Sometimes, a picture does a lot more than tell a thousand words - it can actually save a life. That's what Los Angeles-based photographer Seth Casteel discovered when he decided to volunteer his time at his local animal shelter. The professional lensman logs many hours each week photographing adoptable dogs and cats, "to give them a better chance of finding forever homes," he says.
"I capture moments that showcase unique personalities - the reason why we are so drawn to them. The photographs are displayed on the city web site as well as other web sites, flyers, and marketing materials. The photos generate interest in specific pets and bring increased traffic to the shelters. It truly is a picture that can save a life."
When he's not shooting, Seth helps out with special marketing projects and teaches photography tutorials on how to successfully capture shelter pets. It sounds like a lot of work, but for Seth, it's a career high - and volunteering on behalf of homeless animals is something he highly recommends to everyone he meets, whether or not photography is their forte. "I'm so thankful I was introduced to the opportunity to volunteer at my local shelter," he says. "There are so many different ways to be involved - from walking dogs so they get proper exercise, to bottle-feeding puppies and kittens, to participating in adoption events."
His own dogs are a source of constant inspiration: Madison is a 4-year-old Finnish Spitz from the West LA Shelter, and Nala is a 3-year-old Cockadoodle-doo from the Orange County Shelter. "My dogs somehow manage to remind me every single day what is important in life," he says. "They are my heroes. They were tossed out in the cold and abandoned, but were willing to give life and human beings a second chance. They don't hold grudges and they look at every single day as a new adventure."
Seth's volunteer work didn't merely bring great personal rewards; it actually crystallized his professional focus, which in turn enriched his professional life.
"I've been a photographer for over 10 years," he explains, "and I absolutely love it. It's my passion. But my priorities changed since volunteering; I've become an even happier person. It gives me great pride to help animals in need. And I've started a new career because of it - I own a pet lifestyle photography business where I work with private clients, companies in the pet industry, and dozens of magazines, calendars, and books. It's a dream job and I'm thankful for every day I get to do this! Please check out LittleFriendsPhoto.com for more info on my upcoming national photography tour; I'm looking forward to working with people and pets all around the country!"
