Justin Veenema

🚨 [Please Read]: Product ads on my YT Shorts

A few of you have let me know that the 'product' card that appears on some of my shorts blocks important points in the video, making them harder to watch.

I think there might've been an update on the placement of these cards that I'm not aware of. They used to not block any part of the video, and I'm pretty sure you could swipe them away as well. But it seems an update has made them more aggressive. 🥲

Unfortunately I can't seem to see these myself on my own videos, so I need your help!

If you ever see a product card that's blocking anything in my videos, please leave me a comment on that video and let me know. I can log-in and try to shrink it or move it to a less distracting area (or remove it entirely).

Including these cards is pretty important, as it's one of the few ways I'm able to survive as a creator and keep this whole project going... but I DEFINITELY don't want them to be annoying or get in the way!

So if you see them, and they're in an annoying/distracting location... please tag me in the comments and let me know! 🙏

1 month ago | [YT] | 747

Justin Veenema

I got to photograph a very special girl today ❤️

Stay tuned for this one!

1 month ago | [YT] | 8,214

Justin Veenema

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT:

In 2026 I'll be picking a handful of community-submitted stories to share with the world. That could mean I come photograph you, work with a brand to surprise you, or simply share your story with the world.

My street interviews will always be unplanned & authentic. Don't worry, those aren’t going anywhere! But this is a way for me to share stories that I wouldn’t find organically on the street.

Want to get photographed and share your dog's story with the world?

Learn more and apply here!👇
tally.so/r/Y5OLlv

2 months ago | [YT] | 3,652

Justin Veenema

Yesterday I volunteered at the BC Children's Hospital to photograph some of the dogs in their Pet Therapy program. This is Abby, an angel in the form of a Golden Retriever.

I also got to interview a strong young woman who has courageously been going through Cancer treatment. She told me how much the pet therapy program means to her, and how it was the biggest thing that helped get her through treatment.

I can't wait to share both of these stories with you all! 💙

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2 months ago | [YT] | 10,877

Justin Veenema

I just posted the BIGGEST collab reel of my career 🤯

If you could go give it some love, I’d appreciate you forever! 💙

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3 months ago | [YT] | 13,328

Justin Veenema

What video should I post next? 🤔

3 months ago | [YT] | 267

Justin Veenema

🗳️ POLL:

What kinds of stories do you want to see more of in 2026?

Is there anything you'd like to see more of?
Or is there anything you'd like to see less of?

I'm leaving this open-ended - there are no wrong answers! ❤️

3 months ago | [YT] | 232

Justin Veenema

Happy New Years, everyone! 🎉

Wanted to share my intentions for 2026 👇

(Not resolutions. Just some thoughts about what's ahead)

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📖 1. MORE INCREDIBLE STORIES


This year, I want to tell more stories. Therapy dogs. Search & rescue animals. The amazing humans I meet along the way.

My biggest challenge in 2025? I captured way more stories than I could share - video editing is sooo time-intensive. 🥲

So in 2026, I'm mixing it up: image posts, carousels, different video formats & lengths. Whatever gets these stories out into the world.

(P.S. If I photographed you and haven't posted it yet… it's coming!)

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🤝 2. MORE CONNECTIONS

I've met so many incredible people on this journey, and I want to keep that momentum going in 2026.

I share a lot of stories about the people I photograph, but there are just as many amazing stories happening behind the camera too.

After all, it's not really about the photos we take—it's about the people we meet along the way.

--

⚡️ 3. REKINDLING MY CREATIVE SPARK

In the last half of 2025, I found myself spending more time on admin, emails, and video editing than actually taking photos. I was more "content creator" than "photographer." 🫣

Photography has always been my greatest passion. As creatives, we need to nurture that flame and lean into our curiosities.

This year I'm getting back to my roots. Learning new techniques, experimenting with editing, pushing my creative boundaries. Growing as a photographer, not just as a content machine.

You might see me share some of that journey too. 😊

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⚖️ 4. FINDING BALANCE

I love this community. I'm so grateful this is my job. Truly.

But I'm learning that sustainable creativity needs space—for health, family, friends, and life outside the camera.

I'll be spending more time volunteering this year, including photographing shelter dogs and working with the BC Children's Hospital pet
therapy program.

So if I post a little less, know it's so I can show up better when I do. Quality and depth over the content hamster wheel.

I'm still figuring this out. But that's the intention.

---

Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you 🙏

For being here. For understanding. For being the best community on the planet.

Let's make 2026 about connection, creativity, and making the world feel a little smaller (and a whole lot friendlier). 💛

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4 months ago | [YT] | 3,627

Justin Veenema

I've seen a LOT of questions asking who that girl is that's been translating in my Japan series videos...

So here she is!

This is Rina, a Japanese photographer (and friend of mine) who is based out of Osaka.

Rina reached out via DM when she saw that David and I were visiting Japan. She offered to help show us around and help us translate, so we ended up linking up with her in Osaka.

But Rina and I quickly became good friends, so she ended up joining us for a few days in Kyoto as well.

Rina has taught Japanese/English for a number of years, so her translation skills came in super handy throughout this trip. I couldn't have got some of these shots without her help... so thank you Rina! 🙏

Go check out her photography work here (and tell her I sent you!):
www.instagram.com/rina_photo_jpn/

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5 months ago | [YT] | 6,808

Justin Veenema

👇 How I make my photos *pop*

This question comes up a LOT, so I thought I'd address it.

Most people think my photos look this way because I have a fancy camera. But that isn’t the case! 🚫

I actually use a bunch of different cameras, ranging from a $1000 point and shoot, to a full professional Sony camera. Most people can't tell the difference, because it's less about the camera, and more about the editing.

Every photo I take is edited with one tool - Lightroom. It’s a free app on your phone and it lets you brighten, fix colors, add depth, sharpen details, the whole deal.

The photos that typically come straight out of my cameras look like the example on the left. Flat, a little dull, nothing special.

But over the years I created my own Lightroom presets specifically for pets. 🐾

These presets instantly bring the photo to life - including richer colors, better fur, and cleaner shadows. I use these on every photo I took (including photos I take with my phone).

This is the magic behind all of my photos 🪄 and they're made to be easy to use for beginners. They also come with a 30-min tutorial that teaches you exactly how to use them, step-by-step.

You can download them here:
justinveenema.com/presets

5 months ago | [YT] | 2,562