To Help Shelter Cats Find Their Forever Homes, This Photographer Volunteers To Take Glamour Shots Of Them

“The best way is to be a cat person, more than be a photographer. That skill set is more useful.”

Maryjane

• Published in Animals
• May 29, 2022

What’s the central subject on the camera roll on your phone, feline lover? We bet your preferred topic is your cat!

This seems to make more sense since taking pictures of cats is a consistent joy. From the fun of getting that posture to gushing over the completed items, feline photography is entertaining!

At least one photographer named Jen Parjol of Howl PHX concurs. For years now, she's been utilizing her camera talents to assist shelter felines at the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA find their permanent homes.

What's more, she’s part of a group called HeARTs Speak, and her glamour-puss pictures are an essential part of a developing movement to assist adoptable animals so that they can be seen. While scrolling through photographs of adoptable felines on shelter websites, one will often find quick clicks of a cat who doesn’t want to sit pretty and smile.

But with the meaningful venture of Howl PHX, Jen has recreated shelter photographs to catch what makes each cat the person they are, with the expectation of promoting their possibility of getting adopted. All in all, how does this "cat paparazzo" capture her dazzling shots of felines she's just getting to know?

Jen explains that she snaps felines as they casually relax, or as they hop on her lap, or even a paw. "I try to learn and then share what is special, and unique, and fun about each cat," says Jen.

The most efficient method for capturing the ideal feline photograph

Basically, Jen sees the feline energy and showcases it to the world through her eyes, and she's sharing her highest secret to getting the perfect cat shot.

HeARTs Speaks’ objective is to assist animals in finding their forever homes

As she told KJZZ 91.5, “I think we’ve all seen photos of animals in a shelter that are a bit grayscale, or the animal looks anxious. That’s not how I view shelter cats at all. I see the joy, and the brightness, and the levity, and the silliness. So, I think that’s perhaps what has resonated with folks.”

Such a cutie!

“The best way is to be a cat person, more than be a photographer. That skill set is more useful.”

What's more, she's right because if you've spent time with felines, you know what they like and what stands out. Just that ability will have a cat gazing squarely into your camera. It's simply an act of tolerance and patience, and continuously recalling this ought to be fun for yourself as well as your cat subjects.

Jen has recreated shelter photographs to catch what makes each cat the person they are

Jen additionally enjoys composing multi-layered profiles for the adoptable felines she photographs. It allows her an opportunity to create an entire story about each feline, providing possible adopters with a genuine look into the feline's character.

The best way is to be a cat person, more than be a photographer

Jen has taken more than 5,000 photographs of adoptable animals, and she has connected countless fuzzy ones with their permanent families. As an HeARTS Speaks member, she isn’t the only one spreading the good message.

“It’s an opportunity to share the joy I feel volunteering with folks who don’t spend time with shelter cats.” 

The world of pet photography

HeART Speaks’ founder and executive director, Lisa Prince Fishler, started the nonprofit organization when she met her BFF, who is a shelter dog named Ignatius Bodhi Sattva, otherwise known as Iggy. The shelter photograph she saw of Iggy did not, in the slightest bit, capture his true appeal, and this moved Lisa to venture into the universe of pet photography, which assisted her in changing the idea behind shelter pictures.

Jen has taken more than 5,000 photographs of adoptable animals

"They have blossomed into a love army"

However, Iggy died in 2018, and Lisa has continued with the work she began thanks to him. She shared that their endeavors have "blossomed into a love army, now over 600 strong, spanning almost every state in the nation, over 20 countries, and is literally transforming the image of shelter pets across the globe."

The Facebook page

Through all modes of art, active preparation, and educational endeavors, HeARTs Speaks’ objective is to assist animals in finding their forever homes through creative means. You can follow HeARTs Speak on Facebook to see and learn more about their work.

In addition, you can get some tips on how to photograph animals! Follow Jen Parjol and Meow PHX on Instagram and Facebook to see their future cat representation.

Maryjane