Photos for a Cause

When she’s not working with clients to create wonderful pet portraits, she’s donating her time and lens to adoptable animals waiting for their forever homes. Photos by Jeanne Taylor.

Charleston-based pet photographer Jeanne Taylor has a talent for revealing animal personalities through the lens of her camera, but her photos are more than meets the eye. Her craft comes from an intuition founded on a deep, authentic love for animals that motivated her 20-plus-year service to animal rescues. When she’s not working with clients to create wonderful pet portraits, she’s donating her time and lens to adoptable animals waiting for their forever homes.

Jeanne Taylor’s calling for volunteering came in like a tornado: sudden, unpredictable, and strong. The force winds of this event sent her on a course of dedicating her time to animal shelters and rescues and ignited a special spark behind her kindled passion for pet photography.

One day in 2003, Twister blew into a pet store adoption event. As his name suggests, the spirited dog was wild, twirling and bouncing, only controlled by the leash that tethered him. But Taylor — who happened to be shopping around the store that day — took notice of the unmistakable sweetness in the eye of the storm. She learned that Twister had been found abandoned in the woods, tied to a tree. Although she couldn’t take Twister home with her that day, she made weekly (sometimes more) visits to the rescue facility for three years until Twister was finally adopted. Once Twister found his forever home, Taylor stayed in touch with the family and visited him from time to time, too.

“He lived a very long and full life,” shared Taylor. “I do credit Twister with starting me down this now 20-year path that has included everything from socializing dogs to dog-walking and care, transporting, fundraising and events, marketing, volunteer coordinating and even serving as a board officer for a shelter nonprofit – and photos, of course!”

Taylor says it’s hard to say how long she has been photographing pets professionally. Her lifelong connection to animals began with her first dog, Penny. The first of Taylor’s images to be published in a magazine was of Addie — her first dog as an adult — in 1996. One of Addie’s images was also used for a major pet food brand. These events validated Taylor’s love for pet photography, in conjunction with the support of her husband. After a lifetime of “real jobs,” as Taylor puts it, she says, “I’m pretty sure he’s one of my top three fans, and I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this as long or as successfully if he wasn’t on board with all of it.”

What makes Taylor’s work special is that it is always woven with purpose. And between all of this, she also earns a living in the way she skillfully captures the personalities of her pet clients. “I have a lot of fun with my sessions whether it’s for clients or working with adoptables. I can confidently say during most client or shelter sessions I laugh at some point!” says Taylor. “Every subject is unique and my personal goal is to capture an essence, an expression or a spirit so that you will always have that moment, even if you didn’t see it as it occurred.”

Taylor’s subjects range from dogs and cats to pigs, alpacas, bearded dragons, and more. Even the difference between photographing dogs versus cats is nuanced, let alone other species. She starts with an idea of what may work and adapts to the energy each animal gives her. She approaches each subject with patience — and treats for the food-motivated individuals.

Many have tried their hand at pet photography, but not all succeed. To the new photographers that reach out to her for advice, Taylor warns, it’s not all fun and cute pets. The love for animals and photography is just the foundation. The job is demanding, both physically and emotionally. Of course, she says, “You need technical proficiencies and creativity, but the staying power comes down to persistence and understanding what clients want — not what you want for them — and striving to over-deliver what you promise.”

Learn more about Jeanne Taylor and her work at jtpetpics.com or peruse more fantastic pet pics on her socials (Facebook and Instagram) @jtaylorphotos. •

Among her work with rescues and shelters, Taylor also offers complimentary sessions for terminal pets. “Having said my own painful goodbyes, I know deep down how important the photos will be to them in managing their grief. These sessions are incredibly meaningful to me.” To book a session with Jeanne, go to jtpetpics.com or call 571.432.0561.

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