If you’re a dog owner, it’s likely that your camera roll is filled with photos of your pet… sleeping, eating, running, cuddling, everything is worth documenting. Dog media also has its own share of internet domination, in spheres from meme culture (the viral “Ultimate Dog Tease” video, for example) to heart-wrenching tales of love and loyalty (the story of the faithful pet Hachiko). One particular creator of dog-related content has grown into a social media phenomenon with millions of followers. This is The Dogist, an Instagram page documenting photographer Elias Freidman’s encounters with dogs in New York City and across the world. Friedman has been connecting with people and their pets since October of 2013, gathering 12 years’ worth of stories and experiences that he has now put in the form of a new novel, This Dog Will Change Your Life.
Humble Beginnings to Heartfelt Artistry
Though Friedman carries a lifelong passion for dogs, having grown up in close proximity to them in his family home and the veterinary clinic of an aunt, the Dogist was not in his initial life plan. In fact, Friedman earned a degree in psychology and worked for several years in marketing before being laid off, a redirection in his career that led him into the niche of dog photography. “It was kind of like a joke, in a way,” Friedman told CBS News, “[…]but pretty quickly I realized that it was much more profound than that.”
The Dogist has indeed become a profound body of work. Friedman’s photographs are not only charming and adorable dog portraiture, but also a tender look at the relationships we form with our furry friends. In the typical format of the behind-the-scenes videos he posts to Instagram, Friedman will approach a dog and their owner on a walk. As he offers treats and toys to keep the dog’s attention, he speaks with their owners about their pet’s personality and backstory. This informal interview yields stories sweet, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking. The owner of Tank, a one-year-old dachshund in a little yellow raincoat, explained to Friedman about the support her pet provided in getting her out of the house during a period of struggle with her mental health. Actress Fran Drescher, whom Friedman happened upon in Central Park with her 6-year-old mix Angel, described the process of rescuing from a California rescue Rockin’ Rescue. “I rescued her, and then she rescued me,” Drescher said.
Like these pet parents can’t imagine life without their dogs, many who follow the Dogist find the page to be an important outlet for joy in their lives. “I can’t even imagine the world without the Dogist 🥹,” one Instagram user @candicegreenway commented under a recent post. Friedman now reaches his audience through a variety of outlets, including a touring show titled Dog Nation: An Evening With The Dogist and Special Guests, as well as a Ted Talk The unique love between humans and dogs.
Previous Publications
Friedman’s entrance into the literary world began in 2015 when he put out a photography book titled The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with 1,000 Dogs. This title earned a spot on The New York Times’ best-seller list, shining a spotlight on dogs of all kinds. His portraits are sorted by breed, style, and attitude, with pages devoted to pets from “Working Dogs” to “Dogs in Fancy Outfits.”
Following this publication, The Dogist Puppies was released two years later in 2017. In a format similar to Photographic Encounters, this book captures all manner of baby dogs. Focusing his photography on puppies posed one new challenge for Friedman, which he explained to News Channel 5. When he was able to track down litters of puppies to photograph, he was faced with “figuring out how to get them to look at me. Sometimes their eyes are still closed, so you just have to photograph them sleeping, you know, they sleep 23 hours a day.”
The Newest Novel: This Dog Will Change Your Life
Friedman takes on a reflective perspective in his newest book, This Dog Will Change Your Life. He credits his own dog Elsa, a “foster fail” he rescued in 2020, with reminding him of the love he deserved, a realization that contributed to his marriage a few years later. He explores these kinds of impacts that dogs can have, as they can be both a challenge and a responsibility, and a source of comfort and support. In pulling together stories of dogs he has encountered both personally and professionally, This Dog Will Change Your Life sees our furry friends for the lessons they teach us and the meaning they add to our lives. It is set to release on Tuesday, June 3rd.
Despite the millions of animals that exist across the world, there is something special and precious in every dog, as well as every owner who welcomes them into their lives. Elias Friedman’s photography and social media presence as The Dogist help to reveal these unique and meaningful connections.
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