Portraits With Purpose: Creating Connection Through Art

At Olive & Fable, every portrait begins with a story. Long before I became a Kirkland pet photographer, photography was my way of understanding the world and finding connection within it. As an introvert, I often felt that words alone couldn’t express what lived beneath the surface, but my camera could. It became the bridge between myself and others, a way to listen, to see, and to show people (and now pets) the beauty they already carry.

Over time, I realized that photography could do even more than preserve moments. It could spark change. It could amplify meaningful causes. It could bring light to stories that deserve to be seen.
That belief grew into Portraits With Purpose - an ongoing initiative shaped around storytelling, community, and giving back.

The Beginning: People, Portraits, and Community

Before Olive & Fable existed, I photographed people. One of my earliest projects aimed to capture individuals as they truly were, without performance, without expectation, just honest connection. It culminated in a gallery showing that brought together strangers from every walk of life.

What moved me most wasn’t the art on the walls; it was the conversations. People who had never met found themselves standing shoulder to shoulder, discovering shared humanity in the portraits before them.

That experience rewired something in me. I realized photography could be a catalyst for empathy and community. That lesson still guides everything I do.

From People to Pets: Continuing the Mission

Now, as a Seattle pet photographer, I carry that same intention forward, only my subjects happen to have fur, feathers, or hooves. Each year, Olive & Fable commits to at least one Portraits With Purpose project, using storytelling and artistry to uplift rescue organizations and local causes.

This year, we proudly partnered with three meaningful fundraisers, each reflecting the heart of what Olive & Fable stands for: compassion, connection, and legacy.

Fundraiser Spotlight: Projects Close to Our Hearts

1. Puget Sound Goat Rescue Calendar

Puget Sound Goat Rescue is a nonprofit dedicated to saving goats and sheep from neglect, abuse, and slaughter. Their team provides medical care, safe shelter, nutritious food, and loving rehabilitation before placing animals in forever homes. They also support farm sanctuaries in need and work tirelessly to educate the community on compassionate animal care.

This year, Olive & Fable photographed the remarkable residents of the rescue for their annual calendar, a celebration of resilience, gentleness, and second chances. Each portrait highlights not just an animal, but a story of survival and hope. Proceeds from the calendar directly support the rescue’s medical expenses, feed, and ongoing sanctuary operations.

This project captured everything I love about using art for good: connection, advocacy, and the chance to spotlight beings who are so often overlooked. You can buy the calendar HERE and help raise funds for a great cause while also getting year round artwork on your wall!

2. Dogtopia Foundation Calendar

The Dogtopia Foundation works to fund service dogs for veterans, support youth literacy programs, and provide employment opportunities for adults with autism. Their mission is rooted in creating healthier, happier lives through the powerful bond between humans and dogs.

We collaborated with Dogtopia Bellevue and Dogtopia Redmond locations for their annual fundraising calendar, photographing dogs whose stories were overflowing with heart. Funds raised help provide service dogs to veterans, dogs trained to bring stability, emotional support, and independence to those who have served.

Being a part of this project felt deeply meaningful. Photography has always been about connection for me, and capturing the dogs who will go on to change someone’s life is a reminder of just how extraordinary the human–animal bond can be.

3. Christmas Photo Pop-Up at Kirkwood Pets to Benefit Seattle Humane

This season, Olive & Fable is also collaborating with Kirkwood Pets to bring to life a festive Christmas photo pop-up at Kirkwood Pets, with all proceeds benefiting Seattle Humane, one of the region’s most respected shelters with over 125 years of service. Seattle Humane provides lifesaving care, adoption services, humane education, and community support that keeps pets and families together.

Our pop-up invites families to celebrate the holidays with joyful, low-cost portraits while giving back to a cause that uplifts thousands of pets each year. It is a beautiful blend of community spirit, local collaboration, and holiday magic.

Why Portraits With Purpose Matters

At the core of every fundraiser, every collaboration, and every portrait session is a belief that art can create meaningful impact.

Photography helps us remember what truly connects us, empathy, love, and shared experience. Whether I’m photographing goats who’ve finally found safety, service dogs training for their future partners, or beloved pets in our Downtown Kirkland studio, my mission is the same: to use storytelling to inspire connection and compassion.

Quiet voices still matter. Small ripples still reach far shores. And every portrait has the power to make a difference.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the new year, Olive & Fable is already dreaming up our next Portraits With Purpose project. The full concept is still taking shape, but like all our past collaborations, it will center around community, storytelling, and giving back to the animals and humans who make our world brighter.

If you're part of a rescue, nonprofit, or organization that would benefit from a creative partnership, we would be honored to connect with you.

Together, we can use art to create something meaningful, one portrait at a time.