Brand Spotlight: K9Kidz With Style – Celebrating Personality Through Custom Pet Harnesses

Ashley Chapman
Dec 1
3 min read

Every brand has a story to tell—and sometimes, that story comes wrapped in wagging tails, squishy noses, and a whole lot of personality. My latest branding shoot for K9Kidz With Style, a local company that creates custom harnesses for pets, was the perfect blend of creativity, colour, and canine charm.

As a Cape Town photographer who often works with pet brands, I cannot stress enough how important it is for businesses—big or small—to invest in professional images. Your photos aren’t just photos… they’re your storefront, your digital handshake, the first impression that encourages customers to trust your product. In a world where customers scroll faster than ever, standing out visually isn’t a bonus—it’s essential.

High-quality imagery instantly elevates a brand’s credibility, showcases the product’s details, and communicates the lifestyle your audience aspires to. And with pet products especially, seeing the items being used by real animals creates an emotional connection you simply can’t replicate with mock-ups or phone snapshots.

The Stars of the Shoot: Mowgli & Sage

For this branding session, I had the pleasure of photographing two of the cutest models I’ve ever worked with, I might be bias as they my own children hehe!—Mowgli and Sage, a pair of twin pugs with matching wrinkles and endless charm. They were the perfect ambassadors for the K9Kidz With Style brand.

Their custom harnesses were not only beautifully made, but full of character too.

Mowgli’s harness proudly displayed his name, giving it that personalised touch the brand is known for.
Sage’s harness, on the other hand, read “Mischief Managed,” which couldn’t have been more fitting for a pug with a big personality and curious eyes.

Each harness was paired with bold red leads that popped beautifully against their fawn coats, adding a striking visual element that worked beautifully on camera. As they explored the garden, lounged on the bed, or gave me their best side-eye expressions, their harnesses moved naturally with them—exactly the kind of lifestyle imagery a pet brand needs.

Behind the Scenes: Capturing Products in a Real-Life Setting

Rather than photographing the harnesses in a sterile studio, we opted for a warm, lifestyle approach. The soft natural light, textured blankets, greenery, and sparkling pool created a setting that felt inviting and authentic.

Lifestyle branding photography shows your product in action—how it fits, how it looks outdoors, how it complements everyday moments. For K9Kidz With Style, it helped highlight the harnesses’ comfort, quality, and visual appeal, all while showcasing the unique personalities of the pets wearing them.

Mowgli and Sage made sure there was never a dull moment. From eagerly sniffing the equipment to giving me those iconic pug expressions, they brought so much joy to the shoot. And of course, the quirky harness sayings added that extra bit of storytelling that every great branding image needs.

Why Professional Branding Photography Matters for Pet Brands

Pet owners are passionate buyers—they want products that are safe, comfortable, stylish, and full of personality. But they also want to see those qualities.

This is why professional images are essential:

They showcase detail – stitching, texture, fit, colour
They build trust – customers can see real pets using the product
They elevate your brand identity – consistent visuals create instant recognition
They increase sales – great photos capture attention and encourage purchases

For brands like K9Kidz With Style, investing in branding photography doesn’t just share what they sell—it shares who they are: thoughtful, expressive, and proudly pet-obsessed.

A Shoot Filled With Style, Personality & Love

This session was a reminder of why I love what I do. Capturing the essence of a brand through the joyful presence of pets is something truly special. If your business is ready to level up with imagery that feels warm, authentic, and professional, I’d love to help you tell your story.

After all, in today’s digital world, your photos aren’t just part of your brand—they are your brand.