AN award-winning pet photographer is expanding his growing company thanks to a new purpose-built studio in his garden.
Dog photographer Jonathan Yearsley has just had an office space built at his property in Caergwrle by Rubicon Garden Rooms. His Sringer Spaniel Millie is pictured in the new studio.
Jonathan Yearsley, from Caergwrle in Flintshire, was keen to separate his business activities from his home life but wanted to avoid the need to commute so turned to Deeside-based Rubicon Garden Rooms, which has provided him with the “perfect” solution.
The 46-year-old former IT consultant set up his own company, Jonathan Yearsley Pet and Equine Photography, six years ago after being inspired by his own two spaniels, and now specialises in dog and horse portraits.
He was just won Pet Photographer of the Year in the Me and My Pet category at the Xperience Awards in South Wales. He has also been handed a top ranking of five stars by Xperience, which run by a collection of professional photographers, making him one of just a handful of dog photographers with the honour.
He was also previously Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year, and demand for his work is increasing year on year, with some clients travelling across Europe to get him to photograph their pet.
Jonathan believes moving his base from a loft conversion to an impressive new outside studio will enable him to grow his business further.
Rubicon Garden Rooms create bespoke top-of-the-range units, which are used for everything from home offices to hobby dens, art or music rooms, yoga studios, teenage chill-spaces and annexes for dependent relatives.
Dog owner Jonathan, who is originally from Prestatyn, said: “I wanted to separate the house from the business but I desperately wanted to avoid a commute.
“What Rubicon Garden Rooms has provided me is absolutely perfect. I basically walk across the front of my garden to get to work.
“I’m in now and just need to make a few tweaks to get it ready for the studio sessions.
“It’s a brilliant internal space and the fact it’s maintenance-free was the major selling point for me.
“I’ve invested money in the studio and I can justify the investment because this is what my business needs to keep growing.
“Business-wise, I’m doing considerably better than last year and last year was my best year to date. Things can only get better.”
Jonathan enjoyed photography during his student life but it wasn’t until he got his two springer spaniels Millie and Daisy that he revisited his old hobby.
He said: “I did it for fun as a student and then took it up again nine years ago when we got our dogs.
“Like a lot of people I started with wedding photography as I could do it on a part time basis.
“I gradually got busier and busier and about five and a half years ago I took redundancy from my full time job.
“I got into dog portrait photography after running a competition to support the Dogs Trust. It worked so well and I saw it as a potential market to get into.
“It snowballed from there really and quickly overtook wedding photography so I decided to concentrate solely on dog portraits.
“I’d never been self-employed before becoming a full time photographer but I couldn’t imagine being an employee again.
“You’re ultimately responsible for your own success and that can be a challenge but it’s worth it.”
It can prove difficult to get dogs to pose for pictures but Jonathan always has a few tricks under his sleeve.
He explained: “I enjoy it, though it can be a challenge. Some dogs are trained working dogs and are fantastic to work with, others have basic commands, but the majority are somewhere inbetween. The dogs can range from three-month-old puppies to old retired sniffer dogs.”
“I allow plenty of time and also do a pre-shoot consultation with clients so I know about a dog’s character and skill sets.
“It’s important to me to that clients and their dogs enjoy the experience and I have many clients that return for sessions with their new dogs.”
He added: “As clients often travel from distances, everything takes place on the same day.
“We’ll do a shoot in the morning and then they can grab some lunch while I edit the images and then they come back, look at them and we have the sales session. That way it’s all done without the need to return on a separate day.
“My clients generally travel from North Wales, Cheshire and Lancashire but I also get them from Scotland and more distant parts of the UK. I’ve even had people come from southern Spain and Prague to get their dogs photographed.
“I’ve found that interest has come from word of mouth and referrals, and Facebook advertising also works very well for me.
“I do a lot of work for the Dogs Trust and have helped raise more than £11,000 for them in 18 months. Rather than charge a commission fee I ask them to make a donation to the charity instead.”
Rubicon Garden Rooms founder and managing director John Lyon was inspired by his 20 years as an engineer at plane manufacturer British Aerospace to develop a zero-maintenance wood fibre composite material.
Fully insulated, the materials simulate wood, whilst other products simulate stone and slate to enhance comfort, zero-maintenance and aesthetic appeal. The company has just been accredited for its commitment to customer service, under the Buy With Confidence scheme run by local authority Trading Standards teams.
He said: “As an animal lover myself it was great to work with Jonathan on this project.
“He’s a hugely talented photographer and his business is going from strength to strength.
“He wanted something that was maintenance free and value for money, which is exactly what we’ve been able to provide him with.
“Mostly customers ask us for wide windows and doors to make the most of the views from their garden room or office, so it made a change to design this studio, which just has an entrance door, and two small windows.
“However, it has provided Jonathan with a very flexible space for his business, with room to sit and chat with customers, take photos for their dogs and then edit the results.
“I wish him the best of luck with his business venture.”
