Canon Selects Animal Shelter Advocate and Photographer Guinnevere Shuster for the Final Chapter of the Rebel With A Cause Campaign

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has been showcasing modern day rebels through the Rebel With A Cause campaign in honor of the 25^th anniversary of the first EOS Rebel SLR camera. To celebrate the culmination of the project, Canon hosted a contest to find a real life rebel and is excited to announce that animal shelter advocate and photographer Guinnevere Shuster was selected as an individual that showcases that there truly is a "rebel in all of us." To build awareness of the overcrowding within shelters and the 3,000 animals euthanized each year*, Guinnevere captured a "dog's best day" with shelter dog, Willa. The full #WillasBestDay film, shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, can be seen here: http://Canon.us/6whg with a call to action for families to adopt.

"Four years ago, I started photographing shelter dogs. With millions of animals still in shelters looking for their forever home, I wanted to try and make a difference and do my part to change people's opinions of animal shelters and their residents," said Shuster. "It's been amazing working with Canon to change the portrayal of shelter animals by showcasing how to use photography to capture dogs in their natural state, having fun, rather than the stereotypical pictures that show shelter animals behind 'bars.'"

Throughout the video, Guinnevere can be seen photographing Willa enjoying her best day – in a room filled with toys, playing with bubbles, drinking water from a golden toilet and feasting like a Queen on animal-friendly treats and meats. To help bring further awareness, Guinnevere also partnered with Dogs of Instagram on a series of posts to advocate for Willa's adoption.

"Canon is pleased to stand alongside Guinnevere Shuster, the winner of our consumer contest and Canon's final Rebel With A Cause, and share her story as she advocates for shelter animals," said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Guinnevere embodies the modern rebel in the world today and shares a passion that many share around the country. Using her passion for photography, Guinnevere aims to make a difference by finding shelter dogs their forever homes."

The runners up from Canon's consumer contest include Christopher Matthew, founder of the G.R.O.O.M. project, who gives haircuts to the less fortunate; Lauren Bianco, a developmentally disabled wildlife photographer who works with Angela's House, a home and agency for medically frail children; Pablo Rene Anzueto, who founded Wheels of Hope to renovate bicycles for people in third world countries; and Ken Casparis, who documents individuals of the LGBTQ community with "Stories For Love." You can see more about their projects here: http://Canon.us/5sh8.

In late 2015, Canon launched Rebel With A Cause, a campaign designed to profile modern day rebels who challenge convention in their own unique way, shown through the eye of a Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera. American Daredevil Nik Wallenda, the first and only person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, encouraged an unexpected group of people to check items off of their personal bucket lists (video here). In February 2016, Canon continued Rebel With A Cause, with GRAMMY® winning producer Swizz Beatz. Aiming to showcase artistic talent that may have otherwise fallen under the radar of the art community through #TheUnknowns, Swizz worked to curate an art show for the world to see on the facades of museums in New York City, followed by a gallery event at Sotheby's Auction House and an online auction (video here). In October, Canon worked with YouTube video creator and anti-bullying advocate Anna Akana who, along with The Groundlings comedy troupe, worked with bullied teenagers ranging in ages from 13 to 17 to teach them how to use the power of comedy to face their fears and confidently use their personal experiences as the basis for their own comedic material (video here).

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2015† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2016. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Guinnevere Shuster

Guinnevere Shuster photographs shelter animals to bring to life their vibrant personalities in hopes of increasing their chance of getting adopted. Her photographs show the animals in their natural state, having fun, rather than the stereotypical pictures that show shelter animals behind bars as creatures that are unwanted and need to be pitied. To date, she's photographed over 7,500 animals and in 2015 the Humane Society of Utah placed 11,318 animals in homes. 

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners

*Statistic provided by American Humane based on 2008 report.

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SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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