Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal Mill Valley's Liz Greer is one of the volunteer photographers for the Milo Foundation.

Photo by Liz Greer Greeting cards of this image will soon be sold at Mill Valley's Two Neat.

Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal Liz Greer photographs a litter of puppies at the Milo Foundation in Point Richmond.



Photo by Liz Greer One of Liz Greer's recent photo shoots at Milo Foundation.

Photo by Liz Greer Many of Liz Greer's photographs are taken in Marin.

Photo by Liz Greer Liz Greer's dog, Lulu, pictured on the Mill Valley Golf Course.



Photo by Liz Greer "It’s really gratifying to know that a human made that connection with that animal because of this photography," says Liz Greer of her work with the Milo Foundation.

Photo by Liz Greer Liz Greer also photographs cats and kittens at the Milo Foundation.

Photo by Liz Greer Since 2016, Liz Greer has been one of the volunteer photographers for the Milo Foundation in Point Richmond.



Photo by Liz Greer "The most important thing is emotion," Liz Greer says.

Photo by Liz Greer "The dog’s body language should reflect that the animal is comfortable and happy," Liz Greer says.

It’s not every day in Mill Valley that you see a woman lying on the ground photographing seven dogs in the city’s iconic gravity car. For Liz Greer, it’s just another day in the life of a dog photographer, the hobby she took up a few years ago after she retired from a career in software marketing.

The Mill Valley resident’s photography goes beyond capturing images of cute dogs, including her 15-year-old terrier mutt, Lulu. Since 2016, she’s been one of the volunteer photographers for the Milo Foundation in Point Richmond, photographing more than 1,000 dogs and puppies, as well as many cats and kittens, in hopes of finding them their forever homes.

After a brief stint doing private dog photo shoots, she’s spent the last year turning her photography into greeting cards, which she sells at Mill Valley’s Two Neat, with some of the proceeds donated to the Milo Foundation.

Q When did your interest in dogs start?

A I have always loved dogs. I had my first dog, Toffee, when I was 5 or 6 years old. I grew up as the youngest and the only girl, so I spent so much time talking to the dog and relating to the dog.

Q What got you involved with the Milo Foundation?

A I got my dog from Milo. They said, “Sure, come take photos.” I’ve had people say to me, “It was that photo that got me to call.” It’s really gratifying to know that a human made that connection with that animal because of this photography. It makes it all worthwhile, because it’s hard work.

Q What makes a good portrait?

A The most important thing is emotion. The dog’s body language should reflect that the animal is comfortable and happy. Another thing is angle, that’s why I’m on the ground all the time; being at eye-level to the animal is really important. It’s a philosophical thing that I don’t want to look down on the animal. I think we should be looking up to our dogs more than we do. My mission is to help all of us see them as more than our sidekicks.

Q What are some of your tricks to dog photography?

A Some dogs are treat motivated and some are more noise motivated. I use squeakers. I have bird calls. I have an app on my phone that is a squeaky toy app. I can have somebody hold a treat right above my lens and some dogs will be like right at you.

Q Is Lulu a good model?

A She spends her whole life staring at me except for when I have a camera. Then, she won’t look at me.

Q What’s different when photographing dogs versus people?

A People can express their opinion of the photo, while the dog can’t. I don’t know how to photograph people. I don’t know poses or editing like skin tone and things people like or don’t like about how they look.

Q What do you enjoy most about dog photography?

A Getting to know the dog. I’ve never met a dog I didn’t like. Their souls are all so different, and we fall into the trap because they look alike. They are as unique as we are. The most fun part is meeting that animal, and thinking about how do I want to represent that animal and what is the essence of that animal.