WHAT IS FOSTER PHOTO DAY?
Foster Photo Day is an monthly initiative created by Five Freedoms Photography to help local rescues across Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina have access to quality photography for their fosters.
We believe that beautiful imagery can truly make a difference.
A majority of adopters make an adoption decision based on an image alone. If we could, through the medium of imagery, help harder-to-adopt animals be seen and potentially adopted, the more lives we can save by getting pups adopted and into loving homes.
Since Foster Photo Day’s creation in October 2021, we have photographed over 250+ rescue dogs in foster from various rescues across the Triangle including Second Chance NC, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Paws For Life NC, Paw Project NC, Underhound Railroad, Freedom Ride Rescue, Pawfect Match, WakeGov Pets, and many more. You can view our full rescue partner list here.
WHO IS FOSTER PHOTO DAY FOR?
Foster Photo Day is complimentary for any foster in the Triangle area
who is in need of a photo refresh for their foster pup.
While we wish we could photograph every pup on the planet, because these sessions are so limited, we do prioritize long time fosters, seniors, pups with medical or behavioral needs, disabled pups, and pups that fall under restricted breeds, such as bully breeds. As a matter of courtesy, please do not sign up your foster if they do not fall under this category.
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE FROM MY FOSTER PHOTO DAY SESSION?
Our complimentary Foster Photo Day sessions include:
A twenty minute photo session from at a local park in the Raleigh area
5-10 web resolution digital files to use on your Foster’s online profile and across social media that you’ll also be able to keep and enjoy always
Additionally marketing on social media or via email; we try to feature as many pups across our social channels and via our email list as possible!
Plus, if you join our Foster Photo Day Interest List, you get first dibs on priority scheduling when new dates go live
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR FOSTER PHOTO DAY?
You can register for Foster Photo Day here. Once you’ve selected your time slot and filled out the foster questionnaire, you’ll receive an email to confirm your time.
HOW MUCH DOES FOSTER PHOTO DAY COST?
Our Foster Photo Days are complimentary for any current foster whose pup needs a photo refresh. As stated above, we do prioritize long timer fosters, pups with medical or behavioral needs, seniors, restricted breeds, and the like. Please keep that in mind before you apply for a time slot. We always tell fosters if they want to contribute something to support our rescue photography, they can buy us a coffee here.
DOES IT MATTER WHAT RESCUE I AM WITH?
No! We welcome fosters from all rescues across the Triangle area as we understand that not all rescues have the resources or volunteers for much needed photography for their fosters. No personal pets are allowed for these sessions, please.
WHERE ARE SESSIONS HELD?
Sessions are generally held at a park in central or south Raleigh area.
WHEN ARE DATES ANNOUNCED?
We generally announce Foster Photo Days 2-3 months in advance, but do not open up booking until 1-2 weeks in advance. The reason for this is that fosters get adopted, schedules change, fosters move around, etc, so in order to be as efficient as possible and reduce added rescheduling or canceling, we don’t open up booking until closer to the session day.
DO YOU OFFER ONLY WEEKEND DATES?
At this time, yes. Previously, we had offered weekday availability, but it didn’t work for most foster’s schedules, so we offer sessions primarily on Sundays.
WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE MY SESSION OR HAVE TO CANCEL?
We understand things happen. Because these sessions are limited, we ask that you let us know as soon as you can if you are unable to make it, so that we may fill that spot. Some months we have a waitlist for foster sessions. Fosters who do not show up for their session that are a no call / no show will be blacklisted from our Foster Photo Sessions.
Hi, I’m Joanne.
I’m a Professional Dog Photographer that got my start photographing shelter dogs.
Back in 2017, I started volunteering at my local shelter WakeGov Pets. Naturally, I quickly fell in love with volunteering there. I wanted to help as much as I could walk and cuddle the adoptable pups, fundraise, do outreach, assist with marketing, etc; anything that I could do to help the pups and be an advocate for them.
Then, in 2019, I was inspired by amazing women like Sophie Gamand, founder of the Pitbull Flower Power Project, to buy a camera. Maybe I, too, could help out at the center by adding photography to my toolkit.
You see, I come from an entertainment background. I knew that great photos get you booked. I wanted to apply that same methodology to our shelter’s adoption board to help these animals be seen and hopefully adopted through the medium of beautiful imagery.
That’s how Five Freedoms Photography was born. In just a few years, I’ve photographed well over 650+ rescue dogs and raised more than $50K for rescues in need across the Triangle.
I truly believe that imagery saves lives.
From providing imagery to a foster’s adoption profile to having quality content to share on social media that can help raise awareness, images not only matter for the animal, they matter for the rescue.
Images alone can make a shelter or rescue seem more reputable, thus, helping them to increase awareness, raise more money, and encourage volunteerism or fostering.
And I’d love the opportunity to photograph your foster, too. Simply click the button below to get started.
TESTIMONIALS
I have taken several of my fosters to Joanne for her foster sessions. I’m continually amazed at her patience and understanding with each one. She takes the time to let the dog acclimate and show their true personalities. I have had some real goofballs and she perfectly captures their silly side while also getting some glamour shots. Not only is this completely free to the foster parent, but her turn around time is very quick. I can’t say enough good things about Joanne or her business. I am so thankful she shares her unique talent with so many deserving dogs!
—Michelle, WakeGov Pets Foster
I have taken over a dozen fosters for Joanne to photograph and she never ceases to amaze me with how perfectly she photographs each one, outlining their personality in each frame she takes. She’s is always patient and does whatever possible to fit the needs of the canine she’s working with. I have taken her dogs with every sort of issue and she always produces an absolutely fabulous end product!
—Crystal, Underhound Railroad / Paw Project NC Foster
Joanne’s photographs are not only wonderful, but incredibly effective at catching the eye of potential adopters! Everyone that contacts us about our foster pup comments on the fact that the pictures really expressed the dog’s personality and qualities and caught their eye when going through the adoption gallery. Joanne makes the process so easy, even with reactive pups. She is patient and kind and our fosters have loved picture day!
—Susan B, WakeGov Pets Foster
Upcoming Dates
Dates tentative to change based on availability and weather.
JANUARY 12TH
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
FEBRUARY 16TH
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
MARCH 16TH
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Additional Resources
We want fosters to succeed when it comes to photographing and marketing their foster pups! Here are just a few additional resources to help you along the way.
HEARTS SPEAK
HeartsSpeak is an amazing organization that provides shelters and rescues with free marketing tools, resources, and education. From bio writing to photography to fundraising, and more, they are dynamite resource for any foster, volunteer, or rescue.
YOUTUBE
We have plenty of educational content on our YouTube channel to help you take better photos of your fosters. From simple tips to choosing lighting and everything in between, we add new content bi-weekly!
KIT CO
Our Kit.co rounds up all of our favorite tools for pet photography! We also share the equipment we use, our favorite pet photography reads, dog walking essentials, and more. Plus, anything you buy from our kit helps to support our rescue photography at no cost to you.
