Combining art and animals is a sure way to catch attention and keep conversations going. Placing dog art in a particular space can make it warmer and more welcoming.
That is what Michael Puck, dog photographer, believes. He worked initially as a dog walker, volunteering to support animal shelters.
Though, he quickly realized that walking dogs would not create the kind of impact he wanted. He wanted to do more, to be more.
So, he decided to combine his old passion with his new one ─ photography and dogs.
According to Micheal,
“So, I started taking pictures of dogs. Now, 15 to 20 dogs over the course of an hour. And I was always getting super excited when these pictures gain 10,000 – 20,000 likes on Facebook because it was a sure sign that the dogs would get adopted.”
From there, he slowly started creating and visualizing his dream. It came to be in the form of a non-profit, the Global Dog Art Gallery.
Dog Photography To Help Dogs In Need
He rekindled his old love, photography, in 2014. He started with taking pictures of pretty much everything and anything ─ landscapes, nature, people.
In 2016, he started taking pictures of dogs from shelters and posting them on social media. He quickly realized that the positive attention it receives results in more and quicker pet adoptions. He also started receiving requests for private photo sessions for clients with their pets.
“I use the funds from the private photo sessions in order to pay for the veterinary care of shelter and rescue dogs.. That’s how I started. “
He started selling his work to local businesses in the area. That was when he saw the massive potential in dog photography.
According to the research he did, photos of animals, especially dogs, can have a significant impact on humans. A single dog picture in one space can increase the likelihood of a person interacting with strangers.
Despite only being in print, dogs have proven that they are social catalysts that can bring people together and facilitate interactions among them.
“As an economist by training, I realized that there was something relatively big that I need to explore further.”
That was when he thought of the idea of his non-profit and kick-started it.
The Start Of Global Dog Art Gallery
Michael reached out to what he fondly calls ‘internationally-celebrated dog photographers’ to ask for help to start and launch what then was only a dream and idea.
He pitched and shared his plan, asking them if they could contribute 3-5 of their best pieces to build an online gallery for a good cause. They will approach businesses and sell the pieces. The proceeds will be used to support non-profit organizations and save animals.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and not long after, Global Dog Art was launched.
“It’s the representation of about 20, and this will grow over time, but about 20 internationally-celebrated dog photographers from 12 different countries.”
The Global Dog Art Gallery offers unique pieces that you would not see anywhere else. Curating professional and big-name photographers mean creating a gallery with a wide variety of subjects. These pieces are a combination of things ─ dogs, landscape, poses, and scenery.
With the small collection of highly curated art, Michael wanted to make sure that every business environment and space could find something that would fit their personal and business style.
It is undoubtedly another way of raising funds without asking for donations. Global Dog Art is a non-profit that aims to protect and save animal lives by harnessing the power of dog art and photography to build business relationships.
“Our goal is to save 1 million dogs by 2030. That’s eight years from now. And I think a vital step to get there, is to promote dog wall art to 5,000 businesses in the next five years.”
Learn more about Global Dog Art Gallery by visiting their page at https://www.globaldogart.com/.
