STRAY GARDENS
Photographer Julie McGuire on Dog Talk
When British-born photographer Julie McGuire moved to India 11 years ago, she was shocked to find some 250,000 stray dogs living on the streets of Bangalore. The melee of homeless hounds inspired her to focus on a long-term project documenting the roles of dogs in societies around the world.
Her book, Hounds of Hope, is collection of stunning photographs of life at the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) in Maylasia, where German retiree Barbara Janssen lives with more than 250 rescued dogs on a Grey Gardens-esque property that she set up as a “hotel for dogs.”
4PAWS is now a nonprofit rescue organization with a no-kill policy, relying upon donations and volunteers to care for the dogs and to promote adoption. The photograph above, entitled “Full House,” taken by Julie at 4PAWS, won a World Press Photo award in 2014.
I was delighted to welcome Julie to the 2nd Annual Dog Film Festival, held at Symphony Space in New York City on October 15. Julie generously volunteered to photograph the event, and it was a perfect match, as her work embodies the Festival’s mission to inspire, educate and entertain through documentary, animated and narrative films, partnering in each location with an animal welfare organization that receives proceeds.
My interview with Julie aired on Dog Talk recently, and the podcast is now online.
When she’s not traveling the world or focused on other projects, Julie is available to capture pet portraits. For a fee, she will schedule a session with you and your best friend!
—Tracie Hotchner
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