Photographer Captured 44 Animals You Don’t Usually See In Portraits, And They All Nailed It

"Casey, the 15-year-old Love Bird! Check out those dance moves."

"'Oh, hey there.' Meet Jolene of Whispering Acres Farm in Medina! Give them a visit! Besides monetary donations, they're always looking for volunteers."

"Meet two rescued raccoons whom I recently visited for their close-up! These curious little bandits may have a reputation for raiding trash cans, but they’re also incredibly intelligent, social, and downright adorable when they pose for the camera.

Here are 5 fun facts about raccoons:
1. Raccoons can rotate their back feet 180°, which helps them climb down trees headfirst.
2. They have incredibly sensitive front paws — they can identify objects in the dark just by touch.
3. The word “raccoon” comes from the Powhatan word aroughcun, meaning “he scratches with his hands.”
4. They make over 50 different vocal sounds — from purrs to growls to chirps.
5. Their famous “mask” isn’t just cute — it actually helps reduce glare and improve night vision.

Rescue animals come in all shapes, sizes, and stripes — and these two prove that every creature deserves love, care, and a second chance."

"During my recent visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, I got to spend time with some of their skunks! Here are 6 fun facts about these mammals in the Mephitidae family:

1. A SKUNK ONCE SPRAYED OUR TWO DOGS, LEO AND KENSIE
It was not fun for the dogs or us....

2. SKUNKS ARE NAMED AFTER THEIR SMELL
The scientific family name for skunks is Mephitidae. Skunks and stink badgers are a part of this wildlife group, and every animal in it has one thing in common. They all have anal glands that can spray a noxious liquid as a form of defense.

3. THE STRIPES ON A SKUNK’S BACK POINT TO ITS SPRAYER
Animal coloration often serves a purpose. The color may serve as camouflage. It may make one sex more appealing to another. It can help distinguish the young from the mature. It can mimic the coloration of a dangerous animal, tricking would-be predators into thinking they need to steer clear.

4. SKUNK SPRAY EVOLVED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOCTURNAL
Skunks are solitary critters with poor eyesight. They also don’t move very fast. These characteristics make them vulnerable to nocturnal predators such as large cats and birds of prey. It turns out that spraying a potent, hard-to-remove, and temporarily debilitating spray is a pretty good defense for an animal with few other options.

5. SKUNKS CAN SPRAY UP TO 15 FEET
When a skunk takes aim, you may think its target has to be in close quarters, but that isn’t the case. Those anal glands can reach up to 15 feet. When the threat is within 12 feet, the stink-wielding creature is entirely accurate with its aim.

6. SKUNK SPRAY CAN BE DANGEROUS
The stink in the spray is from the chemical compounds made primarily from sulfur. If the spray gets in the eyes, it can cause irritation, itching, and burning. It may also lead to temporary blindness, giving the skunk a head start in making its getaway."

"Can we talk about how amazing and misunderstood Opossums are? Here are some fun facts! And thanks to these 2 for hanging with me at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History recently!

1. Opossums have been around a long time. Opossums roamed the same land as dinosaurs over 70 million years ago. While dinosaurs are now extinct, there are more than 60 species of opossums. They are clearly natural survivors that can last anywhere they decide to nest, including your home.

2. Opossums have naturally high levels of immunity. Opossums are more resistant to contracting diseases like rabies than any other mammal. They are also partially or entirely immune to snake venom, thanks to the serum protein in their blood that neutralizes it.

3. Opossums are nicknamed “nature’s little sanitation engineers.” Opossums are opportunistic omnivores with a diet consisting of insects, snails, slugs, birds, frogs, rodents, eggs, fruits, plants, grains, and carrion. They also feed on human and pet food, and whatever scraps they can find in garbage cans or compost piles. They have an extremely high need for calcium, which provokes them to eat the skeletons of the dead animals they consume. Their eating habits can result in scattered trash and destroyed gardens if you don’t quickly address their presence.

4. Opossums are marsupials, not rodents. Though many people refer to opossums as large rats, they are actually marsupials (pouched mammals), like kangaroos and koalas.

5. Opossums are America’s only native marsupial. In fact, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial in all of North America.

6. Opossums provide pest control. While you don’t want an opossum eating fruit and vegetables growing in your garden, they are great for cleaning up rotten fruit from the ground as well as feasting on pesky snails, slugs, cockroaches, and beetles.

7. There is a reason why they call it 'playing possum.' When threatened, opossums pretend they are dead by rolling over, closing their eyes, becoming stiff, and forming a foul-smelling fluid from their glands."

"Some of you may recognize this guy! Lance the porcupine is a resident of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and can be found outdoors at the Perkins Wildlife Center. If you see him, tell him Greg said hi!"

"I almost forgot to post photos of Murray aka 'Buckeye Chuck' here in Cleveland!

Did you know? Groundhog Day originated in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. It comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that a groundhog’s shadow on February 2nd predicts how long winter will last.

The first official Groundhog Day celebration was held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on February 2nd, 1887.

The celebration was started by Clymer Freas, a newspaper editor who convinced a group of local groundhog hunters to find Phil, the weather-predicting groundhog."

"Why are ducks great detectives? Because they always quack the case....I quack myself up sometimes. Olive."

"Had the pleasure of photographing Mango, the rescued bunny, last week! How can you not smile at that face?"

"Gypsy, the rescue fox of Fox Tale Sanctuary."

"Photographing Penelope reminded me why I love equine photography—the grace, strength, and deep connection between horses and their humans is unlike anything else.

While most of my work is with pets in the studio, I also photograph horses on farms and stables across Northeast Ohio."

"Heathcliff is available for adoption at Rescue Village! He’s so friendly! Great pet for a high school student."

"Photography bucket list item checked off! Meet Professor, the Eastern Screech Owl of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History here in Cleveland, Ohio. If you haven't been here lately, you're missing out!

'Screech Owls are highly nocturnal, and therefore are rarely seen hunting and feeding. How soon after dark individuals begin to hunt depends on weather and food abundance; males tend to begin hunting earlier than females.

The owls swoop down from their perch to capture their prey; they rarely hover while hunting. Screech Owls have been known to cache uneaten prey items in tree cavities.

Screech Owls do not migrate; they maintain home ranges throughout the winter. During severe weather, owls may move off their home range to search for food.

These owls are primarily solitary except during the breeding season. Pairs occasionally roost together during the winter in hollow trees, nest boxes, and trees with dense foliage.

Eastern Screech Owls have also been called the Common Screech Owl, Ghost Owl, Dusk Owl, Little-eared Owl, Spirit Owl, Little Dukelet, Texas Screech-Owl, Whickering Owl, Little Grey Owl, Mottled Owl, Red Owl, Mouse Owl, Cat Owl, Shivering Owl, and Little Horned Owl.

The Eastern Screech Owl flies fairly rapidly with a steady wingbeat (about 5 strokes/second). They rarely glide but may fly with erratic movements when maneuvering through wooded areas. Their wings are broad, and the head is held tucked in, giving the bird a stubby appearance when flying.

When threatened, an Eastern Screech Owl will stretch its body and tighten its feathers in order to look like a branch snag to avoid detection, but will take flight when it knows it has been detected.'
- Chattahoochee Nature Center"

"Here are some of my good friends from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History."

"Sullivan the Gecko is a natural model."

"If you told me 14 years ago when I got into photography that I'd one day have my own studio and be photographing a rescue squirrel in it, I probably would have laughed."

"Meet the tiniest rescued marsupial studio guest I’ve ever had—an 8-week-old rescued opossum. This little one stole the spotlight during their portrait session and will be making their art world debut as part of my installation in The Animal Show at River Gallery in Rocky River."

"Today was one of those days when I wanted to take all the animals home with me! Meet One, Guns and Roses, the Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

As much as I love photographing dogs, it's always fun to photograph other animals, especially baby goats!"

"Ever wonder what a balled up hedgehog looks like from below?"

"During my 11-year career as a full-time animal photographer, I’ve photographed 5 rescue squirrels. It’s a really fun and hectic experience! Food is about the only thing that will keep them still. They often run up my clothes and do circles around my waist. The squirrels I’ve worked with have always been very friendly and already had at least a few weeks of experience with people."

"Say hello to Kenny Froggins—the smoothest tree frog to ever strike a pose in my studio!⁠

Did you know tree frogs have special toe pads that let them cling to just about anything?
White’s Tree Frogs secrete a waxy substance that they spread over their skin to prevent drying out, which helps them survive in drier environments.
These frogs are famously calm, making them one of the most popular pet frog species due to their docile and gentle nature.
White’s Tree Frogs are most active at night when they hunt insects and explore their environment. With proper care, they can be long-lived companions, often reaching 15–20 years."

"Beautiful Blue Tongued Skink!

Did you know? Common Blue-tongued Lizards ('Blue-tongues') are named after their bright blue fleshy tongue, which contrasts with their pink mouths. They use their tongue as a defence tool to scare off predators. When Blue-tongues feel threatened, they stick out their tongue to frighten predators."

"The opossum is a scavenger and an omnivore who feeds mainly at night. It uses its strong sense of smell to find food. Their diet consists mainly of insects, worms, dead animals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and their eggs, crustaceans, berries, fruits, and small mammals."

"If you're looking to adopt a rescue rabbit, look no further than Binky! She can be found at the Animal Welfare League in Trumbull, near Warren, Ohio. Visit www.awlrescueme.com for more info."

"Jelly Bean, the rescued hedgehog!"

"A day on the farm never disappoints.

From the shaggy charm of a Highland cow to the curious gaze of an alpaca, the gentle beauty of a horse, and the busy chatter of chickens—every corner was full of life. It’s definitely one of our happy places.

Here’s to the animals, the land, and the peaceful moments that make farm life so special."

"Meet my buddy Harold the goat! He's living the good life over at Whispering Acres Farm."

"PSA from Fanny the rescue rabbit!

If you or someone you know is planning on giving the gift of a rabbit, please rethink it. It is estimated that over 80% of rabbits purchased as gifts for Easter are taken to shelters or released into the wild. DO YOUR RESEARCH just as you should before bringing any pet home.

Rabbits are not easy to take care of. They often require more work than a cat. While the list below doesn't describe every rabbit, it does account for a majority of them.

Rabbits like to chew on things
Rabbits don't like to be held
Rabbits need a lot of space
Rabbits need a lot of attention
Rabbits have a complicated diet
Rabbit vet care can be expensive
Rabbits are fragile
Rabbits shed a lot
(list from the bunnylady.com)"

"Meet Donna! She's a Barred Plymouth Rock chicken.

I recently photographed a dog named Snoop, and his human said he had a bunch of chickens. So, of course, I asked him to bring some in for me to photograph. It was so fun! I thought they'd leave the studio a mess, but they were amazing models and did such a great job in front of the camera."

"Before and After Edit! Meet Mojito—the kind of barnmate who steals your heart the moment you meet him. Photographed in his beautiful Kirtland, Ohio home, this beautiful girl brought all the charm, curiosity, and quiet strength that make horses so magical.

There’s something special about capturing a horse in their own space—where they feel comfortable, confident, and completely themselves."

"Meet Vincent —a resilient iguana with quite the story! He was discovered in the most unexpected way… when a dog proudly trotted up to his owner with Vincent gently in its mouth.

Thankfully, Vincent was unharmed and quickly found safety. Now, he’s thriving in the care of an experienced reptile owner who knows just what this special guy needs."

"Sparky the parrot was so fun to work with in the studio! As I've said before, parrots can be very picky with who they let close to them. Sparky let me hold him and hung out of my shoulder multiple times!

As much as I love dogs, it's so fun to work with other animals. I love adding to my portfolio!"

"I’ve been lucky enough to photograph dozens of different species of animals over the past 10 years. One of my favorites is the Chameleon! I’m obsessed with their colors and those moving eyes!

1. Masters of Disguise – Chameleons don’t change color to match their surroundings; they do it to communicate mood, temperature, and social signals!
2. Eyes on the Prize – Their eyes move independently, allowing them to look in two different directions at once!
3. Sticky Situation – Chameleons have tongues that can shoot out up to twice their body length in a fraction of a second!
4. Tailor-Made Grip – Their prehensile tails act like a fifth limb, helping them grip branches while climbing.
5. Silent Ninjas – Unlike many reptiles, chameleons move incredibly slowly, making them stealthy hunters."

"I was today years old when I found out that some frogs have teeth! For some reason, I just assumed they didn’t....Meet my new buddy Gordy the African Bullfrog!

Gordy has 3 toothlike protrusions on his bottom jaw called odontodes that are used for holding onto prey and dozens of tiny teeth on his upper jaw.

Scientists have long known that frogs are oddballs when it comes to teeth. Some have tiny teeth on their upper jaws and the roof of their mouths, while others sport fanglike structures. Some species are completely toothless. And only one frog, out of the more than 7,000 species, has true teeth on both upper and lower jaws."

"Meet my friends Pickles and Juneau! Juneau is a very fluffy senior rescue dog, and Pickles was recently re-homed from a Cleveland area restaurant chain called Winking Lizard. His new humans are experienced Iguana owners and are giving him the life that he deserves."

"Say hi to Darwin, the African Grey Parrot! Parrots can be very picky about who they like and let near them. I was lucky enough to be accepted into his circle of trust!"

"Kermit the Galah (rose-breasted cockatoo)

'Their striking pink and gray feathers and friendly personalities have made rose-breasted cockatoos popular pets. These birds can live up to 80 years in captivity with proper care. Also known as galahs, they tend to be loud and bold, so don't expect a quiet companion if you bring one home.'"

"Meet my new friend, Coco the blue and gold macaw! If you didn't know already, macaws can get really loud. If I had earplugs in the studio, I would have been wearing them.... 'You will most likely hear a macaw before you see it. These birds are highly intelligent and gregarious creatures that congregate in flocks of anywhere between 30 and 100 individuals. Their loud calls, squawks, and other distinctive vocalizations can be heard reverberating throughout the jungle, especially in the early morning. All this noise isn’t just for entertainment purposes. It’s used as a way to mark territory, communicate with the flock, and identify partners.'"

"Did you know I once had a 'mini alligator' in my studio? Have you ever heard of Caiman?

Found beyond the Amazon, caimans live in rivers, swamps, and forests all throughout Central and South America. The spectacled caiman is the most widespread and can be found further north than other species, while the yacare caiman can be found further south on the continent than other species. They all live in freshwater habitats; however, the spectacled caiman can also tolerate saltwater, which enables it to live over a greater area.

As carnivorous reptiles, caimans eat a variety of other species. All caimans eat fish and small animals, but the larger species can even hunt capybaras or jaguars! Black caimans are the apex predators in the Amazon, meaning they have no natural predators, but smaller caimans fall much lower on the food chain. Some may find themselves dinner for a quicker leopard or anaconda!"

"Ssssssssssss....... Reptiles of all kinds are always welcome in our studio! Among the many animals I grew up with were reptiles. I had small lizards, huge iguanas, snakes, and more. I love them! Their details and color make for amazing images."

"Meet Simon!

The colors, the interaction with parrots, the head bobs, the talking, and most importantly, the colors! For the most part, I’ve found that photographing parrots isn’t too challenging. For those who can fly, I’ve come up with ways to photograph them in their own cages while still creating a seamless backdrop."

"DID YOU KNOW….
That in the wild, iguanas can break off their tails to escape if a predator grabs the tail and holds on? Pet iguanas can release their tails if they are restrained by the tail or if the tail gets caught and they can’t move. Occasionally, pet iguanas will lose their tails if they whip them against a hard surface or if they are stepped on. Iguanas’ special muscular attachments to the tail vertebrae enable them to break off the tail between vertebrae.

If the tail breaks off cleanly, it may grow back, especially if the iguana is young, healthy, and still growing. The new tail is typically smoother, narrower, and darker than the original tail."

"Yes, that is not a dog....Say hi to Dex the Chameleon!"