The Tilly Project: End-of-life photography

As pawrents we are sadly familiar with the pain of having to say goodbye to our beloved pets. Despite knowing they’re angels who are simply too perfect to remain in this world for as long as we do, the impotence that fills our hearts when the time comes for them to cross the rainbow bridge is overwhelming. One of the main things that help us is memorialize and honor them are photos. We came across an incredible organization that deserves a shout out:

The Tilly Project

The Tilly Project was born in 2021 after its founder, Lauren Kennedy, was contacted by a friend regarding a dog that was about to cross the rainbow bridge, for which she offered a free end-of-life pet photography session.

Pet loss and grief was nothing new to her since she tragically lost her soulmate, her cat Tilly, in 2018. The importance of honoring a pet AND making it accessible for all was something very important to her.

After posting the photos online, the response was overwhelming and it became quickly apparent that this service was very much needed. She received so many requests that she couldn’t fulfill them all, so she created a Facebook group to allow networking between clients seeking the service and photographers. There’s now an ever-growing list of over 300+ photographers across the WORLD!

This is an absolutely incredible initiative that we at Canine University are now proud to promote to help the families going through these awful times. We’ve seen tons of posts from amazing photographers in the Facebook group and although they bring tears to our eyes, they also bring smiles because these families will now have the most gorgeous memories with their dogs, cats and other pets taken by a professional.

We encourage you to visit the official website: thetillyproject.org and also join the Facebook group so you can:

• Connect with end-of-life pet photographers across the world
• Find photography tutorials for when a professional photographer isn’t an option.
• Gather resources for pet owners who are living with anticipatory grief or pet loss.
• Find ideas to memorialize your furry baby.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

 

How do I find a photographer near me?

Visit thetillyproject.org/find-a-photographer and/or join the Facebook group thetillyproject.org/find-a-photographer

I’m a photographer, how do I add my name to the website?

Visit thetillyproject.org/add-your-name/. You must have a public virtual portfolio/social media to share on this list so clients are able to view it prior.

Do end-of-life (EOL) sessions cost anything?

Every end-of-life session is different. Some photographers do this complimentary, while others do photography as a business and do charge- whether that be full price or a discounted session. It is up to the photographer and the client to talk about pricing.

I can’t find a photographer in my area…now what?

Unfortunately, this will occasionally happen, and we recognize that travel isn’t always an option. You can join a Facebook group within your state or community and putting the word out about this need there. This way you can connect with local photographers who may just not know about the Tilly Project yet!

I’m just getting started doing EOL pet photography, where do I even start?

TheTillyProject.org is filled with resources including posing, tips to start and more.

What other resources for grief do you have?

Another main focus of the Tilly Project is to provide resources for anticipatory grief, pet loss, and bereavement. Please note that in no way does this take the place of professional mental health care nor is this a source of professional help.

First photo by Evan Jones. Second by Kaitlyn Rosae. Third by Brooke Lewis. Fourth by Jillian Turner.