Volunteer & Advocate
Animal Rescue Work
Animal Rescue Work
I am deeply committed to supporting those who are most vulnerable—those who cannot care for themselves and who deserve love, compassion, and care but aren’t receiving it.
No animal should suffer due to human neglect or abuse. No child should have to worry about their next meal or their safety.
Every living being deserves love.
This belief drives me to dedicate my time to volunteer work and to donate to organizations that share this mission.
I began photographing animals in shelters to help them find loving homes in 2009.
It’s what led me to leave my career as a TV news reporter and create my own business to help families and brands celebrate their love for animals and make a greater impact in our communities.
Since 2009, I’ve photographed thousands of animals to help them find forever homes. I’ve captured the work of resuces in action to help them tell their stories of life-saving work and inspire others to get involved.
Each year TLC donates an average of 3-4 work weeks worth of photography with animal rescue groups in the Raleigh area as well as serving at my church and my daughters’ public school.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
It started with a photo. A quick snapshot of a little puppy not quite sure where he was or where he’d end up. His name is Baxter and he is the reason you’ve found my site! Tara Lynn & Co. would not exist without him.
My husband saw his photo on PetFinder.com in 2008 after we first visited our local shelters. Baxter’s bio said he lived with a family with seven children. They moved out and the landlord found him in the backyard in the middle of the night scared, alone, and with an injured paw. We knew instantly he was “the one.”
Little three-month-old Baxter was two-and-a-half-hours away at a shelter in Florence, South Carolina. I drove up from Charleston. My husband drove from Chapel Hill. We met our pup on the front porch and fell in love. Baxter would be living with Brandon in Chapel Hill. No problem right? I never grew up with dogs, only cats, so I didn’t think I would be so attached. Boy was I wrong.
Pet Helpers – Charleston, S.C.
Within two weeks of adopting Baxter, I was signed up to volunteer at a shelter down the street, Pet Helpers, to walk dogs and love on them…really trying to get my fill of puppy love since Baxter was four hours away! After a few rounds of volunteering, I noticed the adoptable dogs’ photos were often not up on the website. This is a common problem at shelters where the staff is stretched thin. I offered to take photos of the pups because I knew this would up their chances of being adopted. After all, that’s how we found Baxter!
I started out with my point-and-shoot and captured some good shots. But I wanted to do better. I purchased my first DSLR camera from a local photographer who showed me the ropes. The pictures started to make a big difference, helped free up time for the staff and it filled my heart with so much joy.
I specifically remember the shelter (Pet Helpers) posting a particular photo of a pup named Sunshine on their Facebook page (photo on the right). Somebody immediately commented that they were interested and drove to the shelter later that day to adopt Sunshine based on his photo! Wow! One photo certainly made a difference for that dog!
The SPCA of Wake County – Raleigh, N.C.
When I moved to Raleigh in 2011, I began volunteering for the SPCA of Wake County to take photos of the animals looking for forever homes. We also had monthly themed photo shoots to highlight overlooked dogs. No matter what mood I walked in with, I’m always light as a feather and smiling when I walk out. I volunteered with the SPCA from 2011-2021.
I had the opportunity to photograph dozens of dogs the SPCA rescued from puppy mills, and even documented and assisted on the scene of a Brunswick County puppy mill bust in August of 2012. I am proud to have shared my gift with the SPCA of Wake County for nearly ten years.
Pink the pup at the SPCA of Wake County
Toby was one of my favorite long-timers at the SPCA
Triangle Beagle Rescue of North Carolina
My husband is also to thank for my involvement with Triangle Beagle Rescue of North Carolina. He grew up with beagles and Baxter was at least half-beagle. I started volunteering with this foster-based rescue in 2012. Nearly every year since I have held a fundraising photo booth at the annual Beaglefest event. We also host a special holiday photo fundraiser with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Each photo booth event usually raises about $1250 or more!
Some of my favorite memories with TBR include photographing Marge and Rodgers’ bucket list wedding and the rescue of more than 100 beagles from the Envigo testing lab in 2022.
Marge and Rogers’ Wedding
Rescued beagle touches grass for the first time
Saving Grace Animal Rescue – Wake Forest, N.C.
In 2023, I joined the volunteer team at Saving Grace Animal Rescue to photograph adoptable dogs monthly.
Helping these pups find homes with a great photo overflows my heart. Of course, some puppy snuggles in between photos are also a plus. Saving Grace and its founder, Molly Goldston, have created a paradise for dogs waiting to find forever homes. The open space is inviting and allows the dogs’ personalities to really shine.
Tootles
Meatballs
Tara Lynn is a proud member of Hearts Speak, a non-profit that helps shelter animals be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need.
Interested in booking a session with Tara Lynn? Please fill out the form below! You can also email me directly at tara (at) inbetweentheblinks (dot) com or call me at (757) 406-2752.