This is my mum and her Jack Russell Monty. Monty is a canine sociopath and is responsible for the death of at least one peacock – possibly more. I shot this one Xmas when I was playing around with a ringflash. I mainly use the image as a card when I am mailing out to prospective clients – although it has been used recently to advertise pet insurance.

A former Blackpool student, Simon Barber started off at what he describes as “a real barrel scraper of an agency” for three years, but after being sent to photograph a guy who had been convicted of having sexual intercourse with a goat, he had an epiphany and set up on his own. Most of his work is editorial with an increasing amount of more lucrative but less fun corporate work. Photographer since 2000, EPUK member since 2003.