Pup Portraits for PAWS
What do you get when you combine adorable dogs, a great cause, and a dog photographer? Pup Portraits for PAWS, a pet portrait event I had the pleasure of hosting to raise money for PAWS Atlanta, a local no-kill shelter that holds a special place in the hearts of animal lovers throughout Atlanta. As the first shelter where I volunteered in Atlanta, I have seen firsthand the amazing work that this organization does to rescue, care for, and find forever homes for dogs and cats in need. With the help of incredible furry faced participants and their human companions, we were able to raise $630 in direct donations and donate over 140 pounds of food to support PAWS Atlanta's vital mission. But that's not all - at the event, we captured some truly priceless moments of these pups striking poses, catching treats, and showcasing their unique personalities! I'm excited to share more about the event, the dogs who participated, and the ways in which we can all support this amazing organization.
Eleven incredible dogs and their humans joined us at Pup Portraits for PAWS, a studio pet portrait session in the heart of Atlanta on what was a stormy morning and turned into a beautiful day in late March. After a big trip to Highland Pet Supply to get some special treats for these special pups, we spent Friday afternoon getting all set up for everyone to join us on Saturday! Plus, we put together an epic swag bag with special treats from Taj-Mahound Bakery, Eventide Brewing, Barking Hound Village, Whole Dog Market, UniqPals, Canine PhD, Lauren Porter State Farm, and more.
The day started with Smitty, an adorable little mix pup who loved to show off his twirl. He captured our hearts with his best head tilts and sparkly eyes. Upon Tito & Turner's arrival, Tito wanted everyone to know that he was the star of the show. He posed, smiled, and showed us all of his stunning moves, which included some amazing balancing tricks and catching a few tennis balls. Turner was a bit shy but gave us his all when we got the peanut butter out. We captured his gorgeous eyes staring right into our souls with the cutest head tilt you've ever seen. Savannah, the sweetest Beagle, wiggled and wiggle and wiggled! We loved her wiggles and embraced her puppy nature and kept her moving and playing. Before lunch, the magical Poppy dazzled us wither her majestic nature. Once she had all her treats she nestled onto the ground for belly rubs, confident she was the most adorable and good pup.
The Post-lunch sessions kicked off with a bang when Lawrence and Ana Jane joined us for their session! These siblings are Paws Atlanta Alumni. Their joy and expressions brought out so many smiles and big laughter. This delightful duo brought us so much joy. The sweet soul of Otto was shy, but with his mom's help we captured some beautiful moments of this pup. Janis Joplin and her brother Cool Hand Luke showed everyone how they roll, which may have involved a head dunk into the treat bag when the magical treat lady was not looking. What can you do but love the pups that make you laugh?! In all seriousness, these two were adorable and natural models. We wrapped up our day with the master Chip. This sweet soul loved the treats and was ready for every catch. His beautiful ears and demeanor will melt even the coldest of hearts. He showed so much love for the world and all the kindness towards me. I would have given him all my treats if his humans would have let me, although he got at least half a bag. These adorable pups and their humans are incredible supporters of PAWS Atlanta and their support impacts the incredible animals of PAWS.
PAWS Atlanta is a 501c3 no-kill shelter started in 1964. They are the oldest no-kill shelter in Georgia and have found homes for over 94,000 animals throughout their history. The organization's mission states, "We believe that pets and people bring out the best in each other. Therefore, our mission is to build a community of caring, by people helping pets and pets helping people." Their impact throughout Georgia is significant. In addition to supporting pet adoptions, they offer a pet food bank, vaccine clinics, a foster program, events, a Secret Crush Club, and more.
PAWS is a wonderful organization, and we encourage everyone to get involved in a way that makes sense for them. Maybe it is donations, volunteering, fostering, or hosting your own fundraiser. The possibilities are endless, and you can make an incredible impact in the lives of animals!
Pup Portraits for PAWS was a HUGE success and we want to say thank you to everyone who participated and supported the event. Events such as Pup Portraits for PAWS are a great way to give back and have a profound impact on PAWS Atlanta and the animals they serve. We encourage everyone to follow us on instagram for future events at Christi Baker Photography and opportunities to support PAWS Atlanta and more worthy causes.
