Pet Photography: A Powerful Tool for Animal Rescue and Adoption

Have you thought about hiring a professional photographer to capture photos of you and your pets? Or do you want to learn how to take better photos of your pets? Well, we've got you covered! Listen as we explore the wonderful world of pet photography and how a good photo can make all the difference for a pet looking for a forever home.
Meet Val Woodward, a pet photographer and animal rescue volunteer who's passion for rescuing and caring for animals is simply awe-inspiring. Val shares her journey of rescuing four dogs and four cats, and the magic of pet photography as a tool to create safe, conversational spaces with her students as a school psychologist.
We discuss how technology and editing can make rescue dogs and shelter animals more appealing to potential adopters. We highlight the outstanding work being done by the Lucky Dog Rescue at the Ranch and delve into the heartwarming '60 Super Seniors' project that aims to bring the often overlooked senior dogs into the spotlight. We also discuss the incredible rescue Cat House on the Kings and how Val has worked with them photographing their adoptable cats and contributing to their annual calendar fundraiser. She also volunteers with Paw Squad 559, a rescue that helps stray and homeless cats and dogs in the central valley of California.
Lastly, we share some indispensable tips and tricks for taking amazing pet photos with simple equipment. Learn how to use light and shadows to capture the best pet photography. Val also emphasizes on the emotional aspect of pet photography and the importance of memorializing pets before they reach a challenging stage.
To learn more about Val and Fur Real Life Photography, visit her Website, follow on Facebook and Instagram.
For info on Lucky Dog Rescue at the Ranch, visit their Website, follow on Facebook and Instagram.
For info on the Cat House on the Kings, visit thei

Chapters

• 0:05 Pet Photography and Rescues
• 13:20 Senior Dog Photography and Rescue Projects
• 27:06 Photography Tips and Rescuing Animals
• 34:42 Pet Photography and Animal Rescue Tips

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:05

Have you ever wished you'd had a professional photographer take photos of you and your pets? Do you wish you could take better photos of your pets yourself? I know I do. I never seem to get the light just right and the biggest problem is getting them to look at the camera. Well, you're not alone. A lot of pet parents deal with these issues, trying to get great photos of their pet, and you know who else does Shelters and rescues. They're always looking to get better photos of the pets in their care to be able to promote them and get them adopted.

Speaker 1: 0:36

Today's episode of the story of my pet. I'm speaking with Val, who is a pet photographer and who volunteers for local rescues and shelters in her area. By taking professional photos of the dogs and cats in their care, it helps them promote not only the animals themselves but the rescues too, and can be a great way to help a rescue or shelter fundraise to get more support for the animals in need. So I hope you enjoy this episode lots of great conversation and especially some great tips of ways you can help, but also to catch that great photo of your own pet. I'm so excited to be here with my next guest for the podcast.

Speaker 1: 1:20

I would like to welcome Val Woodward to the story of my pet, hi. Val, thank you so much for being here today. Hi, I'm super excited to be here too, and Val is coming to us from Clovis, california, which is about two hours north of where I live in Bakersfield. So we are central Californians, both of us. I'm just going to start off with asking you about when did you first find that bond and love for pets in your life?

Speaker 2: 1:48

I think I came out of the womb like loving animals Ever since I was a little girl like that is all I ever asked for was to have a dog of my own. My grandparents had dogs and I loved being around them. And then finally, on my fifth birthday, I got my own dog, named Princess, and she was a miniature poodle and basically grew up with her and realized the value of having a pet. And when I was upset she would comfort me. I actually got, did a science fair award with her because I did a training activity with her. She'd like treats versus praise, and so, yeah, I'm since then. I've always loved pets Very much a part of your life, yeah.

Speaker 1: 2:27

Yes, and as an adult, have you always had a fur family or for babies of your own?

Speaker 2: 2:34

Yeah, going through college, we didn't have any animals at that point in time after my princess passed away. But then, when I got with my husband, we did end up rescuing our first dog together, nala, and she was really the game changer for us and really opened her eyes up to the rescue world. She was basically going to be put down if we had not rescued her that day. I was not aware that all of that happened, and so frequently, and how much of a problem it is, until we rescued her from our local shelter.

Speaker 1: 3:02

I'm learning more now. How many people don't know what happens when dogs are at the shelter and they've been there too long, or there's no more space or things like that, until they go there for the first time or adopt their first pet? What? Where did you rescue her from? We got her from the Fresno.

Speaker 2: 3:20

SPCA.

Speaker 1: 3:21

And so when you say it changed you, what changed in terms, you start doing that you hadn't done before, besides just adopting her.

Speaker 2: 3:29

Yeah, I think just the awareness of the overpopulation problem was brought to our attention and so after her we started adopting more animals. So we've had a total of six. We have four currently dogs and four cats. We try to do what we can as far as adoption goes and education and all of those things as well, and really trying to help people understand. I'm sharing posts when I can with dogs that are available or cats, so that people can see the animals that are available and just bring more awareness to everyone else as well.

Speaker 1: 4:02

Absolutely. Sharing on social media is a powerful thing anybody can do from their bone or wherever they are to help animals in need In learning about you. Before having you on the podcast, I realized that you're a school psychologist, so what age level and grades do you work with?

Speaker 2: 4:20

The last two years I've worked at a TK through sixth grade elementary charter school, and prior to that I was both middle school and preschool and overall this is my 15th year as a school psychologist.

Speaker 1: 4:33

Wow, that's a big age difference.

Speaker 2: 4:35

Yeah, middle school was fun, for sure, yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:39

I'm sure, and you realize that kids like really react to pets in a way that help them when they're going through something. Can you talk a little bit about that?

Speaker 2: 4:47

Yes. So, as a school psychologist and just as a mental health professional, is to just help people feel better. Is there anything that I can do to help make this day feel better for them? And a lot of our students come in with a lot of things going on environmentally. There's trauma, and I really try to be that person on campus that they can come to and feel safe.

Speaker 2: 5:08

Oftentimes, though, kids who don't know me or just get to know they're not really comfortable talking to some lady in room 12. Right, so I started putting pictures of my own dogs in my office, and I realized that the kids were really drawn to that. So they look at the images, they ask me questions, and it's like the gateway into building a deeper connection with the students, and so I can talk about my dogs all day long, and so when I have students that are interested in knowing more about them, that's fantastic, but really we're building that relationship, and then they end up sharing about their dogs or their pets that they have at home, or pets they would love to have one day when they're older. So it's really been a great way to start that communication and build trust in relations with some of these students at it, but really hard to reach sometimes.

Speaker 1: 5:52

I think that's amazing because I think people maybe who've never dealt with a psychologist, a therapist in any way, especially a school psychologist, don't realize that they're not just going to walk in, sit down and tell you their life story, especially if they're a little kid and they've never met you before, no matter who it is, but even more so, I would think, with kids. I love that you realize that your pets and talking about them was a way to break down that wall and help them to become more comfortable with you.

Speaker 2: 6:19

Yes, my big dream would be to actually bring one of my dogs to campus with me. I've got one that we're currently training to do that, maybe eventually, but in the meantime, pictures of my dogs seem to have a similar effect on students and even teachers that walk into my office. They comment and we talk.

Speaker 1: 6:38

No, that's great Therapy dogs they're kind of therapy they're providing, whether it's for you and them being your dog or vice versa. I think this is so powerful. Met and followed so many people on social media who have dogs that they just take them to libraries and kids pet them while they're reading in it. We make them more comfortable to read aloud, which is something that's hard for them. There's so many different ways they can be used, especially with kids, that I really love that and I hope that it works out for you to be able to bring your dog to do that. That would be amazing.

Speaker 2: 7:08

Yes, I think that would make my life so much more fun with the kids.

Speaker 1: 7:12

Yes, and everybody else's too.

Speaker 2: 7:14

Yeah, exactly, everybody cheers up when there's a dog on campus.

Speaker 1: 7:18

So you had pictures of your pets that you would get to talk to the kids about and ultimately that kind of turned into pet photography. So is photography something you've always been interested in.

Speaker 2: 7:29

I have been interested in photography for a long time.

Speaker 2: 7:32

As our own children grew up and they're all adults now and they live out of the home I picked up the hobby and got a little more serious with it and when I started taking photographs, the thing that interested me the most was taking pictures of our own dogs. And then I realized that I can one get more practice and help out the rescues and shelters by volunteering my time and my services to take pictures for them of their animals that they need for adoption, that they can use for adoption in their on the website and their social media stuff. So I started volunteering with the Cat House on the Kings. Oh, yes, I do them, I follow them. Yeah, they're amazing and in fact, I still volunteer for them a few times a month doing pictures for them at their adoption centers, and yeah, so I really found that helps me.

Speaker 2: 8:19

Again from Nala wanting to help rescue what is the thing I can do? We live in the city. We don't have a place to be able to open our own rescue and I'm trying to do what I can with the skills that I have to help where I can.

Speaker 1: 8:33

No, that's amazing. I don't think people realize how powerful a picture can be. I know for myself, having volunteered and been in the shelter more. Most of the pictures of animals that are available are a really quick shot. They take as they're doing.

Speaker 1: 8:47

Intake Like they either brought in, returned by an owner, or the animal patrol has brought them in because they've been found on the street, which is the majority of how they get to shelters especially, and it's like a quick shot and it's something I've seen locally some photographer do and just go in and take a few shots and it's a huge impact. So have you seen directly where you've done photos and then cats or dogs have been adopted because of that.

Speaker 2: 9:14

The feedback I get from the cat house on the Kings is that they do believe that my images help bring in more people, whether it's for that particular cat, as long as we're getting them in the door to see the cats that are available. It might not be that cat that my picture brought in, but they fall in love with another one. So that's the power of the photographs. But more recently I did help another rescue with a blind senior German Shepherd and they were just struggling, really trying to get her noticed because she had some eye condition that made her eyes red looking, and so we did a more lifestyle shoot with her. We showed her with her goggles on, going for a walk, sitting like Netflix and enjoying TV with you enjoying the outdoors. So just trying to promote that just because she's blind, she can still do all the things that a dog can do. So last I heard the last update is that she was in a foster to adopt home, so fingers crossed that it all works out for her.

Speaker 1: 10:10

That's so amazing. Yay, and I think that's so important because, especially because so many dogs are found on the street who knows how many have been that way the dogs are not in their best shape. Usually they haven't been groomed at all and grooming is another great thing that people can volunteer and help out with. But a photo can make all the difference the lighting, the setting, all of those things especially if you get the time to warm up to the dog and they get to know you and then you take their picture. What do you find that's most difficult about getting a good photo of a dog, any dog?

Speaker 2: 10:44

but yeah, so I do private client photography for people with their pets obviously now too, and so I think all of my experience working with the animals in the shelters and rescues has helped me a lot understanding their behavior. I have an anxious dog of my own and it took a good year for him to really settle in to our home and who we are. It was really us having to adjust how we interact and our expectations of him, because we can't just take him anywhere because he shuts down completely. We adopted a bully breed dog after him and she's like his emotional support.

Speaker 1: 11:19

So if she's okay with things, like he checks in with her and then he's okay with things too now I think that's so important to say, though and I really appreciate you saying it You're saying you guys realized that you had to change your behavior so that your dog was okay, and you have to remember their dogs, and you can't expect them to come into your home and just be perfect, and you also have to learn. Every dog, no matter, it's not even breed specific have their own unique personality, and so it sounds like you guys have really done the work to make it work for your dog, who you love, to stay in your family and be a part of your family.

Speaker 2: 11:55

Yes, absolutely. So there was a lot of training and some things that I've learned that work with other dogs did not work with anxious dogs. We had to do just a lot of trial and error and just really working on that trust. But because of that, I love when people contact me about a photo session and they're like I don't know, my dog is very anxious. I'm able to share what we've done to work with our dog and we're super patient it should be my middle name because I can sit and wait.

Speaker 2: 12:20

Sometimes we start a session and I just sit on the ground with my camera and I'm not making eye contact with the dog, especially if they're nervous, and we lay treats down so the dog can slowly come over and sniff us. I might hit the shutter button on the camera so they hear it and then give a treat. So they start to say, oh, this noise means good things and sometimes we have to move really slow for some dogs and that's OK. We will get a great shot of your dog that never looks at the camera and always hides when you bring yours out. So that's my goal is to make sure that we get those great face shots of everybody's dogs.

Speaker 1: 12:55

That's so great, and especially with rescues, when you get dogs or cats from rescues or shelters who have no idea what their trauma or experience was before they were there and being there. I know so many dogs just shut down in shelters because they're so loud and they're so overwhelming. So it's something you really take in the time to do to learn what you need to do to make animals safe around you and really get the photo.

Speaker 2: 13:20

Yeah, yeah, we do our best, for sure, and even people with hyperdogs. They're running all over the place. They never settle down. It's okay, I use a fast shutter speed. We only need like a nanosecond to them where we need and my camera will pick it up. That's the beauty of technology. As well, as most the dogs I photo shoot have leashes on. That's something that people are like oh, I see all your pictures, but none of them have leashes. My dog will never stand there without a leash on, and that's the beauty of Photoshop and technology that we can use. Safety is top priority, so we keep them on a leash at all times. In most cases, I think there's only been like one or two dogs that have ever been off leash because they were that great with their recall and their skills.

Speaker 1: 14:00

Yeah, we live in a time where editing can do so much for us and I'm sure even especially for the dogs and shelters. We can make them look like they're somewhere that they aren't, and it can be more appealing to people. Do whatever you can to stop the scroll. That's what I say, Exactly.

Speaker 2: 14:15

And that's what I hope my images do for the rescues and the shelters that I'm with.

Speaker 1: 14:19

That's great, so one of the rescues that you work with is called Lucky Dog Rescue. Can you talk a little bit about them and what they do and what you work with them on?

Speaker 2: 14:31

Yes, lucky Dog Rescue at the ranch is in Madera and it's a smaller rescue and they focus, you know, helping the unadoptables or the ones that are less likely to get adopted from the rescues your senior dogs, your bully breeds and hospice dogs. So hospice are the ones that basically have such high medical needs that really they're not deemed to be adoptable, and so she takes those dogs on and gives them a home and love and tell it's time for them.

Speaker 1: 14:59

Amazing. Sounds like an amazing rescue.

Speaker 2: 15:01

Yes, yes, she's dedicated a lot of her time and money, obviously, to making this rescue as great as it is today. So I am doing a senior dog project and I thought her rescue would be a great one to benefit from this project that we're working on. We started in February and I've called it the 60 Super Seniors project because I believe senior dogs are all superheroes. Two of our dogs have been seniors and we've gone through the whole life cycle with them and they've passed away, but they've been with us forever. They've seen everything, they know us, they know everything about us and they've given us their entire lives. We are their number one. I think senior dogs are special and they often get overlooked if you have a senior dog in a shelter. So I thought I really wanted to highlight senior dogs in this project that we're working on.

Speaker 1: 15:52

That's great because unfortunately, senior dogs end up in shelters, sometimes because they're seniors, because they have health issues and their family isn't able to pay for it anymore.

Speaker 1: 16:01

I personally don't know how anyone could give up their dog, especially if they've had them their whole life, exactly At that point. But I can't say what situation people are in and sometimes there are reasons that are beyond their control. But they obviously get overlooked, especially if you can tell they're a senior. They have gray in their face or they're not moving around like the other dogs. Just because they're seniors doesn't mean they don't still have a lot of love to give a family, exactly, yeah, they live every day just to be with you.

Speaker 2: 16:29

Our project essentially is we wanted 60 seniors. We are almost there. I think we're about 55 right now, so we have five more slots available for that project and then, when I'm finished with all 60, we're going to do a nice little art gallery kind of exhibit here in town probably one of our local breweries here, and so I want to display each of the dogs that have participated in a project, because they help to raise funds for the rescue.

Speaker 1: 16:55

No, that sounds like such an amazing project because so much of the time senior dogs get looked over and people don't realize that when rescues take them on especially because they're senior dogs or it could be hospice dogs, like you said the amount of money that takes to care for them rescues that take on that responsibility. You need even more support. So it's so great that you're highlighting that for people.

Speaker 2: 17:20

Yeah, and we've been really excited because there's been a lot of people interested in participating in the project. I know that the rescue has been able to use some of those funds to sponsor a free micro tripping event in her area, so that's been great for her to do that. She's been able to take in another hospice dog because the funds that we've been able to generate for her, so it's been really fun. I've been getting to meet all of these precious little gray faces and take their pictures and, of course, their parents. The pet parents are super excited to have these images and portraits. Whether they did wall art or albums or whatever they chose to do, they're going to have those forever.

Speaker 1: 18:02

I think it's great for one thing, to give the photos if they are to rescue, trying to find a home, but also what you said, giving it to the family for those of them that are in families. I'm sure that a lot of your pet photography business is that it's memorializing our pets while we still have them, and so talk a little bit about what, how you've seen your work play into that kind of events for people.

Speaker 2: 18:26

Yes, I think pet photography is interesting because it's not like a newborn or wedding right when you need to have your newborn photos taken, when you need a wedding photo taken with animals, with pets, like there really isn't a need necessary.

Speaker 2: 18:40

There are milestones generally that people think of when they think of pets and photography. So a lot of times people are oh no, my dog has got cancer and I need photos ASAP. I would like to see people decide to do photos of their pets before they get to that stage, because that kind of limits what we can do, which is fine. I will come to your house and we'll do it in your home where the dog is comfortable. If they can't move that much, we'll do what we can and we'll get some great images regardless of where we go. But if we really want to highlight, like the personality of that dog, the characteristics, the things you love the most about them and the things you'll probably miss the most about them once they're gone, we can capture those when they're younger and they're teenage years or we can do from puppy on to capture all of those milestones for your pets. No.

Speaker 1: 19:29

I think that's so important because I've actually realized that myself with the pets I've had as an adult. My first pet I was 24 or 25 and not to age myself, but that was 20 years ago and we didn't have these amazing iPhones then. And so when I want to remember them or talk about them in posts, or even when I've talked about them on the podcast, I'm so limited in the number of photos I have and the quality of photos I have. I think more now I realize I want to make sure I have those photos so that 20 years from now I can look back on them and have that picture. Yes, absolutely. Lucky Dog Rescue is the one you work with most now.

Speaker 2: 20:09

Yeah, so they're the one that we're doing this project with. I do two things with my business I have my private client sessions and then I also try to run rescue projects, either at the same time or in between, to try to help different rescues. So this New York Dog Project is what I've worked on with Lucky Dog Rescue at the ranch. But previously to that last year, I worked with POSQuad 559 and a rescue project book so people who had adopted from that rescue could sign their dogs up for photo sessions, and then we created this book that helped to raise money for them as well.

Speaker 1: 20:42

Anyways, we can help raise money. I've learned that people loved to donate, but they also love getting something for their donations. So if someone were to come to you and say, I'm thinking about getting a new pet and I've learned that I should be rescuing, what are some tips that you would say to them if they've never rescued or adopted a dog before?

Speaker 2: 21:02

I think the most important thing is to really understand, like their lifestyle and then try to understand any dog or potential dog that they might try to adopt if it's going to fit in their lifestyle. I know some dogs look really cool but they're mismatched for the activity level of the person. That wants to sit on the couch all day and enjoy TV, which is great.

Speaker 2: 21:26

Seeing the dogs love to lay around and watch TV with you, Although my senior if you hear her tip-tapping that's she's been walking around behind me this whole time. I love the tip-tappy of the dog paws. Yeah, tip-tappy. I know that. Actually, after our last senior dog passed away, like his nails were always tip-tappy and that was the thing I missed the most after he passed. But anyways, yes, make sure you're a good fit. So if you're adopting from a rescue which would be the ideal really meet with them and talk with the rest. You get to know what their activity, behavior levels are, so that you can make sure that's more likely to be a successful match. Because I think too often people go based on what the dog looks like and not necessarily what the dog needs, or what the dog's needs are to be able to manage behaviors.

Speaker 1: 22:14

It's so true, because a lot of people think they want a certain breed because of how they look, but they haven't actually researched the breed in terms of what that means. I mean, that's why we have so many huskies and shepherds in shelters, because they're gorgeous dogs and loveable dogs and all of that. But they're working dogs. They need exercise, they need activity. They can't put them in a backyard. They're probably gonna try to get out because they need that interaction. And you're so right when you're adopting, you really wanna adopt a dog that meets the needs of your lifestyle If you're active then, that's great.

Speaker 2: 22:49

If you're not as much, then a different kind of dog would be better, and the good news is there are so many in rescue right now that you really have a wide variety to choose from. There's personality types for everybody that are out there. You have to maybe work a little harder and talk with the rescues to find out who they have and follow them on Facebook to see what animals they're posting, but there's the perfect dog out there and I believe everybody could find him on rescue if they wanted to Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 23:15

It might take some work but in the end it makes it worth it cause it's the right fit. So, because you do this pet photography and you really are volunteering your time, if someone came to you and said I can't take photos but I wanna volunteer, what benefits have you seen personally for yourself doing this for rescues and shelters that you would tell someone that, hey, you should really do it, cause in the end you're gonna feel good about yourself or you're gonna see an impact.

Speaker 2: 23:39

I've been doing it for years now and it is very nice knowing that I might be making just a tiny bit of difference, volunteering, doing something that's outside of myself, and it's actually something that I teach my students too. We'll find different things that we can contribute to. We've done McDog toys and donate them to the rescue, anyway. So, yeah, doing anything outside of yourself just, I think, helps you just in general as a person, feel good about what you're doing, and it's any opportunity there is to work with animals or help them out. I think is really special and because I'm so connected to animals, so it feels like an easy thing to do too.

Speaker 1: 26:11

If someone asks you for pet photography, if they're not able to get a professional shoot done, but they want to get better pictures of their pets, what are some tips that you would give them, as a photographer, for doing that?

Speaker 2: 26:23

Of course, we live in this technology age where our cell phones actually do take really good images, if you know how to use it correctly. With dogs or cats, I guess my number one tip would always be try to shoot low, from their eye level or below. It gives that perspective of the dog and what they can see, or the cat and what they can see. Then it gives a different angle than what we're used to seeing day to day. Usually we see our dogs and we're looking straight down on them or our cats. It puts them as the number one thing in that image and seeing everything from their perspective can make change your image. I would say, experiment with taking your photos above and then from below at their eye level and see what change that makes for you. The other thing I would always suggest is lighting is so important, but we don't want to be in harsh light Like noon light is the worst.

Speaker 2: 27:15

Early morning light or late afternoon light is the best. If you can't shoot in either one of those times, then try to put them in an even shaded area so that the light is more even and falls more even on them, even if they look a little dark in the image that you take. Either you can adjust those settings on your iPhone before you take the image or use an easy editing app afterward.

Speaker 1: 27:39

Yeah, I've noticed there's so much you can do just with the iPhone, editing or whatever phone you may have. One of the things I've noticed, especially about light and shadows I have a cowl co-cat and she looks completely different depending on where she is. When I take the picture, what the lighting situation is, what angle I'm at, she'll look almost all fully black. Other times you really see your orange. So I think those are just really amazing tips that people may not think about.

Speaker 2: 28:05

Yeah, and cats are generally indoors. Some people have cats that go in and out. Anytime you can get your cat in the window sill or near big open window like those are going to be some great images because you get that beautiful natural light coming in. That's a good point too.

Speaker 1: 28:19

So are there any other projects or anything you're working on that you want to?

Speaker 2: 28:23

talk about I. One of the things that I've noticed is I have had the opportunity to come in and do this photography for the different rescues and I love doing that and being able to help them. I wish I had a fleet of people that could do what I do and go in and do it. If anybody is interested in increasing their pet photography skills, because maybe volunteering for a rescue is something you'd like to do or that you have a hobby of photography, I have a photography bestie who's another dog photographer in media Pennsylvania and her and I are doing a dog photography workshop in Sedona, arizona coming up in January of this year. So we're really going to focus on as long as somebody has a basic idea of how to use their camera. We're going to focus on bringing in some dog models and helping them perfect their craft so that they can become better dog photographers, and a little bit of business stuff too, and social media types of things, because these days you can't get away from not using social media.

Speaker 1: 29:23

So true for everything, including dog rescues and shelters. I think how hard it must have been for them even five years ago or 10 years ago, because they didn't have social media. I've seen so many dogs saved because of it. I know so many people fancy themselves at home photographer because we have this capability now, but they don't know the tricks that are just going to level them up or how to post on social media so people don't maybe steal their images. It sounds like that'll be a great workshop for anybody wanting to level up their photography game.

Speaker 2: 29:56

Yes, especially if they're interested in pets dogs. So it's going to be specifically about working with animals. Mm-hmm, that's great.

Speaker 1: 30:04

And there's a need for it, for sure I know across the country any shelter will tell you we would love to have a photographer come in, because most rescues and shelters are understaffed and don't have enough time in the day as it is. They're always looking for volunteers for anything that can help them promote the pets and their care and get them adopted. And for you, how did you get started with your first rescue and doing the photography?

Speaker 2: 30:28

So I didn't think I was still learning my camera as well, but I was like how better to get practice by actually just getting in front of more animals? And so I was like which rescues are nearby? The cat house on the king stood out to me because we had adopted a cat there from them recently and I knew they had their adoption center. They have the sanctuary and then they have the adoption centers that are like in different petcos, and so I just emailed them and saying that I wanted to volunteer and I wanted to practice my photography and then also help them with the images for their cats for their website and social media. And they got back to me pretty quickly and I've been helping them out ever since. They do their annual fundraising events too that I'll go out and do photos for them at those and then they have an annual calendar that they sell.

Speaker 1: 31:19

Yeah, since you know that.

Speaker 2: 31:21

Yeah, so I'll go in and they have several photographers work on that but I'll go in and provide some images for their calendars too.

Speaker 1: 31:28

Those are great things that people can help rescues do if they've never done it too. Maybe a calendar is something who doesn't love cute pets on their calendars? Or whatever way you can help provide them something and you're just going to not only improve your skills, but you're hopefully helping to save lives of animals who really need it Absolutely, and that's the main goal is to help them get adopted.

Speaker 1: 31:52

Right and it's also probably good is you're also giving that animal interaction with other humans, because a lot of times I know the shelters in my area have hundreds of dogs, dozens more, come in every day and so there's not enough staff that even all the dogs get walked every day. It's only volunteers that have the time to actually do the walking. So you have to think about the dog is in a kennel by itself or with another dog. They're getting very little person interaction. So what has been the part that you've loved most about? Do you regret photography, but working with the rescues and shelters?

Speaker 2: 32:30

I will never say no to interacting with animals in any way, so the fact that I get to hang out with more dogs and cats is totally good with me. If that's all I did, that's all I need. But yeah, I 100% enjoy helping them and being just another option for them if they need to do fundraising and I don't charge rescues any fees for the photography that I do for them they barely have enough for what they have and they need more. It just feels good to be able to help.

Speaker 1: 32:59

So you can see, there's my I'm going to say speaking of rescues. I see someone popping up in the video behind you.

Speaker 2: 33:05

That's Cleopatra, cleo for short. She's our senior right now. Yeah, so she's probably confused. Like which coach am I on? So?

Speaker 1: 33:13

What a sweet she's beautiful.

Speaker 2: 33:15

Yeah, she was actually a puppy that rolled up on one of my school campuses, so, like 14 years ago, she's there cooking it.

Speaker 1: 33:23

I always there, pet find us. They're meant to be with us and they find us. My kittens have found me that way. So, sometimes they end up where they're supposed to be. She's so sweet. I wish I could like literally reach through and just pet her. She looks so soft.

Speaker 2: 33:37

She is super soft. Yeah, that is something that has never changed for her, even as she's gotten older. Her fur is just so soft, but it's also like everywhere, is she?

Speaker 1: 33:45

I want to say she's part Husky. We think we're Sheffer, I'm good at her.

Speaker 2: 33:49

Maybe. Yeah, I've had her officially DNA tested, but I think she's. The vet thought she might be Husky.

Speaker 1: 33:56

Yeah, and we have in Central California. We have so many of those, but they are great dogs. So if you're looking for Huskies, there are lots in shelters. Please go save a life, val. Thank you so much for coming on the podcast. I really appreciate your time. I also greatly appreciate what you're doing for pets out there, for rescues and shelters. Everybody can do something and you've really found the way that you can give back and help pets in need and I just appreciate that and I want to thank you for that.

Speaker 2: 34:23

Yeah, so thank you, I appreciate being on here. I love how you promote rescue and all the things related to that, so we need to hear more of it, and I appreciate everything that you do with your podcast. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 34:40

Well, that was a fun episode. I hope you all enjoyed listening to it as much as I did doing the interview with Val. I really enjoyed meeting her, learning about her own fur family, her work with kids in schools and how pets have become a part of that, as well as all she is doing to help rescues and shelters in her area as a pet photographer to help dogs and cats get adopted. It's such a great way to help shelters and rescue. So, if it's something you're thinking about, I hope that this episode gave you some good tips and really inspires you to connect with a shelter or rescue that you may be able to help. I hope it gave you some great tips.

Speaker 1: 35:22

As a pet parent, I know I'm always looking to get better pictures of my pets, so I really appreciated Val breaking it down and giving us some really easy tips to use. Again, thank you so much for being here and listening and, if you haven't already, make sure you hit subscribe or follow on whatever platform you are listening to the podcast on and make sure to share it with family and friends. We want as many people as possible to hear the stories of our pets and ways in which we can all help pets and needs through animal rescue, fostering, adoption and volunteering. Until next time, my friends, thank you so much for being here and much love to you and your pets.