09/02/2026
A “little” update on The Other Half Project. ❤️
When I started The Other Half Project, I never imagined it would grow into what it has become. What started as something deeply personal has turned into a project with more people and dogs wanting to be a part of it than I could have ever anticipated. 🐶
I am incredibly grateful. ❤️❤️❤️
But there’s a hard side to that growth that I’ve been struggling with.
The project is now booking into next year, and I continue to receive emails from people with senior dogs, medically fragile dogs, and dogs whose people simply don't feel comfortable waiting that long. Those emails are hard to read because I understand exactly why they're reaching out.
I want to photograph them. I want to give them those images. I want them to have something tangible that celebrates the love they share with their other half.
At the same time, I don't want to turn this project into an assembly line just to get through a waiting list. The entire reason I created The Other Half Project was because these relationships matter to me. The experience matters to me. And I never want growth to come at the expense of that.
So I've been trying to find a way to do both.
Here's what I'm going to try moving forward.
The Other Half Project will continue to have dedicated project sessions on Sundays, and those will continue to be complimentary. That isn't changing.
But I'm going to open up another option for those who want to be photographed sooner.
If you book a regular family or pet session and you'd like your dog to be included in The Other Half Project, you'll have the option to incorporate them into the project during your session.
And there are actually some perks to doing it this way.
You choose your location. Your session is yours alone for the day. And because I'm not fitting multiple project sessions into that day, we can take our time.
Your dog will receive their Other Half Project portrait, you'll receive an additional complimentary image of your choice, and your family will be included in the coffee table book I'm creating from this project.
This isn't a different version of The Other Half Project. It's simply an opportunity to combine something you may already be planning - a family or pet session - with your participation in the project.
In fact, this is very similar to what I've done in the past. If a family booked a session with me and mentioned wanting their dog included in The Other Half Project, I would incorporate them into the project. I just never formally offered it as an option.
Now, with the project growing the way it has, I think it's time to make that option available intentionally.
Why am I doing this?
Because right now, there is a bottleneck.
I have a growing list of people waiting for their Other Half session, while I have a limited number of days I can dedicate specifically to the project. Sundays are my dedicated project days, and I intentionally keep my other session days limited so that I can continue giving all my clients the time and attention they deserve.
By using some of my regular session dates for families who want to participate in the project this way, I can free up dates on the Other Half Project calendar without simply adding more and more project sessions to my schedule. That isn't sustainable.
My hope is that this will help shorten the wait for everyone -especially those with senior or medically fragile dogs who may not have as much time to wait.
And for those of you already waiting for a project session: you haven't been forgotten. This isn't replacing the complimentary project sessions, and it isn't a requirement to purchase a regular session in order to participate. It's simply another path for those who want to be photographed sooner.
And I'm adding one more piece.
10% of each of these paid sessions will be set aside each month to give back through The Other Half Project.
Some months that may mean helping a rescue. Some months it may mean contributing toward emergency veterinary care for a dog whose family suddenly finds themselves in a crisis. There are so many needs, and I want to be able to respond where I feel the money can make the greatest difference.
At the beginning of each month, I'll share where that month's contribution is going.
My oldest daughter suggested calling the fund The Dunkin McCoy Memorial Fund, which made me cry. Because if you've followed this project for any length of time, you know that Dunkin is the heart of it.
I haven't completely decided on the name yet, but I love the idea of allowing the good that comes from this project to continue in his memory.
This project has always been about one simple thing:
Love lives at our feet.
And if I can photograph more of that love, preserve more of those memories, and use a little of what I do to help another dog along the way…
then I think that's a pretty beautiful way for this project to keep growing. ❤️
If you're already waiting for a project session:
I'd like to make these paid session dates available to you first. If you'd like to book a paid session instead of waiting for your complimentary project session, reach out to me and I'll send you a link with the available dates.
If you do book a paid session, please let me know the date of your current Other Half Project session so I can cancel that spot and hopefully offer it to someone else who is waiting.
This is going to require a little juggling on my end, but I'm hopeful it will help.
I realize this is an incredible problem to have, and I am so grateful for the interest and the love you all have for this project. At the same time, my heart hurts at the thought of someone sitting on the waiting list with an older or sick dog and wondering if they'll get their session in time.
I'm just trying to find a way to do this well - to honor the project, honor the people and dogs waiting for it, and still give every family the experience they deserve.
Thank you for believing in this project, for trusting me with your stories, and for giving me the grace to figure out how to do this well.
— Shauna
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