User:Philturner77/Sally Anne Thompson

Sally Anne Thompson is a British photographer who specialises in the photography of cats, dogs, horses, farm animals, small pets and wild animals.

Sally Anne Thompson was born into the photography business. Her father, John de Forest Thompson, was head of Scaioni's Studio, a fashion studio based in Marylebone, London and when the young Sally Anne rejected the future mapped out for her at finishing school, she persuaded him to teach her photography. During her school days, Sally Anne’s father gave her a Box Brownie camera, Sally Anne soon discovered she most enjoyed photographing animals. Sally Anne undertook an apprenticeship under the demanding tutelage of her father. Starting in the darkroom, she was groomed to become a fashion photographer, and take up a position in Scaioni's Studio. This was of little interest to Sally Anne, who much preferred her weekend excursions photographing animals.

A chance for Sally to turn her passion into her career came from an unlikely place. Scaioni's Studio was commissioned by French publisher Éditions Larousse to supply images of English dogs – a very unusual request for a fashion studio. Sally Anne went along to assist with the assignment, but took the opportunity of getting some pictures of the subjects – Windswift Salukis – for herself. Vera Watkins, owner of the Salukis, loved Sally Anne’s pictures and suggested that there may be potential in her operating as a dog photographer. Sally took the advice, and quickly gained a reputation in her chosen field for the quality and finish of her photographs, her chosen camera during the early part of her career was the Agiflex, and later the 2 1/4" Hasselblad.

Sally Anne’s big break came in 1962, when then Chairman of The Kennel Club, Colonel Sir Richard Glyn was planning the production of Champion Dogs of the World, an illustrated book on dog breeds. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_G._Harrap_and_Co. George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd], publishers of the book, commissioned Sally Anne to travel Europe and America to photograph dogs chosen by Sir Richard’s team as top specimens of their breeds. On its release in 1967 the book received rave reviews and broke all records for the sale of a dog book at Crufts. It was followed by two similar publications: The World’s Finest Horses and Ponies and Champion Cats of the World, both published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd and photographed by Sally Anne.

Sally produced the first of her own books in 1989: Photographing Dogs. Published by Hove Photo Books. In it, Sally Anne revealed the secrets of her technique for capturing images of dogs, explaining how to establish a relationship with the subject, how to pose it, the problems of backgrounds and viewpoints and offered hints and tips on lighting, film, exposure, darkroom techniques etc. . In the same year, Sally Anne also photographed/illustrated the book One Man and His Dog (vol.2), working with author and TV personality Phil Drabble, on location in Esthwaite in the Lake District.

Throughout her career Sally Anne has worked with many well-known dog and cat breeders, horse trainers and keepers, as well as private owners. Her images have been used throughout the world in specialist publications, calendars, books and advertising. She successfully combined her photographic training with her extensive knowledge of dog breeds and a way with animals which allows her to photograph them at their best. 'I like the dogs in my pictures to have a sort of proud, self-sufficient look' she has said. 'Almost a look of superiority, not appealing to the viewer for anything.'

Sally Anne Thompson’s library of images was relaunched in 2007 when Stephen Taylor, managing director of Heat Design, discovered the images when sharing the former Scaioni's Studio premises in Marylebone with the original library manager, Sally Anne’s late brother, John Thompson. Heat Design has since digitised Sally Anne’s collection – including many rare and unseen images – and has made them available to view online at www.animal-photography.com

Sally Anne continues to work today, with her husband Ron, a photographer with highly developed skills in animal handling. She is a past President of the Norfolk Terrier Club of Great Britain, a co-editor of the Club's website and is active in Greyhound Rescue.