Toby Coulson, a photographer living and working in London, England, has created portrait series revolving around pets and their proud owners. Appropriately titled 'Show,' the series may focus on traditional portraitures, complete with basic backdrop and bright lighting, but it adds a quirky element in the form of animals.
According to It's Nice That, Toby Coulson documents the trials and tribulations of the people of Allaleigh in Devon, a village struggling with the demise of small-scale farming across the United Kingdom. While some of the images portray cat lovers, others capture pigeon enthusiasts and rabbit breeders, all of whom participate in animal shows.
Toby Coulson, who was shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize while still a student at University College Falmouth, has exhibited his work in many galleries.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Pet Portrait Photography
- Disruptive innovation opportunities could include niche marketing to pet owners or partnering with animal-related businesses for cross-promotion.
- Animal Show Participation
- Disruptive innovation opportunities include creating a platform for pet owners to connect and participate in animal shows online or developing tools to help pet owners better prepare their pets for shows.
- Photojournalism in Rural Areas
- Disruptive innovation opportunities may include partnering with publications or news outlets to create visual stories about the struggles and triumphs of people living in rural areas.
Where This Applies
- Photography
- Photographers can target pet owners and specialize in capturing portraits of animals, or work with animal-related businesses for marketing purposes.
- Pet Industry
- The pet industry can leverage pet portrait photography for marketing and branding purposes, or create online platforms for pet owners to connect and participate in shows.
- Media and Publishing
- Media and publishing companies can partner with photojournalists to create visual stories about people and places, like rural areas, that are often overlooked by mainstream media.
