advocacy + art
I believe in using art as an advocacy tool and the power that animal photojournalism has to bring the names and faces to those who, by no fault of their own, end up needing the help of humans to find new homes. We domesticated them, so it's up to us to then ensure we help assimilate them into our lives in a way that is kind to them and their natural behaviours.
Most of my photographs focus on the dog world because that's what I know best, but I love and respect them all equally
A selection of images from my advocacy projects are available for licensing and limited edition prints. Any money raised through these avenues will be donated to animal organizations I trust and know who are putting animals first.
Please contact me for details
Most of my photographs focus on the dog world because that's what I know best, but I love and respect them all equally
A selection of images from my advocacy projects are available for licensing and limited edition prints. Any money raised through these avenues will be donated to animal organizations I trust and know who are putting animals first.
Please contact me for details
home away from home
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rescued + retired sled dogs
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the #100day project
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the home away from home series of books
In 2012 I self-published my first photo book. Titled "Home Away From Home: a day-in-the-life look at animals in care at BC SPCA Victoria", its aim was to show all the work that went in to helping animals at the shelter between about 2010-2012. The dogs, cats, bunnies, rats, birds... came from all circumstances - owner surrenders, medical cases, cruelty seizures, animal dumps, hoarding situations, inappropriate behaviour in the home... it goes on. They were scared, nervous, helpless, alone. And all were given another chance. After a review by one of my photojournalistic idols, Ted Grant, who said:
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! A SMASHING GREAT JOB! WELL DONE!!!!!!!! :-)
As with any book, I trust you have sold quite a number simply because it is wonderful! Well shot with certainly great photography all the way through it!"
- Ted Grant, Canadian Photojournalist + father of Canadian Photojournalism
I forged ahead with another book. My second book: "Sheltered Dogs: a home away from home book" came out at a unique time at the shelter. Both books were fundraisers to a specific fund at the shelter, but in 2013 shelter management changed and the fund that had been helping fund medical cases for local animals (including my dogs and a number of my foster dogs), and dispersed the funds amongst the society's other shelters. It wasn't so much sharing the funds, but but donors (including myself) specifically earmarked donations to that fund because they saw the difference it was making locally. We saw the animals when they came in, got updates about treatments and then got updates down the road. You could see the change you were effecting.
I decided to re-focus my advocacy work to more align with my ideals and left my volunteer position at the shelter and began to focus on a specific set of dogs - former sled dogs.
In 2016 I released "Meetings with Remarkable Dogs: the road to retirement for Whistler sled dog Survivors", but not before self-publishing a number of other small-run, photo books.
100% of the proceeds of my advocacy books were (and still are) donated to help animals in the care of shelters and rescues.
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! A SMASHING GREAT JOB! WELL DONE!!!!!!!! :-)
As with any book, I trust you have sold quite a number simply because it is wonderful! Well shot with certainly great photography all the way through it!"
- Ted Grant, Canadian Photojournalist + father of Canadian Photojournalism
I forged ahead with another book. My second book: "Sheltered Dogs: a home away from home book" came out at a unique time at the shelter. Both books were fundraisers to a specific fund at the shelter, but in 2013 shelter management changed and the fund that had been helping fund medical cases for local animals (including my dogs and a number of my foster dogs), and dispersed the funds amongst the society's other shelters. It wasn't so much sharing the funds, but but donors (including myself) specifically earmarked donations to that fund because they saw the difference it was making locally. We saw the animals when they came in, got updates about treatments and then got updates down the road. You could see the change you were effecting.
I decided to re-focus my advocacy work to more align with my ideals and left my volunteer position at the shelter and began to focus on a specific set of dogs - former sled dogs.
In 2016 I released "Meetings with Remarkable Dogs: the road to retirement for Whistler sled dog Survivors", but not before self-publishing a number of other small-run, photo books.
100% of the proceeds of my advocacy books were (and still are) donated to help animals in the care of shelters and rescues.
2017
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2013
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2012
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2012
2012
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2014
2013
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the media
Here are a couple television interviews I did to promote my first book "Home Away From Home".
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the inspiration
Suzy... it all started because of this little dog. The photo taken shortly after I brought her home after meeting her that morning on the set of the morning television show I produced. The local shelter brought her in for a Furry Friday segment that featured adoptable animals. She was there with a little lab puppy from the local shelter. The lab got all the attention, but there was something about her offering up her tummy to me the instant I knelt down to greet her.
It was September 2005 and the weekend of hurricane Katrina. She and I snuggled on the sofa watching the news and got to know each other, while witnessing through the safety and comfort of the television, the devastation to animals who didn't have what she now had. I vowed that day that I would do whatever I could to help animals who had found themselves in the care of a shelter or rescue.
As an adoptee myself, I empathized with Suzy, the best a human could. I knew what that unknown felt like and I wanted to give her the same comfort I had growing up.
L'il Suzy became my bestie, my sidekick and a huge part of our family for eight years before passing away in December 2013.
She welcomed other foster dogs into our home, giving them space, while showing them the ropes and routines. She accompanied me on humane education presentations to school kids and was the first dog some kids got to touch. She came to work with me and greeted the humans she considered friends. She showed that not all small dogs are yappy. She was a true ambassador.
Suzy was also very silly and loved life. Even people who didn't consider themselves 'small dog' people found her sweetness endearing. She was also instrumental in us becoming a 'foster fail' family when she welcomed one of our foster dogs, Mister Coco, into our home permanently the year before she passed away.
Thank you l'il Suzy... I am eternally grateful for your existence and everything you shared with us.
It was September 2005 and the weekend of hurricane Katrina. She and I snuggled on the sofa watching the news and got to know each other, while witnessing through the safety and comfort of the television, the devastation to animals who didn't have what she now had. I vowed that day that I would do whatever I could to help animals who had found themselves in the care of a shelter or rescue.
As an adoptee myself, I empathized with Suzy, the best a human could. I knew what that unknown felt like and I wanted to give her the same comfort I had growing up.
L'il Suzy became my bestie, my sidekick and a huge part of our family for eight years before passing away in December 2013.
She welcomed other foster dogs into our home, giving them space, while showing them the ropes and routines. She accompanied me on humane education presentations to school kids and was the first dog some kids got to touch. She came to work with me and greeted the humans she considered friends. She showed that not all small dogs are yappy. She was a true ambassador.
Suzy was also very silly and loved life. Even people who didn't consider themselves 'small dog' people found her sweetness endearing. She was also instrumental in us becoming a 'foster fail' family when she welcomed one of our foster dogs, Mister Coco, into our home permanently the year before she passed away.
Thank you l'il Suzy... I am eternally grateful for your existence and everything you shared with us.