Dawes Arboretum Engagement Photo Shoot with a Couple and their Dog | Ohio Professional Pet Photographer / by Holly Hildreth

A beautiful young couple crouch down in a Japanese garden to pet their dog during their engagement photo shoot at Dawes Arboretum in Newark. Photographed by Central Ohio Dog Photographer Holly Hildreth

Your engagement photos should reflect your love story and the excitement of this new chapter together. Since your dog is a key part of your story, including them in your engagement photos just makes sense! It adds a layer of warmth and authenticity that’s hard to replicate, making the photos uniquely you.

An engaged couple and their dog sitting on a bridge over a lake at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio. The lighting is dramatic with dark blue sky and vibrant colors, which is the signature style of professional dog photographer Holly Hildreth

One reason why your dog should be in your engagement pictures is because they make the experience so much more fun! There is much less pressure on you when your dog is involved, as dogs have a way of bringing out the most authentic emotions in us. These unscripted moments lead to amazing candid photos that show genuine smiles and expressions.

During this photo shoot, scruffy little Mason here made sure both his dog-parents were having a good time while we shot. He was a little clown and would sneak in to steal puppy kisses. This always ended up in all of us laughing at his goofy antics. My favorite face licking photo is below of Mason and his mom together surrounded by wildflowers.

Portrait of a dog and owner. The woman is smiling and laughing as her scruffy dog licks her face. She is laying in a field of wildflowers in front of a lake during a dog photo shoot at Dawe's Arboretum in Newark, Ohio.

One important factor in making your engagement photos truly special is to incorporate a location that you, your partner, and your dog all enjoy. For this session the couple chose to be photographed at the amazingly beautiful Dawe’s Arboretum in Newark, Ohio. There were so many gorgeous spots to photograph in this park, but we spent a majority of our session shooting around the Japanese garden area. It was super hot, so the large shade trees of the garden gave us some relief from the scorching summer sun.

This was my first time visiting Dawe’s Arboretum, and I loved how dog-friendly it is! Most botanical garden type parks in the Columbus area do not allow dogs. So it was a nice breath of fresh air to discover that Dawe’s encourages people to visit with their dogs. I know I’m excited to go back with my own dogs soon!

In the end, your engagement photos will not only document this big life milestone, but also capture the love and joy that your dog brings into your life. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate your love story, one that includes all the members of your family—furry ones included.

A couple smiles while walking their dog on a leash during and engagement photo shoot at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio by Professional pet photographer Holly Hildreth
Close up of a woman's engagement ring while she pets her dog during an engagement photo shoot with dog in Newark, Ohio
Couple posing with their dog during an engagement photo shoot at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio. Photographed by professional pet photographer Holly Hildreth
A man in his 40's sitting on a bench, petting his small dog during a family photo shoot with dog
A hispanic woman kneels down to pet her small dog during a dog and owner photo shoot in Newark, Ohio
Portrait session of a young engaged couple with their dog at Dawe's Arboretum in Newark, Ohio
An engagement photo shoot of a couple and their small dog in front of a Japanese garden pond at Dawe's Arboretum in Ohio
Professional Pet photography of a small scruffy dog wearing a black bowtie, standing in a field of Queen Anne's Lace wildflowers on a sunny day at Dawe's Arboretum in Newark, Ohio