Award winning international portrait photography by Emma O'Brien

Facebooktwitterlinkedininstagram
  • About
  • Portfolio
    • Personal Branding
    • Children & Family
    • Couples
    • Dog Portraits
    • Maternity, Birth & Newborn
    • Studio Shoots
  • Services
    • Personal Branding
    • Children & Family
    • Couple Portraits
    • Dog Portraits
    • Maternity, Birth & Newborn
    • Studio Shoots
  • Investment
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Personal Branding
  • Children & Family
  • Dog Portraits
  • E-Shoot
  • Maternity, Birth & Newborn
  • Studio Shoots

Rescue Dog Portraits

pet photographer johannesburg

As a passionate supporter of animal rescue and adoption, I frequently end up meeting dogs that are looking for homes and as often as I can I donate my time to photograph them.  Having good portraits of individual animals greatly increases their chances of being adopted, so Jen from CLAW (Community Led Animal Welfare) brought this bunch into the studio recently to have their photos taken.

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

I love puppies (who doesn’t) and these guys were just the cutest collection of babies.  They did however run riot in the studio which required a mop after they’d left.

Puppies usually get adopted quite quickly and it’s older dogs who wait longer.  Their Mom is also available for adoption, and she is just delightful.

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

Mommy dog was left at the CLAW clinic after her owners decided they didn’t want her anymore and the next morning the staff were very surprised to find that she had given birth overnight to this collection of critters.

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

Mixed breed pups like these are IMHO the best dogs to have.  Each and every one is unique and they are generally far healthier than pedigree dogs, plus by adopting rather than buying a dog from a breeder or pet store you are saving a life.

pet photographer johannesburg cape town

For more information about CLAW click here – www.claw-sa-org

Facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterestlinkedin

Filed Under: Dog Portraits Tagged With: adopt dont shop, CLAW, dog photographer, dog photographer Johannesburg, Dog Photography, dog photos, dog portraits, Rescue dogs

Reasons rescue dogs make the best companions

dog photography by emmaobrien

These images are from a rescue dog shoot I did at the Sandton SPCA in January, I thought I’d repost them along with a few of my thoughts about why rescue dogs are my absolute favourite and why I so passionately champion the cause for adopting dogs from shelters.

dog photography by emmaobrien

Despite rumours to the contrary, you’ll often find pure breed dogs at shelters.  I’ve seen Saint Bernards, Labradors, Dachshunds, Jack Russells, Wiemaraners, Ridgebacks (do I need to go on?) at the Sandton SPCA and if you can’t find your breed of choice at your local shelter, google and you’ll find an animal rescue organisation that does.  If, like me, you’re happy with a mix breed dog, you’ll be in heaven at a shelter.  I was at the Sandton SPCA today and there were at least 20 LBJs and BBJs (little brown jobs and big brown jobs).

dog photography by emmaobrien

My experience of rescue dogs (there are three in my house) is that they somehow know that they were saved and spend the rest of their lives trying to show how grateful they are.  I’m sure on some level Jeremy, my dachshund from Sandton SPCA, is showing how much he loves me every time he pees on the side of my dining room table and my washing basket and my camera bag.  All jokes aside, my rescues are super loving, friendly and an utter joy to spend time with.

dog photography by emmaobrien

I can’t imagine living in a home without dogs.  Alfred and I have five dogs in total and whilst sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the chaos of always having furry beings around you, we both start to miss them after a day of being away.  Being constantly escorted to the bathroom, kitchen (their favourite spot), bedroom, lounge, garden, studio and garage is nice.  It’s very difficult to feel lonely when you have dogs.

dog photography by emmaobrien

I think one of the best things about dogs is that they are totally free of judgement and quick to forgive.  The forgiveness bit is probably one of their weak points that we as humans abuse horribly, however, anyone who has adopted a shelter dog with a traumatic background will attest to their ability to bounce back once they are shown some love.

dog photography by emmaobrien

Dogs get excited about everything.  You can go out for 5 minutes or 5 hours and get the same level of greeting, how wonderful.  So having dogs is a bit like having your own fanclub and who doesn’t want that?

dog photography by emmaobrien

By adopting a dog from a shelter (or maybe two dogs if you have space) you are saving a life.  It’s as simple as that.  Polish your halo, improve your karma and de-stress (stroking dogs reduces stress levels) with a four legged best friend.

dog photography by emmaobrien

 Please consider getting your next dog from a shelter, it makes a difference not only to the dog you adopt, but the one who takes its place also gets a chance of a new life. This little meme sums up dogs for me and why I adore them.

dog photographer Emma O'Brien

For every shoot booked with me that includes a dog, I’ll donate R250 to the Sandton SPCA.  Please get in touch with me to find out more.

Facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterestlinkedin

Filed Under: Dog Portraits Tagged With: adopt dont shop, dog photographer, Dog Photography, dog photos, dogs

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required




Latest tweets

Follow @emmaobrienphoto

Emma O'Brien
@emmaobrienphoto

  • New post: Delta Park Cosmos Photos https://t.co/lU42jE6M8k
    about 6 days ago
  • The Mutts are on display at Nikon South Africa ❤️
    about 2 weeks ago
  • Some gorgeous shots at Delta Park with Daisy & Dexter.
    about 2 weeks ago

Gallery

002-dogs-18 061-dogs-18 DSC_1095 DSC_1355

Recent Comments

  • Emma O'Brien on Studio Dog Portraits on Location
  • Emma O'Brien on Are black dogs a photographic impossibility?
  • Corne vd Merwe on Are black dogs a photographic impossibility?
  • Taskeen on First Birthday Cake Smash – with dogs
  • Taskeen on First Birthday Cake Smash – with dogs

Recent Posts

  • Delta Park Cosmos Photos
  • How to photograph 5 dogs in 5 easy steps
  • Jeremy Loops photographed for Pet Prints Magazine
  • Are black dogs a photographic impossibility?
  • 34 Awesome Dogs that will brighten your day
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Services
  • Investment
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop

Copyright © 2018 · Modern Portfolio Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in