15th March 2012

Paul Kaye 1929-2012

Paul Kaye, a professional photographer admired and celebrated for his distinctive animal imagery, passed away peacefully on 8th of March aged 83.

Born in London on 19th December 1929, Paul was introduced to photography by his father - also Paul Kaye - as a young boy.

At that time Paul senior worked mainly in advertising photography but was later to become well-known in Fleet Street for his animal images, which were published extensively in both national newspapers and magazines.

Paul junior started his working life in show business while working with and learning from his father part-time. The partnership lasted 37 years until the death of Paul senior in 1985.

Having always had an affinity with creatures of all shapes and sizes, Paul chose to ignore the old theatrical adage: 'never work with children or animals' and began turning his hand to animal photography.

The skills passed on from his father, coupled with his showbiz background, formed the perfect combination and gave Paul great insight into the type of images that strike a chord with the viewer.

Paul's images capture the essence of what makes animals appealing to humans: cute, cuddly, affectionate, funny, surprising. They tell stories, challenge stereotypes and conventions, and continue to bring joy to many.

One of Paul's most famous subjects was a spaniel pup named Susi, who got up to some amazing antics, solo and with other animals, throughout the 1950s. Susi was a regular in the Sunday Pictoral as "the Pic Pup", and a decade later reappeared as a long running feature in the Munich Review. She has also graced a myriad of magazines, calendars and greetings cards, and is still a firm favourite 60 years on.

It's the timeless nature and universal appeal that make Paul's images really stand out and stand the test of time. Shot with commercial use well and truly in mind, and often featuring unnatural couplings and situations, they still maintain an uncannily natural feel and an undeniable and incomparable level of tenderness. Like his father’s before him, Paul’s imagery was featured in countless magazines, newspapers, periodicals and books: including several works by Enid Blyton.

In 2011 Paul joined specialist animal image library Animal Photography and began digitising his catalogue so a new generation of animal and image lovers can enjoy his work. The work to revive his unique and timeless collection continues.

Paul is survived by partner Shirley, his three sons Paul, Russell and Stefan, and six grandchildren. His funeral will take place on 21st March 2012, at 12.30pm at North East Surrey Crematorium, England.

No flowers please but any donations made to Canine Partners, would be much appreciated. The Funeral Directors will look after this for the family. Anyone wishing to send a donation may do so at the address below:
c/o The Truelove Funeral Trust,
118 Carshalton Road,
Sutton, Surrey SM14RL

Photographer news, Paul Kaye