A COUNTY DURHAM photographer has been shortlisted as a finalist in the pets category of the Guild of Photographers Image of the Year competition.

At the end of last year, judges from the Guild selected nominated images in15 categories and the list includes photographs from Jason Allison, from Crook.

Mr Allison specialises in pet portraiture and, since launching his own business in 2017, has already achieved international acclaim.

Jason photographs his subjects in his studio on the first floor of the Barton Townley Building, in Willington.

In the open category, Jason has been awarded seven gold, 12 silver and ten bronze awards this year and seven of his images have been shortlisted in the pets category.

A panel of judges selected the shortlisted images in December and Jason, together with other photographers from the Guild of Photographers, will find out if their images have won in the finals, which will be held on Saturday at Crewe Hall in Cheshire.

Each category winner and runner-up will receive a trophy and there will also be two Guild Overall Images of the Year – the Judges Choice, which is chosen from the Image of the Year category winners and the Members Choice, which is chosen from all gold award winners through the year.

Mr Allison, who is married with three children, said: “Photography is something I have always dreamt of doing full time and is a passion of mine. The business has only just celebrated its first anniversary, but I love what I do. I love meeting new clients and their humans, giving them a memorable experience and creating images that show the true character of the pet and the connection I have with them.

“To be selected in the finals and for seven of my portraits and to be shortlisted in the pets category is just awesome for me.”

One of Jason’s portraits which has been shortlisted is his photograph of nine Hungarian Vizsla pups.

Puppies owner Jill Mitchell said: “I was thrilled to be approached by Jason to photograph my pups but the enormity of the challenge emerged during the morning of the shoot when all nine of them were loaded in the car and howled the entire 45-minute journey to the studio.

“The results of the shoot are stunning, and I will treasure these pictures with pride. Jason has captured the essence and nature of such a beautiful breed.”