Wolf & Steed was established in 2022 by Phillip West.
A man who hates talking about himself!
So his wife decided that a good way for you to know more about him and this business was to interview him on an afternoon walk. The result of their conversation is below.
The interview
What inspired you set up Wolf & Steed?
I received my first camera at 13 for a school trip to New York, igniting my love for photography. By 25, I graduated with a BA(Hons) in photography. Amidst the pandemic, I faced challenges with my mental health but found healing in photographing animals, particularly dogs. Wolf & Steed merges my passion for photography with my love for animals and being outside surrounded by nature.
What are your goals and values for your business?
Wolf & Steed has two main focuses: producing beautiful images for private clients to display in their homes and providing high-quality professional images for local businesses to promote their work. My core values are creativity, honesty, and integrity, guiding my collaborative approach with clients and commitment to delivering exceptional service.
What makes you a great pet photographer?
I graduated with a 2:1 honours degree in photography and have since continued to develop my skills, including as an active member of the national MTOG group, which specialises in canine and equine photography. I possess a strong understanding of camera operation, composition, studio photography, and post-production. Through self-critique and feedback within the MTOG group, I continually refine my techniques. In addition, with a lifelong affinity for animals and a calm demeanour, I naturally connect with them during photography sessions.
What has been your best Wolf & Steed moment so far?
Whilst working with a business client who home boards dogs, I photographed individual dogs as part of the shoot. Unfortunately, one of the dogs I photographed fell ill and passed away shortly after. To honor the dog's memory, my client surprised the owner with a print of my photograph, which the owner greatly appreciated. This experience holds special significance for me.
Why should people consider having a professional photograph of their pet?
While phones today have good cameras for snapshots, professional portraits offer a planned session tailored to the client's preferences, resulting in high-quality images that showcase their pet's personality. Professional photographs can be printed at scale, allowing loved pets to take centre stage in unique wall art—a feat that is not achievable with a phone camera.
What should people expect when working with you?
I love animals, obviously, but I also really enjoy working with people and making them happy. I want my clients to enjoy the whole experience from start to finish, from the initial consultation to the final reveal session. For me, I want the process to be a collaboration, I want to listen to people, get to know them and their pet and understand the personalities of the whole family. We can then bring all of that together in the choice of location, the style of the images and in the poses they want captured. Going back to my values I am creative, honest and work with integrity and that is what people will experience working with me.
