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April 21, 2022 by Terran Leave a Comment

Photography for a Cause

My life’s mission has been to do good and put joy back out into the world through my photography. I’ve always had this unwavering determination to do… to achieve… to make a difference… and I knew from a young age that working with and for animals was my calling.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend their entire career mastering the art of getting dirty just to capture a single moment of pet life? (Can’t we agree that animals just have more fun?)

As photographers, we’re in a unique position to make pets (and people, too, I suppose) happy and improve the world through our art. Today, I want to highlight a few ways Westway lives out our “photography for a cause.”


This is Why We Do What We Do:

To Make Houses Warmer…

“Every time I turn the corner and see the pictures, they make me smile!” – Tammy S.

Two words, one hashtag: #nailedit!

One of my favorite aspects of working with families is seeing beautiful artwork of their animal companions go on their walls. Take a look at this fine art family pet portraiture I had the pleasure of creating and installing!

And Memories Stronger.

“I had seen Terran’s work with my friend’s dog. The pictures were beautiful! When my vet told me to consider my awesome little buddy of 16 years as being on hospice, I knew immediately I wanted to do a legacy shoot with Terran and Westway Studio. Terran’s attention to detail, ability to work with my dog’s quirks and my very emotional state created several keepsake pieces. Terran is so compassionate and professional. It’s hard to put into words just how important the entire process has been in my ability to grieve my little Licorice. I cannot recommend working with Westway Studio enough. You will not be disappointed!” – Lisa L.

It doesn’t get any easier on the gut or heart to do legacy portrait sessions as a professional pet photographer, but it is oh-so important and worth every tear shed to capture beautiful memories like these:

This is why we do what we do: to make good moments good memories… and good memories good reminders… of the joy it is to love a pet.


Living Out “Adopt Don’t Shop”

It’s amazing what a good photo can do and even more amazing how misleading a bad photo can be. Consider, for a moment, a senior rescue dog who is scared and confused in an unfamiliar place. The setting hardly makes for a happy subject, right? Now factor in an animal-loving — but perhaps photographically-challenged — volunteer with a cellphone in dim light and you have the recipe for a not-so-great adoption picture. This is where Westway’s photography for a cause comes in!

Through our photography, we’re helping adoptable senior dogs find their forever homes. Showing them off in professional imagery and spreading the word on the benefits of adoption.

Annual calendar fundraiser for Lionel’s Legacy

We photograph the Lionel’s Legacy senior rescue dogs a few times per year, then LL sells sponsorship pages in their annual calendar that will get your name/business on listed on the page and allow you to choose which rescue pup gets to be featured that month. I volunteer my time, skills, and passion to design the calendar and use one of my trade printers to get the very best pricing for Lionel’s Legacy.

We aim to raise $10,000 annually for the senior dogs with this!

Want to help, too? Consider making a donation to Lionel’s Legacy to help care for these wonderful pups or choose a rescue close to your own heart, and community, to put a little good back into the world.


Giving Back to the Community – Teaching Style

I L-O-V-E teaching! Here’s what I love most about teaching others the joy of photography:

Helping aspiring photographers achieve a-ha moments in their photographic skills and business strategies — seriously, watching those lightbulb moments when everything just *clicks* is the most rewarding feeling!

Lending support to others who are having trouble seeing the forest through the trees. Sometimes an outside perspective is all it takes to help things come together

Sharing knowledge about best practices for running a successful business. I love helping others learn how to make a living through their own hard work and determination. Live to work, not work to live.

Helping others put their own impact on the world through the things that are important to them.

^ Terran speaking at Animal Image Makers 2022

Empowering others expands positive change.

When you hone a skill set, you ignite passion. When you ignite passion, you spread positivity. Who doesn’t want more of that?

Expansive impact on the pet industry.

Teaching means more people are now capable of reaching pet parents, shelters, rescues, and pet businesses with their work. As pets become more and more a part of our families, we are breaking down the stigma of having beautiful portraits created of your pets. We love our pets like children and they deserve to be celebrated and remembered.


Giving back comes naturally when you’re surrounded by things that inspire you & kick your passion into high gear. What is that for you?


Want to chat about an upcoming lifestyle pet photography project? Get in touch:
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Home » Photography for a Cause

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Based in San Diego, CA
Traveling the U.S. in 2022
(858) 848-9378
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Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scrol Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scroll... a lot. Since we've had a bunch of new followers lately, I wanted to take a moment to say hi, introduce myself, and get to know you a little!​​​​​​​​
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I'm Terran, the Crazy Dog Mom behind Westway Studio. My hubby, senior pup, and I live in San Diego for six months of the year and travel the US in our Airstream for the other six. We love being on the road, meeting new people, seeing new places, eating new foods, and experiencing this beautiful country we call home.​​​​​​​​
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I'd love if you would share a little something about you and your pets with me — like where you're from, your animal companion's favorite vacation destination, a silly story, or anything else! :)
It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming We It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming West Paw photo shoot! The casting call closes this afternoon! Don't miss out - photo shoots are TONS of fun for people and pets! Link in bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
*Knocks on door* Hello! Can your dog come out to p *Knocks on door* Hello! Can your dog come out to play?​​​​​​​​
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We're holding an open casting model call for our next playtime-filled shoot with West Paw! Apply at the link in my bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call. Let's have some FUN!
Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an o Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an open casting model call for our next shoot with West Paw that'll be all about — you guessed it — TREATS! Apply through the link in my bio or at https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo sh YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo shoot with West Paw at the end of January! We're looking for dogs + their people to participate. Dogs should be well-trained and love treat toys! We are looking for pups of all breeds, mixes, and ages. Link in bio to apply or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call​​​​​​​​​
#westwaypets #westwaystudio #opencasting #modelcall #dogmodel @westpawus
Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might not make it in at all... it's National Cuddle Day, which means I can't move 'til my four-legged best friend does. 🤷‍♀️ Does your animal companion love to cuddle or is it more of an exercise in futility?
Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Whic Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Which way is up? Do you have any treats?
Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silli Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silliest and sweetest photos! Do your pups give you kisses, too?
Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking forward to this year?​​​​​​​​
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Two things I'm really excited for are (1) getting back out on the open road in the Airstream and (2) teaching at the Shutterhound Conference in September alongside some of the world's greatest pet photographers. Seriously, the speaker lineup is i-n-c-r-e-d-I-b-l-e! Pinch me, I must be dreaming! (Sign up with crazy-special pricing through 11:59pm Eastern time tonight!!!)
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