If you look through Carol Arscott's camera lens, looking back at you will always be one of the happiest faces you've ever seen.
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"When I was about 3 years old, my dad brought this guy home," she said pointing to a picture of her childhood dog, Max. "I didn't see him as an animal. I just saw him as another being"
The single worn-out piece of paper is her only photo of Max.
Arscott became a pet photographer to immortalize other people's animals. But along the way she learned her skills could help pets who needed to find a family to love them back.
"Rescues call me in pretty much when they have a dog that's difficult to place. So whether that's an older dog, or a special needs dog, or a dog that's been in rescue for a long time," she explained.
She started doing professional photoshoots for shelters across the Delaware Valley, often taking the pets to fun places like Ridley Creek State Park.
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"The goal is to help people imagine what it would be like to have the dog as part of their family. So rather than seeing a dog scared and in a cage, their intake photo at their shelter, they're out, playing with a ball," she said.
Arscott's service is so popular that she's now getting requests from shelters around the country.
She started a Facebook group called "Rescue for Rescue" where she gives photography advice so every pet can get a beautiful picture.
She's also working on a book right now for the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue that's raised $10,000 so far. It's a labor of love from the ultimate animal lover.
"I mean, I get to play with dogs for a living," she laughed.