HEALER
HEALER: Experience the Healing Power of Dogs (2022)
When I started my career as an animal photographer almost 15 years ago, I thought I was creating work on behalf of dogs — to create art that gave a voice to the voiceless. As the years have gone by, what I’ve come to realize is that I create images of dogs, not so that we as human beings can understand them, but so that we can come to understand ourselves. Dogs connect us to our deepest humanity by showing us how to love, and through their gift of unconditional love and acceptance, they show us how to heal.
The images in HEALER are intimate, black and white portraits of dogs that offer an opportunity for people to stop, breathe, and open their hearts. Viewers are guided to connect with the dog’s eyes, breathe slowly, and listen for the messages the dogs are sharing with them. These photographs create a pathway for people to quiet their minds and calm down their nervous systems, while simultaneously receiving the unique, unconditional, and healing love of a dog.
In these tumultuous times, many of us are looking for ways to find moments of peace and healing. It is my deepest desire to offer people these opportunities — even for a few minutes — by engaging with the beautiful healing energy of dogs through this photo series.
Grace Chon, 2022