ANJIE’S STORY
MY STORY
Anjie’s Story
After 28 years of teaching high school math, I retired early. While teaching fulfilled a lifelong dream, I still had other goals: photographing people and pets, training Bloodhounds for search and rescue, and volunteering with infants at the Children’s Hospital. I have been fortunate to pursue all three.
WORKING WITH DOGS
When I began working for Jiang Photography, Jiang suggested a portrait session of me. I am not
comfortable being the center of attention, so she encouraged including my daughter, Alley, and our dogs – who had trained with me in SARDUS, the Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States. Little did I know how special that session would become.
A SENSE OF PROMISE & HOPE
In February 2024, my dog Bruno, Alley’s dog Ozzie Pawsborne, and I spent an hour and a half at the studio. Alley and I picked out outfits days in advance, though she was much more excited than I was. It was magical. Jiang captured the unique expressions of Bruno, posed Ozzie beautifully, and created memorable portraits of Alley and me. Just five months later, Alley, a 32-year-old, very healthy young woman, was diagnosed with
stage 4 breast cancer. We were told she didn’t have much time and had to start chemotherapy immediately. She lost her long, beautiful blonde hair, lost weight she didn’t have to lose, and underwent a double mastectomy. But I had those portraits. We had invested in Wall Art, a striking, grand piece that hangs above our couch, along with eight other pieces throughout our house. That first year was terrifying. But I looked at those portraits every day, and they gave me a sense of promise and hope. Now, two years later, we are not completely out of the woods, but Alley is on the mend. I am profoundly grateful that we captured those moments when we did.
My desire to search for missing people traces back to my childhood, when two of my friends went missing. Later, in 1993, I was inspired by a famous missing child case involving a Bloodhound named Yogi. From that moment until my retirement in 2021, I dedicated myself to studying the breed, reading every available training book. Dogs are my companions, my friends, and my heroes. Today, my K9 partner, Bruno, is nationally certified to track live humans.
And then there are the babies at Children’s Hospital. I am incredibly fortunate, my life revolves around puppies, babies, and creating portraits. Once a week, I volunteer on two cardiac floors, comforting crying infants and toddlers and assisting with their progressive care. My world stops
when I’m at the hospital. It serves as a constant reminder of how precious life is, how fleeting these moments are, and how important it is to capture them in photographs.
GIVING BACK
Driven by my background in teaching and volunteer work, I have always believed deeply in the power of giving back. That is why when Jiang asked me to become her studio manager, I agreed on one condition: my title had to include “Community Outreach Specialist.” Today, I am proud to say we do just that. Through the studio, Jiang generously donates her time and portraits to help raise funds for vital causes close to our hearts, including education, children’s advocacy, animal welfare, and cancer research.
I would love to welcome you, your family, and your fur babies to our studio, make you feel at
home, and help you create something extraordinary for your home.
