Blog
Why I started HeARTs Speak
A letter from our Executive Director It was the deep connection and love I felt for my own dog, Iggy, that inspired the idea for HeARTs Speak. I actually fell in love with my boy well before meeting him, through beautiful, emotive, photographs. The experience of adopting Iggy opened my eyes to how important that…
Read MoreA Shelter Dog Story From Start to Happy End
And for a shelter pet, that story can be the link to a lifetime of love and happiness. Well, this is Indy before he had a photo that helped him tell his true story. Indy arrived at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control as a stray and quickly captured the hearts of the staff and volunteers caring for him. With…
Read MoreCreating an Internal Stock Library Shelter Shot List
When it comes to putting our best marketing foot forward in animal welfare, much of promoting our animals, services, and organizations comes down to being able to tell the stories of our work. Beyond promoting available animals, we start to connect with our communities best when we’re showing them everything from the enrichment we provide…
Read MoreSeen = Saved The Perfect Exposure Project Ignites Creativity and Lifesaving
This year, HeARTs Speak’s Perfect Exposure Project (PEP) is celebrating 5 years of hands-on, collaborative workshops in shelter photography and marketing. In that time, the program has worked with more than 571 shelter staff and volunteers who represent 99 different organizations in 25 cities/locations! Even more importantly, those participants in past workshops will be able…
Read MoreEasy Tips for Great Shelter Pet Photos
Photos are a vital part of not only finding homes faster for homeless pets but transforming the way communities perceive shelters and pet adoption. A great photo helps a pet make an emotional connection in an instant— and that can be the key to motivating someone to visit the shelter to save a life. Here…
Read MoreYour Social is On Fire! (Here’s How Not to Burn Out)
Go you! You’ve been absolutely killing it on social media! Your posting schedule is robust, no comment goes unresponded to, and your engagement is through the roof. But, rather than riding high on your success, you’re feeling erratic. After months of highly-engaged posts, you’ve found yourself getting sloppy and uninspired. Each new push notification makes…
Read More5 Fast Tips for Great Pet Bios
Start With What You Notice When you meet this animal or see a picture of it, what immediately stands out to you? From big to small, to outlandish to obvious — jot it all down! The most compelling descriptions are relatable and describe animals the way we describe our own pets. Use this opportunity to…
Read MoreHow to Make Shelter Marketing Magic, No Matter Your Setup
Getting into marketing was one of the most intimidating, exciting, overwhelming, and fun things I have ever done in my professional career. I had always loved taking pictures of animals at work, and they would usually come out okay. They were never totally in focus and the lighting was sometimes a little off, which I…
Read MoreHow Photos Are Important to Pet Adoption A Study
For every 10 dogs that enter an animal shelter in the United States, approximately five are adopted, two are returned to their owner, and two never leave because they are euthanized or die at the shelter. To increase dog adoption, animal shelters often photograph dogs and share the photos online. As a member of HeARTs…
Read MoreTips for a Stress-Free Photo Session
I really don’t like getting my photo taken. Professional headshots, family photos, and even selfies with friends — it’s not always a natural-feeling experience to be the focus of attention. The pressure of the photographer staring at me, trying to figure out what pose doesn’t make me look 5lbs heavier, holding a smile for what…
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