Save a Life with Your Camera

Meet Dorothy.

Dorothy is one of the cutest doggies you will ever meet...not only on the outside, but she has a big heart and is very much a lover and a cuddler.  She loves people and loves to be held and seems to smile all the time.

Even in a homeless shelter.

I am a photographer.  When I showed my daughter the newest photos I had taken of my two dogs, she suggested I volunteer at an animal shelter to take beautiful photos of the dogs waiting for adoption.  I didn't have time, didn't have a hard enough heart, and did I mention I didn't have time....but the idea would not leave me alone.

My husband and I discussed it at great length, did some research, and decided to take on the project.  We went to our local shelter and offered to take photos of their animals waiting to be adopted.  I shared that in my research I had found statistics showing that animals with beautiful portraits online tend to catch the attention of potential adoptees much quicker than snapshots. 

I offered to do a few and let them see if they would like me to continue.  My husband and I went a couple of days later, fell in love with many, many animals and took photos of four.  We were very grateful for the use of a small grooming room.  It had one small window (I am a natural-light photographer), but it was pouring down rain and almost dark.  We had to use the overhead fluorescent light and deal with shaking-scared dogs, super-hyper dogs, dogs in heat, dogs smelling dogs in heat, and we had to work quickly while gently trying to win each one of them over.  A potential adoptee needs to trust his/her photographer and be able to relax and smile and strike a compelling pose---even when the photographer puts him/her in a Santa hat!

Dorothy was our first model, and she was a jewel.  She loved the camera and it loved her!  The photos were barely posted before she was adopted.  In all honestly, she was so cute and sweet that I am sure she would have been adopted quickly without me!  But it was a very gratifying beginning and I knew I had found  another calling for me and my camera, with the help of my fabulous assistant.  (A fabulous assistant is a must-have!)

Who knew you could save a life with your camera? 

Animals in shelters need help in finding homes.  If you enjoy taking photographs and care about animals, I encourage you to go visit your local animal shelter and volunteer your time to take a few photos a week for their website.  You don't need a fancy set up---you can even use your phone camera.  Your life and the life of the animals you photograph may never be the same! 

It is just a sad fact that if an animal is not adopted, it is euthanized. 

In the week between our first and second photo session, 25 dogs were brought to the shelter, and five were adopted out.  However, statistics show an increase in the number of adoptions from quality portraits viewed by potential owners.  In some cases, shelters have reported adoptions going up 100% following compelling portraits of the animals being posted. I think the main thing to convey in the photograph is that sheltered dogs are there because of no fault of their own.  They are not inferior; they are amazing animals with big hearts looking for a loving home.   

Shelters are run by Angels.  Angels are very busy.  All the time.  Angels are understaffed and overworked.  Angels do not usually have time to do more than snap a quick photo of a very upset, disoriented, sad, hurting, confused animal as it is brought to them.  Angels could use a helping hand. 

Take your camera, small or large; take your talents, professional or amateur;  take an assistant, whether a friend or a sainted spouse; and go visit a shelter.  Help an angel find a home for an animal that just wants someone to love.  Lives will be changed.

Including your own.

And a life might even be saved.