Q: Can you share a little about your career at U-M and your role in LSA Technology Services?
A: I started looking for a position at U-M when my husband got accepted into graduate school here. We bought a house in the Saline area. At that time, I was working as a Business Analyst at Ally Financial in Auburn Hills. I wasn’t terribly attached to that job and the commute was just awful so I started looking for positions at Michigan. I graduated from U-M and was excited about the possibility to come back to campus. I also knew I wanted to do something different with my career.
I started as an Administrative Assistant for LSA IT and MIS in 2016. Then, in 2018, I began providing some administrative assistance for Web Services as well when they joined LSA IT, MIS, and ISS to form LSA Technology Services. Around the same time, Cathy Curley joined us as the CIO and my main role became supporting her with administrative assistance including calendaring, note taking, helping with agendas—really anything she needs help with. I also manage some onboarding and offboarding work that needs to be done for staff, sending out reminders, ordering office supplies, and helping with facility needs.
Q: What gets you excited about coming to work?
A: With this job, every day is different. There is always something happening so I am busy all the time. I really thrive in places where I am constantly doing something. I don’t like being idle. There is definitely a lot of work to do, especially with the changes going on. This role also lets me explore different projects and groups that might be considered outside what a typical admin might do. For example, I am a part of the LSA Technology Services’ Newsletter Team which speaks to my creative side in a way that traditional admin work doesn’t. It's allowed me to expand my writing skills which I’ve always been interested in doing. I am also a part of our Team Building Group. We really have a lot of fun putting on activities for staff to get to know each other since our organization is so large. I always enjoy helping provide a space where everyone can meet new people within our organization and get to know them outside of the work environment.
Q: You played a big role in organizing this summer’s LSA Weeks of Service. Tell us a little bit about that.
A: LSA Weeks of Service was a two-week long event for Dean’s Office staff and LSA Chief Administrators to sign up to volunteer at various organizations in the Washtenaw County area. My role this year was to manage a small team of people to help me reach out to the organizations and coordinate what type of work they needed help with and when they needed help. This year was a big success! We had 17 organizations participate and over 200 LSA staff members sign up to volunteer their time! I was also responsible for setting up the tool that was used to register for the various volunteer opportunities and the Google site that told a little about each organization and what their volunteer activities would consist of. We are also creating a toolkit that will be sent out so staff within LSA units can build up their own service opportunities. The staff really seem to enjoy this event and the ability to help out in the community.
Q: People may not know that you volunteer as an animal photographer for local shelters. How did you become involved in that?
A: I started volunteering at the Humane Society of Huron Valley’s Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center. It’s a cat shelter where you can go and hangout with adoptable cats. There are no cages so it really lets people get a feel for each cat’s personality. I started with cleaning and working reception, but then I noticed they had a photographer volunteer option and decided to try that out. There were no parameters so you didn't need to be an actual photographer to do it. They need help taking pictures because they get new cats every week. I usually go once a week, but there are a few other volunteers that also take photos. Another reason I started there was because it was pretty low stakes. A cat is not going to complain that I took a bad picture!
After working at Tiny Lions for awhile I wanted to do more, so I started reaching out to other local shelters to see if they needed help. Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue said it was perfect timing because they just sent out an email to their volunteers asking if anyone had photography skills. There was one volunteer taking photos but she was struggling to keep up with all the animals. I typically only help them during kitten season, but they also have dogs they sometimes need help with.
Q: What got you interested in photography and how did you learn?
A: I feel like it really started because of Instagram. I like to follow anything related to animals, shelters, and landscape photographers. I have always been interested in how those photographers get such amazing photos so that pushed me into wanting to learn more about photography. I have also always loved taking pictures of animals at the zoo but had never really played around with different camera settings. My husband knows a lot about videography—a lot of that knowledge transfers over to photography—so I was able to ask him questions if I didn’t know how something worked. Plus, Google and YouTube are always great resources if you’re just starting out.
Q: What equipment do you use?
A: Previously, I used my husband’s old Canon 7D which was great because I didn’t have to go out and buy a fancy new camera just to take pictures of cats. I did just recently splurge and buy a new one though. So, now I use a Canon 6D and I typically use prime and zoom lenses. Tiny Lions has a strict ‘no flash photography’ rule so it can be difficult getting good photos in their low light areas, so I’ve learned a lot about different camera settings from that. The shelters usually want a quick turnaround time for the photos because the animals are constantly changing so I use Adobe Lightroom to edit. I did also create my own personal photography website, mostly just for fun to share my favorite pictures.
Q: I imagine it can be difficult to get the animals to sit still and look at the camera. Do you have any tips or tricks for capturing the best pet photos?
A: Kittens are usually the easiest to photograph because they really like the shutter sound my camera makes. When they hear that click they look at me—It’s perfect! Adult cats are a little more tricky because they either want to hide or won’t stop moving. For them I usually use toys that crinkle or have feathers so I can get really playful shots or get them to look at the camera. Although, doing that is like a workout because I have to hold the camera with one hand while playing with a toy in the other hand. At Tiny Lions there can be customers there who are playing with the cats so it’s helpful if someone is already interacting with the cat. My new camera allows me to pull the screen out and adjust it to different angles so I don’t have to look through the viewfinder the entire time. This is nice especially for the really shy cats. They like to see my face and as soon as I hide behind the camera they get scared.
Dogs are just a whole other story. I did a session once with 8 puppies. We did two at a time and even that was crazy! They have so much energy so I have to be quick and ready for anything! Toys and treats are not going to do it. If they see a toy or a treat they jump on me and my camera. When I photograph dogs I have an assistant helping out.
Q: What is your favorite part about volunteering at the shelters?
A: They typically use my pictures on their Facebook and Instagram pages. My favorite part is when they post a photo I took and I see people commenting things like, “I want him or her” or they tag someone and say, “This cat would be perfect for you!”. It’s my favorite part because that's why I am taking the pictures—to help them find a home. So if someone can see themselves with this cat I feel like I have done my job. I am never going to make a shy cat look super playful or a playful cat look super shy. I want them to see the true personality of the cat they are going to adopt. It's always heartwarming to see people enjoying the pictures.
Q: Do you get to play with the animals after taking their photographs?
A: I actually play with or pet them before I take their picture to help me get a sense of their personality and let them know that I am going to be there for a little bit. I try to spend more time with the shy ones to coax them out of their hiding spot. I am usually playing with them while taking pictures as well. It's always great when you get the cat or kitten that will curl up on your lap or climb on your shoulder while you are trying to take pictures. So, I guess I get to play with them throughout the entire photo shoot.
Q: Are you ever tempted to adopt any of the animals you photograph?
A: Every. Single. Time. But, I have not adopted one yet. I have a cat at home and she seems like she wants to be the only cat in the house. She already has to put up with our dog so I don't know if I see her getting along with another cat. But, yes, I have been very tempted, especially with the ones that look like my cat. It’s hard but that's why I get really excited when I see one that I’ve gotten to know get adopted!
Q: What else might we find you doing this summer?
A: My parents have a place in Houghton Lake so we spend a lot of summer weekends up there golfing, going on the boat, and spending time with family. My brother will come up there and my aunts, uncles, and cousins will sometimes join us, too, so it's always a good time. My dog, who doesn’t like to swim, surprisingly loves to kayak! He will sit on the front and sniff around while I’m paddling. We will take my cat up there, too. She likes to lay in the sun spots and look out the window at all the ducks.
My other hobbies include baking and sewing. This summer I am hoping to really work on quilting. I just started to learn and hoping to finish one soon. For baking, I’m sure I will bake for a couple of family events coming up. The most I have ever baked was 12 dozen cupcakes for my cousin’s wedding. I had a lot of fun doing it!
Support Our Local Animal Shelters:
Tiny Lions Cafe Website, Facebook, and Instagram
Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue Website, Facebook, and Instagram
Check out Alyssa’s Work and Inspiration:
Alyssa's Instagram: Public and used for silly cellphone photos of her dog, Toby, and cat, Nina.
Alyssa's Photography Portfolio
Alyssa's Top 3 Instagram Inspirations—Follow these if you love animals!
