'Lovely dog vibes only' - pet photographer heads to the polls

Ellen Cooper is typically used to snapping people's pets along beach shores and blossoming fields, but on Thursday she opted for less picturesque backdrops.

Whether it is an excuse to walk the dog or document your vote, dogs at polling stations have become a feature of every election across the UK, and Wales' Senedd election is no exception.

There is "nothing more fun" than dogs going to vote, said Ellen, 32, from Port Talbot, in an Instagram plea for willing dog owners whose pets are comfortable in front of a camera.

With our reporting on polling day restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts, we grabbed the chance to accompany Ellen to capture some pets at the polls.

"Please no political chat," Ellen warned, adding that she wanted "lovely dog vibes only".

Apart from assistance dogs, animals are not usually allowed in polling stations, but other dogs can be admitted at the discretion of the local authority.

#DogsAtPollingStations has trended on X for many years, with voters sharing snaps to confirm they've cast their vote while in the company of their furry friends.

Boisterous border collie Loki was one of those out at a polling station with owners Laura Osbourne and Shannon Henshaw, who have had him since 2020.

A farming dog with a squeaky ball obsession, five-and-a-half year-old Loki "keeps them on their toes" the couple said, but Thursday was their first time visiting their new local polling station in Bridgend.

Brooke, 31, brought her rescue dog Pheobe to the polls with her in Porthcawl, Bridgend county, who she rescued nearly three years ago.

Phoebe and her sister were abandoned before they were 10 weeks old and found in a cardboard box in a car park, said Brooke.

"She's the most spoilt dog in the world now," she said, adding that she has taken her to the polls every year so far.

"We didn't know what breed she was... but we did one of those DNA tests and realised she has about 20-odd breeds.

"Phoebe's main breed is cocker spaniel, which is quite surprising, but then she's got loads of terrier... Jack Russell... a bit of everything.

"She's a very naughty dog, very playful. She's naughty but in the best way."

Jack Russel Sasha headed to the polling station in Bridgend with her owner Kay Sebern, who was casting her vote.

She was a "failed foster", said Kay, who doesn't know much about her upbringing, but said she was aged between 10 and 15.

Kay said she fostered Sasha in 2020, and what was meant to be a few weeks turned into nearly seven years.

"My daughter was killed and she gave me a reason to get out of bed in the mornings. She became my saviour at the time," said Kay.

"She's been a Godsend to me. I wouldn't be without her now, even though she can be a pain in the neck when she's barking constantly," Kay laughed.

"Wherever I go she comes with me."

Ellen has been a pet photographer for nearly five years alongside her job working on road networks, but said it was her first time heading to the polls.

From approaching strangers to ask if they may want a pet portrait to private photoshoots, Ellen said her venture has built her confidence massively and has helped her so much.

About a dozen people replied to her appeal in the hopes of getting a free professional snapshot of their pooch posing at the polls.

"I'm more likely to talk about the dog more than the owner... I love hearing about the dogs and their story," she said.

"You just see a pretty dog, but that's the owners whole world."

"It brings me so much joy to bring back to people. I've had so many clients when their dogs have passed... the photos are still important, more than anything."