End of Life Pet Photography Interview with My Modern Met

As a pet photographer, I was very flattered to be contacted by one of my favorite art and artist highlighting websites, My Modern Met for an interview about my End of Life Pet Photography work.

End of Life pet photography is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. While I do a lot of commercial animal photography, and private pet and family sessions, I find the End of Life sessions are some of the most rewarding. This heartfelt photo series captures intimate portraits of terminally ill dogs and their families in their final days together.

So how did I get into EoL Pet photography? Here’s a little snippit from the interview:

“Hildreth’s End of Life series is deeply personal, inspired by the sudden and unexpected loss of her own “soul dog,” Stoli. “It’s been a decade since Stoli died, and not a day goes by where I don't think about him,” she says. “Since I’m the one that’s always behind the camera, I don’t have many pictures of Stoli and I together.”

The photographer never had the chance to capture End of Life photos with Stoli; however, she cherishes one old picture of him, where she playfully holds his cheeks in a big, comical grin. “I had it printed as a canvas that hangs in my home where I can see it every day,” she says. “Looking at that photo brings up happy memories. Stoli was such a clown that he always had me laughing and even now he can still bring a smile to my face 10 years later.” Hildreth adds, “I know the power and significance of these photos for families who are dealing with a loss.”

Every session is an emotional experience, but it also brings a sense of comfort to families. It gives them a special moment to process their grief and soak in their final memories with their beloved pet before saying goodbye.

To read the full interview, head over to: Holly Hildreth Interview with My Modern Met

Dog and Owner Photoshoot: Winnie and Ryder

Dog and Owner Photography in Columbus, Ohio | Winnie & Ryder’s Fall Session

There’s something about fall in Columbus that just feels made for photography—golden light, colorful leaves, and that crisp Autumn air that somehow brings out the best in everyone (especially dogs).

Winnie and Ryder’s pet and family photo session was the perfect example of that magic. From the moment we started, their wagging tails and bubbly disposition brought sunshine and energy to our shoot. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful creekside location, surrounded by vibrant fall color, which gave us the dreamiest backdrop to capture both candid and posed moments.

This family also wanted to be sure to capture a few extra photos of their old man Ryder, whose health had started to slow him down. While this wasn’t officially an End of Life pet photography session, I was sure to capture a few quiet and meaningful moments of him with his people to showcase their beautiful bond. The soft golden hour light and beautiful scenery really helped set the scene and provide a gorgeous background for this sentimental portraits.

Sessions like this are why I love being a pet photographer. It’s not just about getting a “perfect” photo—it’s about documenting the connection between you and your dogs in a way that feels authentic. Whether it’s a quiet moment by the water or the chaos of two happy pups exploring every inch of the park, those are the memories worth holding onto.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge something a little more personal. I’m sure you’re scratching your head wondering why I am posting about a Fall session when it’s the middle of May. Well, I’ve been quiet here lately. I lost both my boys Rigby and Brisket back-to-back in October, and it has been incredibly difficult. I needed to step away for a bit to regroup. Anyone who has loved a dog knows they’re never “just a pet”—they’re family, and knows the devastating heartbreak that tears your soul in two when you lose them.t

Coming back to sessions like Winnie and Ryder’s has been a reminder of why this work matters so much to me. These photos aren’t just for today—they’re for years from now, when they mean even more.

I’m slowly getting caught up on sharing all the amazing dogs and families I’ve photographed this year, and I truly appreciate your patience and kindness during this time. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a seasonal pet and family photo shoot in Columbus, now is the perfect time to start planning. These moments don’t last forever—but photos help you hold onto them.

Ohio Show Dog Photography | National Specialty Winning Borzoi

Portraits of a campion: National Speciality Winning Borzoi Shines During Professional Pet Pet Photography Session in Columbus

Some dogs are so well put together that they stop you in your tracks — and Ahri is absolutely one of them. This stunning Borzoi recently earned an incredible achievement: winning the Breed National Specialty and becoming the #1 Borzoi in the country. To celebrate such a monumental achievement, we planned a special dog photography session at the beautiful Park of Roses in Clintonville.

Representing Envious Borzoi, Ahri brought elegance, presence, and charm to our photoshoot. Borzoi are already known for their graceful movement, long flowing coats, and striking silhouette, but Ahri truly stood out even among this iconic breed. Watching her move through the garden felt like I was witnessing a renaissance sculpture come to life. I was in awe of her effortless beauty which was accentuated by the incredible color and scenery of one of Columbus’ most famous parks.

We captured a variety of images during this professional dog photo shoot. We were sure to take some formal stacked portraits to show her beautiful structure as that’s what is being celebrated in the conformation area, and we also got some action shots to capture her effortless gait, and of course some personality-shots of Ahri just being the beautiful divine diva she is.

Not only were these photos for a personal celebration, but Ahri’s owner wanted to place an ad in the breed speciality magazine, so we wanted to be sure every photo was dog magazine centerfold-worthy.

As a Columbus pet photographer, sessions like this are always especially exciting because they capture more than just beautiful images — they are a celebration of local Ohio pups, their people, and the years of dedication, training, grooming, and showing that go into such an achievement. Being chosen to document that moment for Ahri and her owner handler was an honor.

Huge congratulations again to Envious Borzoi and Ahri on this unforgettable accomplishment. Becoming the #1 Borzoi in the country and winning the National Specialty is an extraordinary achievement, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to create these portraits to commemorate it.

If you’re looking for a Columbus, Ohio dog photographer to document your own dog’s championship win, performance career, or simply create artwork celebrating the bond you share, I’d love to help create something special.