Brits value pictures of their pets more than their families on their phone

Britain is officially a nation of pet snappers, with new research revealing that the average camera roll is packed with more pictures of cats, dogs and other beloved animals than close family members.

From sleepy sofa snaps to perfectly timed action shots, pet owners across the UK are capturing every moment – with the average person storing a whopping 176 photos of their furry companions on their device, 20% more than their partners or dearest friends or family and 20 pics in the last month alone.

It comes as 46% Brits consider taking photos of something as a way of showing their love for it, with 40% agreeing that a camera roll is a strong indicator of who or what people value the most.

And when it comes to looking back at the camera roll in general, more than half of Brits are left feeling happy (51%), whilst others feel nostalgic (36%) and warm (33%) showing that the camera roll has quietly become a reliable source for escapism.

Brits are also investing real time in making their memories look their best as an average of 15 minutes each week is spent editing, curating and enhancing photos. One in five (19%) are now using AI tools to do it and even 69% of those apply AI filters to pics of their pets. Two thirds admitted to using them to improve portraits of themselves (67%).

Tapping directly into this behaviour, the new Samsung Galaxy A57 5G combines powerful camera capabilities with playful Awesome Intelligence (AI) features, allowing users to capture what matters most to them at a more accessible price point.

The new intuitive Fun Mode lets users capture high-definition photos with their favorite Snapchat AR Lenses directly from the camera app—including the ability to transform themselves into different characters, such as a pug or a cat, adding a new layer of entertainment to photos.

The trend cements pets as the true stars of the camera roll, with 42% respondents admitting that they have more pics of their pets than their partner (avg. 147), best friends (avg. 57), or even family members (avg. 65).

This growing obsession highlights a wider cultural shift, where pets are increasingly seen as central members of the family and worthy of documenting at every opportunity.

It comes as over nine in ten (91%) agree that their pet is part of their family unit. A further 65% say they take more pictures of their pets than of themselves, showing that love for furry friends beats personal vanity.

For many, photographing pets has become a daily ritual, with 70% saying it’s one of the first things they do when they see their animal doing something cute or unusual, despite 68% preferring candid shots of their pet behaving naturally.

In fact, the study found that Brits snap an average of five pictures of their pets every single day, turning walks, naps and mealtimes into photo opportunities and often spend 12 minutes per week looking back at their pet pics.

The research also reveals a social sharing boom, with around a quarter (23%) of Brits regularly posting pictures of their pets online – and 48% admitting they get more engagement on pet photos than any other type of content.

Certain moments prove irresistible, with sleeping (56%) , “playing” (62%) and “chilling on the sofa” ranking among the most commonly captured pet scenarios, whilst 30% say they’ve brought in treats just to get the perfect shot.

Younger Brits are leading the charge, with 63% of 18–34-year-olds admitting their pets dominate their camera roll with Millennials averaging 217 images of their pets compared to 41% of over-55s as Boomers trail behind on 103 snaps.

And it’s not just pets stealing the spotlight – 36% of respondents say they actively prioritise taking photos of their animals over documenting holidays, food or even selfies.

As Brits continue to embrace their role as devoted photographers of what they value, the rise of simple, creative tools is making it easier than ever to turn everyday moments into shareable memories.

For 23%, these photos don’t just stay in the gallery, with owners regularly sharing them on social media. Nearly half (48%) notice pet pictures get more engagement than any other content they post.

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