Stunning Portraits Of Shelter Dogs Capture The Heartbreaking Sorrow Of Pups Awaiting Adoption
When photographer and former shelter volunteer Traer Scott published her book, Shelter Dogs, almost ten years ago, she had no idea it would become a defining moment in her career. The series features stunning black-and-white portraits of shelter dogs waiting to be adopted.
Now, Traer has released a follow-up book called Finding Home, which follows the dogs' journeys after finding their forever homes.
Traer's unique style is instantly recognizable. With her perfectly lit and rendered images, she manages to showcase each dog's personality effortlessly.
Each portrait is profoundly personal and captures the sadness and pain that each canine has endured. Yet, somehow, the images also encompass the hope that each dog has, despite their struggles and hardships.
"I wanted Finding Home to be a companion book to Shelter Dogs, similar stylistically but with more text that takes the reader deeper into the dogs' lives," Traer said. "Finding Home is much more complete and also offers some interesting surprises, like the 'Reflections on Animal Rescue' section at the back, which features truly moving essays from the people who helped me create the book."
Traer says Finding Home is her way of bringing the stories from Shelter Dogs full circle. Even better, a percentage of all proceeds from Finding Home will be donated to Handsome Dan's Rescue and the Providence Animal Rescue League.
Callie
Gypsy
Dutch
"When I made Shelter Dogs, I was in a desperate situation as one of two volunteers at a municipal shelter that was constantly full of unwanted dogs," Traer explained. "It was a very hostile climate, and we were fairly powerless to truly help, so many of the animals didn't make it out."
"At that point in my life, I would sit worrying every night about the dogs, knowing that if I didn't go in the next day, they literally wouldn't get out of their kennels for another 24 hours. Now, I simply volunteer as a photographer for a shelter.
"I come in every few weeks, take some photos, and then deliver them," Traer said. "I'm not on the front lines making life-and-death decisions for dogs anymore, which is wonderful."
"So when I made this book, I was able to approach it more as a documentarian rather than someone who is still living the struggle. I think I was able to create better pictures and write from a more intellectual perspective because of the distance I was able to have from the subject matter."
Nala
Layla
Bandit
"I think people are much more educated about adoption and the plight of homeless animals than they were ten years ago," Traer said of her reasons for telling the dogs' stories. "The national adoption numbers reflect that, but obviously, we're just not there yet, as millions of animals are still euthanized in the U.S. every year."
Cody
Salt
Chewy
Jade
Flynn
Finding Home: Shelter Dogs and Their Stories by Traer Scott
"One of the things I wanted to do with this book was to tell the stories of some of the shelter 'archetypes,' specifically focusing on categories of dogs that have the most trouble getting adopted." Traer hopes that her books will move people and inspire them to embrace adoption.
"Of course, I hope that the book inspires people to adopt or to volunteer. But maybe it will also cause someone to look a little closer at that dog they might have walked by at the shelter."
You can find more about Traer Scott and her beautiful work on her website, Facebook, and Instagram. Finding Home is available from Princeton Architectural Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
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