German photographer Elke Vogelsang uses her camera to show the expressive, and often silly, side of dogs. Regularly using her own three rescue pups as models, she focuses the lens on their goofy, fluffy faces in a way that gives the viewer a real sense of just what that pooch was thinking when the shutter snapped.

The inspiration came to her during a dark patch after her husband, Carsten, suffered a brain hemorrhage. Luckily, their dogs were the ones who alerted her to the emergency and she was able to get him to a hospital quickly enough that he was able to make a full recovery after months of rehabilitation.

It was during those difficult months that she began a daily photo diary to share with Carsten.

Elke Vogelsang

She wanted to help him feel connected to their little fur family while he was stuck in his hospital bed.

Elke Vogelsang

Carsten had spent weeks in a coma and experienced short-term memory loss.

Elke Vogelsang

The photos helped build his memory and remind him of the happier times.

Elke Vogelsang

Starting as just a hobby, Vogelsang says the photography “became something like an addiction to me.”

Elke Vogelsang

Though she was dealing with the stress of her husband’s recovery, she was able to find a sense of calm while snapping away with the photogenic pups.

Elke Vogelsang

And she couldn’t stop herself from continuing even after Carsten finally returned home.

Elke Vogelsang

When she posted the photos on Facebook, Vogelsang soon found herself with a growing fan base.

Elke Vogelsang

Other dog owners began requesting photo sessions for their pups, and her hobby suddenly became a whole new career.

Elke Vogelsang

Vogelsang couldn’t be happier to make a living from her love of canines and cameras.

Elke Vogelsang

Though most of the portraits focus on the silly side of her subjects, she says they can also be shy and sad depending on their mood.

Elke Vogelsang

Inspiring the goofy looks doesn’t take much effort, as she explains, “They find pleasure in the most mundane things.”

Elke Vogelsang

“It’s an homage to dogs, life, and photography.”

Elke Vogelsang

Since she can’t put into words how much the portrait sessions gave her strength during her husband’s ordeal, she hopes to translate it into the photos.

Elke Vogelsang

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It’s pretty safe to say she does exactly that with these impressive portraits.

To find more of her awesome photography, check out her Facebook, website, and Instagram. You can also pre-order her first photography book, Nice Nosing You, in which she details more about her husband and the inspiration behind her journey to a career in photography.