Cute kitten is just quackers about his new duckling pal 

THIS adorable snap wins cutest kitten picture of the year – by a whisker.

But the cuddle-up moment has some serious competition from other animal shots taken by Mark Taylor. The British photographer’s images are in demand all over the world for the purrfect way they capture a softer side to our best-loved pets.

From pooches playing to kittens taking a cat nap, his photographs are a testimony to the talented woman who taught him his craft – Mark’s late mother Jane Burton who pioneered the heart-squeezing style.

Using a simple clean white background and some unusual animal pairings Mark’s style has seen him make the cover of prestigious wildlife magazine National Geographic.Mark, 47, creates his images all at his home studio Warren Photographic, in Guildford, Surrey.

Mark’s dad Kim Taylor is a world-renowned wildlife photographer. His mother Jane, who died in 2007 after a brave battle against cancer, was one of the first to use a unique style now so well adopted by her son.

Dad-of-one Mark said: “There have been a few close shaves when we have put the different animals together, but we often ’introduce’ the animals to a rabbit in a cage first to gauge the reaction.

“If the dog starts licking its lips we know it might not work out well, and for example it’s best not to put a Jack Russell next to a rabbit.“I have helpers in the studio and some of the animal extras we have here, such as six rabbits, but others we have to bring in.

“The key to the photograph is making sure the animals are not doing anything they don’t want to do because I think you can tell if they are not enjoying themselves.“My mother was a pioneer, if you like, of this idea of using the clean white backgrounds and I like to think I am carrying on her legacy.”

Keeping it in the family Mark’s daughter Siena, 10, is also on hand to pose up with the animals in the pictures.Mark said that he felt his photographs were so popular because they tap into a desire in us all to relate to animals.

He said: “I think the fascinating aspect of this type of photography is that it taps into something in us all that sees ourselves and human emotions in our pets and other animals.”