Canadian fashion director-photographer Richard Phibbs’ vast portfolio brims with luxury brands the likes of Thom Browne and Giorgio Armani, and subjects as varied as Serena Williams and Meryl Streep.

His 30 ineffable years of photography is matched only by an even deeper love — a compassion for animals. 

“From a very young age, I’ve had a deep love and admiration for animals. My compassion for them runs so deep that I cannot simply walk by an animal suffering or in need—ignoring it is never an option,” Phibbs says.

He has travelled extensively because of his photography career and has been given the opportunity to see the world, not least the cruel treatment countless animals are subjected to. Phibbs speaks of the “millions of street dogs roaming the planet without care, donkeys overworked and abused, and horses starved only to keep labouring beyond their limits”. 

“These old souls, with their weathered faces, tell stories of hardship and resilience,” Phibbs shares, “I’m often moved to create portraits of them, as their eyes and expressions reveal a depth and beauty that go far beyond words.”

Little was one of the homeless dogs taken in by The Humane Society of New York, a charity Phibbs has been photographing rescue dogs for since 2012. Phibbs remembers when Little was first found, he was matted, filthy, stinking and near death from being confined in a box for weeks — it was impossible to tell what animal Little was. Weeks later, Phibbs was invited to take portraits of Little whose white coat now gleamed from being bathed, treated, and loved. Little might have lost one eye from an infection, but his spirits had returned. 

“Most animals endure unimaginable suffering as victims of human cruelty. It’s this harsh truth that fuels my resolve to never stop advocating for them.”