Photography
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Spanish photographer Sara Monsalve strives to ‘capture your memories’—to immortalise the beauty, innocence and wisdom of our pets.
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ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
When humans lock eyes with their canine companions, it’s not just a moment of affection—it’s chemistry. Gazing into a dog’s eyes triggers the release of oxytocin (aka, the love hormone) in the human brain. This biochemical cascade deepens the bond between person and pet, mirroring the connection typically shared between a mother and her newborn. By hijacking these neural pathways, nature has found a way to strengthen our connection with our animals.
There’s something particularly striking about the way photographer Sara Monsalve, aka Amor de Perros, captures the love and innocence in dogs’ eyes. With a style that sets animals against a white background, Sara amplifies each animal’s unique characteristics. But there’s no mystery to it, says the photographer: “My creative process is very simple. My type of photography is natural, I let myself be carried away by the dogs and people I photograph, by the emotion and energy of that moment. I can say that my photography is intuitive. I don’t like theory, nor perfection. I like to capture the emotions and purity of the beings I photograph, for that I need connection.”
A dedicated advocate for dogs’ welfare, Monsalve is a passionate supporter of shelters and rescue efforts, with a particular focus on Spanish Galgos. Monsalve’s inspiration and motivation is to ‘capture your memories.’ To immortalise that oxytocin exchange and celebrate each dog’s character and personality. The results are disarming images of beautiful, curious, big-hearted animals that teach us so much if we’re willing to learn: “Dogs teach us to enjoy the present moment, to value the little things that are the most important. They teach us the importance of movement, of walking, of living calmly and peacefully. They teach us to be sincere. They teach us the importance of affection and true friendship. They cultivate empathy in us. Dogs are great teachers.”
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All photography courtesy of Sara Monsalve
@amordeperrosfoto
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