Check Out Sophie Gamand’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Gamand.

Hi Sophie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a photographer, artist and advocate.

I was born and raised in France. From a very young age, I knew I was meant to be an artist, but it took me what feels like a lifetime to find my way back to my true self… Instead, prompted by a father who encouraged me to seek a ‘real job”, I studied Law. After a few years in the UN system in Geneva, I moved to New York where I picked up a camera for good.

Soon, I realized I was always pointing my lens toward dogs. And once I discovered how many dogs were languishing – and dying – in animal shelters around the United States, I knew I had to put my camera to good use. I started volunteering by taking photos of adoptable dogs, hoping it would help them connect with adopters. After a couple of years volunteering with rescues, I was totally broke, and I wondered how I could possibly make a living taking photos of shelter dogs. It seemed like an impossible feat.

But in 2014, I created Pit Bull Flower Power, a series of shelter pit bulls wearing flower crowns. I wanted the portraits to help de-stigmatize the dogs and find them homes. The project went viral (big time!), published from O magazine to National Geographic, and for the next few years, it became my full-time “job”. Pit Bull Flower Power offered me the art career I dreamed of while giving my work purpose.

I recently moved to Los Angeles, and have an art studio for the first time, which has allowed me to grow my wings as an artist. I look forward to seeing where this city takes me!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest struggles is probably to find a good balance between the art I want to create and the purpose-driven work I do. As an advocate, it can be really draining to witness trauma on a daily basis and fight for your cause. I could never find time to create art because I was always so busy organizing fundraisers or traveling to shelters in need. I needed a better balance – a little like putting the oxygen mask on yourself first. When the pandemic hit, shelters were shut to visitors, so it forced me into a much-needed break. I am now trying to take care of my artist side a bit more and give more breaks to the advocate because she needs them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
On October 6-9, 2022, I will present a selection of my work including new pieces I created since moving to Los Angeles last year. I am really excited to step into this chapter of my life and career. The info for the exhibit can be found at: https://www.sophiegamand.com/laexhibit

Though my muses are shelter dogs and dogs in general, my work explores our humanity. Dogs act as a prism through which I can try and understand humans better. How we think, what we do, how we center ourselves in the world, and the damage we can cause. Shelter dogs for example, reveal the best and the worst humanity has to offer. All my models have incredible stories to tell.

What sets me apart is that although I work with dogs a lot, my art isn’t about cute happy dogs. When I look at dogs and humans, I see a dysfunctional relationship. I feel for the dogs because it seems to me their needs aren’t always met. Dogs are a link between the natural world and humanity. And if we observe carefully, we can learn to be better guardians and safer partners.

How do you think about luck?
I think my work came out at the right place and time, and social media allowed me to connect to people directly. I didn’t have to rely on gatekeepers. I could just be myself, show the work I wanted to show, and find my people. That has been wonderful, and perhaps that’s luck.

But ultimately, it’s the people you meet on your journey that make a difference. Nobody is “self-made”. We all have these exceptional people that cross our paths and decide to give us a hand. For me, it’s ranged from editors who chose to show my work to people who donated to my causes, people who buy my prints or merchandise and allow me to continue the work every day. I also have a Patreon page, and I am always amazed by the strangers who decide to support my work that way.

Some might call it luck, but I think it’s less magical than that. It’s just people being good and supportive, and there are a ton of those out there…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sophiegamand.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiegamand/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiegamand/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sophiegamand/
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/sophiegamand/