For over a decade, a small team of devoted volunteers has been working diligently to showcase adoptable dogs through professional photography. Kasi Orr of Reames Photography and Lindsay Lack of Lindsay J.C. Lack Photo Studio, two long-time volunteers and photographers, have been around since the early days, with Orr’s involvement starting around 2013 and Lack joining the team in April 2015. They, along with several other volunteer photographers, donate their time and expertise to transform the dogs’ intake snapshots into cheerful portraits that show off each dog’s unique personality—all hoping to increase the chances of finding the dogs a home.
“We’re definitely our own little team,” says Orr, “Everybody has a role, and lots of us have been doing it a long time.” New trainees learn the process by shadowing the regulars, a tight-knit group that meets every Sunday morning at KC Pet Project for photo time. “Everyone is trained upfront with us, so everybody knows how to work with the dogs, what the photographer needs, what the dog walkers need. It’s a well-oiled machine.”
Over the years, Lack and Orr developed a unique photography process. “We have noisemakers; I’ve learned to make different sounds over the years,” says Orr. “And just having a lot of patience. It’s so fast paced because we have so many dogs, so it’s about learning how to make that connection quickly.” Orr’s favorite part of the process is getting to bond with the dogs between shoots and feeling out their personalities.
“Some of the dogs are scared at first,” says Lack. “But it feels really good to make a connection with them and feel when they start to trust you a little bit. It’s nice to let them know that they’re okay, and they can trust people. Sometimes the cameras can be scary or intimidating for them, and helping them work through that, watching them overcome that fear so quickly is great.” Hoping to get others excited about meeting her photo subjects, Lack always strives to show off their best side. The dogs are usually brought out to an open outdoor area, so they have a chance to roam, play, and show off for the cameras.
It would be tempting to take home every dog they photograph (and they’ve considered it), but this is a more realistic way for Orr and Lack to give back. “I love being able to have some kind of a role in finding the dogs a home,” says Orr, who adopted two dogs of her own. Orr still finds herself attached to the dogs she photographs and remembers one she photographed multiple times and used to call “Scuba Steve.” “He had wheels for his back legs and had to go through all this physical therapy to get his legs working and be able to thrive again,” she says. “Just watching his process—he went from barely being able to walk to being a thriving, happy dog running around with his wheels. That was pretty cool.”
The work is hard but rewarding, and Lack describes it as cathartic. “It feels great to take their intake photos, where they can look freaked out or terrified, and replace them with photos where they’re looking happier and healthier in our open space.” Lack is a self-described sucker for German shepherds but loves all the dogs she gets to photograph. “Different people might have favorite dogs or breeds that get their heart, but there are so many amazing dogs here—it’d be like picking a favorite child.”
Both Lack and Orr describe the community around their photo team as an important motivation that keeps them coming back. “There are a lot of people who start doing it and then we all just sort of stay on the team,” says Lack. “I go to photograph once or twice a month, and you really build relationships with the rest of the team. I’ve known people there for years and years now.” Orr also loves the ability to give back to the community using her artistic talents. “It’s so important to get the dogs seen. Being able to help get them adopted using the talents I have is a huge blessing to me.”
Photographers interested in joining the team can email kcppvolunteers.phototeam@gmail.com.