Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories
A love letter to the dogs of Northern Michigan - and a chance to make a difference for the ones still waiting to find their home.
Every dog has a story worth telling.
Imagine flipping through the pages of a beautifully published hardcover book and seeing your dog's face looking back at you. Their portrait. Their story. Captured exactly as they are, right now, in this season of your life together.
That's what Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories is all about.
Dear Dogs is a limited-edition coffee table book celebrating 30 dogs from Northern Michigan. Inspired by the joy, devotion, chaos, and comfort they bring into our lives, each spread honors a dog who has made life better, celebrating what it means to love and be loved by a dog.
Created in partnership with Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, this project is an opportunity to create lasting portraits of your dog and be part of a published book that gives back to the animals still waiting for their chance.
By participating, you're not just creating a gorgeous portrait and a spot in a published book - you're helping support the hundreds of animals they care for every year. Together, our goal is to raise $10,000 for Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. Your dog's story helps give another dog the chance at their own.
Keep reading to see how your dog can be one of only 30 featured in this limited-edition book.
Here’s how it works
Step 1: Apply
Fill out the short application below. Tell us a little about your dog - their personality, their quirks, what makes them unmistakably them. There's no wrong answer here.
Step 2: Join the Project
If selected, you'll receive a personal invitation from me to secure your spot with a $95 registration fee - which includes your full portrait session (a $500 value) and your dog's guaranteed double-page spread in the published book.
Step 3: Your Session
We'll schedule your session at a beautiful outdoor location in Northern Michigan. Come ready to have fun. Your dog doesn't need to be well-behaved. They just need to show up!
Step 4: The Artwork
After your session, we'll meet to walk through your portraits together. You'll have the opportunity to choose custom artwork for your home - wall art, albums, keepsakes, and more - so your dog's story doesn't just live in a book. It lives in your space, every single day.
Step 5: The Book
When Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories is published, your dog will be in it permanently. A double-page spread, a portrait, a story that's theirs. And every copy that finds a new home after that continues to raise money for Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. Your dog's story keeps giving long after the last photo is taken.
The Details
What’s Included:
A full portrait session in a beautiful Northern Michigan setting (a $500 value)
A guaranteed double-page spread in the published hardcover book
A story written about your dog, inspired by their application, our session, and our conversations
The opportunity to create lasting artwork for your home after your session
Registration Details:
Registration Fee: $95
Your fee includes your photo session and your dog’s feature in the book.
Fundraising Details: 50% of all registration fees are donated directly to Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. All proceeds from hardcover book sales go entirely to LTBHS - along with additional funds raised through a donate-to-vote cover contest prior to publishing.
Spots are limited—apply today before they're gone!
In Partnership With Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society has been serving pets and the people who love them in Northern Michigan for decades - providing compassionate, comprehensive care to 900+ animals every year. Located between Harbor Springs and Petoskey, LTBHS supports the community through adoption services, veterinary care, boarding, grooming, doggy daycare, and training programs.
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization.
50% of registration fees and 100% of book sale proceeds for Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories benefits Little Traverse Bay Humane Society and their continued work in the community.
Interested in supporting the project as a sponsor? Learn more below.
Learn more about Little Traverse Bay Humane Society by visiting their website.
Meet Amanda.
Professional pet photographer and your dog’s new biggest fan.
I'm an award-winning pet photographer based in Northern Michigan - and this is genuinely my favorite thing in the world to do: spend time with dogs and help their people preserve the soulful, silly, wonderfully weird moments that make their dog exactly who they are.
My sessions are dog-led, stress-free, and so much fun that most dogs are passed out on the drive home. There are no forced poses, no pressure to perform, and no such thing as a dog that's "too much." The goofy ones, the shy ones, the ones who would rather be at home still curled up in their favorite spot - they all end up with portraits that make their people smile, laugh, and cry happy tears. That's kind of the goal.
Giving back has always been at the heart of my work. Through calendar contests alone, I've helped raise over $33,000 for local rescues in the last three years - and Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories is the most ambitious and personal project I've taken on yet. Every portrait I create is a chance to leave a lasting impact - for you, for your dog, and for the animals still waiting for their second chance.
I can't wait to meet your dog.
This is more than a session. It’s artwork that lasts a lifetime.
You know that full-body wiggle your dog does when they see you? Tail wagging. Eyes sparkling. Pure joy.
That's how you'll feel every time you see their portraits in your home. These aren't just photos. They're a daily reminder of their love, their quirks, their irreplaceable place in your life - captured exactly as they were, right now.
After the session, we’ll connect to view the portraits we created together and choose how you’d like to enjoy them. Many participants turn their favorite images into artwork for their home - pieces that make them smile every single day.
From framed prints to handcrafted albums and beautiful keepsakes, there’s truly something for everyone. Artwork begins at $395 for small products and print bundles, with wall art starting at $695. There is no obligation to purchase, but when you fall in love with your portraits, I’ll help you find the perfect way to honor your best friend.
Questions? We’ve got you (and your dog) covered.
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Not at all. All dogs from all backgrounds are welcome to apply. This book celebrates the dogs of Northern Michigan - and that means every dog.
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Absolutely. Most of the dogs I photograph are on-leash during our sessions. Leashes are removed during editing, so your final portraits look natural and beautiful.
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This experience is for all personality types! Your dog does NOT need to be the most well-trained, well-behaved dog to participate. I have many tricks up my sleeve to get beautiful images of your dog, no matter their obedience level or temperament.
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Absolutely! If you have multiple dogs you'd like to include in your session, just indicate that on your application and we'll discuss your options. At minimum, additional dogs from your household are welcome to share a double-page spread with your primary dog.
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Absolutely. Those special moments between you and your dog are some of my absolute favorites to capture, and I always recommend hopping in for at least a few.
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Sessions will be held at beautiful outdoor locations across Northern Michigan throughout 2026, usually starting roughly 2 hours before sunset. Exact locations are TBD but will be discussed on an individual basis.
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Our goal is to raise $10,000 for Little Traverse Bay Humane Society through this project. Here's how we get there: 50% of every registration fee is donated directly to LTBHS, and 100% of hardcover book sale proceeds benefit them as well. Prior to publishing, we'll also host a donate-to-vote cover contest with proceeds benefiting LTBHS. Business and individual sponsorships are also available to help support the project - reach out to learn more.
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Prior to publishing, I'll host a donate-to-vote cover contest where the community helps choose which dogs appear on the front and back covers of the book. It's a fun way to keep the excitement going and raise even more for LTBHS. More details to come once all sessions are complete!
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The goal is Winter 2026, ideally before the holidays - though the timeline flows with how quickly spots fill and sessions are completed. Quality always comes first, so the publishing timeframe is subject to change.
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Absolutely - and most people fall in love with their portraits once they see them. After your session we'll connect to walk through your images together, and I'll help you find the perfect way to enjoy them. Small products and print bundles begin at $395, and wall art starts at $695. There is no obligation to purchase, and payment plans are available.
Now Accepting Applications!
Want to see your dog in the Dear Dogs: Portraits & Stories book - and support Little Traverse Bay Humane Society? Apply today! Spots are filled on a rolling basis and applications will close once all spots are filled.
Scroll to complete & submit the application form.
Interested in Supporting Dear Dogs?
Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals who want to support this project and Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. Every contribution - at any level - helps make this book possible and brings us one step closer to our goal of raising $10,000 for LTBHS.
