On Tuesday we launched my new photography series, Dogs of London. This collection is very special to me — I’ve always loved the UK and it’s long been a goal of mine to release a quintessentially British series. Creating Dogs of London was not an easy process. From months-long planning and coordinating, to capturing the images and narrowing down my favorites (out of thousands of options!) it was by far one of the most challenging series to bring to life — but I absolutely love the way it turned out.
Dogs of London
I have so many people to thank, including my wonderful LA-based team, as well as the friends I met in London who helped me carry out the vision. In particular, a huge thanks to Emma Alexander of Mother Bran Production. She was so helpful in coordinating transportation around London, obtaining permits, and working out logistics. I also wanted to thank our terrific Creative Consultant, Alice Ryan, for helping bring this project to life. I can't thank them enough!
Dogs of London
We were so fortunate to have access to numerous iconic businesses in London, including Brown’s Hotel, Claridge’s Hotel, Liberty, The Churchill Arms, and The Notting Hill Bookshop. Throughout the series, you can also spot celebrated landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Abbey Road, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the London Eye, and more.
Dogs of London
Perhaps the most challenging part of creating Dogs of London was getting all of the dogs together and transporting them from location to location. Luckily we had a lot of help with these well-behaved pups. In total, there are over 15 breeds represented in the series:
- Standard Poodle
- English Bulldog
- Chow Chow
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Golden Retriever
- Schnauzer
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Dalmatian
- Yellow Lab
- King Charles Cavalier
- Beagle
- Great Dane
- Weimaraner
- Old English Sheep Dog
- Corgi
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Chocolate Lab
Dogs of London
Part of what makes this series come to life are the vintage props incorporated into each shot. From classic British cars and tea sets, to Harrods shopping bags and Union Jack flags, it was important to me that every image convey a sense of English charm. Of course, many of the photographs feature the red telephone boxes, which have become synonymous with London nostalgia.
Dogs of London
When I was planning Dogs of London, a friend of mine said that I *had* to spend time at Brown’s Hotel. With the distinction of being one of London’s oldest operating hotels, and a history dating back to 1837, Brown’s boasts elegant Georgian architecture and timeless decor that served as the perfect backdrop to some of my favorite images from the series. Brown’s is renowned for its traditional Afternoon Tea, so I was thrilled to get a few shots of pups enjoying time in the English Tea Room.
Dogs of London
Whenever I visit London, I always stop at Liberty, the historic department store known for its unique and eclectic fabrics. I especially love the store’s commitment to promoting and supporting British designers and artisans. The image below, which was shot in front of Liberty’s Tudor-revival facade, feels so iconically London to me.
Dogs of London
Claridge’s is also a wonderful and iconic London hotel, located in the heart of Mayfair. For these shots, we brought in a vintage Rolls Royce, which felt especially paw-sh and reflective of Claridge’s luxurious reputation. I love the way *Spotted at Claridge’s Hotel, London* turned out — it reminds me of Spotted at Palais-Royal, Paris, which has quickly become a favorite from the Dogs of Paris series.
Dogs of London
In my travels to London, I’ve started a list of my favorite restaurants, shops, and things to do in the city. Alongside the Dogs of London photography series, I’ve published these recommendations to my website in the Gray Malin Travel Guide. Send me a DM if you pay a visit to one of these spots. Gymkhana is a fantastic place to get dinner, and I love the cocktails at Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel. The Churchill Arms in Kensington, dating back to the 18th Century, pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill and is an excellent place to stop for a pint. Additionally, the museums in London are second to none, with the Victoria and Albert Museum being one of my favorite places to spend a day immersed in art.
Dogs of London
I am so pleased with the way Dogs of London turned out, and I hope you love it just as much as I do. It’s the perfect addition to my other dog-centric photography series, including Dogs of Paris, Dogs at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Dogs of New York City, Dogs of Palm Beach, and others. Thank you to everyone who helped in making Dogs of London possible!
Cheers x
Gray