About
Meet Audrey, photographer behind Sunsets Unleashed
Audrey is no stranger to being around animals. She was raised in a home full of large-breed dogs and worked at an Arabian horse ranch throughout her high school years. A native Southern Californian, she founded the Boxer Rescue Project of San Diego and has dedicated the past 12 years to animal rescue efforts in San Diego County. Audrey also served a 9-year term on the board of directors for Last Chance at Life Rescue in Oceanside, CA.
Her enthusiasm for photography combined with her love for animals inspired her to create dog photo calendars to sell as fundraisers for local animal rescues. With a growing interest in pet photography, her pet calendar projects soon led to her traveling around the globe to learn from some of the world's most talented pet photographers. With further education and training Audrey was inspired to take her pet photography to the next level and began offering customized sessions for clients, both private and commercial, in 2015.
Second to Audrey’s love for animals and capturing them in photos is her love of experiencing a magnificent sunset. Living only a short distance to the beach and San Diego Harbor and spending summers in Surf Pines, Oregon, you will always find her outdoors at the “golden hour” on most days of the week. Audrey incorporates the golden hour in her portraiture, revealing pets in dynamic compositions framed with warm, golden light and vibrantly painted skies.
In 2018, Audrey's business was rebranded and relaunched as Sunsets Unleashed - Pet Photography by Audrey Ricks. The majority of her photography assignments now cover the entire west coast, from San Diego all the way up to Vancouver, British Columbia. Recently, Audrey launched Sunsets Unleashed On Tour Sessions, offering private pet photo sessions and pop-up fundraisers for animal welfare groups in major cities across the U.S.
Secure a spot on her San Diego or Surf Pines calendar for a private, customized photo session, or catch up with her on one of her many road-tripping photo ops where she'll be hosting private client sessions and pet photo pop-up fundraising events.
Rescue/Volunteer Photographer
Audrey has volunteered and photographed animals for a variety of rescue groups such as Boxer Rescue Project San Diego, Last Chance at Life Rescue, Frosted Faces Foundation, Road Dogs and Rescue, OPCA Shelter Network Alliance, Passion for Pitties, Pug Rescue San Diego, and Seen=Saved Los Angeles, to name a few. Launching in fall of 2019 will be “To the Rescue - a Pet Photography Project ” where Audrey teaches other photographers how to improve their pet photography skills while photographing pets for local rescue groups who need better pictures for adoption profiles and bios.
If you are part of a rescue organization or shelter in need of “Adopt Me” sessions, please contact Audrey to learn more.
Rave reviews from happy pet owners
“Audrey is THE most amazing pet photographer I have ever worked with. Our dogs and cat respond to her in a very special way. They are calm, happy, relaxed and she brings out their personalities.”
Barbara Hearne & Kona, Kai, and Princess
“Road Dogs & Rescue is so grateful to Audrey for the amazing photos she takes of our rescues. She always goes out of her way to capture something special! Thank you, Audrey!”
Nikki Carvey, founder of Road Dogs & Rescue