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!

Commercial Dog Photography - German Shorthair Pointers

Commercial dog photography set-up showing a product (toy) in action during an outdoor photo shoot

I recently had the pleasure of photographing four gorgeous German Shorthair Pointer dogs for a commercial client project. The client needed some really high-quality professional images of this particular breed of dog for an upcoming product they are making.

We held our photo shoot at Hoover Reservoir park in northeast Columbus, Ohio. I chose this park specifically because we could get a good variety of backgrounds and “looks” without having to go to multiple locations. The east side of the lake gave us plenty of natural backgrounds to work with like a field of tall grass and woods, and then the west side of the lake gave use great shoreline access so we could get a few shots of the dogs playing in the water at the end of our photo shoot.

I also wanted to get a variety of poses for the client to choose from. I made sure to get action shots of the dogs playing with toys and running happily through the park, as well as more formal “posed” portraits of the dogs by themselves and together.

While I can’t yet share the final product with you yet, I am very much looking forward to seeing my work in stores!

Commercial pet photography may not immediately come to mind when you’re working on your pet brand, but in today's competitive pet industry, high-quality animal photography is key to standing out. Whether you're launching a new pet product, refreshing your website and marketing materials, or need some eye-catching images for your socials, commercial animal photography can elevate your brand's reputation and help you connect with your audience.

Professional dog photographers understand how to capture the unique personalities of dogs while showcasing your products in the best light. They’re also skilled with making sure the animals (and humans) look happy and natural while being photographed. Visuals like these can make your marketing materials, social media, ads, and packaging more engaging, which in turn boosts customer trust and loyalty. Stunning images can convey the essence of your brand in seconds, helping you leave a lasting impression on pet owners.

Investing in commercial pet photography shows that you value quality and care about the details, much like the products you're selling. Ultimately, it’s a smart investment that can help differentiate your brand in the crowded pet market.

Still not sure whether commercial dog photography is right for your pet business? Here are some very compelling statistics that might just change your mind about the importance of using professional photography:

1. 37% higher engagement: Brands using high-quality, professional images see a 37% increase in engagement on social media compared to those using amateur photos .

2. 67% more likely to be noticed: Research shows that consumers are 67% more likely to engage with visual content when it is professionally produced .

3. 90% of information processed visually: Since 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual, using professional images can quickly convey your brand message, helping customers form stronger emotional connections with your products .

4. Images boost retention by 65%: People remember 65% of visual content after three days, compared to just 10% of text alone . High-quality commercial animal photography helps your pet brand stay top-of-mind with consumers.

5. Visual content is 40x more likely to be shared: Content with appealing visuals, such as professionally taken photos, is 40 times more likely to be shared on social media, increasing your brand’s reach.

Interested in learning more about commercial animal photography? Check out my For Brands page to find out more

Ready to take the next steps and hire a commercial pet photographer for your business needs? Allow me point you in the right direction:

Ohio Commercial Pet Photography Shoot - Beer Can Label for Columbus Brewery

For the past few years, I have been fortunate to be a part of super a unique and popular fundraiser contest in support of RESCUEDohio, a Columbus, Ohio-based dog rescue organization I volunteer with. For this contest, people submitted pictures of their dogs and got friends and family to “vote” for them for the chance to be the new face of 3 Seventh Son Brewing beer cans! Each “vote” was a $1 donation to RescuedOhio. Through this contest we raised over $37.5k for RescuedOhio!!! These funds will go to helping provide medical treatment, housing and supplies, and adoption services to homeless, abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and puppies here in Central Ohio.

After the contest ended, I photographed the top 3 winning dogs for their beer label. I just love how these turned out. Take a look at how good Georgie, Winry, and Buddy look on the cans! We went with bold, primary colors, as they look super eye-catching when in a 6-pack.

To celebrate the release, Seventh Son Brewing threw a release party. To build excitement and get the word out, I did a photo shoot with the 4th place winner at the brewery. We used these photos across social media to help bring awareness to our campaign.

Ready to Party

Pastrami, the 4th place dog at Seventh Son Brewing

Ohio Commercial Dog Photography Shoot - Shetland Sheepdogs

I recently had the pleasure of doing a multi-dog photoshoot for a commercial pet brand client looking to license some photos of Shetland Sheepdogs for their products. I put out a model call over on my facebook page. I quickly got connected with Érable Shetland Sheepdogs, who brought me these 4 amazingly-well behaved Shelties. We had our session at New Albany’s Rose Run Park. Although we had a gloomy fall day to work with, that didn't stop these pups from shining bright. Plus the moodier lighting felt perfectly fitting for this October photoshoot.

If you are a pet-focused business looking some high-quality, professional animal imagery, please use my contact page to reach out today. I have thousands of images available for licensing, or we can also set up your own custom commercial pet photo shoot.

Commercial Dog Photography - Parachute Home National Dog Day Campaign

One of the things that has helped me develop my photographic style as a pet photographer, is my background in commercial photography! Any time I am able to combine commercial lighting and styling with photographing pets—I’m in heaven. So when Parachute Home reached out and asked me if I would join them again this year for their annual Puppy Party on National Dog Dog at their new Easton location, I was so excited! We had a great turn out, and created some beautiful product photos featuring our puppy party guests for Parachute’s campaign.

Did you miss the party this year? There’s always next year! Parachute Home loves celebrating National Dog Day by throwing a party just for you to come shop with your best friend, enjoy some local treats and drinks, and get your very own FREE pet portrait! Hope to see you next year!

Why Your Pet Business NEEDS Custom Commercial Animal Photography

While most of my blog posts here are of private client sessions, I also offer commercial pet photography services. Whether you are a small business making dog bandanas at home, a grooming salon looking to grow your client base, or are well-established pet supply chain, custom commercial animal photography of YOUR business and products is an excellent way to elevate your brand.

Research shows that 60% of consumers are more likely to contact a business that has high-end professional photos on their website and social media. Additionally, 90% of online shoppers say high quality, professional images are the most important factor when considering a purchase. As a result, not having these kinds of photos could be a deal-breaker for your clients, which in turn costs you business.

Some folks turn to stock photography for their marketing and website needs. But, you may want to reconsider. Eye-tracking research shows that consumers tend to ignore stock photos and "filler content" images. Generic stock photos can make your brand feel impersonal, cold, and less trustworthy. Plus, stock photos aren't exclusive or unique to you, meaning your competition could be using the exact same photos on their website! This makes it so much harder to stand out to prospective customers, especially in a highly competitive market.

If you are ready to invest in a custom commercial animal photography session for your pet business, contact me today! We'll discuss what makes your offerings unique and how to shoot that in order to make your brand stand apart from the competition. If you’re ready to take the next steps and elevate your brand, contact me today.