A Day in the Life of a Shelter Pet Photographer | Chewy

As more and more adopters search for their new pets online, pet photography becomes an increasingly important part of shelter operations and an invaluable tool that animal shelters use to facilitate pet adoptions. But most animal shelter volunteers and staff aren’t trained pet photographers. They’re big-hearted people with a passion for animals and a mission to find shelter pets their forever homes. That’s where volunteer photographers like Adam & Mary Goldberg of AGoldPhoto Pet Photography in Tampa, Florida come in.
We followed Adam & Mary at The Humane Society of Tampa Bay where we captured a day in the life of these pet photographers as they use their unique skills to capture shelter pets’ best.
To see how you can support your local Shelters & Rescue visit: www.chewy.com/givesback

[@JeremyTheApe]

All of our fellow animals are unique individuals who are worthy of respect 🐮🐷🐥🐑🦃🦆🐠

[@Chewy]

That part!

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Well said!

[@philadelphia0collins]

Had our three boys get portraits taken from them. Wonderful people and they do great charity work!

[@Chewy]

Only the best for our Chewy family! 💙 🐾

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thanks so much!

[@Chewy]

Absolutely!

[@nancerDancer]

P

[@maxe381]

I’m not crying, you’re crying 😭❤️

[@Chewy]

If you start, we'll start! 😭 ❤️

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

We’re always crying

[@plantbasedpotentialcooking1710]

Totally cried. Love this story.

[@maryam1065]

This is so touching. Thank you for helping the animals in need :)

[@Chewy]

It's truly amazing what a difference their photography makes! 😁📸

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thanks for the kind words Maryam!

[@TweetBird216]

Thank you to that awesome couple for helping these critters!

[@Chewy]

We're also ever so grateful for their support!

[@jocelynmiller5227]

Great project - beautiful pictures

[@RyanCook6]

Thank you Goldberg's for such amazing work!

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thanks so much Ryan!

[@johnnytsunami7210]

Love

[@Chewy]

We agree!

[@dannyhughes4889]

Great concept.

[@Chewy]

They do an amazing job with giving these puppers another chance!

[@estelaromo1446]

Exelente vídeo, gracias 🦮🐕‍🦺💕🥰

[@Chewy]

Anytime!

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thank you!

[@kellyb7005]

You both are furtastic!! I know, bad play with the words. Keep up the great work 😸🐶

[@Chewy]

You too, Kelly!

[@kellyb7005]

@@Chewy So I have to ask, how did you get started with the adoption programs within the company? Besides being a HUGE fan of the commercials, but, as you know, also a HUGE fan of the company. You do such a wonderful 👍 job with your generosity. I'm sure that job qualifications MUST include animal lover!!

[@Chewy]

By working hand in hand with rescues and shelters across the contiguous United States! Thanks for being a part of the Chewy family. 💙

[@Mont_Blanc_Photography]

Couldn't love this more! Great work...I'm going to ask my local shelters if I can volunteer to take photos for them, as theirs are awful. What a difference between the professional shots and the shelter ones....no offense meant to the shelters, but a proper sympathetic pic will help that pet be adopted no end.

[@Chewy]

We hope that conversation goes well, Heather! 😊

[@oliviamentecky7835]

Such a great story!!

[@Chewy]

It really can bring a smile to anyone's day. 🥰

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thank you Olivia!

[@CovenedInRed]

They are very much good doggos

[@Chewy]

We couldn't agree more!

[@Ahaberman516]

I need to adopt another dog.

[@Chewy]

We can relate! 😂🐾💙

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Totally!

[@pellier08]

I have photographed dogs for animal shelters but encountered many problems: 1- I had to beg shelters for months before they agreed. And their help was very little! 2- Shelters still didn't always posted my images but instead used their sad-faced dog photos because that's what people responded to the most. People were more interested in sad looking dogs, looking dirty, sick and abandoned, than happy, positive and expressive portraits. Never understood why.

[@KathyMCyr-pu1mb]

Go take pictures at the best shelter I voluntered in Brooksville, Florida! Please!

[@Chewy]

What is the name of that shelter? 💙

[@user-ms3xz5ze6k]

cool

[@Chewy]

We're happy you enjoyed!

[@EDWARDTHEEAUTHOR]

How did you organize the pet photoshoot fundraiser?

[@Chewy]

Our Rescue team works hard to help shelters across the country with fundraising and donations.

[@sageturner7828]

I didn’t even now this was a job

[@Chewy]

An amazing one. 📸

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

It’s the best job!

[@Fuzzybudget]

I love both dogs and cats, but lean more towards cats. I absolutely would go for the fearful one first. The feral, the abused, those that need more love. Why? Because when you finally win them over, they make the best, most loyal, most loving pets. I would encourage shelters not to just post those pictures that put the animal in the best "light" (not talking about ambience here), but to post the animal as it is. *Someone* knows what these animals need and will provide it. Former ferals are the best. I'm speaking from experience.