography, which has a studio on Tulketh Brow.

Cat’s latest achievements come in the prestigious Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year. She placed first in the Man’s Best Friend category and second in the Oldies category.

Cat, who is originally from Cheshire, said: “It’s so humbling! I have to pinch myself to believe it, it’s an absolute dream come true and I am incredibly grateful for the acknowledgement.

“The best thing is both photos were taken in the Lancashire area too, although we do shoot worldwide. 

“The awards mark the fourth placement I’ve had in the Dog Photographer of the Year and the fifth as a company.

“My partner Michael won a place in the Assistance Dogs category with a photo of his disabled brother and his dog in Haslam Park a couple of years ago.”

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Cat and Michael are partners in life and in business.

Cat said: “Michael and I work together under CatsDog Photography, usually with me shooting and him assisting. He’s a dog whisperer I tell you!

“We met 18 months after I had quit my job in a well-known family portrait studio and set up CatsDog as an on-location dog photography business. Within three months Michael had moved in with me and we began working together on CatsDog Photography. 

“We’re now in our sixth year of business. We have a staffed studio on Tulketh Brow, where our clients come to admire our gallery and view their images after their adventure on location with us.”

Earlier this year, Cat made runner-up in the British Photography Awards, and she recently appeared in a UNILAD Facebook feature.

Cat says the secret to her success is getting down at the dogs’ eye level, but she also mentions a less-expected technique.

She said: “You know what else works? Peanut butter! I’m not joking – one of the best ways to induce laughter evoking dippy dog faces is to smear a tasty dollop of peanut butter on your dog’s nose or the roof of their mouth.

“Between stifling fits of laughter at the ridiculous expressions they reward you with, you can click away to capture the most hilarious expressions you have ever seen your fur-baby make.”

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To find out more about CatsDog, visit Facebook or Instagram, or email cat@catsdog.co.uk.

What do you think of CatsDog success? Has your dog ever had a professional photoshoot? Let us know in the comments below.