Durham Dog Photography: The Calendar Project Returns to the North East
Destination number five on my 2025 dog photography project was Durham, a city sat pretty on a hilly peninsula, known for its beautiful architecture, the river and a plethora of showstopping spots for photography. I was aghast to find out it had been just over 20 years since I had visited Durham last, well before I went to university myself, and if you’d have told me 20 years ago that the next time I would be back is to photograph dogs for a calendar project I would have never believed you!
Having had such an incredible experience in Newcastle in February, I knew that Durham would have some big North East shoes to fill. From a tiny agility superstar through to a long legged lurcher, she didn’t disappoint one bit! And although I had one last minute cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, that just means I have the perfect excuse to go back one day soon and shoot session number five.
I knew I needed images that screamed Durham without being to on-the-nose, so before I arrived in the city I did my classic location scouting at a distance tactic of walking the streets on Google Maps. I knew I’d have to consider the feasibility in shooting in some of the more popular touristy spots and think about what would and wouldn’t work in my style of portraiture. The Castle, for instance, was out - as a private place of residence for university students and barriers up everywhere, it simply wasn’t going to work at all. However, I was successfully able to incorporate some undeniably Durham locations in to my sessions, while leaving something special to shoot with that elusive fifth session when I do go back soon.
A Weekend in Durham: Sunshine and Riverside Strolls
It felt like summer had well and truly arrived on the Friday night and Saturday in Durham. I had a walk around in the evening before my first sessions the following morning to check out the spots I had scouted online, and it was a good job I did as there was some unexpected scaffolding up on some of the university buildings near the Cathedral. Not to worry, there were still plenty of options, it just meant I was well-prepared for anything the following day.
The range of dogs I met this weekend was absolutely brilliant, from tall and alert to small and delightfully scruffy, Durham had me covered! I also loved chatting with all the lovely humans I met along the way. Northerners never shy away from a good natter, and it was such a pleasure to spend the morning swapping stories and talking all things dogs.
Here are a few quick phone snaps of the locations I used during these sessions. I wanted the backdrops to feel unmistakably Durham – from cobbled streets to cathedral views – and I hope the final images I create (more on those below) do this beautiful city proud. That said, there are still so many spots I’d love to explore, so if you’re in or around Durham and fancy an urban dog portrait session, I’d be thrilled to come back.
The Dogs of Durham and Their Portrait Locations
Saturday: Sunrise at South Bailey, Cathedral and A Riverside Stroll
First up on Saturday was Romeo, a small dog with a big reputation. He’s no stranger to the agility ring, training at Petsercise, and it’s clear from the moment you meet him that he lives for it. When he realises he’s working, he really comes alive, so excited and ready to please. Romeo trains closely with his human and even made it all the way to Crufts last year. What started as a bit of a running joke among her friends and family turned into a serious achievement and something she saw all the way through! Romeo is sharp, speedy, and completely in sync with his person. He’s kind of dog who makes you want to up your own game and he certainly kept me on his toes. I would absolutely love to photograph him inaction one day.
Next came Mabel, a young red border collie with brains, beauty, and bags of energy. She’s just over a year old and already completely tuned in to her human. Alert, responsive, and keen to explore the world around her while not being remotely phased by anything in the city. What a temperament. We wandered through the colleges on South Bailey where the light was beautiful and the textures of the old buildings framed her perfectly. Some of my favourite images from the weekend came from that part of the session and, although she loves her countryside adventures, she looked and felt completely at home in this city.
Rounding out the morning was Lunar the lurcher, a stunning grey wire-haired girl with legs for days and a quiet confidence that comes from being very used to the camera. Her human, Jess, has taken thousands of photos of her over the years and it shows. Lunar knows the drill, hopping up on benches and walls as if to say, “How about this?” Although, I do love the images I captured of her where she was simply acting dog the best.
When I found out I’d be photographing her in Durham, I thought immediately of the riverside. I’ve seen images of Lunar in the city before and she suits the historic stonework and winding streets so well. But I wanted to do something a little different. The image I had in mind was about capturing her curiosity and softness, something quieter and more natural. She may be older now, but she still has that spark of wonder. One of my favourite frames shows her watching the river as it winds past, completely at ease in the moment.
Jess is a photographer too, which always adds another layer to a session. So to hear her kind words about not just the final gallery, but the way I approached photographing Lunar, meant the world. There’s something very special about seeing someone else’s beloved companion in a new way and doing them justice.
Sunday: Rowing Boats and Empty Streets
After an unexpected last minute cancellation (it’s bound to happen at some point), I found myself with only one dog to photograph on the Sunday morning so I could dedicate all of my attention to her. She’s called Charlie, and she’s a stunner. Half German Shepherd and half Border Collie - it’s easy to see the former in her looks and the latter in her behaviour, super alert, super responsive and very high drive. She lives with the amazing humans at Meraki’s Small Animal Rescue who rescue, rehabilitate and rehome small animals such as rabbits, rats, mice and cats across the North East. Obviously, Charlie is no small animal, but she came to them in need and the rest as they say is history.
We began our session near the rowing boats under Elvet Bridge where Charlie’s colourings fitted in perfectly. It was a breeze to get her attention, and she responded to my repertoire of weird and wonderful noises perfectly, even giving me a head tilt at one point which matched the curve of the bridge behind her head. Being the only people around, after a couple of minutes we attracted the attention of a male swan who dramatically swooped in for a smooth landing on the river next to us. Realising quite quickly that there was a nest about 25m up river, we decided to leave the too-close-for-comfort spot and be on our merry way.
The remainder of our session took place in Durham’s empty Sunday morning streets, capturing the best of Charlie before the sun became too strong. She posed like she had been doing this her whole life, and with two of her humans on the session I could use this to my advantage perfectly to get her attention and focus pretty much wherever I wanted. A wonderful end to my time in Durham!
I do, however, have unfinished business here and I am in need to go back for my 5th dog before the end of July. If you are interested in a complimentary session for your dog and a spot in the calendar, please click the button below to be taken to the application form.
Featuring Durham’s Dogs in the 2026 Photography by Frankie Calendar
All the dogs photographed in Durham will be featured in the 2026 Photography by Frankie charity calendar. The images their owners chose as a thank-you gift might not be the same ones that make it into the final calendar, but every dog will have a place in the month celebrating Durham’s Angels of the North, and I cannot wait to put together the pages for this city.
All of the dogs photographed so far (please note this is NOT a calendar page mock-up). Could your dog fill space number 5 for Durham?
I’m so stoked to announce that the wheels are fully in motion for my charity collaboration and benefactor for a portion of the 2026 calendar sales. More on this will be announced in the next few weeks, but for now I’m feeling a huge sense of both relief and excitement!
What’s Next for Angels of the North
As I finish writing this blog post, I am on the train back up home from Liverpool as I have just finished my Chester sessions after a weekend of relentless sun. Next weekend I will be photographing my Leeds dogs too - May is non-stop, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m now recruiting for June’s destinations, which will be Bradford and Preston. I’ve also started receiving emails from dog owners in other northern cities who are keen to take part. If you’d like to be the first to know where I’m heading next, make sure you’re signed up to my newsletter.