Photographer Amanda Jones has been capturing the characters of dogs for over 25 years, as reported by Insider. Starting with very little knowledge on how to interact with clients, market her work or reach the people that would want what she could offer, Jones learned how to capture the essence of each dog she photographed. “My work with dogs began when I grew tired of photographing people. I would always hear, 'Oh, I look horrible,' or, 'Is my face really that wrinkly?' It got tiresome,” Jones said.
Jones’ “Dog Years” project, a book that celebrates people’s friendships with their dogs, is a way for owners to honor their pups and the passing of time, while keeping a record of how their furry friends have aged. Inspired to create “Dog Years” after the death of her own long-haired dachshund, Lily, Jones realized she had photos from every stage of Lily’s life, so she pulled four together and created a memorial card. “I received a very strong reaction to the imagery. I realized I could do this for my clients. That's when the series began.”
The “Dog Years” project captures dogs at different stages of their lives, from young to old, as they age beautifully. "A senior dog walks with confidence, each step a show of acquired knowledge, each wag a sign of a life well-lived," Jones wrote. "Like that of the dogs I know so well, this trust I have in myself lightens the future; it softens the edge that makes looking onward so terrifying."
Jones has a way of capturing each dog’s unique personality and says that each age has its own issues. Young dogs are tricky because they have a short attention span and are all over the place, while senior dogs can also be difficult because oftentimes they cannot see or hear. Jones feels a kinship with senior dogs, saying “As I move into my older age, I am losing my eagle-eye focusing abilities. It is harder for me to get up and down off the floor to shoot. Despite the differences, however, there is a sweetness in the way I remember that frantic need I felt as a teenager, that desire to become what I knew I was meant to be. I love photographing dogs because each one is different. I love discovering what is unique about each dog and capturing that."
The photographs featured in the “Dog Years” project are a testament to the love and companionship that dogs bring into our lives, and serve as a way for owners to remember and cherish their furry friends. Jones’ photographs are a reminder that every dog is unique, with its own personality and quirks, and that each age brings something special. "My hope for "Dog Years" is that people will look at it and see their own dogs and relationships," Jones said. "The book is really a tribute to the dogs that have been in my life, and I hope people will see their dogs in it and be inspired to capture their own memories."
.png)
