Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Throop.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My life has been a patchwork of different careers and opportunities. I started my professional life as an attorney working in Big Law. Six years in, the financial crisis hit. I found myself burnt out, on the precipice of divorce and looking for a change. This desire for change took me down a few different paths – I went to work for the state for a time, I went to nursing school and I found photography. I was 30 years old when I picked up a camera with the intent to create a serious body of work. And it wasn’t until years later that I found my passion – photographing dogs and their humans with a focus on adoptable and adopted dogs from shelters and rescues. Over the last five years, I have worked with thousands of dogs, hundreds of people, a number of local rescues and spent more than 4,000 hours taking pictures of the animals available for adoption at Austin Animal Center.
I am passionate not only about creating images but also telling stories – each animal that I meet and their owner, foster or volunteer advocate has something to say about how they ended up here, in this moment either living their best life or looking for a home. My photographic heroines include Lynsey Addario and Ami Vitale – women who have traveled to far off places and been in the midst of tumult and chaos, bringing awareness to a whole host of issues on the international level. My life has kept me closer to home . . . but I’ve found that our ability to impact change starts at the local level – travel to far off places and conflicts isn’t necessary to make a difference . . . there are plenty of stories to tell (and ways to be involved) right here in Austin, Texas.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. EVER. I am definitely finding that any road in the arts is paved with difficulties and struggles – finding work, finding people that want to see your work, getting hired, getting paid . . . it’s all hard. I’ve never left my day job behind – so between my day job, running a photography business and doing work for rescue organizations – there are times that it’s a grind . . . but it’s never not worth it. The thing that keeps me here that I am most passionate about is the stories. If I could make pictures and tell the stories of people and their animal companions all day, everyday, I would. I feel like I am never not hustling – asking rescues to keep me in mind to help with photography, trying to get to the shelter (which has been hard with the COVID restrictions and the schedule for my day job), trying to convince people that photos and stories are equally as important as the vignettes and videos that are currently proliferating social media. And sure, there are challenges with every photo session – some dogs are terrified of the camera, some humans feel awkward . . . it’s always a delicate balance – making everyone comfortable enough to make photos that have something to say. I think I’m successful most of the time – even the most timid of dogs . . . with enough hot dogs and their safe person, we can usually get a few great images. Really, I wouldn’t change a thing – it is hard, rewarding work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer specializing in humans and their companion animals. I’ve photographed dogs, cats, chickens, gerbils, parakeets, goats, pigs, cows and turtles. My initial interest in this kind of work grew from my time as a volunteer dog walker at Austin Animal Center – I would bring my camera along and take pictures of the dogs I walked and then post my stories to social media in the hopes of bringing in adopters. I always tell people that good animal photography, and dog photography in particular, is not only about using your camera but also about taking the time to understand dog behavior. Without that foundation as a dog walker, I’m not sure my dog photography would be what it is today. From there, my work has grown and my primary interest now is on the relationships between humans and animals and among animals. Like humans, animals have a spirit that only truly reveals itself when they are comfortable – those are my favorite photos to make . . . the ones where someone says that is the true essence of my pet. I do both natural light and lifestyle work as well as studio. Studio work is my latest project and I love photographing animals and humans against a solid black backdrop . . . where the sole focus is on one animal and a human’s relationship that animal. I am always looking to grow and partner with new organizations – each rescue values photography and telling stories differently. But, my ultimate goal is to be able to spend enough time with an organization that when they have a compelling story to tell, my images and words are part of that process at the outset.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am always inspired by the work of other photographers. Ami Vitale’s work in Africa is a personal favorite – particularly her work on the northern white rhinos (who are under 24/7 supervision) and the relationship between the northern white rhinos and their caretakers. Photographers I follow with keen interest include Vincent Musi, Jimmy Chin, Lynsey Addario, and Nick Brandt. Locally, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Alex Hopes and Chris Lammert of ZilkerBark, which is always fun and inspiring. I’ve been fortunate to work with some amazing animal organizations and rescues that are constantly doing the hard work of saving animals and/or trying to get animals adopted – among them, Austin Bull Dog Rescue, Austin Farm Sanctuary, Final Frontier Rescue Project, Classic Canines and the Orange Dot Crew. Inspiration for work and life is all around – I’m always interested in stories of people pursuing what they love and the success they are (or, sometimes, are not) able to achieve. As an avid runner and lover of the outdoors, I’m always inspired by people taking chances on great adventures and the unknown – Dirtbag Diaries is definitely a favorite podcast on this topic.
Pricing:
- Sessions start at $250 for people and their pups
Contact Info:
- Email: sjurgensen@gmail.com
- Website: www.sarahthroopphotography.com
- Instagram: sjthroop & the.very.good.dog.studio
Image Credits
First Image: Shauna Autry Photography
All Remaining Images: Sarah Throop Photography
