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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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Based in San Diego, CA
May – Aug. 2023: Utah, Wyoming,  & Montana
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Wyoming better move on over and make some room bec Wyoming better move on over and make some room because Montana now shares my heart. We spent 45 days in the western half of the state this year and I did NOT want to leave.​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​On our last day, Roxy and I sat out by the Gallatin River together. I sipped my morning tea, we listened to the birds, and watched a little squirrel eat a nut in the tree next to us. It was pure perfection.⁣ 
My *TWO* Montana blogs are up on my website so head on over to westwaypets.com/blog or click the links in my IG bio!
We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still d We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still dreaming of Utah! Photographing Rey and her mom among the red rocks was one of the highlights of our trip. Rey's beautiful brindle tones worked so perfectly with the red rocks and I just loved the happy, natural smiles both mom & pup had when they were together!
I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson H I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson Hole. Down a gravel road, away from the tourist crowds, the Teton range stood nobly in the distance while tall trees, yellow wildflowers, and a friendly little chipmunk called this hilltop home. This was such a special evening and Mother Nature's dramatic sunset is not one I'll soon forget.
Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big smile from Henry to start your day!
Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! I know how hard the conference founders, Kaylee & Sam, have been working to pull this all together and I am 1,000,000% confident this will be an event to remember! I am honored to have been asked to teach two separate classes at the event and am so excited to get up there on stage and share what I've learned over the past 13 years as a pet photographer! Are any of my social followers here at the conference, too? Are you ready to have your socks knocked off????? I am!!!
Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend??? Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend???
We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Mo We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Montana and this was our final hike. Roxy rode in her carriage and was as happy as a little clam the whole time. She loves being out in nature and I'm just so glad we can still provide her with special outings like this one.
This year's Great American Road trip flew by way t This year's Great American Road trip flew by way too quickly. It feels like we were in Wyoming just yesterday, staring out at my favorite mountain range in awe, and photographing the amazing Harley and his mom.​​​​​​​​​ 
I'm flying out to Las Vegas next week to teach at Shutterhound, *the* conference for pet photographers. I'm excited to see old friends, meet new ones, and teach two classes! I am so honored to be part of the "rockstar speaker" lineup, which includes some of the very best, most iconic, and talented pet photographers from across the globe! Can Vegas even contain so much talent? As the conference founders are telling us, expect your socks to be blown right off more than once!
Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and pla Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and plan — but Mother Nature likes to have a little fun with those who get a little too confident in the weather! ➡️ We got completely drenched at one of our photo shoots this month and it will be one of my favorite memories from our entire road trip!
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