Conversations with Joanne Wetzel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Wetzel.

Hi Joanne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I never set out to become a photographer or to own a photography business. Really, my story into pet and rescue photography began accidentally through my volunteer work at our local shelter, the Wake County Animal Center.

A few years ago, upon burning out in a previous business venture and closing that business entirely, I found myself with a lot of free time. I knew that I wanted to do something truly valuable and rewarding while I figured out what was next for me. A friend of mine, who had been fostering dogs for WCAC, told me about the volunteer program to walk and cuddle adoptable dogs and cats at our local shelter. Naturally, that peaked my animal-loving heart, so I applied.

And from then on, I was enamored. I wanted to do everything humanly possible to enrich, advocate for, and be a part of bettering the lives of these homeless animals in Wake County until they found their forever home. So, not only did I walk and cuddle animals, but I got into taking animals to events, writing biographies, taking photos, promoting them on my social channels through video, learning all I could about animal behavior, sharing my experiences as a volunteer, and a lot more.

Now, I wish I could say that my journey into photography was linear, but as entrepreneurship normally goes, that wasn’t the case. In fact, over the past few years, while I had been doing photography on and off for animals at the shelter, I was pursuing other things. For a period of time, I had a marketing business, a YouTube channel, a passive income venture, a podcast, and an education platform, you-name-it.

But, amidst all those other interests, the one thing that kept coming back to me, that was a relentless tugging at my heart, were these animals in need here at home and around the country.

You see, from my experience as a talent, I know first-hand how great photos can get you booked. I took that same approach with pets available for adoption: Great photos get animals adopted, but also can truly save lives.

So, with that idea in mind, I started doing photography and launched my namesake brand back in August of 2019, but it wasn’t until just a few months ago that I decided to take the plunge into photography full time.

My mission is of course to be an advocate and an ally for animals in need, especially dogs. To use my voice, my platform, and my skills to bring focus and awareness to the harder-to-adopt cases, who are often overlooked. They could be our senior dogs, medical cases, Heartworm Positive pups, ones that don’t present well in a kennel, pets that need to be the only ones in the home, and the like. By donating my photography services to them, they are able to be seen, valued, and loved amidst the millions of animals available for adoption.

And if you are wondering, yes, I also do photograph people’s wonderful pooches! I take great pride in being an ally, but I also find immense joy in curating special memories and capturing moments that people can cherish forever of their favorite furry loved one.

So, whether you are a rescue and you might need photos of some of your adoptable or you are a pet parent looking for gorgeous, vibrant portraits of your dog, I’ve got you covered.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think it’s important to share that my biggest entrepreneurial struggle has been that I didn’t listen to my intuition. I allowed pressure and societal expectations to truly dictate the direction of what business I opened and where I was headed. In the end, nothing else worked out, because I didn’t feel like my ‘why’ was truly strong enough.

In the same bead of thought, I also found for a while that I didn’t believe I could have a successful photography business. I kept talking myself out of it saying one day I’ll do it. One day I’ll help dogs. One day I’ll make a difference. But the thing is, friends, one day is already here. Just imagine the impact you can make if you get started today. Not only that, but no one has it figured out at the beginning; you build belief by getting started and taking action.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Pet and Rescue Photographer at my company, Five Freedoms Photography. I specialize in vibrant, bright pet portraiture that truly captures the wild nature and personality of your pet while creating art that you can cherish and adore for years to come.

I am also known for my rescue photography where I lend my talents to homeless animals in and around the Raleigh area through various shelters and rescues in hopes to help get them adopted. I focus on the harder-to-adopt animals, such as senior pets, medical cases, Heartworm positive animals, pets that need to be the only ones in the home, and the like. I strive with each animal I encounter to bring out their best, brightest, and bubbliest selves even amidst all of the change and stress they’ve endured.

I am most proud of my approach to rescue photography; a lot of organizations use what’s known as ‘guilt marketing,’ which can be a huge turn-off for potential adopters as well as followers. I believe that by leveraging positive marketing and gorgeous, happy photos, we can work together to get more animals adopted!

What I would say that sets me apart from other pet photographers is my approach to each session. I have a tremendous amount of experience with dog body language and behavior, so I can understand when an is stressed, shut down, overwhelmed, and such. Along with that, I take special attention and notice to the things that make the animal come alive and leverage those to get the best shots possible. I have complete respect for each animal that comes in front of my lens and I work really hard to ensure they have a stress-free, enjoyable, and happy time along with their parents!

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
For me, personally, one of the most important qualities to success is to do something that you feel makes an impact in some small or grand way. Something that keeps you going when things get tough because assuredly, it will. You can chase money or material possessions, sure, but at some point that will only get you so far. When you create a business, vision, or platform that is bigger than yourself, that’s when you will really start to see a tremendous amount of success – whatever your definition of success is. In other words, success comes from leading and serving rather than simply something monetary.

Pricing:

• The Petite Session $175
• The Milieu Session $300
• The Grande Session $500

Contact Info:

• Email: fivefreedomsphotography@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.fivefreedomsphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivefreedomsphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fivefreedomsphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/joannewetzel
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/fivefreedomsboutique

Image Credits
Lindsey Cash Photography