Why I photograph more than just the happy moments

As a photographer who specializes in dogs and their people, much of my work focuses on connection. The everyday moments, the closeness, and the trust between dogs and the humans who love them. Those images are easy to share and easy to engage with. But they are not the whole picture of why I do this work.

I feel a strong responsibility to give back to the shelter and rescue world through photography.

Over time, the content I share has changed. I am sure there are people who have stopped following my work because of it. My account is no longer only beautiful photos of happy dogs surrounded by people who love them dearly. It also includes shelter dogs who are sad, depressed, and completely shut down in their kennels. That shift has been intentional, even when it is uncomfortable.

This is not about telling sad stories for the sake of emotion. Shelters are complex places. They hold resilience and hope, but they also hold the consequences of human failure. Dogs who were abandoned, overlooked, or misunderstood did not choose to be there. As someone whose career is built around celebrating the bond between dogs and people, ignoring those dogs does not feel honest.

Photography is the skill I have, and it is how I can contribute.

When I photograph shelter and rescue dogs, I am not trying to define them by their lowest moments. I am trying to show them clearly and respectfully as they are right now. Some are fearful, some are shut down, some are still hopeful, but all of them are individuals who deserve to be seen. A photograph can change how a dog is perceived and, in some cases, change their outcome by helping them get noticed, shared, or adopted.

At the same time, I continue to photograph the relationships that come after rescue. Many of the dogs I work with today were once shelter or rescue dogs themselves. Documenting those bonds is not separate from my shelter work. I would consider it being connected to it. Those images show what is possible when a dog is given time, care, and commitment.

Supporting shelters through photography is part of how I align my work with my values. Every image of a dog settled into life with their person exists because someone chose to do better.

I do not photograph shelters to make people feel sad or guilty. I do it because I believe I have a responsibility to use my skills where they are needed most. My work is about dogs and their people, including the dogs who are still waiting and the ones who have already made it home.

Telling the full story means showing all of it, not just the parts that are easy to look at.

2025 Recap and thoughts for the new year

This year I allowed myself to try different things regarding photo sessions. The fall mini sessions were quite successful but personally, it felt very rushed to have 10-minute sessions back to back.

Very often, when people book the Pittie session which is about 40 minutes long, it takes EVERYONE, the dogs included, about 10 minutes to just settle in and loosen up in front of the camera. I don’t think 10 minutes is fair to the dogs who have no idea what is expected of them. They don’t know what it means to have a camera in their face and some are even scared of the camera and its sounds.

Thinking more about this and wanting to offer shorter sessions, my plan in 2026 is to offer 20-minute sessions once every other month (maybe more frequently depending on demand), clustered on one day. These days will go out in the newsletter each month and people can sign up for them if they want a shorter session, if their dog just can’t make it through a 40-minute session, or if a longer session just doesn’t fit into the budget.

Also, in the new year, I would love to work with more businesses who are all about dogs. May it be the pet boutique or the veterinary office that is looking to refresh their website images or step up their social media game. If you are or know of a great business that is all about dogs that would benefit from this, let me know.

With all of this being said, the one thing that will not change is my involvement in volunteering my time to shelters and offering my photography to them as well as foster dogs around me.

Your best friend is already waiting for you

Atlanta's dog shelters are overflowing and that leads to a heartbreaking reality for countless dogs desperate for a loving home. This isn't just a statistic; it's a crisis impacting innocent lives daily.

My purpose is simple:

to photograph shelter dogs, helping them get a second chance at life.

A single, compelling photograph can transform a dog from "just another shelter dog" into a cherished family member. My lens aims to capture their unique spirit, making them shine in crowded kennels and stand out in adoption listings.

This mission thrives on collaboration. I partner with incredible local organizations like Paulding County Animal Shelter, LifeLine Animal Project, Cobb County Animal Shelter, and The Ozzie Albies Foundation. They're on the front lines, providing care and tirelessly seeking homes.

I work alongside the dedicated volunteers who pour their hearts into these shelters daily. Their compassion truly inspires me.

The pictures you see here were all taken with the incredible help of Clover Rescue Enrichment Partners who brought their flower crowns, tutus and all kinds of other, hopefully scroll-stopping accessories that will hopefully help to catch some attention, and most importantly the attention of someone who is looking to adopt an amazing dog from yet another overcrowded shelter.

Shining a light on this problem is crucial. We need to raise awareness about the urgency of the Atlanta shelter crisis. It's about promoting responsible pet ownership, advocating for spay/neuter programs, and, most importantly, urging everyone to adopt, not shop. Every adoption saves a life and creates space for another dog in need.

Whether you foster, adopt, donate, volunteer, or simply share these stories, every act of kindness helps.

Together, we can give more Atlanta dogs the second chance and loving homes they so desperately deserve.

The Office litter is looking for their forever homes

If you have ever thought about adding a puppy to your family, now is the time. If you have not, I would appreciate it if you shared these precious pups who are currently all placed with foster homes. The Ozzie Albies Foundation is doing a phenomenal job finding the perfect families for rescue and shelter dogs.

They had this to say about these sweet puppies and the amazing support network of people chipping in:

This weekend was a huge one for The Office Litter.

Mouse and her 6 puppies, at just 8 weeks old and already almost bigger than her, made their way from Cobbtown, GA to the Mirror Image K9 Center where they officially joined our Best Chance Program.

It certainly takes a village and the most compassionate, dedicated one at that.

Donna who rescued Mouse and her babies and selflessly fostered all SEVEN of them for over 8 weeks, your heart and strength are unmatched.

Kate who coordinated every piece of this transport with so much love and care, you always make the impossible possible. She also makes sure every adopter is set up with absolutely everything they might need for their little foster puppy, from food, to toys, to leashes, crates and beds.

The amazing transport angels Cindy & Ben, Nancy & Mike, thank you for giving your time and hearts to get this crew to the center.

And Mirror Image K9 whose owners and trainers truly pour their soul into building and supporting this program and making sure every dog truly gets their best chance, thank you for dreaming bigger for them.

The litter was welcomed by a whole team of helpers at the Mirror Image K9 Center who helped with everything from coordinating photos, microchipping to cleaning puppies and crates. It seriously takes a whole bunch of capable helpers to make rescue intake days a success.

And thank you of course, to our amazing, incredible, and selfless fosters, thank you for stepping up and making this entire rescue mission possible. You are the heartbeat of every second chance.

This is what rescue looks like.

This is what love in action feels like.

And we are so, so grateful.

And if you want to adopt, this is the form to fill out.

The quiet treasure of a dog

There are few treasures in life as quietly profound as the love of a dog.

They don’t ask for much. Just your presence, your patience, and a moment of your time. In return, they offer everything: loyalty without conditions, joy without explanation, and comfort without words. A dog doesn’t need to speak for you to understand them. They’re fluent in looks, tail wags, head tilts, and warm sighs at your feet.

When you’re with a dog, life slows down. Because that’s how they move through the world. They stop to sniff, to explore, to notice the wind in the grass and the sunlight dancing on a puddle. They remind us that it's okay, even necessary, to pause. To be curious. To be. They don’t rush. They don’t multitask. They live in the moment and invite us to do the same.

There’s a kind of magic in the way a dog greets you when you come home. Their tail is wagging, their eyes are bright, and they bring you a toy like a peace offering or a celebration. It’s impossible not to smile. And that small moment, just a tail wag or a nuzzle, can shift the entire weight of your day. A simple belly rub becomes a two-way act of healing. Their joy becomes yours.

But every dog lover knows a heartbreak is waiting to happen. One day, the wagging tail is no longer waiting by the door. The leash hangs still. The absence is enormous. The silence is deafening. And while we never exchanged words, their voice in our life is suddenly gone.

Yet even in that grief, dogs leave behind something remarkable. A deeper capacity for love. And a heart that knows, despite the pain, it’s worth doing again.

Because somewhere, in a shelter across town or across the country, there is a dog waiting. A dog who is already perfect in their own imperfect way. A dog who wants to walk slowly through life with you, one step at a time. Who will bring you their toy like it’s the greatest gift they have. Who will wait for you, every day, just to come home.

They are not just animals. They are companions. Teachers. Healers. Mirrors. And if we are lucky, they are with us just long enough to show us what it really means to be present and to love fully without needing words.

Dogs are not just our pets. They are our greatest treasure.

And somewhere, your next treasure may be waiting for you.

Spotlight on amazing shelter dogs

Every week, I walk into the shelter with my camera in hand, ready to meet a new group of dogs. Some are shy, others practically explode with excitement the moment their kennel door opens. All of them, no matter their past, light up when given just a few minutes of attention, a patch of sunlight, and the chance to shine in front of a lens.

Supporting shelter dogs with photography has become a weekly ritual for me, something that’s not only changed my creative perspective but has also been unbelievably and incredibly fulfilling.

This past week I not only went to my local dog shelter but also partnered with Lifeline Animal Project to help bring attention to the incredible dogs waiting for homes, many of whom have been waiting far too long.

They All Have a Story

Some of the dogs I meet were picked up as strays, still wearing collars while also being microchipped. All hopeful signs that someone might come for them when being called. But nobody ever does.

Others arrive at the shelter in heartbreaking circumstances: surrendered by owners who believe it’s the best they can do, caught in the chaos of housing insecurity, health issues, or life simply falling apart. Then there are the long-timers, dogs who have lived at the shelter for years. Two, three, even four years. For some, the shelter is the only home they’ve ever really known.

I’ve met dozens of dogs in just the past few weeks, and every single one has left a mark on me. I want to take them all home. But we all know that is not how this works. I do love to give them a few moments in the spotlight and here and there some cuddles and kisses. I do tell all of them I will do my best to find them their perfect home.

More Than a Headshot

When a dog steps in front of the camera, something changes. They’re no longer “just another shelter dog.” They’re individuals. Stars. Models. Goofballs. Gentle souls.

I love capturing their head tilts, their toothy grins, their soulful eyes, their oversized ears and even more oversized paws, still growing into their puppyhood. Some show off adorable underbites, others offer nose boops and tail wags like they’ve been waiting for this their whole life.

These portraits aren’t just pictures. They’re a chance. A chance for someone scrolling through adoption profiles to pause, look again, and hopefully fall in love.

Photography as Advocacy

I believe deeply that photography can change the way we see shelter dogs. Instead of sad, sterile kennel shots, I aim to show the joy, the life, the personality of every dog I meet. They aren’t broken. They aren’t less-than. They’re just waiting for someone to see them.

If you’ve ever considered adopting, fostering, or even volunteering, PLEASE DO. These dogs have so much to give. And if you can’t take one home, share their photos. Tell their stories. Help someone else find their new best friend.

Because they are beautiful. They are worthy. And they deserve more than a kennel.