Allison Denenberg Archives - Tony Ward Studio

Allison Denenberg: Noble PAWS

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

While most people are excited about the approach of warm weather, this time of year is particularly trying for animal shelters. In the spring and summer months, shelters across the country are flooded with litters of newly born kittens. Although being surrounded by hundreds of tiny balls of fur might sound like heaven to animal lovers like myself, this situation is far from idyllic. Due to extremely limited space and resources, most shelters simply cannot care for all of the kittens that are brought to their door. Consequently, the vast majority of them are euthanized before getting even the slightest opportunity to find a loving home.

Fortunately, however, there are shelters like PAWS (the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) in existence. This particular organization prides itself on being a no-kill shelter, and has had a great deal of success with finding suitable homes for as many needy cats and dogs as possible. Although it is difficult to walk around the tiny facility and see so many adorable cats cooped up in cages, the fact that none of them are at risk of being euthanized is extremely comforting. Additionally, each day, the cats are let out of their cages in cycles so that they can wander around, stretch, and play. It is truly amazing to see how the sadness in their eyes dissipates as soon as they are allowed to roam free.

In photographing the cats at this shelter, it is my hope that viewers will be inspired to give these sweet animals a permanent taste of freedom by adopting them. While PAWS does an incredible job at keeping abandoned animals off of “death row” and providing them with food, shelter, veterinary care, and attention, all of these animals would be much better off outside of their cages and in loving homes.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior and recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2015. To read more articles by Allison Denenberg, go to the search bar at the bottom of the page: type in author’s name and click the search icon.

Allison Denenberg: Focus

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

As a Philadelphia native, sometimes I forget to appreciate the beauty of my hometown. When you walk past something all the time, if you’re too distracted by your own thoughts, or if you’re merely in a hurry, it’s easy to ignore your surroundings. However, by taking a purposeful stroll downtown with no intentions other than taking photographs, I realized just how much I have been missing.

When I walk around my neighborhood lost in thought, I might not pay any mind to the gorgeous Greek Revival style of the Merchants’ Exchange Building.

I may be too distracted to notice the artful arching of tree branches, or the beautiful shadows that they cast on the charming colonial houses.

The millions of thoughts buzzing in my head might drown out the quietude and serenity of the Old Pine Street Cemetery.

I might be in too big of a hurry to admire a cute family as they walk to school, or to chuckle at how the children’s backpacks are almost as big as they are.

In an effort to save time and reach my destination faster, I probably won’t take the scenic route down Elfreth’s Alley, and thus won’t notice the tree-lined passageway leading to a secret courtyard.

I may be too busy checking my phone, watching my step, or trying to avoid a rogue bicyclist to stop and glance up at a pretty church tower.

If it’s cold and I’m wandering around on a weekday, I likely won’t bother walking past Headhouse Square because the farmers’ market won’t be there.

But this time when I walked around downtown with my camera, I had no specific destination in mind, I had no major time constraints, and I forced myself to take a break from thinking about schoolwork and commitments. In focusing my lens, I also focused my attention, and for the first time in a long while, I was able to truly see Philadelphia and appreciate it for what it is.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Allison Denenberg: Perspective

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

About a month before my sister started high school and I began my freshman year of college, we found out that our mom had cancer. We were heartbroken and afraid, but also shocked and confused. How could something like this happen to our mom? She was so healthy. So alive. So kind. So undeserving of such a diagnosis. We feared that we were going to lose her, and we didn’t know what to do.

For months, we watched her undergo intensive chemotherapy treatments. She became frail and fatigued, but never stopped smiling. She constantly reassured us that she was fine, and that everything would be okay. Our mom was a ray of positivity and hope through one of the darkest times of our lives.

My sister and I learned a lot as a result of our mom’s illness. For one, it taught us not to sweat the small stuff. Failing a test, not getting the lead role in the play, being rejected from your top choice internship – these disappointments barely scratch the surface of the sadness and hopelessness that you feel when someone you love is sick and there is nothing you can do to heal them.

It has also taught us to be more appreciative of the good things in life, both big and small. A sunrise, the excitement of a first date, spending time with those you love – these are the things worth focusing on. It isn’t healthy to dwell on the negatives, because in doing so, you might overlook something wonderful.

While I never would have wished our mom to go through such an ordeal, there was definitely value in the experience. Watching her take on her illness with such positivity and grace was inspiring – and I was astonished at how her strength influenced my sister’s (and my own).

Now that our mom is better, we have all gained some peace of mind. But in her illness, we gained perspective.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.