Sophie Gamand is an animal lover, photographer, and animal activist extraordinaire.
I was lucky enough to be along for the ride last week in Brookhaven Long Island, a town that I live in and one that has a very special need which Sophie could fulfill - Pit Bull awareness - by extending her series "Flower Power, Pit Bulls of the Revolution". We visited the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, with Ashley Boyd at the helm, and over two days, Sophie was able to photograph more than 50 dogs. I was in awe!
The process was a simple, yet artistic one. Sophie arrived with a suitcase of handmade flower headpieces that she artfully edited for each dog based on the shape of their face and the coloring of their coat. Many of the volunteers helped while we marched in dogs one by one and tried to put them at ease in front of the camera – it was their big chance!
Ashley Boyd, left, and Sophie Gamand, right, with some of the amazing volunteers at Brookhaven who helped on the shoot.
After two long days, many of the dogs had new wonderful photos up on the shelter's site which should increase their chances of being rescued. Here I have chosen a handful of gorgeous dogs that are currently looking for homes. Harry Barker loaned all the leases! You can see the full group of dogs up for adoption at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.
Sophie told us about "Flower Power, Pit Bulls of the Revolution", a series dedicated to the dogs grouped under the name of pit bull. "I wished to portray this misunderstood group in a different light. The general public and news media consider a "pit bull" to be any dog that belongs to one of the following breeds, or simply looks like one: the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Bull Terrier, or any mix thereof. To put it in a nutshell, most "Pit bulls" are judged based on certain physical characteristics. Moreover, if they physically look like they belong to that group, they will be deemed dangerous by many, with no regard to their individual temperament.”
This is BOSS LADY, one of the wonderful dogs available at Brookhaven Animal Shelter.
Sophie Gamand has a calendar and invites us all to post a photo of their pet with flowers (any breed, any specie!) on Instagram and #PitBullFlowerPower as a sign of support to pit bulls and remembering the upward of 1,000,000 we euthanize every year in America. For more info about the series and other adoptable dogs click here. Keep your eyes open on @mrssizzle for flower power portraits from our day in Brookhaven!