For those of you that don't know, June is International Pride month. I thought this was the perfect time to share with you a series of images I've been working on for some time.
As a teenager growing up gay in a tiny island community, life got pretty tough at times, I don't mind telling you that I attempted to take my own life and that I was a regular self-harmer. I was depressed and I felt so unbelievably alone. I've spent a lot of my adult life learning to accept that my differences are what make me and I should embrace them not hide them! Never did I imagine I would find someone to share my life with, that finding the fairytale romance I dared to dream of would come true. I was destined for a life of loneliness and unrequited love. Never mind the idea that I would be allowed to marry that person and share the same rights as any man and woman in love. Then along came Chris and a new life in New Zealand. We've been together for almost 16 years, in a civil partnership for 9 and married for 2.
Why am I telling you this?
Well it's a HUGE part of the reason I wanted to create this series of images. It only seems right, given that I'm a pet photographer, to create them with dogs. After all Dogs don't judge. Well not on the big stuff, they will probably give you the side eye if you 'forget' to share your cheese toastie, or put you in the figurative dog house if you don't take them for their walk, but ultimately dogs just want to love and be loved in return (spot my fave movie reference there).
I've titled this series #DogIsLove, keeping in mind while I was creating them that I wanted to celebrate love, equality and diversity in all its shapes and forms. These images suggest marriage which, outside of the religious confines (I don't believe in God), I believe is the most epic way to proclaim your love for another person. These images are here to say that the colour of your skin, your gender, your sexuality, religion, disabilities, age, what you wear, how you look, none of that matters. Love and kindness is what matters. They were created with love and I hope that you love looking at them. If you do, I'd love (there's that word again) for you to share them and share this message: Love IS Love.
More info: furtography.co.nz
"I love Dusty's slobbery kisses" - Belle
"I Do" say Ralph and Reggie
"3 legs make it one more than my people have" Mac doesn't care Lucas has 3 legs, nor does Lucas
"I love everything about Barnaby, except the snoring" - Louie
"Zhiva spends way more time getting ready than me" - Banze
"I knew right away that Mowgli was the dog for me" - Charlie
"Who knew an 84 year old could find love with someone half their age!" - Daisy on Luna
"What Ed lacks in size he makes up in personality" - Moe
"Flynn, straighten your bow tie, they're taking pictures" - Indie
"Let me whisper sweet nothings Louie" - Lola
"Can you believe I'm marrying Loulou? She's easily an 11" - Pepe (an 8 on a good day)
