Volunteer pet rescue/shelter photography series: Part 1- Getting started

It would seem quite simple to be a volunteer rescue/shelter photographer. Just show up, snap a few photos, upload them somewhere, email them, or turn them over to a shelter employee, and your done, right?

Well, not exactly. It's a little more complex than that. If it were that simple, shelters and rescues would be overflowing with photographers just beating down the doors to help photograph the adoptable pets waiting to be reintroduced to the world. But that just simply is not the case.                                                                                                          Photo: Gila Todd

It's true that anyone can hold a camera and take a few snapshots. But what justice does that actually do the animal that is so desperate for a "furever" home. His or her photographs, the ones you take, may be the determining factor in getting people into the shelter to see them. So like any human portrait, those images should reflect the true beauty and personality of each pet. It's up to you as the photographer not only to provoke that personality, but to capture it.

You don't have to be a professional photographer to get the job done, but you do have to be willing to learn how to produce good photographs, and of course, you must have a true love for animals. You really need to understand the importance of what you are doing there in the first place. You are helping to save lives. This service requires a great deal of patience and a kind, loving, attitude. The better you are able to relate to the animals, the better photographs yours will be.

To get started is simple. Call or visit a shelter or rescue near you and speak to the administrator or manager of the facility. Most facilities will require that you fill out paperwork to get an idea of who you are and what qualifications you might have. You will most likely have an interview before starting any type of volunteer work with any shelter.

Be prepared to supply your own photography equipment as most rescues/shelters do not have the funding to supply such items. They provided the animals (many) and the space in which to shoot (sometimes not much), so it's up to you to provide your own camera, lights, and any props you might like to use. Creativity is a must.

Once your foot is in the door and you are ready to go in to start capturing images you will need to keep this in mind. While you can get by with securing pets to fences by their leads, so that you can photograph them, it's always best to have an assistant to handle the pets while you do your magic. (We will get into the aesthetics in a later article).

If possible, take your own assistant (a friend, mother, father, child, cousin, anyone (who has also cleared the volunteer process), or arrange for some help through the shelter itself. They will often be able to schedule another volunteer or employee to assist you while you work. If the facility has an enclosure you can work it, all the better, but it is still recommended you use an assistant in any case.

And how is it that you are suppose to capture these alluring images in such an environment? Well it's just like any portrait you might shoot. You will need to start with getting to know your subject.

A good start is to research any files the shelter has on each animal you will be working with.  All facilities will keep track of information about the animals breed, sex, medical history, and possibly family history, likes and dislikes of the animal and if it has any special needs. As someone interacting closely with the animals you should have access to this type of information. Ask a shelter employee to pull these records for you. Never go into the facilities files unless you have been given permission to do so.

If the rescue/shelter you are volunteering with doesn't keep photo records, it's probably a good idea to keep you own. This will make it much easier for you to track things as you progress. The shelter should always be given a copy of the files you keep on the photographs you take. Such a record might look something like shown here.

You could also spend some time with the pet handlers and techs, chatting about observed behaviors of each of the animal you will be working with. No one in the place will know the animals better than those who handle them regularly on a daily basis.

When the pet is out of it's kennel, spend a few minutes walking and associating with each one before ever picking up your camera. Let them get to know you. Remember to talk to the animal as they respond the tone of your voice (if not the words themselves) and it will help them become more comfortable with you.

If the animal is the playful sort, spend a few minutes just playing. Play time is a good way to wear down the extra energy of a cooped up pet, before you attempt to get them to sit still and look fabulous for the camera. If you are more experienced and feel comfortable with moving subjects, play time is also a great time to capture true personality shots. There is no better time to catch such a bonanza of facial expressions as when a pup is in frolic or a cat is on the chase.

Once everyone is acquainted and feeling all cozy and warm, pick up your camera. focus, and snap, snap, snap.

You are now on your way to becoming a volunteer pet photographer.

Watch for coming articles about what settings to use on your digital camera in various scenarios, a walk through a day with a shelter photographer, how to process photos, etc.

*Note to all shelter/rescue photographer: Please use the comments section on this article to expand it's content with your thoughts and experiences. Your help is appreciated!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer shelter/rescue photographer, and have questions, please use the comments section to ask or email me at gilatodd@yahoo.com. Please make the subject of your email "Volunteer Photography"

Happy Snappin!

All text and photographs in this article is © 2010 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.

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