Consider, for example, Chairmander who (as she explained on the Squirrels of UT website) “will gladly save your spot for you while you are gone.” Or Legolas, an albino cutie who just loves to take naps. She does, however, have a favorite squirrel: Sunflower.
“She is the sweetest and perhaps prettiest mama squirrel on campus. The more I see her, the more I feel like she has become a friend. And for some odd reason, it seems like she feels the same way, too,” Romano said.
Given her friendships with the squirrels, it’s no wonder Romano managed to capture such up-close and intimate portraits of the creatures. Most of them were cooperative and loved to be on camera, even though, as Romano shamelessly admitted, a tasty bribe was usually necessary.
“Food is like payment for their picture…They will happily have it taken if you provide them with some peanuts.”
But how and when do you go from enjoying squirrels to creating, editing, and publishing a college yearbook where all the students are…well, squirrels?
Romano gave a lot of thought to the concept of a “squirrel photobook” early on and created profiles on Facebook and Instagram of her newfound friends. But ultimately her goal was to put together an album of her favorite photos and offer it for sale.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings