RAW Chronicles - August 2026

Cats, Canines and another C word…

Welcome to August! 🌞

This month has brought us curious cats, an upcoming day surrounded by dogs, and our first bit of… Christmas planning.

We recently took the camera along to Manchester’s newly reopened cat café, we’re looking forward to supporting Paws in the Park in Heywood later this month, and we’re beginning to gauge interest in a possible day of Christmas taster sessions for dogs.

Here’s what we’ve been up to and what’s coming up.

A Visit to Manchester’s Newly Reopened Cat Café 😻

We recently popped into Manchester’s newly reopened cat café, and it was a lovely little break from the usual pace of the city.

The team made us feel welcome, there was a good choice of drinks, and the space had plenty of thoughtful and fun details to take in. Of course, the main attraction was the café’s resident cats, who each seemed to have a distinct personality.

Some were curious enough to come over for a closer look, while others were perfectly happy observing everything from a favourite perch or confidently taking over a table. Between the nose boops, watchful expressions and occasional bursts of movement, there was no shortage of moments worth photographing.

Cats can be wonderfully expressive subjects, but they also tend to work entirely to their own schedule. That is part of what makes photographing them so enjoyable. You have to slow down, watch their body language and be ready when their personality comes through.

It was an enjoyable visit and a good reminder that compelling animal portraits are not only about perfect poses. Often, it is the small glances and completely unscripted moments that tell you the most about them.

Paws in the Park Returns to Heywood 🐾

We’re also very pleased to be co-sponsoring another Paws in the Park event at Queen’s Park in Heywood on Saturday, 29 August 2026.

This relaxed, dog-friendly day brings together local pet owners, businesses and charities for a fun dog show featuring classes, rosettes, goody bags, stalls and have-a-go agility.

Events like this are always a great opportunity to spend time with other dog people, discover local organisations and enjoy seeing plenty of four-legged personalities in one place. Whether your dog loves being at the centre of the action or you simply fancy coming along to watch, there should be plenty to see and do.

We always enjoy supporting events that celebrate the local dog community, so we’re delighted to be involved again.

Pop the date in your diary and come and say hello if you spot us there. We’d love to meet you and your dog.

Would You Be Interested in a Christmas Taster Session?

It might only be August, but we’re already beginning to think ahead to Christmas 🎄

We’re currently gauging interest in a possible day of Christmas-themed taster sessions for dogs on 1 November 2026 at Precious Paws Doggy Daycare in Middleton.

The plan is to offer 30-minute indoor studio sessions with a choice of two festive setups. The early-bird package would cost £50 and include the session plus three professionally retouched, high-resolution digital images.

These sessions would be ideal for dogs who can sit and wait on command and are comfortable in a smaller indoor environment with studio lighting, props and flashes. Owners would also be very welcome to step into a few photographs with their dogs.

We know most people have hundreds of photographs of their dog on their phone, but far fewer good-quality images featuring them together. A festive session could be a lovely opportunity to change that, as well as creating photographs for Christmas cards, prints or gifts.

We need a minimum level of interest before we can go ahead, so joining the interest list does not yet commit you to booking. It simply helps us see whether enough local dog owners would like us to make the day happen. Places would be limited to a maximum of 12 sessions, with bookings offered on a first-come, first-served basis once they open.

If this sounds like something you and your dog would enjoy, please add your details to the interest list on our Christmas dog taster session page. We’ll then keep you updated about whether the event is going ahead and when booking opens.

Until Next Month

August is shaping up to be a busy and very animal-filled month, which is exactly how we like it.

Our cat café visit gave us the chance to photograph a completely different group of personalities. Paws in the Park promises a brilliant local day out, and we’re excited to see what people think of the proposed Christmas sessions.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for photographs, event reminders and further updates. We hope to see some of you at Queen’s Park on 29 August and perhaps in front of one of our festive backdrops later in the year 😉

Happy August, and until next time!

Callum, Roxane, Vixie & Miss BunnyPenny at RAW Photography Manchester

Callum, Roxane, Vixie, and our new family member…Miss BunnyPenny!

RAW Photography Manchester

https://www.rawphotographymanchester.com