Carli Davidson: Tiny Beasts

First Friday Reception: December 2^nd, 6-9pm

“Animals are my people. They’re honest, loving, food-motivated, and do totally gross things on a regular basis. I spend much of my shoot rolling on the ground with whatever animal I’m working with, getting in their skin as much as possible, and encouraging them to open up to the camera just like one would with any model.

I donate my time to animal rescues; some of these animals are included in a project I’m currently doing on pets with disabilities. Shooting for this project and meeting these animals and their owners is humbling and inspiring. It has given me insight into all of the ways these people and animals rely on each other and improve each other’s quality of life. I can’t help but reflect on the incredibly complex dynamic that exists in the animal-human relationship.”

Carli Davidson is both an internationally recognized award winning photographer and an experienced animal trainer and caretaker. Carli is a freelance photographer for the Oregon Zoo, and works regularly with domestic animals both commercially and for her fine art projects. Her history working at the Oregon Zoo, nature preserves and animal rescues have given her the opportunity to care for everything from chimpanzees to rats. Check out more of Carli’s work at carlidavidsonphotography.com.