Linda Palmer understands firsthand the profound comfort that professional pet photographs can bring. When she lost her young Cavoodle, Buddy, suddenly in a tragic accident, the professional photos taken the year before became an invaluable source of solace. This life-changing experience inspired Linda to retrain as a photographer at the Photo School in Kapiti and establish Paw Prints Photography NZ, specializing solely in animal photography.
Linda’s philosophy is rooted in a simple truth: our pets’ lives are too short, and we’re never ready for them to leave our sides. This makes capturing their essence now and forever through beautiful, authentic images and artwork that truly reflect who they are and what they mean to you all the more important. Our pets are fully-fledged family members who love us unreservedly and unconditionally, and they deserve to be celebrated.
As New Zealand’s only full-time travelling specialist animal photographer, Linda can go pretty much anywhere you need her to be. Whether you’ve got a playful pup, a comatose cat, or a fabulous filly, she would be honoured to help you record forever the impact they have on your life and your heart. Her work captures not just images, but the genuine personality and spirit of each animal.
Linda’s work has gained national recognition, including her collaboration with Olympic kayaking champion Dame Lisa Carrington to photograph her Cavoodle, Colin, for the 2026 Colindar. This special calendar project raises money for Save the Kiwi, a charity working to take kiwi from endangered to everywhere. The five-day shoot across multiple Auckland locations showcased Linda’s ability to create varied, meaningful imagery that celebrates the bond between people and their pets.
For pet parents throughout New Zealand wanting to capture similar memories and create lasting tributes to their beloved companions, Paw Prints Photography offers specialized animal photography delivered with genuine understanding, compassion, and artistic skill.