Why You Should Take Photos For Your Local Shelter

[Camilla and Darwin]

Hi everyone, it's yet another discussion from me! I promise I will stop after this one. :-)

Karen posted a comment earlier that had a link to an article. This article had before and afters of shelter dogs who had been photographed by a photographer. It really stuck with me, and it made me want to do my own before and afters so that I could demonstrate how much this can help.

See, when I first volunteered it was for two reasons. 

1: I made a goal when I started college that I would complete 400 hours of service before I graduated. (I just reached 200, yay!) This was always something I had wanted to do for service, so I called local shelters and asked them about it.

2: I love dogs and routinely go to shelters just to play with them and hold puppies. It's actually what I used to request to do for every birthday, before I got Darwin. Seriously!

Well, It's been over a year and it's still one of my favorite things to do every week. I go every Saturday for 1-2 hours, and I love it more each time. Not only is it a blast, but it's very rewarding to see people come in because they reacted to a photo they saw on the website or the Facebook page. 

I just wanted to encourage all of you, if you are thinking about doing this, DO IT! You don't have to be an expert at pet photography (I'm not!) You don't have to have a perfect location or time of day (I definitely never do!). You don't even have to have a DSLR. Most kill shelters just have animal control or a busy front desk person snap a photo, with flash when they come in. They don't know about angles, lighting, or even getting a cute shot of the dog. Any person who can come in and have a knowledge about photography, and spend a few minutes of one on one time with the dog, will improve the photo. 

If you don't have a lot of time, this only takes me a couple of hours a week. That really isn't much time at all! Take a look at the before and afters from the dogs I shot today. The first photos are the photos that animal control or the front desk took of them when they came in.  My photos were all taken on a small patch of grass, at 1pm, with kennels and a shed for a background. Not ideal, but it really doesn't matter! All that is needed is clear, bright, happy looking pictures to get people to fall in love.

There are even dogs that we can't take outside because they are too afraid, in that situation all we do is open the kennel door, and snap a picture right there, the key is to make a lot of embarrassing kissy noises. :-)

Finally, I know some of you may be worried about being overwhelmed with the sadness of being there. While that does sometimes happen, I can personally attest to the fact that it is by a vast majority, happy! You get to interact with these dogs who have been dumped or abandoned, and are in a foreign environment, yet they are loving, happy and just overwhelmingly excited to be near you. It's incredibly humbling and inspiring and it really just lifts my spirits to be around them. In addition, knowing that what you are doing will really help them is incredibly rewarding!

So there is my plug. I hope that if anyone has been considering this, but has been holding back for one reason or another will take the leap. I hope that those who have never considered it will consider it. Because it's awesome, and I'm sure all of you would do amazing jobs, and love it, and think of how many dogs the awesome PG members could save! 

Sandy and Ronna both do this too, and I bet you anything they will agree that it is a great and fun thing to do!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have called 2 in my area. They said, " They already have someone"   :(

But you and Ronna have inspired me and I will make more attempts.

We are proud of you!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am going to call. I suspect my shelters have someone too since the photos I see in the paper look good.

[Camilla and Darwin]

There may be some private rescues that need help too. I believe Ronna works for a private, non-kill rescue.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

This makes me teary.  The before and afters are mind blowing.  I am going to look into this.  Camilia, you are awesome. there is a saying that each of us as the same 24 hours in a day--somehow Camilla, you seem to pack in a whole bunch more.  

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks Lori! 

[DJ & Chance]

I've volunteered with several local rescue groups.  My first photo shoot is later this month.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Looking forward to pictures.

[Camilla and Darwin]

DJ I can't wait to see the pictures! Way to go!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Camilla, you are beyond awesome, and so are your photos! Thank you so much for your kind heart and for using your talents to help homeless dogs! 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks Karen! You and many others on this site are a constant inspiration to get involved!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hereby pronounce you a mensch! LOL

[Camilla and Darwin]

I had to google it but I'm honored!