Elias Weiss Friedman, the photographer behind The Dogist, talks about why he turned his lens on dogs and what he’s learned from photographing more than 50,000 of them.
What made you start The Dogist account and why choose dogs and their owners as a chief subject?
I’ve always felt like I was a “Dogist” since I was a kid – I loved dogs, taking photos of them, and the sense of purpose and joy it made me feel. When I was let go from my job in 2013, I took it as my chance to try to create a project that evoked that joy every day. Dogs are uniquely able to spark that joy within us, through their candidness, curiosity, love, and loyalty. They make great subjects because they’re extremely expressive and come in all different shapes and sizes. They make us laugh and feel more connected to one another – something we need more than ever!
How can photography help people connect more deeply with their pets?
Photographs help us document the meaningful moments and people in our lives. While dogs help us be in the present, photography can help us relive those moments in the future and perhaps even be inspired to go create more moments like them. I can certainly attest to the power of my camera to bring me to new places and meet new people and dogs! Photos are always better with your pets in them and creating them helps deepen your love for them.
What inspired you to go from photography to writing with your new book “This Dog Will Change Your Life”?
Having photographed over 50,000 dogs and meeting dog parents, I’ve learned a lot not only about dogs, but also our relationship to them. I have always felt that dogs are incredibly important to our humanity – they make us better humans. Dogs have not only changed my own life, I have also come to understand how much they change the lives of so many people through the stories of people I meet every day.
What do you hope people feel when they see or read your work?
I want them to feel a sense of joy and connectedness. Much of the internet makes us feel quite the opposite, so I’ve always wanted The Dogist to be an antidote to that. I hope to create a sense of hope, joy, connection, and laughter in my work. After having the honor of meeting one of my heroes, Jane Goodall, who I interviewed on my show DOGS on YouTube, that mission was even further solidified in my mind, as she stood for something very similar. Dogs were her favorite animal!
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned through your work with dogs?
That the vast majority of people are great and want to share their life (or at least the dog part) with the world. Dogs are free from the burden of an ego, so just by being around them, we become more like them. More free, connected, joyful, and excited to take on the day. I don’t know where I would be without dogs.
