Princess from Rebound Hounds. Photo: Sophie Gamand
We stumbled upon Sophie Gamand’s work after coming across a stunning photo of a pit bull wearing a flower crown on Instagram. After which, we just had to keep scrolling. It’s common knowledge that Pit Bulls get a bad rap, and it’s mesmerizing to see these gentle dogs softened even more by Sophie’s elaborate, handmade flower crowns.
Her project, Flower Power, challenges the way society perceives Pit Bulls by celebrating the life and dignity of these soulful dogs who are at the mercy of humans. Every dog photographed is a shelter dog, where, Sophie will build flower crowns and visit the shelters to photograph Pit Bulls in need of a furever home. Hundreds of thousands of Pit Bulls are euthanized every year in the U.S. alone, and Sophie Gamand is on a mission to change that.
Beaumont from Animal Haven. Photo credit: Sophie Gamand
In her own words…
The series is inspired by Baroque and Rococo’s aesthetics, using the traditional codes of portraiture. The flowers symbolize the ephemeral quality of life, reminding us that these creatures are fragile and precious. By shortening the emotional distance with the subject, my images question our own humanity. Whether or not we like pit bulls, is it acceptable to produce and discard them in such high numbers, for no other reason than our own fears and shortcomings?
Moose from Hounds in Pounds. Photo Credit: Sophie Gamand
For more information about Flower Power, visit the project’s website here. You may also purchase Flower Power prints as well as calendars from her online shop by following this link. Flower crowns off to you, Sophie, for the amazing work you do for the Pitties in need.
Are you also inspired by Sophie’s work? Do you own a rescue PitBull yourself? Let us know in the comments below…
