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.

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?