Friday Flickr Feature - Traer Scott
Traer Scott’s photographs consist mostly of animals. She has two books published and a third to be released in October this year. I was fortunate enough to ask her a few questions about her books and cause:
What inspired the Shelter Dogs project?
I was volunteering in a shelter in Providence and began taking photos of all of the dogs for internet adoption sites. One night, as I was going through my files, I realized that many of the dogs I had pictures of didn’t make it out alive. I couldn’t delete their photos and really wanted to find a way to memorialize their short existences. After that, I began taking more deliberate portraits of the dogs that came through the shelter which lead to the body of work that was published as “Shelter Dogs” in 2006.
How did the project become a book?
I met with the president of Merrell Publishers at Review Santa Fe, which is a juried photography portfolio review in Santa Fe New Mexico. They became interested in the project and several months later, Shelter Dogs was born. We have now sold about 35,000 copies and raised a good deal of money for the ASPCA as well as hopefully, more awareness of the millions of beautiful, deserving animals that are waiting for a forever home in shelters all over the country. My ultimate goal was for people to re-think buying an animal when so many die needlessly every year.
What sparked your love for animals?
I grew up with lots of animals and had no siblings, so they were my best and most constant friends. I have always liked animals more than people. They’re much more honest and they never let you down.
Can you tell me a bit about your other two books?
Street Dogs explores the lives of dogs living alone and in packs in the streets, deserts and jungles of Mexico and Puerto Rico. I traveled extensively with animal rescuers in both countries to document the plight of these animals-most of which are abandoned family pets - as well as the people who are working very hard to bring about change in these areas. A percent of all book sales is donated to the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
Wild Horses; Endangered Beauty is my third book which will be out in October 2008. People have so many romanticized images of wild horses, but the reality is that these American icons are being rounded up en mass as “vermin”, and often sold for slaughter to foreign meat markets. There are more “wild horses” in captivity now than remain free. Land development and private interest are mostly to blame. I felt like animal lovers deserved to know that these majestic, ancient creatures which have roamed our lands for 500 years still exist but most likely will not in two generations if the public doesn’t make their voice heard.
Where can the books be purchased?
Shelter Dogs
More of Traer Scott’s work can be viewed on her personal website - traerscott.com or on her Flickr page.
Every Friday internet jogging features an artist, series or something special Chelsee finds while scouring the white, pink and blue treasure trove. We call this the Friday Flickr Feature.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment