A storybook about 59 teeny tiny dogs

TEENY TINY DOGS AND THEIR STORIES highlights tiny dogs with big hearts and mighty spirits

The theme for our Pet Photography 52 Weeks Project is Tell A Story. Now those who follow me on social media know that I am a storytelling photographer, and I rarely post a photo without a story to go with it. It is this combination that has resulted in thousands of shelter pets finding their forever homes since I started volunteering in animal shelter photography way back in 2011. I also love to tell a story through photography with my client sessions, and one of my biggest sellers are my storybooks for this reason. These don’t usually contain any words, as it’s the photos themselves and the way they’re presented in the book, that tells the story.

However, for this topic, this week, having just released my first self-published book which contains the stories of 59 teeny tiny dogs, I decided it is the perfect opportunity to tell you a little about the book, as it tells many stories.

“Teeny Tiny Dogs” highlights tiny dogs with big hearts and mighty spirits who change the lives of those who love them, for the better. This was by far my biggest fundraising project to date, to help raise awareness and funds for the amazing teeny tiny rescue group “Paws for Thought” Rescue (PFT) who save teeny tiny frail old dogs from Sydney’s biggest pounds.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project kicked off in January 2019 when I posted a call-out on social media for people to register their cherished teeny tiny dogs for the book. The registration fee included a photo session with their little dog and a double-page spread in the book along with their unique story, and I then donated 50% of the registration fee to PFT. 49 dogs were signed up and the photo sessions took place from March through to the end of August. These are the cooler months in Sydney so that was imperative when photographing tiny and often senior dogs.

In September, I moved up to our farm full-time, and I started designing and creating the book, lovingly piecing together every precious page, which also included 12 of the beloved PFT dogs and our own #3DogKateers. It truly was a labour of love and being my first ever self-published coffee table book, I needed it to be perfect. Each double-page spread contains a hero image and two smaller images of each dog and their story. I’ve included a few below… let’s see if they bring a tear to your eye.

THE BOOK LAUNCH

I’d made a promise to everyone to launch the book prior to Christmas which I did, with the book launch being held on 7 December at the Open Day of the Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter where I’ve been volunteering as their photographer since January 2017. It was a perfect day… I had my marquee set up with PFT right next to me, along with Pod the cover star of the book along with some of his little buddies including Little Miss Bumble Bee, Bum Bum and Nug Nug who also appear in the book. Besides launching my book and celebrating with my friends at PFT, the shelter and Penny Marathon, it was also the end of my time at that shelter so it was a perfect opportunity to celebrate the last three years with the staff and volunteers.

There were only 7 copies left when it came to the launch event as most of the Collector’s Edition pre-sold online. Those 7 copies were snapped up very quickly resulting in a sell-out of the Collector’s Edition where each book was numbered and signed by me.

I’ve now produced a Second Edition which is selling fast, and new stock has just arrived so if you’d like to purchase a copy and help support an amazing little charity at the same time, you can purchase one here.

A SNEAK PEEK

Now you’ve learned a little about this incredible teeny tiny storybook, here’s a sneak peek… a mix of individual photos and double-page spreads to give you a feel for the book. Sadly some of the dogs I photographed for the book have since left this world for another and are memorialised by being included in my book, and for that, I am truly grateful, as are their families.

If you love this sneak peek, you can purchase a copy of the book here.

ALL AROUND THE CIRCLE

Thank you for reading!  Head on over to check out Elaine Tweedy of I Got the Shot Photography, capturing moment and memories of pets and their people in Northeastern PA and surrounding areas.  for Elaine’s take on this topic. Continue clicking the link at the bottom of each post until you end up right back here.

TEENY TINY DOGS AND THEIR STORIES – OUT NOW!

Teeny Tiny Dogs and their Stories Collector’s Edition sold out at the book launch, however, don’t despair, the second edition is now available!

2020 sessions and pricing will soon be available so make sure you join my pack to be informed when this information is released.