Two years ago, I adopted a lovable Pitbull mix named Emma. She's afraid of thunder, loves belly rubs, is sweet with kids and great with other animals. Sadly, a lot of the general public perceive my Emma as a monster, and that's probably why over half a million Pitbulls are put to sleep in the US alone each year. I decided to use my photography to start a positive PR campaign called Not A Bully to help change the way people view Pitbulls.
When my Boxer and best pal, Winston Churchill, died a few years back, I was devastated. I couldn't imagine getting another dog for a long time. In fact, it took about 2 years before I felt ready to adopt a new pup. I went to an adoption event at a Petsmart in the Virginia area with full intention to adopt another Boxer, but fate had a new plan for me. This is where I would meet Emma (formerly known as Midori). Due to her appearance (aka being a Pitbull) and her dark fur, she spent the majority of her life just inches away from being put to sleep on numerous occasions. She would be put in foster care for over 9 months until I finally met and adopted her.
Emma and her Valentines Day card
You can call me a softie, but it made me emotional imagining that people would try and put this sweet little baby to sleep just because of how she looks and negative interpretations of the Pitbull breed. In fact, studies show that Pitbulls are the least aggressive dog breed. Sounds crazy right? Then why all these dog attacks? Well, sadly (in this case) they are very receptive to training, eager to please their masters, and also inherently strong. It has been bad bad bad humans that have trained these dogs to be aggressive. Still skeptical? Read this article about how a majority of Michael Vick's fighting dogs were placed in homes with new families after some love and structured training.
It's funny when you adopt a Pitbull. All of your friends with Pitties will come out of the woodwork to share with you their challenges of being responsible owners of the breed. Not because of the dogs mind you. The issue comes from our communities. For example, to get a lease approved in most properties, you may have to fib about your dog breed. Personally, people have scowled and looked at me as if I was a piece of trash with my loyal pup behaving by my side. Some cities have created breed specific legislation that actually bans Pitbulls from being allowed in city/county limits or you risk having your dog automatically confiscated and put to sleep. It goes on and on because some terrible people have trained these otherwise great dogs to be monsters.
I decided that I wanted to do something positive for dogs like Emma. I started a website called NotABully.org which is dedicated to sharing the positive stories of rescued Pitbulls that have been through the worst (bait dogs, abused dogs, dogs that were kicked/shot/starved) and have every reason to hate humans, but with some love and training they have made positive impacts on our communities. I want to show people that these dogs are not naturally aggressive. That even after facing every hardship possible, these dogs are still fantastic.
Cesar Millan's dog JuniorI've started with a series of dog portraits (examples above), which I will post more examples at the bottom of this post, and articles for a few sites and magazines to raise awareness. Emma and I even visit schools in low income areas to teach about dog adoption and the negatives of dog fighting and dog abuse. I am hoping to expand to other avenues such as short videos sharing inspiring dog stories and arranging dog adoption events. As you can tell, I am very passionate about the subject.
Visiting schools with EmmaI've always told people that ask me advice about how to get more success and fulfillment out of their photo careers that personal work is absolutely KEY. Every time I have pursued something that I'm passionate about for a personal photo series, it has always gone somewhere. Well, this project is no exception. The moment I started the portrait series, I admittedly started blabbing about it to everyone that would listen. Well, that paid off! About 2 months in, the folks from the National Geographic channel reached out to me and asked me to come into their offices in downtown DC to discuss a project...
Little did I know National Geographic Wild and Cesar Millan (aka the Dog Whisperer) were planning out a TV special about trying to change the negative stigmas around Pitbulls, exactly what I was trying to accomplish with my site / positive PR movement Not A Bully. They actually wanted to have Ceasar fly to the east coast and film him coming to visit me in studio as I took Pittie portraits as well as have me share about Not A Bully and how it was inspired by Emma and pups like her. Filming happened late in 2013 and after many months of excitedly waiting, the special "Love My Pitbull" is finally coming out THIS FRIDAY on April 18 at 9pm on National Geographic Wild channel.
At the premiereI went to show's premiere in LA last week and saw the show and it is awesome. They even asked to put some of my Not A Bully portraits up on display! If you were ever curious about how Pitbulls got their bad image and what we can do to make a difference, you have to see the special!
Please follow Not A Bully on Facebook to get updates or get involved in helping save some wonderful dogs!
See more of my photography on my website: www.SondersPhotography.com
This campaign has been awesome and has grown larger than I ever thought possible. I've gotten HUNDREDS of emails from folks wanting to help as well as share their stories. I've loved every moment and so excited to share Not A Bully with the rest of the world!
Remember, personal projects keep your work fresh, your creativity on its toes, and can get folks excited about what interests you most! Consider this a perfect example! Funny though, I'm normally a human and car photographer and I never thought I'd get so much press for dog portraits, but I am happy it is for an excellent cause and will hopefully help make a difference.
Again, please watch the special on Nat Geo Wild channel this Friday April 18 at 9pm!
Emma
BTS photo of my dog portrait setup. Ring light on my Phase One, overhead beauty dish, and two strip lights behind
On set with Cesar Millan, Emma, and Junior. Photo by my shoot assistant Jonathan Taylor
Awesome shout out!
You're still having a problem dealing with my replies I see.
Your still trying? That's adorable.
You're still replying.
Well bless your heart... lol it takes a out 15 seconds to type this. Your still not offering anything that shows any sign of intelligent thought.
Fortunately for me I don't care of your perception of me. And you're still replying.
《Yawn》... anything else?
Yes, you obviously have no life if you keep responding to someone you consider a troll.
Nope it's my week off from the pharmacy. I'm just relaxing watching tv.
Apparently you love this stuff tho.
Perhaps it humors me... or perhaps it's a momentary distraction from boredom.
The hits just keep on coming.
And yet...you are a troll. A DBO troll.
Another one who can't deal.
Boom. Right there. You just won.
I registered just to say that. That moment. That's when you won the argument.
Yea, and just ignore the fact that the dog you chose has a reputation for killing one person every 7 days or so. You are a responsible dog owner and YOUR pibbles would never hurt a fly.
I wouldn't ever own something as potentially dangerous as a pitbull. I don't know about the 7-day thing however.
Oh excuse me, where are the parents???????
Keep your rotten brats away from my dogs.
Ignorance is bliss...
Well, speaking of ignorance, it seems like no answer, no response, no evidence and nothing anyone could say will satisfy you. You're not seeking information and education about this issue.You view this as a fight or a competition. You have a "point" to defend and you cherry pick points to "prove" it. Seems like all you care about is the adrenaline rush of arguing with people on social media. People who are experienced with animals and dedicated to educating people who want to think and be informed will continue to do so.
No, I just find an ad campaign that tries to paint these dogs in a friendly light pretty laughable.
With all due respect - especially with this incident -- it's also up to the owner to keep control of their dogs. My dogs are well socialized enough that even if a kid teased them they wouldn't do anything but I don't let that happen. IT is sad that there is an ownership problem, but breed bans and BSL don't help with that.
Usually when their parents are not watching them and leaving them alone. ALL breeds can and will bite. It's happened time and time again.
Most of these dogs have a.not been properly socialized,b.not NEUTERED
or SPAYED.
And many *were* properly socialized and altered.
well it would be "many" if that were true..fact is most of those dogs were resident dogs..mixed breeds..unsocialized..and left unattended...and out of over 80 million dogs in the US alone..dog fatalities are tragic..but they are rare..
13 killings by pits in 4 months is rare? No other animal would be allowed anywhere near people with that kind of track record.
Pits? Or look like pits? Nico is a pit right? Boxers look like pits too when bred with a lab. Exactly like pits. You want it to be pits but truth is, you don't really know that they were.
Jaron, as the moderator of this discussion I am curious why you have not posted my original reply to you. I tried a number of times to post it but you obviously have blocked it. I was not rude or offensive I merely pointed out the completely illogical rational for describing Pitbulls as 'safe'. Maybe a little sarcastically but that was only to highlight the ridiculousness of all the 'what an amazing cause' fanboys. I have photographed too many victims of dog attacks, with 100's of micro stitching to their faces and necks, numerous operations, lives destroyed etc, all because someones much loved and 'completely harmless Pitbull' went feral with no provocation etc etc. In the interests of balance don't moderate out opinions you don't like. You will not find a professional (and I separate professional from dog lover) in the dog industry who believes Pitbulls are safe. They are genetically breed to kill. End of story. Perhaps you could explain your moderation rationale? Cheer Mike
Hello Mike,
We didn't block your post, disqus is a pretty buggy commenting system. Sorry for this issue.
mwphotografica there are MANY professionals in the dog industry that believe pit bulls are safe. Victoria Stilwell called pit bulls ""some of the most loveable and trainable dogs shes met" ALL dogs are safe if raised properly and trained properly by responsible owners. You are full of to much propaganda to understand that it seems
Hmmmm, think it might be financially motivated?
LOL. OK. What are the chances that this ISN'T some sort of global conspiracy and ALL of these well-respected experts AREN'T in collusion. Have you heard of "Occam's Razor"? You're making an awful lot of conjecture.
There are many professional drivers that believe Ford Pintos are safe. I have a Pinto and it has never given me any trouble. Some of the nicest cars on the road today are Pintos. Pay no attention to haters who say the gas tanks explode. ANY car can kill you! It's all how you take care of them.
You will not find a professional in the dog industry that thinks pit bulls are safe? Are you serious?
Here's a few that I can name off the top of my head. I can't think of any organizations or behaviorists (professional, not self proclaimed) who think that they ARE dangerous:
Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Karen London, Karen Pryor. That's PhD level animal behavior, FYI.
The APDT, HSUS, ASPCA . ,. . . I could go on.
http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-one-can-be-great-th...
oh here we go...yet another blog site made up by haters who run hate sites all over social media! C'Mon seriously? Blog?
Click on any of those quotes and they are all linked to the original source.
Yep, and "Randall Lockwood" who I'm sure compares with Patricia McConnell. Who has actual credentials, unlike some of the "animal behaviorists" mentioned in t hat post.
If I put "animal behaviorist" after my name, that's as good as a PhD, dozens of best-selling books, decades of experience and professional clout? Right?
I need a sarcasm font -- let me be more clear. Whoever any of those people were, they in no way compare to the people I listed JUST off the top of my head.
Anyone that tells the truth about these mutants is a "hater". Anyone that doesn't agree with your position is a "hater". Anyone that doesn't blame the victims is a "hater". Anyone that doesn't drink the pit bull Kool-Aid is a "hater".
Anyone that plots how to kill my dog, who has never done anything wrong is a hater. Yep.
http://foolishfolliestoo.com
planning to kill a dog who has done nothing ..and for looking a certain way.. doesn't exactly make you a nice person karen..so yeah..you are the worst kind of hater ..a fear mongering hater.
thruthaboutpitbulls at blogspot. Is that what we're going with?
The people and organizations I mentioned are the best of the best.
you missed the point.
Point is These dogs KILL Kids. Nuff said.
Regularly!
these dogs? which ones since you have the DNA on the few tragic fatalities..fear mongering is not a point or a fact...
We are talking about PIT breeds Mary! How many DBRF's per year by pits is it going to take for you to consider they are a serious liability. Are you OK with 20 deaths? Still good dogs, huh? How about 30? Is that OK? We are on track to lose 50 people this year from dangerous dog attacks. Most perps will be pits and most victims will be kids. That's not big problem for you as long as you can defend your favorite dog.
I am talking about mixes..most victims of dog attacks of any breed are children. and don't try and put words in my mouth that I have never said or thought..that is just bad psychology..no matter how you try to twist it..you are at close to the same place as you were last year..there are around 30 - 35 dog fatalities a year..last year was down from the year before.. dog fatalities are tragic..but they are still rare
Let's go with the good standard of 1%. And heck, we can take it either way. If either 1% of all Pit Bulls (using the same standard pool for those) end up killing, or 1% of children are killed by Pit Bulls (again, with a solid standard), we'll call it good. But you'll never see anything even CLOSE to one percent. Try more like one in many many millions. If we can all agree on that, I think we'll have a solid standard for an epidemic.