Plush, Stuffed & Wind up!
I have had several phone calls asking me if I will be doing
LIVE baby animal shoots for Easter. I am
not and have no intentions of ever doing such events.
Let me tell you why..
I have always been a big animal lover, have always had
numerous pets and I was a successful pet sitter for many years - but in the
last 15 years I have tried to become an advocate and a voice for those in our
world that don’t have one. Trust me when I say.. I didn’t always have this kind
of attitude. I was uninformed and
therefore ignorant of the issue. But after
years of working with and having friends that work daily with the situation I
am now more aware than ever.
Don’t get me wrong - I don’t think there is anything cuter
then a baby animal. Especially those Chicks,
Ducklings and Bunnies. I understand how tempting they can be - But the challenge
and question I want to put out to potential clients and even photographers that
participate, is this: Is it really worth
it?
Let’s talk about babies that are taken from their mothers
too young and shipped across the country in crates or boxes. IF they arrive safely unharmed… what then? Are you sure they are free of disease? Are your children or client’s children in the
shoots going to be able to hold them without harming them? And after the shoots? What happens to these babies that have no
sense of survival? Are they released in
the wild as I have heard people do? What
do you think their rate of survival is?
I ask you - don’t you think it is safer all the way around
if plush or stuffed animals were used? Or some other form of decorations? Wind up
chicks or ducks or bunnies even. Children
love to cuddle things and what better thing to really cuddle then a sweet,
plush stuffed animal? I mean really shouldn’t the photo be about the child,
your child or the client’s child?
If you as a photographer really want to do a LIVE animal
shoot - Why not contact your local shelter and see if they would be willing to
participate with friendly and lovable animals that need homes. Why not have an adoption drive to find
responsible loving homes? You would be
providing a service and bringing to light an issue of a country already extremely
over populated with unwanted or disposable animals.
All anyone need do is go to a local shelter, animal services
or any place that takes in unwanted animals to see the impact. Call your local Humane
Society or SPCA and find out how you can help.
I know in the county where I live EVERY
SINGLE DAY at Animal Services they are forced to put down anywhere from 125 to
250 unwanted animals. EVERYDAY! And that is ONE county in Florida.
Why am I talking about it? Because aren’t we suppose to be
the guardians of these creatures that we share this space with? As guardians are we really doing our best?
I love being a photographer and I love animals. I will be happy to take your photo with your
own pets or at your farm with your animals.
Nothing makes me happier then taking photos of families where they
include their furry, feathered or even scaly family members. Animals are a joy and I enjoy seeing the
interaction between people and their pets.
I am also writing this post to hopefully educate and open up
some communication about an ever growing problem. I hope after reading this you think about it
a bit. I hope if you are in the market
for a pet that you go to your local animal shelter or county animal
services. And really – I just hope that
at least one person makes a different decision.
All of my pets, with one exception (and I now have seven
remaining) are rescued animals. From various situations. I love them.
They always bring a smile to my heart.
It is a lot sometimes but it never outweighs the joy they bring me. I am
blessed to have them in my life.
And as it’s been said:
‘SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO ME’
Thanks for reading and please share or comment if you
like.
http://www.makeminechocolate.org/mission.php
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