Pauliina Saarinen, a Duncan based pet photographer, is a top dog among 32 finalists of the International Photographic Competition in the Pets and Domestic Animals category for one of her photos of a family dog that was captured in a beautiful location at a local forest park.
“I’m a nature lover. I want to capture the beauty of Vancouver Island landscapes in my pet photography,” said Saarinen. “I found the e-mail in my junk mailbox and was about to hit delete when I clued in what the message said. I almost missed the news. It’s a great feeling to be included among the finalists in this prestigious international competition. If my image advances in the competition, I’ll celebrate it but, in my mind, I have already won.”
This esteemed competition is organized by Professional Photographers of America, and will culminate in a live event in Louisville, Kentucky on Jan. 27, where, through four more rounds of judging, finalists will be narrowed down to the category winner. While Saarinen won’t be making the trip to Kentucky, she is excited to tune in online and follow real-time updates on their website. To view the finalists visit www.ppa.com.
Saarinen said that photographing pets and wildlife has been a longtime hobby of hers and in 2020 she started her pet photography career as a full-time professional.
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“I travel all over Vancouver Island to photograph mostly dogs and their people — but also cats, horses, and other pets,” said Saarinen. “It’s the best job in the world! I love to create deeply personal art for my client’s homes.”
Earlier this year Saarinen’s images were awarded in the International Pet Photographer of the Year competition — the largest photography competition that showcases talent within the pet photography industry. Receiving more than 2,200 entries from across the globe, two of Saarinen’s submissions were among the contest’s top 100.
“Pets aren’t the easiest subjects to photograph so many people choose to leave the job to the professional,” said Saarinen.
When Saarinen’s work isn’t being regarded as the cat’s pajamas in photography competitions she uses her award-winning talent to make a difference in the community. Along with the proceeds from three contests she’s entered, Saarinen has produced a series of Vancouver Island Dogs Calendars — raising nearly $100,000 over three years for the Vancouver Island charity Operation Freedom Paws Canada based in Fanny Bay. This charity, is an important one as it matches rescue dogs with people needing a service dog, and provides support and training to certify them as Service Dog Teams under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to help. I want to put my photography to work for the common good,” said Saarinen. “Operation Freedom Paws Canada rescues both ends of the leash and offers a lifeline program for their clients. I’m pleased to donate my time and effort to this small but mighty charity. I couldn’t have raised that money without the support of generous sponsors on Vancouver Island and beyond. They have donated fantastic prizes for the contest. It’s the combined efforts that create the biggest impact.”
Saarinen has created three calendars for OFP Canada to date from 2022-2024. The 2024 Vancouver Island Dogs calendar is available for purchase through the charity’s website at ofpcanada.org. The Vancouver Island Dogs 2025 calendar contest will launch on March 19. The contest is open to all dogs on Vancouver Island. If you want to get your dog in the contest follow Pauliina Saarinen Photography on Facebook and Instagram or contact her through her website at www.pauliinasaarinen.com where you will see her portfolio of pets and other animals.
“I aspire to capture the animal’s essence and personality in photographs because that’s what their owners see every day at home,” said Saarinen. “That’s what they love most about their pets. Pets make our hearts fill with love, and they make us laugh. I want the feelings of love and joyfulness to shine through my imagery.”