Pawzitive Prints: Assisting shelter and rescue photographers nation wide

As discussed in an earlier article, some of the most under recognized photographers on the planet are the volunteer pet photographers. They are hidden in our nations shelters and rescues all over the US.

Many volunteer shelter and rescue photographers have no formal background in photography. Some have never undertaken a task so overwhelming as a kennel full of barking dogs or every climbing kitties. Most get thrown into the till as soon as they walk in the door, with little to no training in the field at all. What to do, what to do?

Such an abrupt entry may scare away the average volunteer. Especially one with no photography experience. But for those who stick it out, and jump in both feet first, there are so many rewarding licks and wags in store for you. (Photograph from the Pawzitive Prints website)

But if shelter employees have no training for you, and you don't know anyone who's ever done this job, how do you get information on how to shoot photos of nervous, scared, and displaced animals? Is there a book on the subject somewhere? Is there a video? Can you google shelter photography and find all the answers? The answer is, probably not. This author didn't have good results searching in any avenue mentioned.

It's not a broadly discussed subject but is a growing position at pet shelters and rescues everywhere. Almost all pet shelters today use photography as a tool for adoption. So where are all the answers? Where's all those volunteer photographers?

One man in Florida is trying to help answer these questions for anyone who would like to get involved in sharing their volunteer photography experiences with others. He figured what better way to learn about shelter photography than from shelter photographers themselves. He's created a website to try to bring them together from all over. To share their work, their stories, and to learn from one another.

And so was born Pawzitive Prints.                   

Jim McCook, volunteer pet photographer, for the Tampa area SPCA, has created Pawzitive Prints website as yet another volunteer effort. Except this effort is not only to assist in animal adoption but to assist shelter photographers themselves.

The site is new and has just started to add members. Currently all members of the site are volunteers from the Tampa area. And coming from the Tampa area it's natural that Jim would begin his members list there. But he hopes that won't remain the case. His vision for Pawzitive Prints is to unite volunteer photographers from all over the US. And what better way to broaden the scope than to cross a few boundaries, and in this case, state lines.

As each new member is added, they are given their own "space" on the site, called "Meet the Photographers". Each member gets a biography page which tells a little about them and what they do. There's also a  photo of each member so you can see the face behind the scenes.

In addition to their biography page each volunteer has a gallery containing 20 of their favorite shelter photographs, arranged neatly in a slideshow. 

If you watch closely, you might see one or two shots of the photographer themselves!

Jim hopes his efforts will afford volunteers a place to display their work and get to know a little about others in their field.

A recent addition to the site has been it's blog. Members can now share a story, experience, or helpful hint and form discussions. Jim says he hopes communications will help expand awareness.

The site is free to members as Jim covers all the hosting fees out of his own pocket. He says it's just his way of giving back to his community a bit.

Pawzitive Prints can now be found on Facebook. Become a fan and get the most recent updates to their activities.

If you are a volunteer shelter-rescue photographer, or aspire to be one, drop by Pawzitive Prints and check it out. At the very least you will see some wonderful photography from volunteers deeply care about what they do.

You can contact Jim McCook with questions, concerns, or comments at thecookie@tampabay.rr.com

If you are a volunteer pet photographer or a shelter employee who deals with volunteer photographers, please take the time to take this simple survey. Your answers will help determine future article content for this subject matter. To take the survey click here.

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All text in this article, is © Gila Todd , unless otherwise indicated. Available for reprint and/or publishing only with written permission from author. Contact Gila  with your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.