Cart 0
 

A COFFEE TABLE BOOK PROJECT SUPPORTING RESCUE DOGS

The Greatest Companion: Vol 1

Benefitting Longleaf Animal Rescue

Every dog that will be selected to be featured in this book — chosen from applicants, not randomly — had a life before the person who saved them: scared, overlooked, defeated, or simply out of time.

This is a legacy coffee-table book built around what happened next: the second chances, the recoveries, the resilience, and the love and joy that grew from it.

Every page is a story worth sitting with, and a reminder of just how remarkable rescue dogs are.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FEBRUARY 2027 — 30 DOGS SELECTED — BOOK RELEASE NOVEMBER 2027

 

 THE VISION

More Than A Coffee Table Book

Over eight years and hundreds of rescue dogs photographed, I've learned that every rescue dog carries a story worth telling.

The Greatest Companion is meant to be a legacy project: one that celebrates rescue dogs and the people who love them, changes how the public sees shelter dogs, and raises real money for the organizations, like Longleaf Animal Rescue, doing the hardest part of this work.

THIS IS VOLUME 1.

If it resonates the way I believe it will, it's the first book of an ongoing series — future volumes could follow senior dogs, therapy dogs, specific breeds, puppies, and more.

Gummy-108.jpg

THE CHARITY COMPONENT

 Three Ways This Project Gives Back

The Greatest Companion is a multi-stage fundraiser for Longleaf Animal Rescue, built directly into every stage of bringing the book to life.

 
 
 
 
 
raleigh-pet-senior-dog-photographer-portraits-durham-cary-wendell-zebulon-garner-fuquay.png
 
 

 GET INVOLVED

Four Ways To Be Part Of The Greatest Companion

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Our Sponsors

These are the incredible local businesses standing behind rescue dogs alongside this project.

 
 
 
Colby (Longleaf Animal Rescue)-102.jpg

 JOURNEY TO LAUNCH

The Greatest Companion Project Timeline

FEBRUARY - OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Applications open, then featured dogs are selected, notified, and sessions begin scheduling.


MARCH - APRIL

Public votes on the front and back cover of The Greatest Companion through a live voting contest while featured dogs photography sessions begin behind the scenes. 100% of proceeds from the live voting contest will be donated to Longleaf Animal Rescue.


MAY - JULY

Sessions continue and wrap up. Book design begins taking shape.


AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

Writing, editing, and layout are finalized. The full book is proofed and sent to print with pre-sale copies being ordered.


OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

The Greatest Companion releases in time for the holidays with a book launch party celebration to officially bring the book to the public!


DECEMBER - FEBRUARY

100% of proceeds from The Greatest Companion will benefit Longleaf Animal Rescue from launch until February 2028. After February 2028, 30% of proceeds will continue to go to Longleaf Animal Rescue.

raleigh-pet-dog-puppy-portait-photographer-pet-and-people-sessions-end-of-life-durham-cary-chapel-hill-nc (3).png

YOUR DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

 Hey, I’m Joanne.

I'm a Professional Dog Photographer specializing in vibrant, artwork-worthy portraiture for pets and the people who love them. Since founding Five Freedoms Photography, I've made it my mission to use photography to help reduce animal overpopulation and change how people see shelter dogs.

The Greatest Companion feels like the natural next step of that work — a book that gathers the stories of incredible rescue dogs and their resilience all combined together in one beautiful coffee table book.

1100+ RESCUE DOGS PHOTOGRAPHED SINCE 2019 | 30+ RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED | $82K RAISED + DONATED FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

tully_22.jpg
 

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked

How can my dog be featured in the book?

Applications open in February 2027 and are free to submit. If your dog is selected, there's a $149 selection fee with $100 of that going directly to Longleaf Animal Rescue. The selection fee includes a complimentary petite session for each applicant with an option to upgrade to a full session for an additional $99.

What is the cover contest?

Once the featured dogs for the book are chosen, all of them go head-to-head on a live voting platform for the front and back cover spots. Friends and family vote, and every vote benefits Longleaf Animal Rescue.

Where does the money go?

$100 of each selection fee, cover contest vote, and a portion of every book sold benefits Longleaf Animal Rescue — in three stages, from application through the launch celebration. This project exists to raise money for rescue, not just to sell a book.

When does the book release?

The projects runs through 2027 with the book releasing in Autumn 2027 — timed for holiday gifting, a launch celebration, and year-end giving.

Can my business sponsor the project?

Yes — any local business is welcome, not just pet-related ones. To keep it meaningful, sponsorship is limited to one business per industry (one realtor, one groomer, one law firm, and so on). Sponsors are recognized inside the book and at the launch event. Reach out to inquire.

 

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Join the Waitlist

Applications open in February 2027. Get on the list and we'll email you the moment the book project kicks off!

Wilbur (Longleaf Animal Rescue)-104.jpg