From dogs to frogs, a day in the life of one of Australia's best pet photographers involves patience, pet food and the ability to talk to animals.

Ken Drake has won numerous photography awards and was last year named AIPP Australian Professional Pet/Animal Photographer of the Year.

But such fame has not led to a life of glamorous overseas photo shoots; instead the Brisbane-based artist spends much of his day lying on the ground at his workshop in Milton.

Pet photographer Ken Drake spends hours with the animals before taking their photo. ( Supplied: Zoo Studio )

"I have an unusual technique for a photographer as I hold the camera in one hand as I use my left hand for communicating," he said.

"I'm often down on the floor trying to get photos.

"I was dragged around the floor by a 55-kilogram Rottweiler — as we were playing tug-of-war — once.

"We got some great shots but he nearly pulled my arm out of my socket."

The former software developer said before pet photography he was constantly travelling for work and was never home long enough to have his own animal.

"I took a few months off and got my first digital camera and a couple of cats and it all connected instantly.

"I noticed I wasn't just getting images of the animals, I was capturing their personality and it really excited me."

Capturing an animal's personality

Mr Drake said photographing animals successfully involved spending time with them before going into the studio.

He said having food and toys at hand — as well as good conversation — helped capture the animal's personality.

Time is spent with each animal before the studio session to gauge their personality. ( Supplied: Ken Drake )

"When an animal comes in I get them moving around, running, jumping and throwing balls around the studios.

"I have to recognise the body language of the animals and I've developed a way of talking to them in their own language."

Working with children and animals

The saying goes, 'Don't work with children or animals', but Mr Drake said one of his most touching sessions involved both.

The subject was a Jack Russell that had an amputated leg, severe scaring and had beaten numerous cancers.

"I took photos of him with the owner's four-year-old daughter; she was with him in a pink ballet tutu.

"The personality that came through for both of them was absolutely fabulous."

And one of the smallest animals Mr Drake has had to photograph turned out to be one of the most animated.

"People don't think about frogs and personality but this little guy was beaming at the cameras and I captured that."

A rewarding and giving career

Mr Drake said his work was very rewarding, especially when people received their prized photograph.

"It's such a privilege to meet so many lovely personalities that we have in our dog friends and other animals," he said.

The small personality traits of each animal are captured on camera. ( Supplied: Ken Drake )

"Also seeing the connection people have with their pets is a beautiful thing.

"It can be an emotional time when owners receive their photos because they have a slice of their pet that's captured forever ... that's a very special moment."

Mr Drake works with the RSPCA regularly and shoots its calendar each year.

He also recently published a book, Paw Traits, with a portion of the sales going to the charity.

"It was so exciting to see my images in a book; all the owners were so excited to have their pets on a page.

"This is why I do what I do, it's my calling and I don't imagine there will ever be a time in my life I won't be photographing animals.

"It's something I'll do right up until the day I die."