I'm a nationally accredited, award-winning pet photographer based in Chilliwack, and I've spent more than 20 years living, training and working closely with dogs. That experience shapes every single session I photograph.

The result is an experience that feels less like a formal photoshoot and more like a really good day spent with your dog — capturing the quirks, connection, joy, and personality that make them yours. Those moments are then transformed into heirloom artwork designed to live in your home for years to come.

Alongside my photography work, I also work on set as an assistant dog trainer for a popular Netflix production, working closely with my own dog, Makena, in fast-paced filming environments where patience, timing, and trust matter deeply.

That experience has only deepened my understanding of how to help dogs feel safe, comfortable, and confident — something that shapes every Cedar & Bark session from the moment we begin.

The sweet dog in the photo above is Kona, and she’s the reason this business exists. When Kona developed glaucoma at eight years old, she needed me nearby, and the idea of leaving her for a full workday felt impossible. So I built something around her instead.

I got my accreditation from the Professional Photographers of Canada, found mentors to help hone my craft, and built Cedar & Bark into a full-time business. Kona has since passed, and I think about her every time I pick up the camera.

Photographing dogs isn't just a business to me — it's a way of honouring the time we get with them, which is never quite enough.

Today I share my home in Chilliwack with Makena and Pearl, my two yellow labs. Makena made me completely go back on my vow to never get a puppy again. He's since decided he's the real star of the operation. You may have spotted him on a popular Netflix series. Pearl came to us as a retired breeding dog and has decided that retirement and camping suit her very well.

Our dogs are there for so many of life’s biggest moments — moving into first homes, celebrating new beginnings, joining us on adventures, comforting us through grief, and quietly standing beside us through seasons of change.

The older I get, the more I realize these photographs become about so much more than having a nice picture of your dog. They become reminders of a chapter of your life, a relationship, and a love that deserves to be remembered.

As a pet photographer, it’s an incredible honour to create artwork that helps preserve those memories long after the muddy paws, grey muzzles, and everyday moments have passed.

I’d be honoured to help tell your dog’s story.

Deb Stevenson is a nationally accredited professional photographer and award-winning pet photographer serving Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley, and Greater Vancouver through Cedar & Bark Photography.

Cedar & Bark has also been honoured to support numerous local charities and rescue organizations throughout British Columbia through fundraising initiatives, silent auctions, and community partnerships.

Whether you’re hoping to create a statement piece for your home, preserve memories with a senior dog, or simply celebrate the dog who means the world to you, I’d love to hear your story.

Because one day, these photographs become priceless.