Columbus Dog Birthday Photo Shoot: Brisket turns 4

🎶 "Go shorty, it’s your birthday!" 🎉

How I Captured the Perfect Birthday Photos of My Dog: Pet Photography Hacks for getting a personality-filled shot.

It's become a little tradition of mine to throw my dogs a birthday bash complete their very own custom photoshoot every year. After all, if you’re going to celebrate your dog’s special day, why not make it memorable?

But here’s the thing—although Brisket is adorable, this guy rarely shows emotion. His go-to move is to stare directly into the camera, closed-mouth, looking bored…which isn’t exactly the vibe I had in mind for his doggy birthday photos

So, how do I get the perfect, joyful shot of my serious little guy? Let me take you behind the scenes of how I manage to get him to look like he’s having a blast.

The "Expression" Challenge

Brisket's quirk is a common trait in a lot of dogs, but it can be a bit tricky when you're aiming for a fun, lighthearted photoshoot. I’ve tried to get him to “smile” the traditional way with lots of exercise, but what I’ve learned is that his smile (or at least an expression of joy) is only achievable after a good run. But here’s the catch: after a 20-minute sprint, he's so tired that he just wants to lay down and can hardly even keep his eyes open for pictures. So, what’s a dog photographer to do?

My Secret Pet Photography Hacks

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from 15 years of photographing pets, it's that motion can make all the difference when it comes to capturing fun and goofy expressions. So, rather than waiting for Brisket to conjure up a smile, I set him up for one with these 3 tricks.

1. Treat Tossing: If there’s one thing you need to know about corgis is that food is EVERYTHING to them. I use Brisket’s food-motivation to my advantage. By tossing a treat for him to catch, not only does it keep him engaged and excited, but it also gives me the perfect opportunity to catch action shots of him with his mouth open and eyes wide. It’s a great recipe for a silly face! Sometimes I will toss a treat far away from him so he has to get up and run after it—that extra layer of having to chase the treat makes it even more exciting for him and keeps him alert and moving.

2. How About Some Tricks for those Treats?: I enjoy trick training with my dogs, so they know how to do several of commands. Brisket’s favorites are Spin, Wave, Speak, and Beg. I use these tricks to add some fun movement to our photoshoot. It’s almost like a mini-game for him. Each time I ask him to do a command, I get a burst of energy and a new goofy expression that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Whether I’ve asked him to fetch a ball or spin in a circle, he is thrilled to show off what he knows.

3. Keep It Moving: The key to getting the perfect goofy shot is keeping the momentum going. I’ll alternate between asking Brisket to do a trick and then rewarding him by tossing him a treat. It’s fun for him and it’s non-stop pet photography gold for me. If his interest starts to fade, I will switch the treats I am offering him and it’s like somebody hit his brain’s reset switch, and he’s ready to go again! I also have extra special treats that I keep in my studio and he only gets them when he’s modeling for me. By reserving those just for sessions it’s a sure-fire way to gaurantee he’s going to be interested in earning a treat.

Why This Works for Brisket (and Other Dogs Too)

The beauty of this method is that it’s not just about getting the perfect shot; it’s about making the photoshoot fun for your dog—it’s their birthday after all! Turning the session into a game with tricks and treats gave me a way to capture Brisket’s true personality and joy without forcing it.

Every dog is different, but the principle is the same: make it fun, make it active, and incorporate things they love. Finding what excites your pet is the key to getting those joyful moments on camera.

Whether you're photographing a birthday, a special event, or just capturing everyday moments with your pet, these tips can help you get the best shots of your furry friends. After all, pets deserve to be celebrated in a way that reflects their unique personalities—serious faces and all!

Happy birthday, Brisket! You may be be serious on the outside, but I know you’re secretly a goofball at heart. 🐾💙

Take a look at the reel below for a behind-the-scenes peak at this photoshoot and the set.

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A behind-the-scenes look at this dog birthday photoshoot

Ready to book you’re dog’s birthday photo shoot? Click below to get started!

An Unforgettable Dog Birthday Photoshoot - Entropy the GSD

While most dog’s birthday photos feature cute party hats, cakes, and bows, that’s not Entropy’s style. He’d rather wear clumps of mud than some silly birthday hat! Entropy was determined to celebrate his 1st birthday his own way, which truly made for some unique photos.

This fluffy pup’s photoshoot started like any other. We captured some beautiful, quiet and composed shots of him by himself as well as some some sweet dog and owner portraits. But it wasn’t long before Entropy’s cheeky personality took over, and soon he was driving the crazy train and everyone else was along for the ride! Entropy decided he didn’t want to look like a posh show dog, so he chose to spend our session splashing through mud puddles instead of smiling at the camera. And honestly, I can’t argue—I mean it’s his birthday after all, and he’s here to party hard!

This session is a tribute to high energy pups who keep life interesting, and is a testament that sometimes the best photos come from embracing the chaos, (especially when you’re celebrating a spicy dog like Entropy).

Entropy was true to his name and kept us all on our toes. Entropy wanted to make sure to share the love and helped cover us in mud while he romped along the shoreline, chasing his frisbee, and diving into puddles. By the end of the session, we looked like we had spent the last hour mud wrestling! Although we were caked in mud, we were laughing about how much fun we’d all had as we walked back.

The biggest misconception about professional pet photography is that your dog has to sit still. Entropy here says “you’re joking, right?” There’s no such thing as too much energy. I welcome all the wiggly puppies, non-stop zoomies, and ball-is-life diehard dogs. These kind of sessions are a ton of fun for and always end up with amazing results full of so much personality.

While posed pet portraits are a classic, sometimes the best way to celebrate your dog’s unique personality is by embracing their wild side. Sessions like Entropy’s are a reminder that the most authentic photos come from letting your dog just be themselves.

4 Things That Made This Dog’s Photo Shoot a Success

1. Highlighting Personality: Whether your pup is an elegant poser or an energetic adventurer, I want to let their personality shine through in every photo. Entropy’s love for play (and getting messy) made his session uniquely him—a perfect fit!

2. Taking the Lead: When I am photographing I let the dog lead the session by dictating the pace and type of shots we get. For high energy dogs like this, they have much more fun playing and moving around than sitting still and looking at the camera, so that’s what we’ll roll with! That way your pup isn’t forced into doing something they have no interest in, and it keeps them excited and engaged with everything we’re doing.

3. Great Location: We are blessed with a ton of beautiful dog-friendly parks in the Columbus area that provide great backgrounds for your dog’s photo shoot. For this session, we wanted wide open spaces for the birthday boy to run and chase his frisbee, which is his favorite thing to do. The shoreline of Hoover Reservoir provided the perfect spot for us to shoot. With the water level so low we had miles of open shoreline to explore and Entropy could stretch his legs. This was a great location for an adventurous dog—even if there was tons of mud.

4. Dressed for Success: Muddy paws and wagging tails make for unforgettable photos… and a dirty car ride on the drive home if you’re not prepared! For sessions like these I recommend bringing plenty of towels and a change of shoes for you in order to keep the mess as contained as possible. For this muddy photo shoot my water-proof hiking boots came in quite handy. A good carseat cover is also a lifesaver for water-loving dogs like Entropy.

Celebrate Your Dog’s Big Moments

Your dog’s first birthday only happens once, and it’s worth celebrating. Whether you’re envisioning posed portraits with cute props or wild adventure, I’m here to make it happen. Let’s plan a session that’s as unique and special as your pet. Contact me today to schedule your dog’s birthday photo shoot.

Dog and Owner Birthday Photoshoot for a High-Energy Aussiedoodle

Happy birthday to an adorable pup who celebrated with a doggy birthday photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio!

Can you believe that the cutest puppy in the whole world is not actually a puppy at all? Meet Holly (great name, right?), the ridiculously adorable mini-Aussiedoodle who celebrated turning 5 with a dog birthday photo shoot. Happy Birthday, Holly!

Holly’s session was a total joy from start to finish. Her boundless energy and playful spirit were a photographer’s dream. One of the biggest misconceptions about pet photography is that your dog needs to sit still or "pose" to get great photos. Let me tell you a secret: the more personality, the better! High-energy pups like Holly bring so much life, personality, and expression to their session. Holly had loads of character—she looked like she walked straight out of a Pixar movie!

Holly’s owners also wanted to capture a nice family photo with their dog for their Christmas cards.

During Holly’s session, we captured a mix of solo shots and moments together with her loving owners.

Holly’s owners also wanted to be sure we got one traditional posed portrait together with their dog for their Christmas cards. I think it’s safe to say this little family of 3 rocked it!

One of the best parts of Holly’s session was seeing how her owners embraced her energy. They laughed, played, and let Holly be her authentic self, which made for some truly heartwarming photos. We got such a wide variety of shots that it was hard to narrow it down! This was definitely a shoot that had me smiling from ear to ear the entire time behind the camera.

We had the most perfect late fall evening with great temperatures, sunshine, and bright fall colors. It’s hard to take a bad photo when the locations look as good as this. Plus it helps that Holly is such a beautiful pup—that gorgeous red fur; she’s totally an Autumn!

I absolutely love when owners bring props to their dog’s sessions, and Holly’s owners went all out with a personalized chalkboard sign for her birthday. The sign featured her name, age, and some of her favorite things, which was a nice, personal touch to the photos. Props like these make the session even more special by telling a story and celebrating the milestones that matter most.

One especially delightful moment from Holly’s shoot was when she donned a tiny birthday party hat. It was sparkly and absolutely adorable—a perfect match for her playful personality. Despite all her energetic zoomies, Holly paused for a moment as if to show off how proud she was of her festive flair. The hat brought an extra layer of charm to the session, making her 5th birthday photos even more memorable.

Doggy birthday photo shoots like these also serve as a timeless way to document your pet’s life. Dogs grow and change so quickly, and capturing them at different stages of their lives allows you to hold onto those precious memories forever. Our dogs bring so much joy and happiness into our lives that every moment is worth celebrating!

If you’ve been holding off on booking a session because you think your pup is too wiggly or energetic, let Holly’s story be your inspiration. Whether your dog loves to leap, sprint, or never sits still, there’s no such thing as a “wrong” energy level! Every dog’s personality shines in its own way, and I’m here to make sure it’s captured beautifully.

Let’s celebrate your pup—whether it’s their birthday, adoption anniversary, or just because they’re the best dog ever. Bring on the zoomies, the chaos, and all the love. Together, we’ll create photos that capture your dog’s unique personality and the special connection you share. Ready to book your session? Let’s make some magic!