Why Lauren Smith Kennedy Images Pets on the Ends of Their Lives
Lauren Smith Kennedy
Photographing pets on the very ends of their lives looks like an emotionally charged job few can be keen to tackle. But Lauren Smith Kennedy does—with lovely, significant outcomes.
She works her particular aspect gig as an end-of-life pet photographer and based The Tilly Project. It helps pet house owners discover end-of-life photographers and presents bereavement assets as they anticipate their animals’ passings.
Kennedy, who works extensively in animal welfare, shoots her “Overlook Me Not” periods freed from cost, typically posting the candy pictures and movies to her Instagram and TikTok accounts. The picture and captions function memorials, telling the pets’ tales and displaying how a lot they meant to their households.
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Each day Paws caught up with Kennedy to listen to extra about how she bought into this discipline, why she does it, and the way a troublesome job will be so rewarding.
The interview has been edited for size and readability.
What bought you into this sort of work? It is not typically you hear about somebody being an end-of-life pet photographer.
I’ve at all times been identified for my work and volunteerism inside animal welfare and in addition for being a photographer. When a buddy reached out inquiring about the place to get an urn for her buddy’s canine who was terminally sick, I naturally put the 2 pursuits collectively and provided to do an end-of-life session without spending a dime.
The canine’s identify was Lacey and he or she was solely 3 years previous. After finishing this shoot, and with permission from Lacey’s household, I went forward and shared the photographs I took throughout my social media. The response I obtained was overwhelming. So many can relate to the heartbreak of losing a pet and desirous to honor their lives. Pets have such a profound influence through the quick time they’re with us.
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How do most households react to your work?
After I share the photographs I seize with households, I’ve at all times been met with such love, kindness, and gratitude. These shoots aren’t your typical portrait periods. Lots of them are blended with a unique sort of vulnerability full of blended feelings, tears, and heartbreak. Every picture shoot is uniquely its personal, however the love of their pet and their gratefulness for the pictures stay fixed.
Do any periods stand out? Do you will have any favourite photos?
Each single one of many shoots I’ve accomplished has been so extremely particular to me. These households will not be solely trusting me to seize their love, however they’re additionally taking the time to inform heartwarming tales of their pets and share recollections.
It could be arduous to ever select a favourite when each single one is so transferring, distinctive, and particular. From a technical standpoint, I can actually look again all through the pictures and acknowledge after I was capable of get lovely lighting or a particular shot simply labored due to exterior components. Having this kind of reflection and critique of my very own work solely permits my abilities to extend for future households. Every shoot I’ve accomplished teaches me such significant classes in so some ways.
Kennedy lives in Maine, the place she grew up. She additionally works because the communications director for Compassion Animal Project and because the improvement director for Saco River Wildlife Center.
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