If you're a pet owner,??? ?? there's a high chance that your phone is flooded with pictures of your pet. And that's completely understandable. How can you resist that adorable face? Answer: You can't.
That's also the reason why pictures play a huge role in pet adoption.
“Photography is critical in appealing to human emotion. People connect with pets through pictures," Cathy Bissell, CEO of Bissell Pet Foundation, told us. "Every picture tells a story to the viewer and often it is the face of a pet that motivates someone to adopt."
This is why the Bissell Pet Foundation has partnered with photographer Pei Ketron, who specializes in iPhone photography, to capture some of Berkeley Humane Society's fluffy friends at their cutest prior to the Empty the Shelters adoption event, happening in various locations across Northern California on March 18.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable SEE ALSO: Aubrey Plaza gives charming, adoptable puppies fantastic backstories "My motivation behind Empty the Shelters is to get people to understand that there are wonderful pets in shelters, and that should be the first place they go to look for a pet," Bissell explained. "By creating a big impact with many shelters participating on the same day, the public becomes curious about adoption."
The Bissell Pet Foundation will also be covering all adoption fees at participating shelters on the day of the event, providing prospective pet owners with another incentive to adopt.
The biggest incentive, though, are the sweet animals themselves.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable "When I look at photos of animals, I generally want to see their eyes nicely in focus and some of their character captured, whether it be in a movement or an expression," said photographer Ketron, who took all of the photos displayed here. "I also love to see animals in action - playing or running around."
Ketron's involvement in pet adoption started when she adopted a dog of her own, describing it as the best decision she has ever made.
"During the process and since then, I've paid a lot more attention to organizations that do animal rescue and am really motivated to be active in the process of finding homes for other animals who are down on their luck."
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable "I loved shooting the dogs more than the puppies, because we could take them outside and because they were better at sitting and staying still for treats," Ketron said of her experience with Berkeley Humane Society's cats and dogs.
Ketron also gave a special shout out to Shannon, a cute pup with a cleft snout.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable All of Ketron's photos were shot on an iPhone 7 Plus, giving those of us with no DLSR hope that it is possible to still capture high-quality photos of our pets napping in various positions. We asked Ketron for some iPhone pet photography tips, and here are some of the things she recommends:
1. Have treats and toys ready! You'll get the best results when your subject isn't moving.
2. Give your pup some space. Portrait Mode uses the telephoto lens of the [iPhone] 7 Plus, so a distance of about eight feet away is recommended, possibly more if you want a full body shot.
3. Move away from background elements. That shallow depth of field effect will increase the further away your subject is from the things behind it.
4. Take more than one photo. No one is perfect. If you can get your pup to sit still a little longer, take a few extra just to be on the safe side.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable California's Empty the Shelters will be the fourth time the event has been held within the calendar year. In total, Empty the Shelters has accounted for 2,842 adoptions and each time an animal is adopted, more space opens up in the shelter for a new animal in need.
So go forth and adopt. And then after you adopt, give your new pet the Instagram fame he or she deserves.
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