We’re crazy about our family paw-traits: It's Britain's latest fad - getting professionally snapped with the one you REALLY love (and all you have to do is watch the birdie)

Children have traditionally been the stars of family portraits - but these days they are increasingly likely to be upstaged by their pets.

Photographers say that there has been a 20 per cent rise in demand in the past year for shots featuring not only dogs and cats, but also more unusual animals including horses, cows, sheep – and even ferrets and snails.

But it doesn’t always come cheap, as parents are paying up to £3,000 for the distinctive images.                     More Read