DEAD DOGS

"I've heard it said that there are two kinds of photographs: those with dogs and those without and the only good ones are with dogs.
- William Wegman

As a documentarian, many affectations are modeled by the pet's master, dressed to impress the judge. I shoot the story created to win the contest. Like the Art world, critics' written interpretation invents or leads to judgment, adding or subtracting value. The perpetuation of beautiful, sexy, and charming men and women with dogs reimagines what this image means. They are not set to impress with the image of desire; instead, they display the love between pet and friend. The family creates a diorama story with props and costumes. Kids, unable to hide their feelings share their pure admiration with their buddies. I don't believe dog owners are unilaterally engaged in displacement, sublimation, or rampant anthropomorphism. People turn to pets for love and affection, a relationship which are so hard to come. I think there is a kernel of truth to that we live in lonely times, and dogs can go a long way toward alleviating loneliness. It's about attachment that's mutual, unambiguous, and it's a kind of connection that is virtually unknowable in human relationships because it's
essentially wordless, but clearly available to see in their images.