Passion for pets: Rankin’s celebrity portrait series inspires giving back to pets in need
Stars of stage and screen have come together for a very special photography portrait series celebrating the role pets play in our lives, shot by internationally renowned photographer Rankin.
Bob The Street Cat and owner James Bowen, actors Miranda Richardson, Joanna Scalan and Issac Hempstead-Wright, and comedian Jimmy Carr – who is pictured with his own Blue Cross dog, Marnie – are just some of the celebrity pet lovers who took part in this series to raise awareness of rehoming pets.
Rankin, who also snapped a self-portrait with Blue Cross horse, Splodge, said: “Pets change our lives. I know mine certainly have and that is why I wanted to join forces with Blue Cross and their famous friends and through this series of unique portraits, inspire people to give back to pets in need for the amazing, enriching and wonderful roles pets play in our lives.”
Blue Cross Chief Executive, Sally de la Bedoyere, said: “We were incredibly excited when Rankin agreed to give up his time to take photos for this portrait series. The images couldn’t be a more fitting and perfect celebration of pets and a clear inspiration of why we need to give back to all those pets in need. The horses, kitten, baby bunny and several of the dogs featured in the portraits were all ones who arrived at Blue Cross in a time of need and we will always be there to give back to pets as they do so much to enrich our lives.”
View the full series of photographs below.
Comedian Jimmy Carr with his dog, Marnie, who Jimmy adopted from Blue Cross: “Marnie is a rescue dog but be warned, I had a fall in the garden and she just sat there and did f*** all – they call them rescue dogs but they are not exactly the fourth emergency service.” Photo by Rankin.
Joanna Scanlan, actor, pictured with Blue Cross foal Emerald: “My Staffie Millie has really the sweetest nature of any dog I’ve ever known. On the outside she is this beautiful bruiser but on the inside she is just this melting heart of endless love. She is truly part of the family and embodies exactly how pets enrich our lives.” Photo by Rankin.
Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Game of Thrones actor, pictured with his two pet dogs: “My pets have been a huge part of my upbringing. The two energetic balls of fur charging around for the past nine years have felt like the siblings I never had as an only child. They are hugely reassuring; a reminder that no matter the worries in my life, my dogs will only be concerned about two simple things: food and walks!” Photo by Rankin.
Diana Vickers, singer-songwriter and actor, is photographed with Blue Cross foal Emerald: “Pets play such an important role in our lives and I can’t imagine my life without them in it. My cat Kiki fills my heart with joy and I love her. It was wonderful to take part in a photography project which celebrates the way so many different kinds of pets enrich and bring happiness to our lives and homes.” Photo by Rankin.
