Rue's Dog and Owner Photo Shoot in Columbus, Ohio / by Holly Hildreth

Dramatic Dog and Owner Photo Shoot on a rainy day in Columbus, Ohio
Urban pet photography of a fluffy black dog on an orange staircase in front of graffiti in Columbus, Ohio

A Decade of Love: Rue’s Drizzly Day Adoption Anniversary Photo Shoot

Some stories come full circle in the most heartwarming way—and Rue’s is one of them.

Ten years ago, I first met Rue as a tiny pup alongside her littermates when I photographed them to help get adopted. (Spoiler alert: the camera worked its magic.) Fast forward a decade, and Rue is living her best life with her wonderful mom, who reached out to commemorate their tenth anniversary together with some updated portraits.

A Woman smiles at her dog during a dog and owner photoshoot in Columbus, Ohio
rescue dog photography of a black puppy taken by professional dog photographer Holly Hildreth

It’s not every day I get to photograph a dog I met as a puppy—let alone ten years later! Rue’s session felt extra special, knowing I had played a small role in the beginning of their journey together. And yes, of course I’m including a throwback to her original adoption photo shoot so you can see that adorable fuzzy face!

A senior-aged dog laying down next to a waterfall during a professional pet photography session

While I usually prefer clear skies and golden hour light, sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Rue’s shoot came with a gentle drizzle, but rather than reschedule, we leaned into the moody atmosphere. The light rain actually brought a quiet magic to the images. Rue’s story is a reminder that adoption changes lives—and sometimes, so can a photo.

Dog and Owner portrait of a woman and her large dog sitting on a spiral staircase