When Jellybean arrived


Where can we start this story of loss but immense joy at the same time?

Jellybean, the little Dalmatian pup, joined Maddies family just at the right time. Unplanned but at the right time.


A year earlier, they had lost Bo, their elderly pug. Bo was there for all of Maddies major milestones. He moved countries with her and was always by her side and they made it through so many hard and happy days together. Not long after that sadly, Phoebe, their mixed breed who had been part of the family for years, also passed away.


Losing a dog is never simple, but it was Happy the Golden who seemed to feel it most.

Golden retriever running through a forest trail jumping for a red ball, with bokeh light filtering through trees.
A Dalmatian dog trotting on a path with trees in the background.
A joyful toddler runs with a Dalmatian puppy through a sunlit pine forest, holding a Apawlo Ring.

A Golden Retriever who wasn’t quite himself


Happy is usually exactly what his name suggests.

When I first met him years ago, you could see the joy on his face about, well just life! His tail actually doesn't stop.


He is close to the action and his humans and joining in on whatever the family is doing at any given moment.


So when he stopped eating properly after Phoebe passed, it was clear something was off. He was grieving the loss of two of his closest friends and life at home just didn't feel the same to him anymore.

Jellybean the Dalmatian


While we as humans often don't plan on another dog instantly, Happy told his family loud and clear that he needed company. When Jellybean arrived things started to change.


Happy wasn't too sure about the very young puppy initially but after a few days only he started warming up to her. They now play non stop and run around the farm together like they were meant to be!

Woman in black outfit walking two dogs on leash in a sunlit pine forest.

An afternoon at Gnangara Pines


We met at Gnangara Pines on a soft autumn evening in Perth.


The plan was just to capture Jellybean for her first shoot (Happy already had his solo shoot before - don't worry :D ) and Happy and Bean together how they play.


Having two young kids under two, Maddie of course brought them along for the shoot.

We were hoping for a relaxed little walk and roaming around the trees and letting the dogs be carefree and themselves. Little 2 year old Winter had other ideas though and didn't make mums life easy. I think kids sometimes can act not themselves when they are in an unfamiliar situation (hey just like dogs!) and Winter wasn't entirely sure what was happening. She wanted to be close to mum but didn't reaaaally want to be in the photo intitally.

The in-between moments


The best images came, as they usually do, in the in-between moments.


Winter holding onto Mum’s hand while walking through the pines. The family moving together without really thinking about the camera. Happy running full pelt after his ball. And Jellybean darting in and out of frame, full puppy energy.


Even the moments that look very still and posey of Jellybean, trust me that is simply me being super quick in capturing the moment. As I always say - as along as your pup can stay still for 3 seconds, I will make it work for you.

A Dalmatian dog stands alert on a tree stump in a misty forest with bokeh light filtering through tall trees taken at Gnagara Pines.

The frame that stood out


That image, with soft warm light filtering through the trees and Jellybean standing completely still with one paw up looking into the light, ended up being one of my favourites from the session.


It's the one we ended up printing and framing for Maddie and her animal physio clinic Physio for all.

A friendly Dalmatian nuzzles a happy Golden Retriever outdoors in a sunlit forest setting in Perth Australia.

The moment that stayed with me


But the photograph that stayed with me longest was a quieter one. One that just happened in a split second and I am still so grateful I captured it.


Jellybean leaning in and gently kissing Happy.

It lasted a second and would have been so easy to miss. But I am glad I captured this part of their relationship for their parents & human sublings.

A new chapter


Looking back at the gallery now, it’s hard to imagine this family without Jellybean in it.


She absolutely did not replaced Bo or Phoebe but she naturally became part of the next version of their life together. And from the way Happy looked that evening I can't help but think that this was the absolute best decision to bring her into the family.

A Dalmatian puppy sits attentively in a sunlit forest at Gnagara Pines in Perth, showcasing its white coat with black spots.
Golden Retriever leaping through a sunlit forest, chasing a red ball among tall pine trees in Gnagara Pines.
Two dogs, a Dalmatian and a golden retriever, stand on a quiet tree-lined road at dusk with a red leash at Gnangara Pines in Perth.

If you’re looking for a Perth dog photographer..


If you’re looking for a Perth dog photographer who focuses on natural connection, real movement and moments rather than posed perfection, I’d love to help you tell your story.


Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy, spending quiet time with an older dog or simply wanting to document this season before it changes, Haggie Snaps Photography offers relaxed dog photography sessions across Perth.