This photographer takes heartbreaking photos of pet deaths and shares them with us. Grab your tissues!
Lauren Smith Kennedy, a 28-year-old Maine resident will join the owners for poignant photos to mark their beloved pets’ passing.
She said that she is often contacted by hundreds of people every week to offer her help or fly around the world.
Lauren Smith Kennedy (28), a Portland resident, will be meeting up with his owners to capture poignant last photos of their pet, often due to death. Oscar, an emaciated blind chihuahua receives a special rub by his owner to make sure they are making the most of each other’s time.
Christina and Sadie, their devoted owners, are seen playing in the leaves together as they enjoy a kiss during an autumnal shoot.
Smith-Kennedy said she is always overcome by the lengths owners go to for their pets – especially Baxter on his special wagon, which his owners bought when he struggled to move around due to a degenerative disease
Smith-Kennedy believes every shoot is unique, but there are certain shots that stick with her the most.
She said: ‘One that really stands out was with a dog named Baxter, who had a degenerative disease.
‘We did the shoot, and his owner had got a wagon to move him around, and that really stood out to me.
‘It seemed like a symbol of how far an owner will go to help their animal and how dedicated they are.’
Baxter, the dog who was suffering from a chronic disease and too fatigued to walk, had to be carried on a wagon to the shoot.
Oscar, the blind Chihuahua is given a hug by Hannah. She kisses him on his forehead to bid goodbye.
Lauren Smith-Kennedy photographed Staffy, the cat. She enjoyed a glass of fancy martini and a tipple. She photographs many pets, even though she is often accompanied by dogs.
Lauren takes a lot more photos outdoors than this photo of Cheddar and his family, but it was still taken at Cheddar’s home.
Baxter enjoying time with Nina and Robert cuddling, kissing and cuddling together
The animal lover admits that it is difficult to capture such emotions and she sometimes breaks down looking at her photos.
She stated, “It’s that deep sadness you feel when you think about the lives you shared with your pet. Anyone who’s had a pet knows that feeling.”
“When I am there, my job is done. If I allow my emotions to become distracting it would prevent me from giving my loved ones the gift of remembrance.”
“But I feel my emotions most when I am driving back and looking at the photographs, and that’s when they catch me off guard.
Tiffany and Duchess are best friends as they snuggle together during a photoshoot
Duchess will happily return Tiffany’s favor and kiss her lips. Tiffany will cherish these poignant last photos.
Smith-Kennedy’s main job is raising money and overseeing social media for Saco River Wildlife Center in Limington, Maine, which includes taking photos of injured animals while they are treated at the base.
She began taking end of life photos after she lost her beloved cat Tilly.
She said: ‘A friend of a friend had to put their dog down, and they reached out to me actually asking about getting an urn for him.
Denyse holds Staffy, her cat, in her hands during the painful photoshoot. Lauren Smith-Kennedy photographs all kinds of pets, including rats and cats
Indy looks at the camera, as her owner Lauren shows some love to her.
‘I helped them out with that, and said if they were interested I would be happy to do a free photoshoot with them.
‘So I did the shoot and obviously with their permission I shared it on social media, and it just went from there.’
Smith-Kennedy uses great effort to capture the heart of the pet and owner relationship.
She said: ‘I usually prompt people rather than asking them to do poses.
Portrait of Indy, a pious pet: A picture of Indy alone will bring comfort to his owner after his passing
Smith-Kennedy said: ‘It really is a truly heartbreaking time for any family on their own journey of grief’ pictured: Staffy the cat being croomed by her owner Denyse
According to the photographer, she can feel overwhelmed by emotions while shooting but may also be emotional when reviewing photos. Nina Baxter and Robert Baxter.
‘So I’ll say something like, why don’t you sit down and give your pet some love, instead of saying to cuddle or pat them or whatever.
‘That way they can do whatever that feels like to them.’
Lauren started the Tilly Project in 2005. It is named after her cat and offers free pet photography at the end of their lives.
She said: ‘I started the Tilly Project to help connect people with photographers local to them who would do these shoots as well.
‘I was getting people offering to fly me across the country to do a shoot, and I wasn’t able to do that.
‘It’s so amazing to have been able to start something like this.’