Couple

2-Dog Photo Shoot with People : Ellie and Harrison’s New Albany Pet and Family Session by Holly Hildreth

A cool couple walking their two dogs on a path and holding hands during family photo shoot with their dogs in New Albany, Ohio

Capturing the Heartwarming Bond Between Ohio’s Dogs and Their People

A woman in her mid 30's embracing her golden retriever dog during a professional pet and owner photo shoot in Columbus, ohio

Ellie the Golden Retriever and Harrison the Doodle mix made for quite the dynamic doggy duo at their photo shoot. Ellie's total happy-go-lucky goofball personality perfectly complemented Harrison's super chill Bob Ross vibes. It was a joy to witness and capture the unique bond these two dogs share with each other and their adoring pet parents during our pet and family photography session.

Funny photo of a golden retriever dog jumping toward the camera during a professional pet photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio

This couple wanted to make sure we captured their dog’s personalities with this photo shoot. I think it’s safe to say that Ellie and Harrison's souls shine through in every shot. Between Ellie’s joyful leaps and silly expressions, and Harrison’s calm and collected demeanor, we got a ton of gorgeous images. Their owners were equally wonderful to work with, and it was a pleasure to be a part of capturing the love and joy they share.

Professional pet photography portrait of a dog pawing at his male owner's arm during a summer photo shoot in Ohio.

If your dog is your ride-or-die, then including them in your family pictures is a no-brainer. They’re a much-loved family member! Your session is your chance to celebrate and forever freeze those fleeting moments of affection, joy, and companionship.

As Columbus, Ohio’s best pet photographer, I specialize in capturing the special connections between pets and their people. Just as every dog is different, so is every photo shoot! Custom pet photography means I tailor your shoot specifically to you and your dog. Before your session we will chat about the type of images you’re looking for, your dog’s individual needs, abilities, personality and quirks. We’ll also discuss the locations we could use for our shoot as well as see if there is any special occasion you’re celebrating. Whether you’re marking a happy milestone like your dog’s birthday, celebrating the adoption of a new puppy, or simply wanting to capture the daily happiness your dog brings into your life, a professional pet photo shoot is the perfect way to do so. This couple wanted to celebrate their wedding anniversary with a fun summer photo shoot together with their furry friends. They wanted to to tell the story of their little family as well as create some dramatically-lit colorful portraits to turn into canvas print wall art for their new home.

Professional pet photography session of a Golden Retriever and doodle at a park in New Albany, Ohio
dramatically-lit professional pet photography of a doodle dog sitting on a tree stump in a forest with a blue sky in Ohio
Dog and Owner portrait of a blonde woman smiling while she hugs her doodle mix dog during a professional pet photographer shoot in Columbus, Ohio

Since your session is tailored to you, if there’s something special you’d like to capture (like a cute trick, or your dog playing with their favorite toy), let me know! There are lots of fun and unique ways to incorporate these little details into your shoot in order to truly make your photos unique.

Cool tattooed woman petting her dog during a professional pet photography shoot in a park in Columbus, Ohio

Not only will we capture the natural beauty of your dog by themselves, but I’ll document the bond you share as well. During your session, we will have plenty of opportunities to capture candid moments as well. I love being able to freeze these sweet, quiet moments of owners together with their dogs forever. Beautiful candid shots are a great representing of your relationship and the depth of your bond. Often these unscripted scenes end up being the owner’s favorite, as they tend to really show genuine emotions and don’t feel “stuffy” or posed like traditional family photos that you would get from a people-photographer (rather than a professional pet photographer).

A doodle dog standing by a small stream during a professional pet photography session with dramatic lighting

Whether you’re in Westerville, Dublin, German Village, or anywhere else in the Columbus area, there are plenty of beautiful locations for a dog and owner photo shoot. We chose New Albany’s Rose Run Park for this portrait session location because we wanted to get a beautiful blend of natural scenes like the woods and the stream with some more man-made features like the brick bridge over the water. This picturesque location, with its lush greenery and serene atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of tail-wags and belly laughs.

Family photo shoot of an engaged couple and their two dogs at a park in Columbus, Ohio

Interested in family photos with your dog? Let’s talk!

Your first step is to request your photo shoot HERE . Once I receive your submission I will be in touch within 2 business days to discuss your session details.



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

Engagement Photo Shoot Featuring Georgie the Rescue Dog in Columbus Ohio by Holly Hildreth

Indoor engagement announcement photo of a mixed breed dog wearing a bandana, photo by Columbus, Ohio Dog Photographer Holly Hildreth

Georgie here has a big announcement: His Humans are Getting Married!

I photographed Pam, Devon, and Georgie a few years ago for a pet and family session, so I was excited for the opportunity to work with them again for their engagement photos. For their photo shoot, they wanted to be sure to include Georgie, their rescue dog. We also wanted the images to have a warm and relaxed vibe, as well as incorporate their favorite drinks as a special touch.

Engagement photo shoot with a dog in a dog-friendly bar in Columbus, Ohio

Since it was the middle of winter and ridiculously cold outside, we had to get creative. We beat the chilly weather by photographing at The Junto Hotel! This dog-friendly hotel in downtown Columbus is incredibly beautiful and made for the perfect backdrop for our session. It also gave us an excellent view of the skyline.

A young couple with their dog during an engagement photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio

While I’m a pet photographer first and foremost, it’s always a special treat to be able to capture pets with their people—especially when celebrating some of life’s big milestones! Your dog isn't just a pet, they're family. So, when it comes to capturing the joy of your engagement, include them in the celebration! Here's why your furry friend deserves a spot in your engagement shoot:

  • Furever Part of the Story: Your engagement photos tell the story of your love, and your dog has likely been there for some of the most special moments in your relationship. Including them reflects the true essence of your growing family.

  • Laughter & Lightheartedness: Dogs are natural stress relievers and bring a sense of fun to any situation. Their playful energy can inject humor into your photos and help you relax in front of the camera.

  • Unique & Unforgettable: Engagement photos including your dog are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind, truly special photos that capture not just the bond between you and your partner, but the incredible love you all share.

Ready to book your session? Visit my Contact Page today to request your photo shoot!

Columbus End of Life Pet Photography - Dugan by Holly Hildreth

Handsome 13 year old Dugan recently came to me for an End of Life session when he was diagnosed with a sinus tumor. He was a tiny gentleman during this pet and family photo shoot and was nothing but happiness, tail wags, and love--at one point taking a quick break from shooting to run up to me and ask for a belly rub. It was very clear to see just how special Dugan is to his people. I’m so glad we were able to capture the bond he had with his moms while he was still feeling good. I'll be thinking of Dugan and his family as they treasure the remaining time they have together.

Overhead angle photo of a chihuahua during an End of life photoshoot for a terminally ill dog in Columbus, Ohio

While End of Life Pet Photography sounds like a very somber occasion, owners often feel much more joyful and experience a sense of peace during these photo shoots. End of Life sessions give you a time and a place to make a few last beautiful memories together with your dog before they pass. Owners also find that having these images after their pet crosses the rainbow bridge helps bring them comfort an a sense of closure.

A happy LGBT couple and their dog during an end of life pet photography session in Columbus, Ohio