18 Aug 2025
Saying goodbye to a pet can be one of life’s most devastating moments. Melbourne photographer and former veterinary nurse, Bree Colenso, is transforming that heartbreak into something beautiful, using the art of photography to help pet owners find comfort, closure, and a way to keep their memories alive long after their heart pet is gone.
Through her Gentle Goodbye Collection, Bree offers intimate, grief-informed photo sessions for families whose pets are nearing the end of their lives. The sessions capture the small, fleeting details (a paw in a hand, a familiar head tilt, the grey nose) that owners often wish they could hold onto forever.
“Grief is overwhelming, but photographs can help you heal,” Bree says. “They don’t make you forget the loss, but they give you something to hold onto when you can’t hold your pet anymore.”
With more than 10 years’ experience in veterinary nursing, Bree understands the emotional and physical challenges pets and their owners face during this chapter. Her approach is gentle, unhurried, and deeply empathetic, often incorporating the pet’s favourite routines or comfort spots into the shoot.
Research highlights that tangible memorials, such as photographs, can aid the grieving process by providing a continued bond and a sense of meaning after loss. Bree’s work offers families both a keepsake and an emotional tool to navigate their grief.
Her services are available across Melbourne, with sessions taking place in homes, backyards, or outdoor spaces where pets feel most at ease. She also works closely with veterinary clinics and pet grief counsellors to ensure families feel supported both during and after the session.
About Bree Ruby Photography:Bree Ruby Photography is Melbourne’s only dedicated End-of-Life Pet Photography service, offering compassionate, grief-informed sessions for families facing the loss of their beloved pets. Founded by former veterinary nurse Bree, the business blends professional photography with a deep understanding of the emotional challenges surrounding pet loss. Bree’s mission is to honour the bond between pets and their families, creating lasting keepsakes that pet parents can hold onto forever.
More Information: Bree Colenso - Owner / Photographer Email:info@breerubyphotography.com Website: www.breerubyphotography.com