Commercial Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth tackles Doctor Paws’ Super Chews

Commercial Pet Product Photography: Doctor Paws Super Chews

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

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.

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

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).

On Set: Photographing Pets for Advertising

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

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.

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.

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.

Commercial Dog Photography: Seventh Son Brewing Cans

Rescue Dogs, Craft Beer, and Stunning Photography: A Paw-sitively Awesome Collaboration with Seventh Son Brewing and RESCUEDohio

The new cans of Seventh Son Brewing's “Rescued” beer have officially dropped—and they look absolutely incredible! This project was a true labor of love, combining craft beer, pet rescue advocacy, and high-end commercial pet photography into one amazing finished product.

I'm honored to have been part of this fun and meaningful collaboration between RESCUEDohio and Seventh Son Brewing, where every detail—from concept to can—was crafted with purpose.

As a Commercial Pet Photographer based in Columbus, Ohio, I was thrilled to lend my lens to this fundraising campaign benefitting such a wonderful local dog charity.

In order to select which 3 dogs would be my models for the beer cans, we held a contest to decide. With the Columbus dog community’s support, the campaign raised over $14,000 for RESCUEDohio—money that directly impacts the lives of homeless pets across Ohio and Kentucky. These funds will go to helping RESCUEDohio to help provide medical care, transportation, supplies, and adoption services for homeless pups.

Once we decided our doggy models, I photographed each one individually on complimenting colors. For last year’s cans we went with the strong primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, so this year we wanted to do something different, while still feeling cohesive color-wise, so I decided to go with teal, purple, and blue.

Once the labels were designed and printed on the cans, the next step was to photograph the cans themselves! We used these images to help promote the product which in turn made this campaign even more successful.

Seventh Son also hosted a beer release party just for these special cans, complete with drinks, music, food trucks, and of course adoptable dogs from RESCUEDohio. As an added bonus some of the pups from the event ended up finding their new homes! A big win-win for everyone.

These cans were such a hit, and supplies are limited, so be sure to visit Seventh Son brewing to pick up your 6-pack before they’re sold out. They’re going to go quick, so don’t wait!

Why Pet-Centric Brands and Creative Agencies Love Working with Me

Whether you’re an art director looking to build a bold campaign or a pet brand in search of scroll-stopping images, this project is a shining example of how eye-catching commercial pet photography can elevate your message.

My goal with every commercial shoot is to create emotion-driven, high-impact imagery that not only aligns with your brand but gets people talking (and sharing!).

What Sets My Commercial Pet Photography Apart?

• Experienced Animal Handling – I’ve been photographing dogs for 15 years. I work with dogs of all ages, sizes, temperaments, abilities, and training levels. From studio setups to on-location shoots, I know how to get the best out of every dog.

• Creative Direction for Animal-Centric Campaigns – Need help visualizing how pets can fit into your product or brand story? I’ll help concept, style, and execute.

• High-End Visuals with Heart – Every photo is polished, professional, and full of soul. Your audience won’t just see your message—they’ll feel it.

• Trusted by Top Brands – From Columbus dog-friendly breweries to global pet brands, countless brands have trusted me to deliver photos that connect and delight.

Let’s Create Something Unforgettable Together

If you’re a creative agency, art director, or pet-centric business looking to collaborate on your next campaign, I’d love to talk. Whether you're launching a new product, refreshing your brand, or supporting a cause close to your heart, I’m here to make the animals (and your vision) shine.

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:

3 Samoyed Session - Ohio Commercial Pet Photography

What’s better than one fluffy polar bear-looking dog? How about 3? I had the pleasure of working with these 3 Samoyeds during a professional pet photography session at Rocky Fork Metro Park in New Albany. During our shoot we took advantage of the blooming wildflowers in the park, which made for a spectacular background.

Besides photographing people’s personal pets, I also offer commercial pet photography services. I photographed these 3 dogs for a commercial client that needed high-quality photos of Samoyed dogs for a product they are making. Through a model call I was able to connect with the owners of these 3 beautiful babies, who rocked their session.

The Importance of Professional Animal Photography for Pet Brands

In today's visually-driven world, the impact of high-quality, compelling imagery cannot be overstated. Whether you're selling pet products or you own a pet service business, photography plays a vital role in conveying your message to potential clients effectively.

In such a competitive market, trust, quality, and credibility are key differentiators. Custom commercial pet photography helps establish a polished and professional image for your brand, making potential customers more likely to trust your products or services. 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 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. Whether it's a soft and cozy pet bed, tasty homemade dog treats, or stylish pet accessories, professional photography ensures that every detail is presented in the best possible light (literally).

Commercial pet photography is not just about taking pictures; it's about telling your story, piquing your audience’s interest, and building a strong brand presence. For pet brands, investing in professional photography is an investment in your brand's success. So, whether you're launching a new product line or are looking to refine your pet-centric lifestyle brand, professional photography is your gateway to making a lasting impression. If you are a pet business looking for high-quality, professional animal imagery, please use my contact page to reach out today. We can chat about setting up your own custom shoot, or if you prefer to use dog stock photography, I have thousands of images available for licensing.

Dog Birthday Party Photography - By Ohio's Premiere Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth

I have a tradition of doing birthday photos every year of my own dogs on their birthday to celebrate. I try to make the theme different every year, and also use it as an opportunity to get a little creative! Today I wanted to share with you my youngest corgi Brisket’s birthday photos. Brisket turned 3 this year, and you may not know this, but he’s not actually a dog—he’s really 3 possums stacked on top of each other in a trench coat…inside a corgi’s body.

This year I went with a color explosion for the party theme. I wanted a vibrant color pallet, reminiscent of Lisa Frank’s style for my puppy’s 3rd birthday party.

Of course I can’t just share this year’s photos without also including his last 2 birthdays as well. For his 1st and 2nd birthdays, I wanted to go with something simple, since he was still very much a puppy and not interested in modeling for me. Now that he’s older he is obsessed with getting his picture taken.

Brisket’s 2nd Bday

Brisket’s 1st Bday

Bonus Photo:

Brisket enjoying his doggy ice cream

Which doggy birthday party photos are your favorite? If you’re looking to book a professional pet photographer to capture some birthday portraits of your dog, please use my contact page to request your session today!

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

Engagement Photo Shoot Featuring Georgie the Rescue Dog in Columbus Ohio

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.

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.

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!

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.

Columbus Commercial Dog Photography - Envious Borzoi

I have always wanted to photograph a Borzoi, so when a commercial client requested a few Borzoi images, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to finally photograph such gorgeous dogs! But you don't exactly see these Russian wolfhounds walking down the street every day, so that's why I put out a model call! Luckily I found Envious Borzoi who so kindly made the drive out from Dayton with 4 Borzoi in tow. Their dogs are simply gorgeous, super friendly, and wonderful ambassadors of the breed. During our session, we had lots of people walking by that stopped and asked to pet these beautiful pups and we even unintentionally started to draw a little crowd at one point. But that didn't stop these beautiful sighthounds from being great doggy models for me. We got so many fabulous shots during their session that it was hard to narrow it down for the sneak peek!

We had our session in one of the gardens at Whetstone Park of Roses in Clintonville. This park is always a sure bet when it comes to having loads of seasonal color. If you’re interested in setting up a session for your pups, please reach out via my contact page.

Commercial Pet Photography Shoot in Central, Ohio - English Springer and Cocker Spaniels

I always love commercial shoots, as they’re just so much fun to work on. For this particular project, the client was looking for glamorous and seasonal images of English Springer Spaniels in the great outdoors. Of course I instantly knew which location to use!

This secret spot is my absolute favorite spot in the fall. It’s a little hidden gem in the Appalachian foothills, just a short drive from Columbus. Every October the trees completely carpet this creek bed with leaves, which makes for an incredible scene set against towering shale cliffs. For me when I get to combine dramatic landscapes with gorgeous dogs in a shoot—it’s just ...*chef’s kiss*

I had the pleasure of photographing Kelce and 14 week-old Tate from Windmoor English Springer Spaniels. They brought along 2 beautiful English Cocker friends as well, so of course I snapped a few shots of them too! It’s hard to pick a favorite shot from this session, as they’re all just sublime!

Columbus, Ohio, Commercial Pet Photography - Parachute Home Puppy Party

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 photography with pet photography? I’m in heaven. So when Parachute Home reached out and asked me if I would join them for their annual Puppy Party for National Dog Dog at their new Easton location, I was so excited! They asked me to photograph dogs with some of their products, like their canvas dog beds. We had a great turn out, and created some beautiful product photos featuring our puppy party guests.

Did you miss the party this year? Well the good news is that Parachute Home throws a party every year at each store location for National Dog Day where you can 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!