As Tess is a big part of my life and a major asset to my photography it is only fitting that she has her own page. So, I hear you ask, how can
a dog be an asset in photography? Well The biggest part of what I get asked to do is Outdoor Dog Photography and people want action in their final shots. I tend to find that on most Doggy photos shoots things start out good and whether it is one dog or 7,
after a while things go flat and they stop playing and the action falls away. And this is where I introduce Tess to gee things up. She loves other dogs and loves to play with them. And bingo we have action.
It works every time. So if you are thinking of booking an Outdoor Dog shoot with me, don’t worry if your dog doesn’t play much as long as he or she gets on with other dogs you will get plenty of action shots.
"My Girl Tess "
Tess is a smooth haired Patterdale Terrier born 11th June 2017. Patterdale Terriers are a relatively new breed and given their name after a village in the Lake District called Patterdale. Bred in the sixties by Brian Nuttall from Northern terriers he had been given by his grandfather. He used Buck and Breay bloodlines to produce his own, namely the Nuttall bloodline. They were bred in the Lake District, where the climate and environment is harsh and hilly. It's where flocks of sheep graze and where foxes were and still are a problem. It was for this reason that farmers needed a robust, hardy dog capable of working and protecting flocks in harsher environments against predators. The working terrier is also used for ratting due to their size and the fact that they can compress their chest and able to fit down the smallest of holes Unlike other terriers that were trained to go to ground after their prey without killing it, the Patterdale was trained to dispatch their prey if prey stood their ground and fought back, a Patterdale knew how to deal with things rapidly and efficiently. They do have a reputation for having a very high prey drive and indeed Tess's father and one of her brothers are both working dogs. Tess however does not have this trait of chasing. In fact she often just lays and watches the ducks in the garden and even swims with them in the river. I have to admit though not to chase was worked in to her training from a very early age. Tess is one amazing girl and I can quite happily let her off lead (when appropriate of course) and I know she will come back when called. She loves to swim and play with other dogs and is very much a Daddy's girl.
Fame but no fortune.
All who come in to contact with Tess can't help falling in love with her gentle ways. And indeed, she has many followers. But it would be remiss
of me not to give her her correct title. That being Lady Tess of Warkworth, so named by Dame Penelope Keith.
When Tess was just 3 months old, I was asked to do some photography whilst Channel 4 were filming Hidden Villages starring Dame Penelope Keith and whilst I was doing so Penelope asked if she could hold Tess for
a while. I agreed, and she asked her name and I answered Tess. “No no, she replied, that is far too common. I shall rename you Lady Tess of Warkworth.” And so the name stuck. It is quite a thing when
I sometimes get people asking, O you must be Len the photographer and this, of course, must be the lovely Lady Tess. I have to admit though if those I meet are interested in me or Tess.
It does have some compensations having a Lady in the family, of course, in that I am sometimes asked to do doggy photo shoots and invariably asked if Tess would do the modelling.
Tess's Videos
This where the girl gets to show off a little of what she gets up to when she is out and about with me. From time to time I like to put together a little show made up of video and photos and set them to music as tribute to her.
To be honest they are really for my own personal look back on her life but I thought it would be nice to share for those who follow her life. These are some of what I have put together. I hope you like them. Like all my videos they are best viewed full screen. Enjoy!.
Merry Christmas from Tess A Christmas cheer 2024
That's my girl Tess is now 7 - where I wonder has time gone
Christmas Cheer 2023 It's Chritsmas time again and Tess remembers 2023..
And now you are Six / The places we roam Happy Birthday my little girl. You are so so loved not just by Daddy but all who come in to contact with you..
Christmas 2022 It's Christmas Time 2022
Now you're five
Like all royalty Tess has an official birthday and an unofficial one, This is her official Birthday video. It being her Birthday on the 11th June.
It's a wonderful life
And I would like to think it is for Tess. It's her 5th birthday and so this is dedicated to a really remarkable girl.
It's Christmas time
Yep it's that time of year again. Hope you like Tess's Christmas Video for 2021.
When I was young
It's all about growing up, I guess. I like to put myself in Tess's head and try to imagine what she might be thinking. Maybe something like this.
A walk in the woods
One of my favourite places I like to take Tess is to a secluded woods not far from where I live It is a lovely quiet place that is not well known. Other than by the locals.
A day in the life
A typical day for Tess is out in the morning somewhere and then again in the afternoon. Or sometimes out for the whole day. But what ever it might be no two days are the same for her.
Tess's 4th Birthday
Can't believe my girl is 4. Where has the time gone. She has certainly turned in to a real cracker. And boy do we have a lot of fun together. No two days are the same.
Christmas Greetings 2020
Christmas Greetings from Tess to all her friends. Both Canine and human.
Having Fun
If it's one thing Tess knows how to do it's having fun. Weather it's running, playing with dad or swimming no one does it better than Tess.
She's just a dog
A tribute to Tess on her third Birthday. It doesn't seem so long ago she was just a pup, O how she has grown in to an amazing girl.
I am legend
The warrior awakens. Then fear her wrath for she is mighty and those within her path will tremble. Well she would like to think so
My Girl
My how she has grown. She is almost 17months now and such an angel. All the training has been worth it. I could not have a better dog by my side.
Just another day
Or maybe I should rename that to a day in the life of. A little snapshot of what Tess gets up to each day. Although no two days are the same.
A Christmas wish
Tess's first birthday video. She really has turned in to one beautiful dog I could not wish for a more faithful little girl.
Tess the movie
Another Video of Tess in her younger days getting up to all sorts of mischief as she plays to the camera.
Learning
The road to learning right from wrong is the same for dogs and humans It takes time and there is so much to discover for a tiny soul..
Let's Party
O yeah Tess is One and she is gonna party. Come join her and rock the house
Growing up
Like all pups Tess was in to everything but O the laughs I had when she was tiny. Haaa and of course the annoying times too.
