This Nurse Captures ‘Soul Pictures’ of Pets—And It's Helping Families Heal
Podcast Episode
When pediatric nurse Nayana Gadde isn’t caring for children at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she’s behind the lens of a camera capturing the kind of love you can’t always put into words. What started as a creative outlet quickly became something much deeper: a way to honor the bond between pets and their people, and to give back to adoptable animals in need.
Gadde quotes "My favorite subject was my late cat, Maggie, who was the perfect model and reignited my joy for photography that I had forgotten during post-grad life. Her sudden passing two years ago left me feeling lost and unfulfilled again. Like so many, I can say she was my lifeline, helping me get through tough days. "
Photographs That Heal More Than You’d Expect
What makes Nayana’s story so impactful isn’t just the beauty of her photos-it’s the purpose behind them. Instead of charging a session fee, she invites pet owners to make a donation to City of Elderly Love, a Philadelphia rescue that finds loving homes for senior pets. These photos aren’t just pictures. They’re comfort. They’re legacy. And for those grieving a recent loss, they’re a tangible way to hold onto love.
As someone who lost both of my soul dogs last year-Isabella and Cooper, I understand this kind of heartbreak on a deeply personal level. I would give anything to have one more photo of them curled up next to me, being their goofy, comforting selves. That’s why I believe so strongly in what Nayana’s doing. Her work doesn’t just capture pets-it captures the relationship that made them family.
Image: CanvasRebel
Nurses tested, nurse-approved shoes. Hawkwell shoes are revolutionizing comfort and support for healthcare professionals— get 20% off while it lasts!
From Bedside to Backdrops: Where Compassion Intersects
Nayana says "After working as an ER nurse through COVID, my mental health took a major hit. I moved to a different department, but I often wondered, “Is this all there is?” Nursing was my passion, but I was burnt out. That same year, I enrolled in grad school as a backup plan in case bedside patient care became too much. But it felt like all I did was work or study, leaving life feeling empty. I wanted something for myself. So, in late fall 2023, I started my photography business while still working full-time and being in grad school."
She adds, "Through my photography, I’ve been able to make a difference, taking pictures of adoptable animals to help them find homes. I’ve met so many cool people through working with rescues and shelters. Seeing pets I’ve photographed out for a walk makes my day! It’s rewarding to see my passion make an impact, giving me purpose beyond just working to work and survive. I am proud that between balancing a full-time job and grad school, I’ve still been able to photograph 61 adoptable pets (and counting!) in this past year and helped them find homes."
She also mentioned directly to me on IG about The Tilly Project, Nayana says "it’s a worldwide network that connects people with end of life photographers and that’s how I started doing end of life pet photography! It’s a pretty amazing organization and you can search for photographers in your area."
It’s not surprising that a nurse would be so gifted in this kind of work. Nursing and photography may seem worlds apart, but both require empathy, presence, and the ability to bring calm during emotional moments. Nayana’s bedside manner shines through in every session, creating a safe and peaceful space for pets and their humans.
This kind of storytelling has evidence behind it, too. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners report mental health benefits from their pets and 75% say those same benefits are noticed by family and friends. Through her lens, Nayana is helping preserve those life-changing connections.
A Calling Beyond the Clinic
For nurses who feel drawn to creative outlets or community-focused side projects, Nayana’s journey is a reminder that your skills and your heart can go hand-in-hand. Whether you're comforting a patient or photographing a beloved pet, what really matters is your ability to show up with compassion and presence.
And from someone who knows what it’s like to grieve the loss of a furry best friend-this kind of work is more than beautiful. It’s healing. It’s purposeful. And it’s exactly the kind of heart-led nursing the world needs more of!
You can email Nayana about her pet portraits here: https://www.nayanaphotography.com .
🤔What do you think? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
