By Neil Farrell

Morro Bay photographer, Jillian Parks, who specializes in animal portraits, is having her first ever show and sale of her fine art photography at Top Dog Coffee Bar, 800 block of Main St., Morro Bay through June 29. Parks’ photography is currently being displayed at Woods Humane Society, Coast Veterinary Clinic, Morro Bay Veterinary Clinic, Bowser Boutique and the Shoreline Inn in Cayucos. Parks has done volunteer work with local animal welfare groups as well. ”I photograph pets but I also volunteer my time for various animal rescue organizations,” she said. The Top Dog show is unique, she explained, because “I am highlighting dogs with different colored eyes. My eyes are naturally different colored (blue & green) so I think it will make quite an impact.
“I am a lifetime animal lover,” she said, “and my mission is to create beautiful, timeless photographs of pets for their owners to cherish long after their pets lifetime. The value of a photograph only increases with time. I feel that is it important to spread the word on animal adoption and rescue groups. To help improve their online presence, I volunteer my time to various animal welfare groups by photographing their events and their animals. Sometimes an animal’s best chance at adoption is going to be a good photograph online.”
Some jobs are more like play; hers sure is. “I LOVE my job. I get to lay on my tummy and snap away, as a happy dog runs towards me. That to me is pure joy. I shoot outside with natural light, mostly on the beach. I edit from home while my daughter takes her nap.”
In the photos is Lola, the Boston terrier.