Our Way of Life /
The colourful world of pet photographer Craig Turner-Bullock
Meet Craig Turner-Bullock, the creative force
behind Furtography, a photography business
focused primarily on pets, with a special
reverence to dogs.
SOME PEOPLE ARE IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LIKE.
Photographer Craig Turner-Bullock is one of those people. With his cheeky grin, British accent and blond hair that is often tinted a shade of grape-flavoured bubble gum, Craig fizzes with energy and enthusiasm. It’s no wonder that animals like him so much too.
Craig’s talent has seen him become one of New Zealand’s most well-regarded pet photographers, winning multiple awards and becoming a successful author. ‘I adore everything about this job,’ Craig says. ‘The fact I can even call it a job still makes me want to pinch myself. I love being my own boss. I love connecting with businesses and pet owners who are as crazy about pets as I am. I love creating and printing work for my clients, but most of all, I just love the endless, unbridled joy of dogs.’
Originally from Guernsey, Craig now lives in
Christchurch with his husband Chris, their Affenpinscher dog Ralph, and three cats. While life these days for Craig is a full and happy one, it hasn’t always been that way. Coming out as a teenager in a society that was prejudiced and intolerant made life growing up in Guernsey incredibly challenging. ‘Guernsey is a really beautiful island in the English channel, but growing up there was really difficult. I came out when I was 14, and I had always been bullied at school, not only by other students but teachers as well. I was abused by police who called me a pervert and an AIDS spreader. I got pretty depressed and started self-harming. I attempted suicide when I was 16,’ he explains.
‘It wasn’t all bad, because these experiences made me fall in love with music and art and photography. They helped me find people who were like me, and ultimately, they led me to where I am today. I’m quite open about my childhood because I want other people, who may be in similar situations, to know that things can change and they do get better.’
Craig and Chris (also from Guernsey) holidayed in New Zealand in 2007 and found it to be much more inclusive and accepting. ‘We absolutely fell in love,’ he describes. ‘Not just for its natural beauty and friendly people, but also for its more progressive attitude towards recognising gay relationships. At the time, we couldn’t have a civil partnership in Guernsey, and we were still abused regularly when we went out.’
The couple made a move to New Zealand permanently in 2009, gaining residency and marrying in a civil partnership ceremony.
Craig pursued his passion for photography and discovered he enjoyed capturing images of animals more than people. He started photographing his own pets, and gradually a sideline blossomed into a full-time business.
When the Christchurch earthquakes struck, Craig wanted to tell the story of the disaster from a pets’ perspective. What followed was a labour of love, with Craig working with Penguin Random House on two books: Quake Cats and
Quake Dogs, followed by A Dog’s Life, which chronicled dogs nationwide in various roles, and their unique stories.
Craig describes Quake Cats and Quake Dogs as telling the story of what happened during the Christchurch earthquakes through the eyes of our four-legged friends. ‘They cover all