Hi everyone,
I'm looking for honest feedback from people working in rescue and sheltering.
Over the last year, I've been developing a project centered around providing adoption-focused photography for shelter animals at no cost to the shelter. The program operates out of a converted bus-a fully equipped mobile photo studio that travels directly to shelters. This allows me to create a professional, controlled photo environment on-site, without requiring animals to be transported offsite or adding more work for shelter staff.
The goal is simple: create high-quality, personality-driven images that help animals stand out online, connect emotionally with potential adopters, and hopefully shorten their length of stay.
Last year alone, I photographed 188 shelter pets, (in my shelter and other rural shelters and rescues near us) and I've already surpassed that number this year. Through this work, I've seen firsthand how much a strong photo can change the way people respond to an animal. Often, a photo is the difference between someone scrolling past or stopping long enough to connect.
I'd love to hear from those of you working directly in shelters and rescues:
• Do you feel adoption-focused photography is truly a needed service? • Have you seen stronger photos improve adoption outcomes or engagement? • If a service like this-using a traveling studio bus-were offered free to shelters, would it be something your organization would use? • Do you think there is funding or grant support for a program like this, specifically to improve adoption visibility?
My intention would never be to charge shelters. I know budgets are tight, staff are stretched thin, and every dollar matters. If this grows, my hope would be to sustain it through grants, sponsorships, or donor support so shelters can benefit without taking on another expense.
I'd sincerely appreciate honest feedback-the good, the bad, and the realistic. I want to understand if this fills a genuine need in the shelter world and whether it's something worth expanding.
Thank you for all you do for the animals.
#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms#MarketingandSocialMedia------------------------------
Sandy Wilkinson
Indiana
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