So you want to be a shelter photographer?
First of all, THAT’S AWESOME!
Having the desire to help is a skill that cannot be taught, so you will prove invaluable to whatever shelter you end up volunteering at. As you start down this path, the best advice I can give you is to remember why you’re wanting to do this: To increase the chances of saving lives.
How to start:
First you need to determine how far you are willing to travel, and how often you could devote your time to volunteering. You do not have to commit to every week. I started out going once a month, then it became bi-weekly. Just make sure that when you offer to help, you have the intention to be consistent so that the shelter will be able to rely on you.
Next, determine the need in your area. Here in the south eastern portion of the USA, there is a massive issue with overcrowding and underfunding in our animal shelters. Some other parts of the USA do not have this issue. Determine if you’re in an area that has a high or low need for volunteers. You can do this by connecting with your local shelters.
Head to Facebook or other Socials that your local shelters and rescues use. Scout to see if any in your area are in need of a volunteer photographer. The best way to determine who needs help without having to risk rejection (I see you my fellow anxious people), is to see what quality of photos the shelter is posting to their Facebook or website.
If it appears the pet photos are low quality or they have no photos at all, you most likely live in an area that is in need of any volunteer photographers regardless of experience. Reach out to the shelter and let them know you are available to do photography for them on a volunteer basis. Ask if there are any forms or training that must be completed.
If all of your local shelters and rescues have high quality photos, then congratulations! You probably live in an area where there are many pet photographers who work at the shelters. Your services may not be needed there as desperately, but it doesn’t hurt to call or message them and ask. They may jump at the opportunity to have a handler come and learn from their photographer. Shelter photographers will need a handler 99% of the time if the shelter staff are not available to help them.
Being a Handler:
Being a Handler enables you to get a lot of hands on experience. I got started by being a handler for the previous photographer at my shelter.
Handling consists of: Cleaning the animal’s face and eyes, walking dogs to allow them to potty beforehand, petting and soothing cats beforehand, posing and reposing the animal, using a toy or treat to get the attention of the animal, holding a leash correctly (for dogs), and finding specific tactics for each individual animal to get them to look right into the lens.
I recommend THIS video on photographing shelter dogs to learn how photographers need you to handle the animals, and tricks you can use as a handler to help your photographer succeed.
MORE COMING SOON!