Bored Panda reached out to Lauren to discuss her project, and the photographer shared insights about her approach to these emotional sessions with families who are saying goodbye to their beloved pets: “It is my goal to create a calm, supportive, and empathetic environment for both the pets and their families. It's essential to meet the family where they are at emotionally, which allows for capturing genuine, candid moments.”

We learned that the first step the photographer takes to ensure everyone feels comfortable is by asking family members to help her get to know their pet and hear their story. Smith Kennedy emphasized the importance of recognizing when things get too tense, as it signals a need to pause: “Should the session begin to become emotional, or the pet seems stressed or anxious, we pause and do a check-in. Additionally, we end the session whenever we need to. The pet and their family will also be my top priority.”

The photographer elaborated on how she balances the emotional intensity of these sessions with maintaining professionalism and focus behind the camera: “It’s a delicate balance, but I remind myself that I’m there to capture these moments for the family, which helps me stay focused behind the camera. I take breaks as needed during post-production (editing) and I never rush the process. My own experience with pet loss and grief has taught me how to hold space for grief while maintaining a sense of purpose.”

We wanted to know how families typically respond to the photos Lauren provides. We learned that: “The families I work with always express such deep gratitude. Many have shared how the images helped them feel a sense of closure or allowed them to celebrate the bond they shared with their beloved pet. Every experience is different, but many times there are tears- whether that be happy or sad, anger towards their situation, or a mix of them all. Nonetheless, they always profusely thank me for this service.”

Lauren Smith Kennedy explained the role she believes photography plays in the grieving process for those who’ve lost a beloved pet: “Photography offers a tangible way to hold onto the love and connection that families feel for their pets. For anticipatory grief, it can be a way of coming to terms with their pet’s future and can provide a sense of closure after the pet has passed while also creating a keepsake that families can return to as they move through their grief. I believe that seeing their pet in a peaceful, loving moment helps people heal by allowing them to remember their pet in a positive, meaningful way.”

Lastly, we asked the photographer how the project has impacted her own views on loss, grief, or love. Lauren kindly answered: “The Tilly Project is named after my own cat who tragically passed away, so pet loss and grief is a subject I am no stranger to. Though, this style of photography and founding The Tilly Project has really deepened my understanding of loss, grief, and love. It has opened my eyes and heart up to so many families and reminded me that grief looks different for everyone with the most genuine form of love always being the common thread. Each session reminds me of the profound connection people share with their pets, and it has given me an even greater appreciation for the beauty and fragility of those relationships.”