About Green Paws Photography
Austin Dog Photographer | Award-Winning Photographer
What’s in a name? Upon moving to the Austin area in January 2019, I realized it was time for a change. Austin is one of the most dog-friendly and vegan-friendly cities in the US! My love of animals doesn’t end with dogs, and Austin seemed like the perfect place to focus my business to reflect my love of dogs and other animals, my cruelty-free lifestyle, and commitment to preserving and protecting the environment. I created Green Paws Photography as a unique new brand apart from my business of 8 years, Candid FX Photography. Green is the color of nature, life, energy, and the environment. At Green Paws Photography we are leading the way in “Green Photography” by providing clients with an Eco-friendly and cruelty-free product line. We are committed to offering sustainable and ethical products and services to our Austin area clients.
In a nutshell (I love nuts), I chose a plant-based diet almost 40 years ago, primarily for the well-being of animals. My fondness and appreciation for all living creatures led to my concern for the environment and the alarming rate at which we are losing the biodiversity on this plant…60% of all wildlife has been lost in the past 50 years! I began paying particular attention to environmental factors that were causing this loss in biodiversity and climate change. It was no surprise to find that the livestock industry is responsible for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than the entire transport sector (planes, trains, cars, trucks, buses, etc.) combined. Animal agriculture is also responsible for almost 85% of deforestation, the major contributor to air and water pollution, and uses 70% of the world’s fresh water. At present, our entire civilization is based on the exploitation of animals, which makes ethical veganism a difficult road to navigate, but a challenge worth the effort! I have a deep appreciation for all animals and I simply adore dogs! We currently have two dogs, which you can read more about on the “About” page. My dogs are super spoiled and also happen to be thriving on plant-based diets. A plant-based diet for dogs is great for their health, great for their fellow animals, and great for the planet. Since dogs are omnivores, they can not only thrive on a plant-based diet, but it also helps them live their healthiest life and reduce their risk of many diseases, including heart disease and many canine cancers. Switching my dogs to a plant-based diet was not something I chose lightly. I made the decision after extensive research and education about canine nutrition, as well as consultations with UC Davies Veterinary Nutrition Specialists. If you would like to learn more about plant-based diets for dogs or people, send me a message and I would be happy to answer your questions.
Putting aside the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, or the billions of lives lost annually, many other human activities are having devastating effects on our environment. Believe it or not, this includes the photography industry! Aside from the use of paper, I was shocked to find out how many unsustainable and non-vegan products are out there. I’m not talking about just leather albums or use of paper. Many professional and retail photo labs do not follow environmentally responsible practices, use harsh chemicals, do not manage waste or energy usage, and use unsustainable materials. In fact, most photo labs
use paper from non-sustainable sources, and inks and paper emulsions that contain animal byproducts like gelatin and animal-derived glycerin. Making a truly Eco-friendly product keeps both the environment and human safety in mind. The product should be non-toxic, use sustainably grown ingredients, and be produced in ways that do not deplete the ecosystem. Organic ingredients or materials are grown without toxic pesticides or herbicides. Products should be made from recycled materials, such as glass, wood, metal, or plastic, whenever possible. Products should be biodegradable and break down through natural decomposition. The printing process itself can release ultra-fine particles made of volatile organic-chemical substances. An environmentally minded printer should use the Eco-friendliest papers available, reduce toxic chemicals, recycle ink and solvents, and use soy or other vegetable inks when available. Though it is impossible for these photo labs to be entirely “Green”, I have found some that are taking big steps to reduce their environmental footprint, with recycling programs, use of sustainable materials, solar energy, smart packaging, FSC® Certified, locally sourced materials, vegan papers, and inks, etc. Basically, they are stepping forward in the industry and standing behind their Eco-credentials.
I’m glad you asked! At Green Paws Photography we are committed to offering our clients gorgeous portraits of their special dogs with a high quality, animal and Eco-Friendly product line. I carefully selected the perfect product line that balances Eco-minded art with exceptional quality. To learn more about our product line, check out Products under the Info tab in the menu above. Below are some of the steps Green Paws Photography has taken to provide the most environmentally and ethically friendly dog photography experience to our very special clients.
At Green Paws Photography we are reducing our carbon pawprint one photo session at a time. Preserving your memories while also preserving the environment. I believe we can create an ethical, compassionate, and sustainable world for all living beings!
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