Think your pooch has what it takes to be a canine super model? Tanya Odom, owner of Oh, Goodness – Fine Portraits, is looking for the Triad’s most loved dogs to feature in a coffee-table book benefiting Stepping Stones Canine Rescue.  The project will be a unique fundraiser for the all-volunteer non-profit that is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

“We love new ideas that get people excited about rescue, and this photobook is different from any project we’ve done before,” said Erin Turner one of the co-founders of Stepping Stones Canine Rescue.  “Tanya captures the personalities of the pups perfectly, and the finished product will be something that the owners of each dog can cherish and display for years to come.”

The cost for the pet portrait session and copy of the hard-cover completed book is $150.  Sessions can be scheduled by visiting the Stepping Stones website, www.lovethemutt.org, and choosing the Dogs of Winston-Salem Photo Book tab.  

Owners are invited to bring props, pet clothes, and anything that showcase their pet’s special personality, style and talent.  Family members can be included in the portrait, and all dogs are photographed at the Oh, Goodness studios located at 433 West End Blvd in Winston-Salem.  Photography sessions must be scheduled by March 31.  

Odom has completed about 25 of the 130 pet portraits that will be included in the book.  One of her favorites so far is the portrait of Nash who was rescued through Stepping Stones.  Nash suffered from rickets, and was adopted by a family whose young daughter also had rickets.        

According to Turner, Stepping Stones will use the proceeds from the book fundraiser to help cover the costs of veterinary care, food and other supplies. Winston-Salem residents may be familiar with Stepping Stones through its Saturday adoption events at Pet Supermarket in the Thruway Shopping Center.  The non-profit relies solely on volunteers to provide rescue homes for the dogs before they are adopted.  Each dog receives updated vaccines, any needed medical care, and monthly heartworm treatment and flea & tick prevention.  Stepping Stones also financially supports the local Spay & Neuter Coalition to help low-income families pay to have their animals spayed and neutered.

Odom, who has operated Oh, Goodness – Fine Portraits for more than 10 years, is known for her community support.  She has provided pro-bono photography for a variety of local non-profits including Brenner Children’s Hospital, the Winston-Salem Symphony, ABC of North Carolina, SECU Family House and Children’s Law Center. 

“I love being able to capture special moments with our family portrait photography,” said Odom.  “We’ve included many dogs in family portraits, but focusing just on the dog gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase the individual personality.  Each session is an adventure, and is filled with joy and amazement as the dog takes center stage.  

“Whether or not your dog was rescued, this project is a great way to support an organization whose volunteers work so hard to find loving families for dogs in need of a home.”

Questions about the Dogs of Winston-Salem Photo Book should be directed to Tanya Odom at tanya@ohgoodnessportraits.com.