RAW Chronicles - July 2026

3 Jul

RAW Chronicles: Bulldogs, Big Miles and Paws in the Park

Hello July! 🏝️

This month has been a lovely mix of treats and tail wags, heavy hiking boots, great outdoor sessions, and one very big personal challenge finally ticked off the list ✔️ We’ve had a fantastic dog photography session with the brilliant Bleu, Roxane completed her Macmillan Yorkshire Mighty Hike after months of training, and we’re already looking ahead to another brilliant local dog event.

So, grab a brew, settle in, and here’s what we’ve been up to.

Bleu’s Bluebell Adventure 🪻

This month, we had the pleasure of photographing Bleu, a gorgeous 3-year-old French bulldog with bags of character.

Bleu is a very active lady, inquisitive and full of energy, which made her a brilliant little model for an outdoor shoot. She took everything in her stride, from pausing beautifully amongst the bluebells to running, jumping and popping over obstacles like a pro. She really gave us so much variety to work with, and those are always the sessions where the final gallery feels extra exciting.

That said, the sunshine definitely kept us on our toes! It was one of those sessions where the sun kept coming in and out, threatening to wash out the images and flatten the contrast just when we were getting into the flow. Outdoor photography can be unpredictable like that, but it’s all part of the challenge. We worked with the light, adapted as we went, and got there in the end 💪

Bleu can also be reactive around other dogs, so we planned the session carefully and headed out early before most dogs were out for their daily walks. This gave her the space she needed to relax and enjoy herself. And when we did bump into the odd dog along the way, she handled it admirably.

We kept Bleu on a lead throughout the session, which is something we often do for safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Then, with a little editing magic, the lead disappears from the final images, leaving natural, polished portraits that still keep everyone safe on the day.

The best part? Gemma loved her images, which genuinely meant the world to us. She chose a beautiful Signature Print Collection so she could keep and display her favourite photographs properly, and we’re so pleased that Bleu’s gallery will have a place in her home.

Sessions like this are exactly why we love dog photography. Every dog is different, every location brings its own challenges, and every gallery tells a story that feels completely personal.

Roxane Completed the Yorkshire Mighty Hike 🥾

After months of training, planning, walking, wondering what on earth she had signed up for, and then walking some more, Roxane finally completed Macmillan’s Yorkshire Mighty Hike on 27 June near Malham.

And what an experience it was.

The anticipation, the organisation, the route, the atmosphere, the volunteers, the walkers, the cheering, the shared encouragement along the way… she loved it all. There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who are all taking on the same challenge for such an important cause, and the energy of the day made a huge difference.

That said, 26 miles is still 26 miles, and the emotional journey went a little something like this:

The first 13 miles: “Yeaaaaah! Let’s goooooo!”

The 13-mile mark: “Oh my, it’s getting hard.”

Miles 14 to 17, post-lunch: “I feel so much better! Full belly, rehydrated, fresh socks on, come on!”

Miles 18 to 19: “What am I doing to myself? Why am I here?”

Mile 20: “The countdown has begun!”

Miles 21 to 24: “Not long now!”

Mile 25: “How have I not arrived already?!”

Mile 26: “YEAAAAAH, WE DID IT!” 🤪

A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported Roxane along the way. Together, you helped raise £565 for Macmillan Cancer Support, supporting people living with cancer. We really hope it makes a difference to quite a few people who need it.

And a very special shoutout has to go to our friend Sophie, without whom we might have taken much longer to finish. Or possibly just stayed at the lunch pit stop forever.

Paws in the Park August 26

We’re also very excited to share that we’ll be co-sponsoring another edition of Paws in the Park at Queen’s Park in Heywood.

It’s always lovely to support local dog-friendly events, especially ones that bring together dog lovers, local businesses, charities and plenty of four-legged personalities. Paws in the Park is a fun dog show, with classes, rosettes, goody bags, stalls and have-a-go agility, so it’s a great one for anyone who enjoys a relaxed day out with their dog.

🗓️ This year’s event is listed for Saturday, 29 August 2026 at Queen’s Park, Heywood, and we’re so pleased to be involved again.

We’ll share more details closer to the time, but pop it in your diary if you’re local. It’s always a good opportunity to meet other dog people, support a great cause, and enjoy a proper dog-filled day out.

That’s it for this month’s RAW Chronicles: one fabulous Frenchie, one huge hiking achievement, and one exciting dog event on the horizon.

As always, thank you for following along with what we’re up to. Whether you’ve booked a session, shared a post, donated to Roxane’s fundraiser, cheered us on, or simply enjoyed seeing the dogs and babies we photograph, we appreciate you being here.

We’ll be back next month with more updates from behind the scenes at RAW Photography Manchester.

Happy July, and have a great summer!

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