Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Dutka

Hi Mindy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

From the get-go, I’ve wanted to be a hero for dogs. Animals have always called to me, and I’ve always gleefully followed along.

My first “job’ at the age of 10, was selling candy door-to-door for my local Lost Pet Society. Not to brag, but I was one of the top candy salespeople.

All grown up now, that little Lost Pet Society volunteer has:

– Worked for two different Fortune 500 companies

– Started a new division for the Chase Development Center – a state-of-the-art day conference center in downtown Manhattan.

– Founded and successfully ran two companies, S’Mall Happenings Inc. and The Event Company

– Worked in Sales & Management for Healthcare Remote Interpreting Services

– Founded Dogs I Meet an innovative Dog Photography & visual storytelling business

– Raised over $40,000 for homeless animals around the world…

… and I’m just getting started.

First, let’s back up a bit. All stories have a million beginnings, and – I know mine certainly does. But the best one to start mine is in the middle.

About eight years ago, I was facing a fork in the road.

I was a Sales Manager in the Healthcare Remote Interpretation Services industry. I was successful and accomplished a great deal, and I knew it was an important service I was providing,

But I didn’t LOVE it.

Having recently experienced several significant life changes, my dissonance between like and love reached an all-time high. The choice became clear: either settle for a job that no longer sparked joy or reinvent myself again to pursue work that truly ignited my passion.

And, well, settling is not in my nature, but creating something from nothing is. So, I followed that thread.

Where did passion, creativity, inspiration, and my past work experiences intersect?

When I learned about dog photography, something clicked. You could take pictures… of dogs… for a living?

I am a lifelong dog lover and have always enjoyed photographing as a hobby. It sounded like living a literal dream. The decision didn’t take long to make; it was time to start reinventing myself.

But it turned out that reinventing myself as a dog photographer wasn’t the hard part.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I founded Dogs I Meet because I believe EVERY dog has a tale, and I wanted to share as many dog tales as possible. The hard part was realizing that not every dog can afford to have its tale told.

After volunteering to photograph a large spay/neuter clinic in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, I had an “aha” moment: I could use my camera lens to be a voice for the voiceless, to raise awareness and tell stories about the power of the human-animal bond, dogs in need and the people dedicating their lives to working tirelessly to make a difference in the battle of animal welfare.

Therein lies my greatest obstacle:

When most people envision ‘dog photographer,’ they think of family portraits and memorial art—beautiful, personal creations. I deeply value being a part of this art, but it feels at odds with my B2B career.

But ‘animal welfare advocacy storytelling partnerships coordinator’ isn’t exactly something people are Googling. So how can I use my tools—a long and successful career as a masterful networker and the ability to create large-scale events from the seed of an idea, a passion for photography, and a love for dogs—to reinvent my life while staying true to myself?

Put another way: my challenge is carving out a role where I’m not just helping myself or my business partners but giving back to the animals however possible.

How to reinvent myself with the goal of helping dogs – pepper in audacious to want to look at things not about what is broken but how to create bright spots.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

As the founder of Dogs I Meet, I bridge dog advocacy and brand marketing through story-driven dog photography. I bring authenticity to brand campaigns and meaning to marketing by telling stories to create awareness, building connections between brand and animal welfare organizations with creative cross-promotion strategies, and using photography to create real change for brands AND dogs.

I also travel the globe, capturing the incredible efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to rescuing dogs in need. My mission is to shine a light on the heroic actions taken to save these animals, from perilous rescues to life-saving spay-neuter clinics. Through my camera lens, I tell the untold stories of compassion and dedication, raising awareness and much-needed funds to support these vital initiatives. Without these photographs and the narratives they convey, the extraordinary work of these unsung heroes would remain in the shadows.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

Thankfully, I’m a quick learner. But more importantly, I’m a firm believer in life-long learning, so I’m not afraid to admit that I’m STILL learning. And I don’t intend on stopping.

I’ve learned two main lessons that were reinforced due to the Covid-19 crisis, that I’ll leave you with here:

To make the most audacious change, you have to focus not on what’s broken but on how to create bright spots.

This principle has guided my journey from the early days of candy sales to my current work in dog photography and animal welfare advocacy. By focusing on the positive impact I can create, I’ve been able to turn challenges into opportunities and build a career that aligns with my passion.

My tools to create bright spots are my out-of-the-box thinking borne from all of my past experiences, my camera, and my storytelling. Your tools are a conglomeration of your past and present passions, too.

Second, I’ve learned that the power of community and collaboration is invaluable. It doesn’t matter whether it’s raising funds for homeless animals or capturing the unique bond between a dog and their human – working with others towards a common goal amplifies our collective impact.

As I continue to navigate this path, my mission remains clear: to use my skills and experiences to advocate for animals and tell their stories in ways that inspire compassion and action. Every action I take is a step towards a world where all dogs’ tales can be told.

I’m excited for the future and the many ways I can continue to make a difference. With each new project and partnership, I am reminded that while the road may have many twists and turns, the destination is always worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dogsimeet.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsimeet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogsimeet
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyARV1QJ0JEI524fos0Mw1A

Image Credits
Mindy Dutka/dogsimeet.com