black lab

Commercial Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth tackles Doctor Paws’ Super Chews by Holly Hildreth

Commercial Pet Product Photography: Doctor Paws Super Chews

Commercial pet product photography showing a bag of treats sitting on a counter and a Golden retriever trying to grab one of the treats off the kitchen counter
Commercial pet photography of a golden retriever next to a bag of Super Chew supplements outdoors

When Doctor Paws was looking to update their branding and pet product photos, they approached me to create imagery for their new pet Super Chew. The goal was clear: high-impact commercial pet photography that could work seamlessly across advertising, e‑commerce, website, and social media. This project is a great example of how intentional, professionally produced pet product photography can elevate a brand and directly support your marketing efforts.

As a commercial pet photographer based in Columbus, Ohio, I work with pet brands, ad agencies, art directors, art buyers, and marketing teams looking for commercial-use animal images that are not just eye catching—but strategic, polished, and brand-aligned.

The Client: Doctor Paws

E-commerce pet product photography for a bag of Doctor Paws Super Chews as shot by commercial photographer Holly Hildreth

Professional pet product photography made a big difference in elevating Doctor Paws’ e-commerce experience by clearly showing all important facets of the packing including ingredients list and nutrition information, as well as some sleek general packaging shots

Doctor Paws is a pet wellness brand focused on functional chews designed to support dogs’ health. Like many modern pet product companies, they needed a versatile image library that could be used across multiple platforms including:

  • Website and e‑commerce pet product listings

  • Social media and paid ads

  • Retail and wholesale marketing materials

This meant creating visuals that felt trustworthy, premium, and emotionally engaging, while still clearly showcasing the product as the hero. Because we needed such a wide variety of end-uses, we captured several models on location in a home, outdoors, and also in the studio.

View of commercial pet photography in action at point of use on client's website

Mixing both lifestyle, product-in-use shots, and traditional product photography in the studio gave us a variety of looks that all help convey the brand’s message while making the product feel approachable.

The Creative Goal

For this commercial animal photography shoot, the priority was to:

  • Highlight the wellness chew in a clean, marketable way

  • Show dogs interacting naturally with people and the product

  • Create images that felt authentic—not staged or gimmicky

  • Deliver assets that could be cropped, repurposed, and scaled across campaigns and platforms

commercial animal photography campaign work for Doctor Paws Super Chews

Planning a Commercial Pet Photography Shoot

Successful commercial dog photography starts long before the camera even comes out. For the Doctor Paws shoot, pre‑production included:

  • A Creative Brief setting the tone and style for the imagery

  • Tailored shot list and style guide

  • Consideration of layout for negative space for text overlays

  • Location and model selection

  • Model abilities (which is important, as we had a few complicated ‘tricks’ we needed our dog models to perform).

Commercial pet photography lifestyle shot of a woman and her dog smiling while holding a bag of treats.

On Set: Photographing Pets for Advertising

Commercial pet photography of a dog holding a bag of treats in his mouth

Working with animal talent requires experience, patience, and an understanding of dog behavior. In commercial animal photography, there is no room for stress—for the animals, human models, or the crew.

During this shoot, the focus was on:

  • Keeping dogs relaxed and engaged

  • Capturing real expressions and interactions

  • Maintaining efficiency so we could maximize usable final images

Commercial dog photography of a black lab happily running toward the camera during a photoshoot with commercial animal photographer Holly Hildreth in Columbus, Ohio

This approach resulted in imagery that feels genuine—something today’s consumers immediately recognize and respond to and that resonate way more than the generic AI slop that competitors like to use. By shooting not only the product-focused images that are expected for e-commerce situations, we also captured some lifestyle images portraying happy pets and their family which could easily be used for any situation. For social media managers, art directors, and photo buyers, this kind of versatility is key. One well‑executed commercial pet photography shoot can support months—or even years—of marketing.

Why Professional Commercial Pet Photography Matters

In a crowded pet industry, photos are often the first impression a customer has of your pet brand. Professional pet product photography:

  • Builds trust with consumers

  • Elevates perceived product value

  • Creates consistency across platforms

  • Saves time and money long‑term

Stock photos and DIY imagery rarely deliver the same impact as custom commercial animal photography tailored specifically to your product and audience.

Commercial pet product photography of a corgi dog with a bag of treats in the studio. Photographed by commercial dog photographer Holly Hildreth in her signature lighting style

Whether you need imagery for advertising campaigns, e‑commerce listings, or social media, I provide end‑to‑end commercial pet photography services—from concept through final delivery.

Although I’m based in Columbus, Ohio, I work with clients from across the globe to make their pet product branding come to life.

Commercial Pet Photography of a woman and dog on the couch in a nice home, as photographed by commercial animal photographer Holly Hildreth in Columbus, Ohio

Looking for a Commercial Animal Photographer?

If you’re a pet business owner, marketing manager, or ad agency looking to invest in high‑quality commercial animal photography, I’d love to talk.

Let’s create some gorgeous images that work as hard as you do.

Honoring Ashton: End-of-Life Pet Photography Session in Columbus, Ohio by Holly Hildreth

A black lab laying in the grass beside a pond full of geese during an end of life pet photography session in Columbus Ohio

Meet Ashton, a black Labrador Retriever with the sweetest soul. After receiving a devastating brain tumor diagnosis, his family reached out to me to schedule an End-of-Life pet photography session—a heartfelt way to celebrate Ashton’s life and preserve his memory forever.

A senior-aged black lab dog wearing a birthday hat during a dog birthday photoshoot in Columbus Ohio.

The Legacy of Love

Ashton’s journey with his family began in the most meaningful way. After losing their previous Labrador at 12 years old, his family decided to honor their late dog’s memory by adopting Ashton—another 12-year-old Lab—from a local shelter. Ashton’s story proves that it’s never too late for a fresh start. He brought so much joy to their lives, even if their time together was destined to be brief. Now, just shy of a year later, his family is preparing for a tough goodbye. While it’s bittersweet, Ashton’s final days are filled with everything he loves: snuggles, treats, and the comforting presence of the family who gave him a second chance.

Knowing their time with Ashton was limited, his family decided to make the session extra special. They surprised him with an early birthday and Gotcha Day celebration, complete with plenty of treats and love. Ashton, being the quintessential Lab, happily devoured all the cookies he could get his paws on. Seeing his tail wagging and his eyes lighting up with joy reminded us all why these moments are so precious.

Owner handing a bunch of cookies to her dog who is wearing a party hat during a dog birthday party photo shoot in Columbus Ohio
Professional Dog Birthday Photoshoot for a black lab whose family is feeding him a treat for his birthday

Why End-of-Life Pet Photography Matters

End-of-Life pet photography sessions are about more than just pictures—they’re about celebrating the unique bond you share with your beloved pet. End-of-life photography provides a meaningful way to honor your pet’s journey and preserve their legacy forever. Many owners also find these sessions give them a sense of peace knowing we have captured a few last beautiful moments together before their pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

End of Life Pet Photography session for an LGBTQ family and their black lab in Columbus, Ohio.
Three women walking with their black lab during an end of life pet photography session in columbus ohio

Planning an End-of-Life Pet Photography Session in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio area and facing the heart-wrenching reality of saying goodbye to your furry friend please do not wait to schedule your pet’s End of Life Pet Photography Session. These sessions are designed to be as stress-free as possible, prioritizing your pet’s comfort and happiness. We can incorporate your pet’s favorite activities, treats, or places to create a meaningful experience that reflects their unique personality.

Winter Dog and Owner photoshoot in Columbus, Ohio

Due to the nature of End of Life sessions, I’ll work at your dog’s pace. Often by this time in their journey they may not have the energy or ability to do the things they once did. Whether your dog has a physical impairment like limited or no mobility, or other special medical restrictions such as a strict diet, we can accommodate your pet and tailor your session to your dog’s individual needs. For Ashton, this meant minimal walking during his session, as his was losing strength in his legs.

Emotional End of Life Pet Photography of an owner saying goodbye to her dog

Every session is unique—there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to end of life pet photography. This time together with your dog is sacred, and we can use your session in whatever way you would like, whether that’s more formal posed portraits of dog and owner or capturing touching candid moments together.

One unique thing Ashton’s family wanted to do at the end of this session had me in tears behind the camera. Ashton’s mom had written him a letter and read it to him while he rested in her lap. We were able to capture the raw emotion of their goodbye letter. It was such a bittersweet and heartfelt moment, and is something I think I will do as well whenever the time comes to say goodbye to my own pets.

Woman cries as she reads a goodbye letter she wrote to her terminally-ill during an end of life pet photography session in Columbus, Ohio

Ashton’s story is a beautiful reminder that every moment with our pets is a gift. Whether it’s celebrating an adoption anniversary, a birthday, or simply sharing a quiet afternoon together, these memories deserve to be cherished. Ashton’s photos now serve as a timeless tribute to the love and joy he brought into the world.

Crying woman kissing her dog on the top of his head during an end of life pet photography sesion

Why Choose Holly Hildreth Photography?

As the most experienced pet photographer in Columbus, Ohio, I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of dogs of all different abilities, ages, breeds, sizes, and personalities. I specialize in capturing the love, joy, and connection between pets and their owners. My compassionate approach ensures a relaxed and meaningful session tailored to your pet’s needs, helping you create timeless memories to treasure forever.

End of life pet photography of a same-sex couple holding their dogs paw during an end of life pet photography session in Columbus Ohio

Book Your Session

If you’d like to learn more about End-of-Life pet photography sessions in Columbus, Ohio, I’m here to help. Let’s create something beautiful together to honor your pet’s legacy. Click here to schedule your session and ensure your pet’s legacy is captured forever.

Columbus Dog and Owner Photo Shoot - Diesel by Holly Hildreth

Amazing professional pet portrait of a black lab dog surrounded be colorful fall leaves during a pet photo shoot in Columbus Ohio

Senior black lab Diesel surrounded by gorgeous fall colors during his pet photo shoot | © Holly Hildreth Photography

Celebrating Grey Muzzles and Golden Memories

"Every white hair is one day of experience in being the very best friend you’ve ever had." – Jaymi Heimbuch. This beautiful sentiment perfectly encapsulates the joy and wisdom that comes with having a senior dog in your life. I absolutely adore capturing the charm of senior pets, and Diesel here had the best salt-and-pepper look of them all!

Black lab in a forest at sunrise on a chilly autumn morning. His breath is visible in the photo. Photographed by Ohio's best Dog Photography Holly Hildreth

We met for Diesel’s pet and family photo shoot on a crisp autumn morning at a park in Columbus, Ohio. The chill in the air added a seasonal magic to our session—you can even see Diesel’s breath in some of the photos! While the morning was brisk, the warmth between Diesel and his family shone through every shot, showcasing the deep bond they’ve built over their 13 years together.

A black lab and his person touch noses during a dog and owner pet photography session at a lake in Columbus Ohio
Dog and owner photo shoot for a married couple and their black lab dog in Autumn in Columbus Ohio

Timing is everything in outdoor photography, and I’m so glad we scheduled this session when we did. Not long after we wrapped up, the wind picked up and blew most of the remaining leaves off the trees. Fortunately, we were able to capture the vibrant, golden colors of autumn in all their glory before they disappeared!

Some of the most heartwarming photos come from candid moments—the unscripted, natural interactions that show the true bond between you and your pet. Candid photos capture the essence of your relationship, showcasing the love, joy and signature quirks that makes your dog unique.

Pose idea for a dog and owner photo shoot with a couple and their dog in Columbus, Ohio

A great benefit of taking candid photos is it takes the pressure off of you to smile and pose a certain way. This makes it easier to relax and focus on just having fun with your dog. Whether it taking a stroll with your pup or giving them a belly rub, these real and authentic moments make for beautiful photos (and often you end up having a great, genuine smile on your face as well!) These candid shots also give us an opportunity to incorporate some of your dog’s favorite things like playing with their favorite toy, eating a special treat, or snuggling up to you for belly rubs.

One of the goals of this session for Diesel’s family was to get some high-quality photos together with their dog for their Christmas cards. Since they had never had professional photos done, they weren’t quite sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by how much fun the sessions was! We took a variety of images both candid as well as traditional posed portraits where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.

A man and woman hug their dog and smile at the camera during a pet and family photo shoot in the fall in Ohio
Posed portrait of a couple and their dog during a pet and family photo shoot in Columbus Ohio

If you’ve been thinking about booking a pet and owner photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio, fall is one of the most picturesque seasons to do so. The changing leaves, cozy sweaters, and the beautiful natural scenes create the perfect setting for photos that look like works of art (and make great canvas prints for your walls at home!). Whether your furry companion is a playful puppy or a seasoned senior like Diesel, every stage of their life deserves to be celebrated.

A profile view of a senior aged dog in a forest with a rainbow lens flare for an end of life pet photography session in columbus ohio
professional pet photography of a black lab standing by a lake in the fall in Columbus, Ohio

Book Your Pet and Family Photo Shoot Today

Professional dog photography of a black lab in the fall in Ohio

Time moves fast, and seasons change in the blink of an eye. While Fall is coming to an end, we can still do pet photos in any season! I offer outdoor dog photography sessions year-round (yes, even in winter!) We can still get incredible images long after the vibrant fall colors have faded.

Contact me today to book your pet and family photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio, and let’s create some amazing images of you and your best friend.

Use the link below to get started with requested a dog and owner photoshoot for you and your pets.

A happy dog standing on the shore of a lake during a Columbus Ohio pet photography session