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.

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Bruna, a modern day hero (of mine)

I don’t know when exactly I started following Bruna on Instagram but her account is one I follow religiously and it has also shown that sharing her stories and reels is helping the precious souls she highlights. Bruna is a volunteer at Cobb County Animal Shelter and introduces each dog she cares for. She talks about their background, what they are like and who would be a great owner for them. I wanted to know more about her and what made her decide to become a volunteer at the shelter.
Please read and share with all your dog lovers who might be interested in giving back by volunteering at their local shelter. Also, please follow Bruna on Instagram and share her posts so the pups can get another chance to find their person.

Follow Bruna here

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How long have you been volunteering? 

I started volunteering on July of 2023, so it has been almost 2 years now.

What led you to volunteer at the shelter? 

I grew up in Brazil. There are A LOT of strays there. When I was a kid, I was always trying to play with them, feed, and sometimes even try to sneak them into my home (oops lol). My parents would always give me that look, and try to explain to me that I can’t just bring all the dogs home sometimes they would let me keep one or two, and for the ones I couldn’t keep I would try to find them new homes!! So I have always had dogs growing up. For the longest time, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, because that was the only job I could think of that involved animals. But when I got older, I realized I didn’t want to do surgeries, vaccines, medical things…I wanted to help in a different way.                                                                 

My first contact with adoption was on the Cobb shelter. It was a really tough day. There were SO many dogs in need. One dog caught my eye, he was sitting in a corner, with his head down, and just looking really sad. That’s Gustavo (he is a pointer mix). We had to take him home with us. The moment he walked through the door, he was a complete different dog, he was so happy, energetic, and excited. He was only 1 year old, and it looked like he immediately knew he was safe with us, he made sure to make himself right at home lol. Then, about two years ago, I finally decided to start volunteering there at that same shelter. At first, I signed up but kept hesitating. I was scared it would be too sad, because I knew some animals might not make it. I knew it could break my heart. But then I thought, “This is going to happen whether I want it or not. I can either show up, be there with them, give them love and make a difference in their lives, or I can just stay home and pretend I don’t know about it” So I went — and honestly, it was the best decision I ever made!

What is the best part and what is the hardest part? 

The best part is believing that I am giving them quality time while they wait for their forever home. It’s also great getting to know each dog’s personality, make them feel loved, seeing a really scared dog open up to you and of course, seeing them walk through those doors with their new families. 

The hardest part is definitely losing dogs. Knowing that an incredible, healthy, young, and happy dog was euthanized because of space. 

How can people best support you and the shelter dogs?

The best way to support is definitely by raising awareness about the situation. Going to the shelter, seeing with your own eyes what is happening. Share posts, educate people. And if you can, volunteer! The animals rely on us to go on their daily walks, we are the only interaction they have with people, we are the best part of their day. But if you can’t volunteer, you can share the videos I post of them, so they can be seen and reach as many people as we can and hopefully save their lives! I believe there is a person out there for every single dog! Some people will see a dog on a video, and for any reason immediately identify with him. Sometimes even out of state, they drive for hours to adopt a dog that they have never even seen in person, just on a video.

Is there anything else you want to get off your chest and are comfortable sharing?

I believe that as long as human beings can’t love one another, they won’t be able to fully love animals or nature …

Learning to speak up (and why that changed everything)

Oh boy... where do I even start?

Running a dog photography business means lots of beautiful moments, happy but also sometimes anxious pups, and a little fun chaos. But it also means showing up prepared, mentally as well as creatively.

When I first started, I had all the usual fears. What if the lighting's terrible? What if I forget gear? What if I get there and the location is nothing like I imagined? The list goes on. And honestly, it would’ve been so easy to let that spiral of “what ifs” keep me from ever starting in the first place.

In those early sessions, I was uncomfortable speaking up when something didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to be that photographer that constantly repositions people or asks them to move after they just got their dog to finally sit. So I stayed quiet. I shot through it. And guess what? Most of those images ended up in the trash.

It took time (and a lot of trial and error) to realize that people hire me not just to take pretty photos, but to guide them through the process. They want me to help create the best version of these memories and sometimes that means asking someone to shift just a couple of inches into better light, or stepping away from a distracting background. It’s always worth it.

One of the weirdest sessions I ever had, and one that really shaped my business, was back when I still offered equine photography. A mom hired me to shoot her daughter and her horse and when I showed up, suddenly there were three girls, three horses, both parents, and a dog. I was overwhelmed. I hadn’t asked how many people would be involved, and I hadn’t clearly communicated what I offered. In the end, the shoot worked out, but it taught me a valuable lesson: know who you’re serving and be clear about what you do best.

That moment helped push me to focus on what I love. And that is solely dogs and their people, and the connection that only exists between them. Today, every session is built around that connection. No big production, no uncomfortable posing, just you and your dog, being yourselves, while I quietly capture the moments that matter most.

Because those are the images that last forever.

When I knew this was something special

A few years ago, I nervously posted a model call in a local Facebook group, asking if anyone had a dog I could photograph. I’d just started dipping my toes into dog photography and wanted to build a small portfolio. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. Maybe a few kind souls with cute dogs would respond, and I’d get a handful of practice sessions in.

What I didn’t expect? The flood of responses.

Within hours, the post had so many comments that I had to close the thread. I couldn’t keep up responding to people. It was overwhelming in the best way. People were so excited to share their dogs with me. They told me stories about their rescues, their senior pups, the dogs who had been with them through thick and thin. It wasn’t just, “Yes, you can take a photo of my dog.” It was, “Let me tell you about this soul who changed my life.”

That was the moment I knew I had something worth pursuing.

From one heart dog to many

My journey into dog photography started in the most personal way; with my own dog. I adopted her in 2017, a sweet and playful bully breed who quickly became my whole world. Before her, I hadn’t realized just how deep the stigma ran around bully breeds. I wanted people to see her the way I did. She was loving, expressive, wild at times but just oh so perfect. So I started photographing her and sharing the images online. It didn’t take long before friends began asking if I could photograph their dogs, too.

That’s when something clicked.

Over time, I realized that what I love most isn’t just taking beautiful portraits of dogs. It’s capturing the connection between a dog and their person. My favorite clients are women who, like me, have that one dog who’s been with them through everything. The breakups, the job changes, the moves across the city or across the country, their dog has been the constant. Their heart dog.

There’s something really special about documenting that kind of bond. Yes, we will do a little posing here and there but all of it will still look natural. I always make sure people still feel comfortable. The favorite parts though are when I just let them be together. I walk around them, quietly capturing the small moments that tell a big story: the way their dog looks at them, the subtle lean into their side, the spontaneous smile when a tongue catches them off guard.

Those are the moments I live for. The moments that only last a second, but mean everything.

Over the years, I’ve heard so many beautiful stories from clients about how they met their dog, what they’ve been through together, and how their bond has grown. It’s a privilege to listen to those stories, and an even bigger privilege to help preserve them through photographs. Because we never get enough time with them. But a photo, that memory, can last forever.

That’s why I do this. For the dogs. For their people. And for the love that deserves to be remembered.

Let’s plan to capture your special moments with your heart dog.

Brody + Amber

There’s something truly special about those who pour their hearts into caring for their senior pups, making sure they live their golden years full of love and comfort. Amber is one of those incredible humans. Through life’s twists and turns, Brody has been her constant, her loyal companion, and it’s clear just how much they mean to each other. This sweet boy is one of the luckiest I’ve ever met, and capturing their beautiful bond was an absolute joy. Wishing them countless more cherished moments together.

A new chapter: Full-time with MAAS Creative

This moment has been in the works for quite some time, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it—I'm officially dedicating all my time to MAAS Creative!

For years, photography—especially dog photography—has been my passion. It has brought me so much fulfillment and connected me with incredible people who love their dogs as deeply as I do. Now, by stepping into this full-time, I’ll be able to offer more regular sessions, including Rainbow Bridge sessions during the week, ensuring that every dog’s story is captured in a way that truly honors their journey and the bond they have built with their favorite person.

Another part of this transition that means the world to me is having the time to give back. I’ll be working with rescues and shelters, photographing dogs who are still searching for their second (or third, or even fourth) chance at a loving home. A good photo can make all the difference in helping a dog get noticed and adopted, and I’m grateful to be in a position to contribute.

I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me. Thank you for being part of this journey—I’m so excited for what’s ahead!