It ’s one of the best way to honor dear pets and give their family line memories to care for .
Photographing darling at the very end of their lives seems like an emotionally charged task few would be uncoerced to take on . YetLauren Smith Kennedydoes — with beautiful , meaningful results .
She works her limited side gig as an closing - of - life history pet photographer and foundedThe Tilly Project . It help pet owners find remnant - of - life photographers and proffer bereavement imagination as they anticipate their creature ' passing .
Photo: Lauren Smith Kennedy
Kennedy , who works extensively in animal welfare , burgeon forth her " Forget Me Not " sessions free of charge , often posting the sweet picture and video to her Instagram andTikTokaccounts . The exposure and captions serve as memorials , assure the pets ' stories and establish how much they mean to their families .
Daily Paws caught up with Kennedy to hear more about how she got into this field , why she does it , and how a hard business can be so rewarding .
The interview has been edit for duration and clearness .
What get you into this type of work ? It ’s not often you hear about someone being an end - of - life ducky lensman .
I have always been known for my employment and volunteerism within beast welfare and also for being a photographer . When a friend reached out inquiring about where to get an urn for her friend ’s dog who was terminally ill , I naturally put the two interests together and proffer to do an end - of - life session for free .
The blackguard ’s name was Lacey and she was only 3 year old . After completing this shoot , and with license from Lacey ’s sept , I go onward and shared the images I train across my societal medium . The response I get was overwhelming . So many can relate to the heartbreak oflosing a petand wanting to reward their lives . positron emission tomography have such a profound impact during the short clock time they ’re with us .
How do most families react to your work ?
When I portion out the images I capture with family , I have always been met with such love , kindness , and gratitude . These shoots are n’t your typical portraiture school term . Many of them are mixed with a different type of exposure filled with mixed emotions , tears , and heartbreak . Each photo shoot is uniquely its own , but the love of their dearie and their appreciativeness for the photos remain unremitting .
Do any Roger Huntington Sessions bear out ? Do you have any preferent images ?
Every single one of the shoot I ’ve done has been so incredibly special to me . These families are not only trusting me to capture their sexual love , but they ’re also need the time to tell heartwarming stories of their PET and share memories .
It would be hard to ever choose a dearie when every single one is so moving , unique , and special . From a proficient standpoint , I can certainly look back throughout the photos and recognize when I was able-bodied to get beautiful lighting or a specific guessing just shape because of external cistron . Having this form of reflection and critique of my own work only allow for my acquirement to increase for future families . Each shoot I ’ve done teaches me such meaningful lessons in so many ways .
Kennedy lives in Maine , where she grew up . She also work as the communications director forCompassion Animal Projectand as the developing theatre director forSaco River Wildlife Center .
