As a pet photographer, I was very flattered to be contacted by one of my favorite art and artist highlighting websites, My Modern Met for an interview about my End of Life Pet Photography work.
End of Life pet photography is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. While I do a lot of commercial animal photography, and private pet and family sessions, I find the End of Life sessions are some of the most rewarding. This heartfelt photo series captures intimate portraits of terminally ill dogs and their families in their final days together.
So how did I get into EoL Pet photography? Here’s a little snippit from the interview:
“Hildreth’s End of Life series is deeply personal, inspired by the sudden and unexpected loss of her own “soul dog,” Stoli. “It’s been a decade since Stoli died, and not a day goes by where I don't think about him,” she says. “Since I’m the one that’s always behind the camera, I don’t have many pictures of Stoli and I together.”
The photographer never had the chance to capture End of Life photos with Stoli; however, she cherishes one old picture of him, where she playfully holds his cheeks in a big, comical grin. “I had it printed as a canvas that hangs in my home where I can see it every day,” she says. “Looking at that photo brings up happy memories. Stoli was such a clown that he always had me laughing and even now he can still bring a smile to my face 10 years later.” Hildreth adds, “I know the power and significance of these photos for families who are dealing with a loss.”
Every session is an emotional experience, but it also brings a sense of comfort to families. It gives them a special moment to process their grief and soak in their final memories with their beloved pet before saying goodbye.
To read the full interview, head over to: Holly Hildreth Interview with My Modern Met