Photographer Offering Free Portraits Surprised When Neighbor Brings Dog

A photographer who offered free portraits for any neighbors who came by was given a sweet surprise when her retired neighbor showed up and asked for his beloved rescue dog to be photographed. Jasmin Smith, 28, from Austin, Texas, is a supporter of building her local community, so she planned the session in a nearby green space, not knowing the sweet surprise that was going to play out next. Retiree Victor showed up with his and his wife Holly’s dog, Molly, and asked Jasmin to photograph her. During the shoot, which took place on April 26, Jasmin also learned the wholesome story behind Molly's adoption – which was one that had a photograph at its core. Following a freeze in Texas in February 2021, Molly and her brother were taken into care after being left outside and nearly dying. Victor and Holly applied to adopt Molly through the rescue center's website, and over the weeks that followed, checked the site and the photo of Molly "hundreds of times" in the hope of being successful. Having received the good news, Holly was also told by rescue center staff they could see the website stats and were amazed at how many times she had checked out the photo of the pooch, falling in love with Molly and hoping she would one day be hers. Fast forward four years, and as Jasmin had set up for one of her community photo shoots, Victor walked over with Molly and asked Jasmin if she could instead take a series of shots of his dog. The owner then proudly watched as Molly sat on a chair for the shoot, which Jasmin also captured on video and later shared on social media where the wholesome post quickly went viral.