When Florals Meet the Front Lines of Rescue
Rescue is rarely pretty.
It’s messy, loud, expensive, and emotional.
It rearranges your life, your furniture, your heart. And it all depends on people saying yes.
That’s what The Art of Rescue is about.
It’s a portrait series that celebrates the beauty inside that yes — the people who keep opening their homes, the florists who donate their time, the dogs who teach us about resilience without even trying.
I wanted to create work that honors the effort of rescue, not just the outcome. The unseen, unglamorous work.
Where Design Meets Devotion
When I started planning the shoot, I reached out to several florists around Charlotte. I wanted someone who understood that the florals weren’t background — they were part of the story.
Only one said yes: The Blossom Shop.
They didn’t hesitate or ask for guarantees; they just believed. Their work became more than a backdrop; it became a metaphor and brought softness to the hard edges of rescue.
That’s what I mean when I say design meets devotion. It’s when people bring their craft, their care, and their creativity together to make something bigger than any one of us could do alone.
Behind the Frame
The images look serene now, but the day was total chaos.
A puppy peed on set.
A production assistant sat in it.
Another dog refused to settle until we took her outside and realized she was holding back a very urgent bathroom emergency.
We laughed, we cleaned, we tried again.
And somehow, between the mess and the music, we built stunning. Because that’s what rescue really looks like — not perfection, but persistence.
Petals with Purpose
The Art of Rescue isn’t just a photo series — it’s a way to help.
A selection of the photos can be purchased in My Store
100% of proceeds support Halfway There Rescue, a Charlotte-based nonprofit giving dogs across the Carolinas a second chance.
Each purchase funds medical care, transport, or another photo session that helps a dog get seen.
Download, share, donate — every act keeps the work going.
Meet the Artist – Michelle Miner
I’m Michelle Miner, a Charlotte-based photographer, creative director, and rescue advocate. My work blends storytelling, design, and editorial photography to capture what care looks like — in homes, in brands, and in rescue.
Through The Art of Rescue, I wanted to merge those worlds — to show that creativity can be a form of compassion, and that design can be a way to show your devotion to any cause.
The project was photographed, styled, and directed by me, in collaboration with The Blossom Shop, whose florals became the emotional core of the work.
If you’re looking for a Charlotte photographer who believes in art with meaning — whether for portraits, creative campaigns, or community projects — I’d love to connect.
Credits
Photography, Creative Direction & Set Design: Michelle Miner
Florals: The Blossom Shop, Charlotte, NC
Beneficiary Partner: Halfway There Rescue