Few photographers in the world have photographed as many animals in studio as Randal Ford. Ford’s precise process of creating simple yet powerful portraits is highly technical and requires unwavering patience, dedication, and attention to detail.

Ford is a kind of Richard Avedon of animal art, in most cases avoiding the arty whimsy of William Wegman in favor of a more noble take that looks into the subject’s eyes for understanding; it wouldn’t be surprising if the animals themselves had commissioned these flattering portraits. Ford’s lovely images in this Rizzoli volume have a classical simplicity to them, all the animals posed like supermodels, some with wind in their fur, against plain backgrounds.

- Instrospective Magazine, 1st Dibs 

“These arresting, often startling images are somehow both intimate and remote, as if Ford were a 21st century John James Audubon, wielding a camera instead of a paintbrush.”

USA Today

As we look into the eyes of these animals, may we recognize the unwavering presence of their gentle spirit-- one of wisdom, unending loyalty and perfect love for imperfect humans.

-Randal Ford

As mankind evolved, so did our artwork. We began to not only depict, but personify animals. We began to see our human emotions in animals.  This anthropomorphism or personification connected us to animals on a deeper and more emotional level.  

-Randal Ford

If there is a creature more joyous than a dog, I don’t know what it is, and in this wonderful miracle of a book, all the mischief and happiness and love and fun come through the dogs’ eyes and straight at us.

-W. Bruce Cameron, Author of a Dog’s Purpose