Photographer Creates Striking Portraits of Shelter Animals to Help Them Get Adopted
Maggie Epling spent her summer break looking for a way to do something meaningful, and she found it at the Pike County Animal Shelter in Pike, Kentucky. With a camera in hand and a soft spot for animals, she set out to give shelter pets a better chance at adoption.
Her focus quickly turned to black cats and dogs, animals that often get overlooked even when they have plenty of personality. By photographing them like stars instead of kennel residents, Epling helped show them in a completely different light.
The results were striking, and the shelter was surprised by how far the photos traveled. Read on.
Maggie Epling Wanted to Help a Charity During Her Summer Break
She Is Interested in Photography
And She Also Wants to Help Animals
So She Combined Her Two Passions
She Creates Wonderful Portraits of Animals to Help Them Get Adopted
Pike County Animal Shelter Was Happy to Have Her, and She Got to Work.
Tiny the Dog, One of Epling's Favorite Photos
That’s similar to the heartless owner who tied a puppy to a pole and left her to die.
“I Want to Show People What These Dogs Would Look Like in Their Homes,” Epling Says.
“In a Way That Just Isn't Possible with a Photo Taken Through the Cage Bars,” She Added.
The Pike County Animal Shelter Is in a Rural Location.
But People Don't Seem to Mind. They Go the Extra Mile to Get These Wonderful Pets.
And It Is All Thanks to These Wonderful Portraits.
“I Want to Use Photography to Show What These Sweet Dogs Are Actually Like When They're Not in the Stressful Environment of a Shelter.”
And They Are Adorable.
Who Wouldn't Want Them?
Many of These Animals Have Found Their Forever Homes.
We Hope All of Them Will Soon...
Epling's method for taking her stunning photos includes first getting to know the animal outside of its kennel. She uses the story of Tiny the dog to explain her viewpoint.
That first impression can change fast once the leash comes off.
“She looked so sad in her kennel with her ears drooping and her tail between her legs,” Epling says. “When I took her outside for our pre-photoshoot playtime in the courtyard, she became a different dog entirely, she went from stressed and nervous to silly and playful.”
Tiny has large ears and two distinct-colored eyes, so Epling knew she wanted to highlight those qualities as well as the dog's colorful personality.
“When we got to the studio, you could see that immediately; I squeaked a toy, and her ears perked up, and I got the shot. I love how focused she looks because that's how she is, she's a determined little dog!”
Many of Tiny's friends have found their forever homes thanks to this artist, and we hope every animal in the shelter will...
Want more adoption magic? See how an artist turned pet photos into “Disney-style” images.
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