What is the Marco Project?
Marco is my best friend, and I want to remember him forever.
The Marco Project exists to give families the one thing they can never get back: time.
When a pet is nearing the end of their life, days feel quieter, slower, heavier, but matter just as much.
This project offers no-cost end-of-life photography sessions for families preparing to say goodbye, because no one should miss the chance to hold on to the little things:
the way they curl into you
the look they give when they’re happy
the spaces in your home they filled
These sessions are funded by paid pet photography sessions, and also by people who believe in the mission. One allows the other to exist.
No-Cost End-of-Life Sessions
For families facing a serious diagnosis, age-related decline, or an imminent goodbye.
Always free
At home or a meaningful location
Calm, documentary-style session
Full gallery included
Limited availability; urgent cases prioritized
Metro Detroit only
Two Ways to Work With Me
Paid Pet Sessions
Your regular session helps fund end-of-life sessions for families in need.
Lifestyle or portrait sessions
30, 60, 120-minute, and all-day options
Any location: home, parks, lakes, favorite spots
5-30 Images, depending on booked session.
Full gallery available
Ideal for families wanting to support the project while capturing their pet’s everyday joy
Meet Joe...and Marco and Maggie
"If you want to learn what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph."
– not me, but someone wise
I’m Joe, and I believe that pets are more than just animals - they’re family. As a lifelong dog owner, I understand the deep love and bond we share with our furry companions, and I’m honored to be able to capture those moments that mean so much.
I have two dogs, Marco and Maggie. They’ve been by my side through more seasons of life than I can count. And somewhere along the way, I realized how much I wanted to remember the small things: the routines, the quirks, the quiet moments that define our days together. Those are the things I never want to forget.
That instinct, to hold onto what feels ordinary now but will matter deeply later, is what shaped this project. It’s a way to help other families capture the connection they share with their pets, whether they’re celebrating life as it is today or navigating a much harder moment.
How it Works
You reach out.
For end-of-life sessions, share the situation and timeline.
For paid sessions, choose the time block that fits and schedule a session.
We plan something simple and gentle.
There’s no posing pressure here. We slow things down and work at your pet’s pace.
The session happens where your pet is most comfortable.
Homes, yards, parks, favorite blankets, quiet corners - whatever feels right.
You receive a selection of high-resolution images.
Delivered with care, quickly, and without complexity.
Ways to Support
Your support helps me continue offering no-cost end-of-life sessions.
Share the project with someone who needs it
A small act can give a family something they’ll hold onto forever.