Pet Photography: A Powerful Tool for Animal Rescue and Adoption

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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

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photographer take photos of youand your pets?
Do you wish you could takebetter photos of your pets
yourself?
I know I do.
I never seem to get the lightjust right and the biggest
problem is getting them to lookat the camera.
Well, you're not alone.
A lot of pet parents deal withthese issues, trying to get
great photos of their pet, andyou know who else does Shelters

(00:28):
and rescues.
They're always looking to getbetter photos of the pets in
their care to be able to promotethem and get them adopted.
Today's episode of the story ofmy pet.
I'm speaking with Val, who is apet photographer and who
volunteers for local rescues andshelters in her area.
By taking professional photosof the dogs and cats in their

(00:49):
care, it helps them promote notonly the animals themselves but
the rescues too, and can be agreat way to help a rescue or
shelter fundraise to get moresupport for the animals in need.
So I hope you enjoy thisepisode lots of great
conversation and especially somegreat tips of ways you can help
, but also to catch that greatphoto of your own pet.

(01:11):
I'm so excited to be here withmy next guest for the podcast.
I would like to welcome ValWoodward to the story of my pet,
hi.
Val, thank you so much forbeing here today.
Hi, I'm super excited to behere too, and Val is coming to
us from Clovis, california,which is about two hours north

(01:34):
of where I live in Bakersfield.
So we are central Californians,both of us.
I'm just going to start offwith asking you about when did
you first find that bond andlove for pets in your life?

Speaker 2 (01:48):
I think I came out of the womb like loving animals
Ever since I was a little girllike that is all I ever asked
for was to have a dog of my own.
My grandparents had dogs and Iloved being around them.
And then finally, on my fifthbirthday, I got my own dog,
named Princess, and she was aminiature poodle and basically
grew up with her and realizedthe value of having a pet.

(02:11):
And when I was upset she wouldcomfort me.
I actually got, did a sciencefair 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 Verymuch a part of your life, yeah.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Yes, and as an adult, have you always had a fur
family or for babies of your own?

Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, going through college, we didn't have any
animals at that point in timeafter my princess passed away.
But then, when I got with myhusband, we did end up rescuing
our first dog together, nala,and she was really the game
changer for us and really openedher eyes up to the rescue world
.
She was basically going to beput down if we had not rescued
her that day.

(02:54):
I was not aware that all ofthat happened, and so frequently
, and how much of a problem itis, until we rescued her from
our local shelter.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
I'm learning more now .
How many people don't know whathappens when dogs are at the
shelter and they've been theretoo long, or there's no more
space or things like that, untilthey 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 (03:20):
SPCA.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
And so when you say it changed you, what changed in
terms, you start doing that youhadn't done before, besides just
adopting her.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
Yeah, I think just the awareness of the
overpopulation problem wasbrought to our attention and so
after her we started adoptingmore animals.
So we've had a total of six.
We have four currently dogs andfour cats.
We try to do what we can as faras adoption goes and education
and all of those things as well,and really trying to help

(03:51):
people understand.
I'm sharing posts when I canwith dogs that are available or
cats, so that people can see theanimals that are available and
just bring more awareness toeveryone else as well.

Speaker 1 (04:02):
Absolutely.
Sharing on social media is apowerful thing anybody can do
from their bone or wherever theyare to help animals in need In
learning about you.
Before having you on thepodcast, I realized that you're
a school psychologist, so whatage level and grades do you work
with?

Speaker 2 (04:20):
The last two years I've worked at a TK through
sixth grade elementary charterschool, and prior to that I was
both middle school and preschooland overall this is my 15th
year as a school psychologist.

Speaker 1 (04:33):
Wow, that's a big age difference.

Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yeah, middle school was fun, for sure, yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
I'm sure, and you realize that kids like really
react to pets in a way that helpthem when they're going through
something.
Can you talk a little bit aboutthat?

Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yes.
So, as a school psychologistand just as a mental health
professional, is to just helppeople feel better.
Is there anything that I can doto help make this day feel
better for them?
And a lot of our students comein with a lot of things going on
environmentally.
There's trauma, and I reallytry to be that person on campus
that they can come to and feelsafe.

(05:08):
Oftentimes, though, kids whodon't know me or just get to
know they're not reallycomfortable talking to some lady
in room 12.
Right, so I started puttingpictures of my own dogs in my
office, and I realized that thekids were really drawn to that.
So they look at the images,they ask me questions, and it's
like the gateway into building adeeper connection with the
students, and so I can talkabout my dogs all day long, and

(05:31):
so when I have students that areinterested in knowing more
about them, that's fantastic,but really we're building that
relationship, and then they endup sharing about their dogs or
their pets that they have athome, or pets they would love to
have one day when they're older.
So it's really been a great wayto start that communication and
build trust in relations withsome of these students at it,
but really hard to reachsometimes.

Speaker 1 (05:52):
I think that's amazing because I think people
maybe who've never dealt with apsychologist, a therapist in any
way, especially a schoolpsychologist, don't realize that
they're not just going to walkin, sit down and tell you their
life story, especially ifthey're a little kid and they've
never met you before, no matterwho it is, but even more so, I
would think, with kids.
I love that you realize thatyour pets and talking about them

(06:14):
was a way to break down thatwall and help them to become
more comfortable with you.

Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yes, my big dream would be to actually bring one
of my dogs to campus with me.
I've got one that we'recurrently training to do that,
maybe eventually, but in themeantime, pictures of my dogs
seem to have a similar effect onstudents and even teachers that
walk into my office.
They comment and we talk.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
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 peopleon social media who have dogs
that they just take them tolibraries and kids pet them
while they're reading in it.
We make them more comfortableto read aloud, which is
something that's hard for them.

(06:58):
There's so many different waysthey can be used, especially
with kids, that I really lovethat and I hope that it works
out for you to be able to bringyour dog to do that.
That would be amazing.

Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yes, I think that would make my life so much more
fun with the kids.

Speaker 1 (07:12):
Yes, and everybody else's too.

Speaker 2 (07:14):
Yeah, exactly, everybody cheers up when there's
a dog on campus.

Speaker 1 (07:18):
So you had pictures of your pets that you would get
to talk to the kids about andultimately that kind of turned
into pet photography.
So is photography somethingyou've always been interested in
.

Speaker 2 (07:29):
I have been interested in photography for a
long time.
As our own children grew up andthey're all adults now and they
live out of the home I picked upthe hobby and got a little more
serious with it and when Istarted taking photographs, the
thing that interested me themost was taking pictures of our
own dogs.
And then I realized that I canone get more practice and help
out the rescues and shelters byvolunteering my time and my

(07:53):
services to take pictures forthem of their animals that they
need for adoption, that they canuse for adoption in their on
the website and their socialmedia stuff.
So I started volunteering withthe Cat House on the Kings.
Oh, yes, I do them, I followthem.
Yeah, they're amazing and infact, I still volunteer for them
a few times a month doingpictures for them at their

(08:14):
adoption centers, and yeah, so Ireally found that helps me.
Again from Nala wanting to helprescue what is the thing I can
do?
We live in the city.
We don't have a place to beable to open our own rescue and
I'm trying to do what I can withthe skills that I have to help
where I can.

Speaker 1 (08:33):
No, that's amazing.
I don't think people realizehow powerful a picture can be.
I know for myself, havingvolunteered and been in the
shelter more.
Most of the pictures of animalsthat are available are a really
quick shot.
They take as they're doing.
Intake Like they either broughtin, returned by an owner, or the
animal patrol has brought themin because they've been found on

(08:54):
the street, which is themajority of how they get to
shelters especially, and it'slike a quick shot and it's
something I've seen locally somephotographer do and just go in
and take a few shots and it's ahuge impact.
So have you seen directly whereyou've done photos and then
cats or dogs have been adoptedbecause of that.

Speaker 2 (09:14):
The feedback I get from the cat house on the Kings
is that they do believe that myimages help bring in more people
, whether it's for thatparticular cat, as long as we're
getting them in the door to seethe cats that are available.
It might not be that cat thatmy picture brought in, but they
fall in love with another one.
So that's the power of thephotographs.
But more recently I did helpanother rescue with a blind

(09:37):
senior German Shepherd and theywere just struggling, really
trying to get her noticedbecause she had some eye
condition that made her eyes redlooking, and so we did a more
lifestyle shoot with her.
We showed her with her goggleson, going for a walk, sitting
like Netflix and enjoying TVwith you enjoying the outdoors.

(09:57):
So just trying to promote thatjust because she's blind, she
can still do all the things thata dog can do.
So last I heard the last updateis that she was in a foster to
adopt home, so fingers crossedthat it all works out for her.

Speaker 1 (10:10):
That's so amazing.
Yay, and I think that's soimportant because, especially
because so many dogs are foundon the street who knows how many
have been that way the dogs arenot in their best shape.
Usually they haven't beengroomed at all and grooming is
another great thing that peoplecan volunteer and help out with.
But a photo can make all thedifference the lighting, the

(10:32):
setting, all of those thingsespecially if you get the time
to warm up to the dog and theyget to know you and then you
take their picture.
What do you find that's mostdifficult 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 obviouslynow too, and so I think all of
my experience working with theanimals in the shelters and
rescues has helped me a lotunderstanding their behavior.
I have an anxious dog of my ownand it took a good year for him
to really settle in to our homeand who we are.

(11:06):
It was really us having toadjust how we interact and our
expectations of him, because wecan't just take him anywhere
because he shuts down completely.
We adopted a bully breed dogafter 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 withthings too now I think that's so
important to say, though and Ireally appreciate you saying it
You're saying you guys realizedthat you had to change your
behavior so that your dog wasokay, and you have to remember
their dogs, and you can't expectthem to come into your home and

(11:39):
just be perfect, and you alsohave to learn.
Every dog, no matter, it's noteven breed specific have their
own unique personality, and soit sounds like you guys have
really done the work to make itwork for your dog, who you love,
to stay in your family and be apart of your family.

Speaker 2 (11:55):
Yes, absolutely.
So there was a lot of trainingand some things that I've
learned that work with otherdogs did not work with anxious
dogs.
We had to do just a lot oftrial and error and just really
working on that trust.
But because of that, I lovewhen people contact me about a
photo session and they're like Idon't know, my dog is very
anxious.
I'm able to share what we'vedone to work with our dog and

(12:16):
we're super patient it should bemy middle name because I can
sit and wait.
Sometimes we start a session andI just sit on the ground with
my camera and I'm not making eyecontact with the dog,
especially if they're nervous,and we lay treats down so the
dog can slowly come over andsniff us.
I might hit the shutter buttonon the camera so they hear it
and then give a treat.

(12:36):
So they start to say, oh, thisnoise means good things and
sometimes we have to move reallyslow for some dogs and that's
OK.
We will get a great shot ofyour dog that never looks at the
camera and always hides whenyou bring yours out.
So that's my goal is to makesure 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 fromrescues or shelters who have no
idea what their trauma orexperience was before they were
there and being there.
I know so many dogs just shutdown in shelters because they're
so loud and they're sooverwhelming.
So it's something you reallytake in the time to do to learn
what you need to do to makeanimals safe around you and

(13:19):
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 theplace.
They never settle down.
It's okay, I use a fast shutterspeed.
We only need like a nanosecondto them where we need and my
camera will pick it up.
That's the beauty of technology.
As well, as most the dogs Iphoto shoot have leashes on.
That's something that peopleare like oh, I see all your
pictures, but none of them haveleashes.

(13:41):
My dog will never stand therewithout a leash on, and that's
the beauty of Photoshop andtechnology that we can use.
Safety is top priority, so wekeep them on a leash at all
times.
In most cases, I think there'sonly been like one or two dogs
that have ever been off leashbecause they were that great
with their recall and theirskills.

Speaker 1 (14:00):
Yeah, we live in a time where editing can do so
much for us and I'm sure evenespecially for the dogs and
shelters.
We can make them look likethey're somewhere that they
aren't, and it can be moreappealing to people.
Do whatever you can to stop thescroll.
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 thatI'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 aboutthem 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 theyfocus, you know, helping the
unadoptables or the ones thatare less likely to get adopted
from the rescues your seniordogs, your bully breeds and
hospice dogs.
So hospice are the ones thatbasically have such high medical
needs that really they're notdeemed to be adoptable, and so

(14:52):
she takes those dogs on andgives 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 thisrescue as great as it is today.
So I am doing a senior dogproject and I thought her rescue
would be a great one to benefitfrom this project that we're
working on.
We started in February and I'vecalled it the 60 Super Seniors

(15:21):
project because I believe seniordogs are all superheroes.
Two of our dogs have beenseniors and we've gone through
the whole life cycle with themand they've passed away, but
they've been with us forever.
They've seen everything, theyknow us, they know everything
about us and they've given ustheir entire lives.
We are their number one.

(15:41):
I think senior dogs are specialand they often get overlooked
if you have a senior dog in ashelter.
So I thought I really wanted tohighlight 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, sometimesbecause they're seniors, because
they have health issues andtheir family isn't able to pay
for it anymore.
I personally don't know howanyone could give up their dog,
especially if they've had themtheir whole life, exactly At
that point.
But I can't say what situationpeople are in and sometimes
there are reasons that arebeyond their control.

(16:13):
But they obviously getoverlooked, especially if you
can tell they're a senior.
They have gray in their face orthey're not moving around like
the other dogs.
Just because they're seniorsdoesn't mean they don't still
have a lot of love to give afamily, 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 rightnow, so we have five more slots
available for that project andthen, when I'm finished with all
60, we're going to do a nicelittle art gallery kind of
exhibit here in town probablyone of our local breweries here,
and so I want to display eachof the dogs that have
participated in a project,because they help to raise funds

(16:53):
for the rescue.

Speaker 1 (16:55):
No, that sounds like such an amazing project because
so much of the time senior dogsget looked over and people don't
realize that when rescues takethem on especially because
they're senior dogs or it couldbe hospice dogs, like you said
the amount of money that takesto care for them rescues that
take on that responsibility.
You need even more support.

(17:15):
So it's so great that you'rehighlighting that for people.

Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yeah, and we've been really excited because there's
been a lot of people interestedin participating in the project.
I know that the rescue has beenable to use some of those funds
to sponsor a free microtripping event in her area, so
that's been great for her to dothat.
She's been able to take inanother hospice dog because the

(17:41):
funds that we've been able togenerate for her, so it's been
really fun.
I've been getting to meet allof these precious little gray
faces and take their picturesand, of course, their parents.
The pet parents are superexcited to have these images and
portraits.
Whether they did wall art oralbums or whatever they chose to
do, they're going to have thoseforever.

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 thefamily for those of them that
are in families.
I'm sure that a lot of your petphotography business is that
it's memorializing our petswhile we still have them, and so
talk a little bit about what,how you've seen your work play

(18:23):
into that kind of events forpeople.

Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yes, I think pet photography is interesting
because it's not like a newbornor wedding right when you need
to have your newborn photostaken, when you need a wedding
photo taken with animals, withpets, like there really isn't a
need necessary.
There are milestones generallythat people think of when they
think of pets and photography.
So a lot of times people are ohno, my dog has got cancer and I

(18:49):
need photos ASAP.
I would like to see peopledecide to do photos of their
pets before they get to thatstage, because that kind of
limits what we can do, which isfine.
I will come to your house andwe'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 regardlessof where we go.
But if we really want tohighlight, like the personality

(19:11):
of that dog, the characteristics, the things you love the most
about them and the things you'llprobably miss the most about
them once they're gone, we cancapture those when they're
younger and they're teenageyears or we can do from puppy on
to capture all of thosemilestones for your pets.
No.

Speaker 1 (19:29):
I think that's so important because I've actually
realized that myself with thepets I've had as an adult.
My first pet I was 24 or 25 andnot to age myself, but that was
20 years ago and we didn't havethese amazing iPhones then.
And so when I want to rememberthem or talk about them in posts
, or even when I've talked aboutthem on the podcast, I'm so

(19:51):
limited in the number of photosI have and the quality of photos
I have.
I think more now I realize Iwant to make sure I have those
photos so that 20 years from nowI can look back on them and
have that picture.
Yes, absolutely.
Lucky Dog Rescue is the one youwork 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 mybusiness I have my private
client sessions and then I alsotry to run rescue projects,
either at the same time or inbetween, to try to help
different rescues.
So this New York Dog Project iswhat I've worked on with Lucky
Dog Rescue at the ranch.
But previously to that lastyear, I worked with POSQuad 559

(20:31):
and a rescue project book sopeople who had adopted from that
rescue could sign their dogs upfor photo sessions, and then we
created this book that helpedto raise money for them as well.

Speaker 1 (20:42):
Anyways, we can help raise money.
I've learned that people lovedto donate, but they also love
getting something for theirdonations.
So if someone were to come toyou and say, I'm thinking about
getting a new pet and I'velearned that I should be
rescuing, what are some tipsthat you would say to them if
they've never rescued or adopteda dog before?

Speaker 2 (21:02):
I think the most important thing is to really
understand, like their lifestyleand then try to understand any
dog or potential dog that theymight try to adopt if it's going
to fit in their lifestyle.
I know some dogs look reallycool but they're mismatched for
the activity level of the person.
That wants to sit on the couchall day and enjoy TV, which is

(21:25):
great.
Seeing the dogs love to layaround and watch TV with you,
Although my senior if you hearher tip-tapping that's she's
been walking around behind methis whole time.
I love the tip-tappy of the dogpaws.
Yeah, tip-tappy.
I know that.
Actually, after our last seniordog passed away, like his nails
were always tip-tappy and thatwas the thing I missed the most
after he passed.
But anyways, yes, make sureyou're a good fit.

(21:47):
So if you're adopting from arescue which would be the ideal
really meet with them and talkwith the rest.
You get to know what theiractivity, behavior levels are,
so that you can make sure that'smore likely to be a successful
match.
Because I think too oftenpeople go based on what the dog
looks like and not necessarilywhat the dog needs, or what the

(22:09):
dog's needs are to be able tomanage behaviors.

Speaker 1 (22:14):
It's so true, because a lot of people think they want
a certain breed because of howthey look, but they haven't
actually researched the breed interms of what that means.
I mean, that's why we have somany huskies and shepherds in
shelters, because they'regorgeous dogs and loveable dogs
and all of that.
But they're working dogs.
They need exercise, they needactivity.

(22:35):
They can't put them in abackyard.
They're probably gonna try toget out because they need that
interaction.
And you're so right when you'readopting, you really wanna
adopt a dog that meets the needsof 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 goodnews is there are so many in
rescue right now that you reallyhave a wide variety to choose
from.
There's personality types foreverybody that are out there.
You have to maybe work a littleharder and talk with the
rescues to find out who theyhave and follow them on Facebook
to see what animals they'reposting, but there's the perfect

(23:10):
dog out there and I believeeverybody could find him on
rescue if they wanted toAbsolutely.

Speaker 1 (23:15):
It might take some work but in the end it makes it
worth it cause it's the rightfit.
So, because you do this petphotography and you really are
volunteering your time, ifsomeone came to you and said I
can't take photos but I wannavolunteer, what benefits have
you seen personally for yourselfdoing this for rescues and
shelters that you would tellsomeone that, hey, you should
really do it, cause in the endyou're gonna feel good about

(23:36):
yourself or you're gonna see animpact.

Speaker 2 (23:39):
I've been doing it for years now and it is very
nice knowing that I might bemaking just a tiny bit of
difference, volunteering, doingsomething that's outside of
myself, and it's actuallysomething that I teach my
students too.
We'll find different thingsthat we can contribute to.
We've done McDog toys anddonate them to the rescue,
anyway.
So, yeah, doing anythingoutside of yourself just, I

(24:01):
think, helps you just in generalas a person, feel good about
what you're doing, and it's anyopportunity there is to work
with animals or help them out.
I think is really special andbecause I'm so connected to
animals, so it feels like aneasy thing to do too.

Speaker 1 (24:18):
If someone asks you for pet photography, if they're
not able to get a professionalshoot done, but they want to get
better pictures of their pets,what are some tips that you
would give them, as aphotographer, for doing that?

Speaker 2 (24:30):
Of course, we live in this technology age where our
cell phones actually do takereally good images, if you know
how to use it correctly.
With dogs or cats, I guess mynumber one tip would always be
try to shoot low, from their eyelevel or below.
It gives that perspective ofthe dog and what they can see,
or the cat and what they can see.
Then it gives a different anglethan what we're used to seeing

(24:52):
day to day.
Usually we see our dogs andwe're looking straight down on
them or our cats.
It puts them as the number onething in that image and seeing
everything from theirperspective can make change your
image.
I would say, experiment withtaking your photos above and
then from below at their eyelevel and see what change that
makes for you.
The other thing I would alwayssuggest is lighting is so

(25:16):
important, but we don't want tobe in harsh light Like noon
light is the worst.
Early morning light or lateafternoon light is the best.
If you can't shoot in eitherone of those times, then try to
put them in an even shaded areaso that the light is more even
and falls more even on them,even if they look a little dark

(25:37):
in the image that you take.
Either you can adjust thosesettings on your iPhone before
you take the image or use aneasy editing app afterward.

Speaker 1 (25:45):
Yeah, I've noticed there's so much you can do just
with the iPhone, editing orwhatever phone you may have.
One of the things I've noticed,especially about light and
shadows I have a cowl co-cat andshe looks completely different
depending on where she is.
When I take the picture, whatthe lighting situation is, what
angle I'm at, she'll look almostall fully black.

(26:06):
Other times you really see yourorange.
So I think those are justreally amazing tips that people
may not think about.

Speaker 2 (26:12):
Yeah, and cats are generally indoors.
Some people have cats that goin and out.
Anytime you can get your cat inthe window sill or near big
open window like those are goingto be some great images because
you get that beautiful naturallight coming in.
That's a good point too.

Speaker 1 (26:26):
So are there any other projects or anything
you're working on that you wantto?

Speaker 2 (26:29):
talk about I.
One of the things that I'venoticed is I have had the
opportunity to come in and dothis photography for the
different rescues and I lovedoing that and being able to
help them.
I wish I had a fleet of peoplethat could do what I do and go
in and do it.
If anybody is interested inincreasing their pet photography
skills, because maybevolunteering for a rescue is

(26:50):
something you'd like to do orthat you have a hobby of
photography, I have aphotography bestie who's another
dog photographer in mediaPennsylvania and her and I are
doing a dog photography workshopin Sedona, arizona coming up in
January of this year.
So we're really going to focuson as long as somebody has a

(27:12):
basic idea of how to use theircamera.
We're going to focus onbringing in some dog models and
helping them perfect their craftso that they can become better
dog photographers, and a littlebit of business stuff too, and
social media types of things,because these days you can't get
away from not using socialmedia.

Speaker 1 (27:30):
So true for everything, including dog
rescues and shelters.
I think how hard it must havebeen for them even five years
ago or 10 years ago, becausethey didn't have social media.
I've seen so many dogs savedbecause of it.
I know so many people fancythemselves at home photographer
because we have this capabilitynow, but they don't know the

(27:52):
tricks that are just going tolevel them up or how to post on
social media so people don'tmaybe steal their images.
It sounds like that'll be agreat workshop for anybody
wanting to level up theirphotography game.

Speaker 2 (28:03):
Yes, especially if they're interested in pets dogs.
So it's going to bespecifically about working with
animals.
Mm-hmm, that's great.

Speaker 1 (28:11):
And there's a need for it, for sure I know across
the country any shelter willtell you we would love to have a
photographer come in, becausemost rescues and shelters are
understaffed and don't haveenough time in the day as it is.
They're always looking forvolunteers for anything that can
help them promote the pets andtheir care and get them adopted.
And for you, how did you getstarted with your first rescue

(28:33):
and doing the photography?

Speaker 2 (28:35):
So I didn't think I was still learning my camera as
well, but I was like how betterto get practice by actually just
getting in front of moreanimals?
And so I was like which rescuesare nearby?
The cat house on the king stoodout to me because we had
adopted a cat there from themrecently and I knew they had
their adoption center.
They have the sanctuary andthen they have the adoption

(28:56):
centers that are like indifferent petcos, and so I just
emailed them and saying that Iwanted to volunteer and I wanted
to practice my photography andthen also help them with the
images for their cats for theirwebsite and social media.
And they got back to me prettyquickly and I've been helping

(29:16):
them out ever since.
They do their annualfundraising events too that I'll
go out and do photos for themat those and then they have an
annual calendar that they sell.

Speaker 1 (29:26):
Yeah, since you know that.

Speaker 2 (29:28):
Yeah, so I'll go in and they have several
photographers work on that butI'll go in and provide some
images for their calendars too.

Speaker 1 (29:35):
Those are great things that people can help
rescues do if they've never doneit too.
Maybe a calendar is somethingwho doesn't love cute pets on
their calendars?
Or whatever way you can helpprovide them something and
you're just going to not onlyimprove your skills, but you're
hopefully helping to save livesof animals who really need it
Absolutely, and that's the maingoal is to help them get adopted

(29:58):
.
Right and it's also probablygood is you're also giving that
animal interaction with otherhumans, because a lot of times I
know the shelters in my areahave hundreds of dogs, dozens
more, come in every day and sothere's not enough staff that
even all the dogs get walkedevery day.
It's only volunteers that havethe time to actually do the

(30:19):
walking.
So you have to think about thedog is in a kennel by itself or
with another dog.
They're getting very littleperson interaction.
So what has been the part thatyou've loved most about?
Do you regret photography, butworking with the rescues and
shelters?

Speaker 2 (30:37):
I will never say no to interacting with animals in
any way, so the fact that I getto hang out with more dogs and
cats is totally good with me.
If that's all I did, that's allI need.
But yeah, I 100% enjoy helpingthem and being just another
option for them if they need todo fundraising and I don't
charge rescues any fees for thephotography that I do for them

(31:00):
they barely have enough for whatthey have and they need more.
It just feels good to be ableto help.

Speaker 1 (31:05):
So you can see, there's my I'm going to say
speaking of rescues.
I see someone popping up in thevideo behind you.

Speaker 2 (31:11):
That's Cleopatra, cleo for short.
She's our senior right now.
Yeah, so she's probablyconfused.
Like which coach am I on?
So?

Speaker 1 (31:20):
What a sweet she's beautiful.

Speaker 2 (31:22):
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 (31:30):
I always there, pet find us.
They're meant to be with us andthey find us.
My kittens have found me thatway.
So, sometimes they end up wherethey're supposed to be.
She's so sweet.
I wish I could like literallyreach through and just pet her.
She looks so soft.

Speaker 2 (31:44):
She is super soft.
Yeah, that is something thathas never changed for her, even
as she's gotten older.
Her fur is just so soft, butit's also like everywhere, is
she?

Speaker 1 (31:52):
I want to say she's part Husky.
We think we're Sheffer, I'mgood at her.

Speaker 2 (31:56):
Maybe.
Yeah, I've had her officiallyDNA tested, but I think she's.
The vet thought she might beHusky.

Speaker 1 (32:03):
Yeah, and we have in Central California.
We have so many of those, butthey are great dogs.
So if you're looking forHuskies, there are lots in
shelters.
Please go save a life, val.
Thank you so much for coming onthe podcast.
I really appreciate your time.
I also greatly appreciate whatyou're doing for pets out there,
for rescues and shelters.
Everybody can do something andyou've really found the way that

(32:25):
you can give back and help petsin need and I just appreciate
that and I want to thank you forthat.

Speaker 2 (32:30):
Yeah, so thank you, I appreciate being on here.
I love how you promote rescueand all the things related to
that, so we need to hear more ofit, and I appreciate everything
that you do with your podcast.
Thank you so much.

Speaker 1 (32:47):
Well, that was a fun episode.
I hope you all enjoyedlistening 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 inschools and how pets have become
a part of that, as well as allshe is doing to help rescues and
shelters in her area as a petphotographer to help dogs and

(33:11):
cats get adopted.
It's such a great way to helpshelters and rescue.
So, if it's something you'rethinking about, I hope that this
episode gave you some good tipsand really inspires you to
connect with a shelter or rescuethat you may be able to help.
I hope it gave you some greattips.
As a pet parent, I know I'malways looking to get better

(33:32):
pictures of my pets, so I reallyappreciated Val breaking it
down and giving us some reallyeasy tips to use.
Again, thank you so much forbeing here and listening and, if
you haven't already, make sureyou hit subscribe or follow on
whatever platform you arelistening to the podcast on and
make sure to share it withfamily and friends.

(33:53):
We want as many people aspossible to hear the stories of
our pets and ways in which wecan 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 yourpets.