Scottsdale Photographer Wins Shutterstock International Creative Grant for Rescue Work

PHOENIX - Oct. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Since 2009, Susan Schmitz has taken photographs of over 300 homeless animals and her images have helped raise in excess of $70,000 for local rescue groups. On October 8th, Schmitz, owner of Photo Fusion Studio and A Dog’s Life Photography in Scottsdale, was selected as a winner in the Shutterstock International Creative Stories Grant Program. The $5,000 Award will be used to expand her rescue program which develops pet adoption ads for area shelters.

The contest was part of Shutterstock’s 10th Anniversary as the global leader in digital imagery and attracted entries from photographers, illustrators and filmmakers from 5 continents. Schmitz submitted a video entry of her rescue photo program earlier this year and was selected as one of 26 finalists on September 19th.  The contest 7 winners, only 2 of which are from North America, were chosen by a panel of creative experts and through a People’s Choice Award.

According to Schmitz, “I am thrilled to be part of this group of amazing artists and want to thank Shutterstock for “throwing us a bone” by awarding us this grant.  This allows me to grow my rescue photo program from 1 day to 3 days a week and will help save countless more lives.”

Schmitz licenses images through her pet photography division to offset her program costs through www.adogslifephoto.com.  A Dog’s Life Photography produces high quality images used by advertising agencies and manufacturers nationwide and was voted as “Best in the  Valley” by Phoenix Magazine in 2011.

Approximately 3.4 million dogs and cats will be discarded this year in the United States alone. “The more adoptions this program encourages, the more animals we can save from euthanasia.” Schmitz urges other photographers to get involved and volunteer their time.

Schmitz is the owner of Photo Fusion Studio, a cooperative of leading area photographers based in Scottsdale.  For more information on Susan Schmitz and her pet photo program, call (480) 237-9933 or visit www.adogsllifephoto.com or www.photofusionstudio.com.  Photo Fusion Studio is located at 7127 E. 6th Avenue in Scottsdale.