MODEL CALL

A 2027 Rescue Dog calendar and photo series celebrating character over perfection.

I chose “Perfectly Imperfect” because words matter — especially in rescue.

The crooked smiles, mismatched ears, cloudy eyes, scars, and gray faces aren’t flaws — they’re proof of life, survival, and resilience. They’re what make each dog unforgettable.

This project isn’t about laughing at dogs. It’s about honoring them.

Many of these dogs have already experienced being overlooked, labeled, or dismissed simply because they don’t fit a narrow idea of “cute.” Calling them “ugly,” even playfully, still reinforces the same thinking that causes so many incredible dogs to be passed over in shelters.

Perfectly Imperfect flips that narrative.It celebrates character over symmetry. Story over appearance. Personality over polish.

I’m spotlighting the dogs who don’t fit the traditional mold but deserve to be seen, celebrated, and loved.

Model Call Guidelines & Submission Details

Rescue Definition:


For the purposes of this model call, a rescue dog is defined as any dog adopted from:

  • An animal shelter

  • A registered rescue organization

  • A verified rehoming situation

Open to Dogs Anywhere:

I don’t care where you live! But if chosen, you are responsible for travel/hotel costs if they are needed to attend your photo session.

$5 Submission Donation:

A $5 (or more) donation to Neighborhood Pets Outreach & Resource Center is required to submit an entry. The donation must be made directly to them via their own website. See below. Neighborhood Pets is a local nonprofit organization that I personally support and admire. They ARE NOT affiliated with this model call/calendar and should not be contacted with questions related to it.

**Submission donations are non-refundable and do not guarantee selection.**

Proof of Donation:

To ensure I am aware of your donation, follow these steps when donating on the Neighborhood Pets website here.

1. Select or manually enter your donation amount (minimum of $5)

2. Select “Dedicate This Gift”

3. Select “In Honor Of”

4. Enter “Perfectly Imperfect”

5. Enter hello@gmurrayphoto.com

Submission Form

No Affiliations:

  • Neighborhood Pets Outreach & Resource Center and news outlets reporting on this photo series are NOT AFFILIATED with this model call, photo series and calendar project. Please DO NOT CONTACT Neighborhood Pets Outreach & Resource Center or news outlets with questions related to this project.

  • All inquiries must be sent to:
    hello@gmurrayphoto.com
    Subject line: Perfectly Imperfect

Submission Disclaimer:

Submitting an entry DOES NOT guarantee that you or your dog will be contacted or selected. A total of 12 dogs will be chosen to be featured in the 2027 wall calendar.

Selection of Dogs:

Dogs will be selected based on a variety of factors including personality, expression, uniqueness, storytelling potential, and photographic suitability. Selection is subjective and at the sole discretion of the photographer.

Age/Health of Dog:

Dogs must be healthy enough to safely participate in a studio photo session. Participation may require standing, sitting, or brief positioning.

Owner Consent & Rights:

By submitting, you confirm that you are the legal owner or authorized caretaker of the dog and grant permission for the dog’s image to be photographed and used for promotional, editorial, and calendar purposes related to this project.

Session Location & Timing:

Selected participants will be required to attend a studio photo session at my Cleveland, Ohio studio on dates to be announced. The photo session will occur on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10:00am - 3:00pm

Photography & Final Selection:

Being selected to be photographed does not guarantee inclusion in the final 2027 wall calendar. Some dogs ultimately decide that being photographed is not their thing — and that’s okay. The comfort, safety, and well-being of each dog will always come first.

I anticipate photographing approximately 25 rescue dogs and will select my favorite 12 images to be featured in the final calendar.

Final selections will be made at the sole discretion of me.