golden retriever

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.

Dog Duo Brings the Fun to Their Pet and Family Photoshoot by Holly Hildreth

Candid portrait of dogs and their owners sharing a sweet moment with big smiles during their pet and family photo shoot

These dogs were out to prove that family photo shoots don’t need to be stiff and boring!

There’s something truly special about photographing the bond between pets and their people. Dog and Owner photo shoots are all about capturing the love, laughter, and connection between you. One of the things that make these sessions so much fun is that dogs have the magic ability to instantly bring a smile to our faces and they help you relax and enjoy the moment.

A couple smiles while walking their dogs together during an engagement photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio
A couple holding hands standing next to their dogs during a pet and family photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio
Professional dog photography of a happy golden retriever in purple wildflowers during a pet photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio

Whether you're celebrating an exciting milestone like an engagement, looking to update your family photos, or just want to document the joy your dog bring to your everyday life, a pet and owner photoshoot is such a meaningful way to do it. And yes, it's way more fun than traditional family photos.

From the moment we started our session, Golden Retrievers Meli and Enzo brought the energy! With big smiles and plenty of personality, these two pups made my job easy (and hilarious). We focused on capturing natural moments—dogs being dogs, and humans being in the moment with them.

We got a mix of portraits: Some individual photos of each dog to show off their personality, some joyful action photos, a few posed family portraits, and lots of sweet candid in-between moments.

Family portrait with dogs in wildflowers by Pet photographer Holly Hildreth

And of course, we wrapped things up with some fetch—because Enzo wouldn’t let us leave without showing off his pro ball skills! And I gotta’ say, I’m impressed!

Funny Dog Photography of a Golden retriever holding two tennis balls in this mouth
Commercial dog photography of a golden retriever playing fetch with a ball
Candid dog and owner portraits in Columbus, Ohio

Ready to make some memories with your dog?
As a pet photographer, I offer playful, personality-packed photo sessions for you and your dog. I am based in New Albany, Ohio and service the Columbus metro.

Ohio Engagement Photography for Couples with Dogs by Holly Hildreth

Engagement photography session of a couple and their dogs, in a creek bed in Ohio

A picture-perfect engagement photo shoot with a beautiful couple and their 3 dogs in central Ohio

Tuco, Lido, and Pasha’s pet parents came to me recently for a very special engagement photo shoot that included their dogs! I am honored to help celebrate this little family as they take this next big steps in their lives! It was a joyful evening together filled with wagging tails and smiling faces, set in the natural beauty of central Ohio. If you're looking for inspiration for engagement photos with your dog, check out some of the highlights from this photo shoot.

Engagement photo shoot with dogs showing a young engaged couple, their two golden retrievers, and a small mixed breed dog together in a creek in Ohio

We started our session in a quiet creek area—one of my favorite spots for dog photo shoots near Columbus, Ohio. We’ve been dealing with an extreme drought lately, which lowered the water level in the creek. But, that actually ended up giving us something magical. Amidst the mostly dry creek bed, there were a few small pockets of water remaining—just enough to catch some gorgeous mirror reflections.

Woman and her dog together in a creek bed during a pet and owner photo shoot in the Columbus, Ohio area
Beautiful couple posing for engagement photos with their dogs, kneeling in a creek bed in central Ohio

If you're planning engagement photos with your dog, unique natural elements like this can really add something special and set the mood of the scene. It’s also a great opportunity to include fun things your dogs love like playing in the water. For this session, exploring the creek created a nice a laid-back atmosphere for the dogs and their owners, which helped put everyone at ease.

Creative engagement announcement photo of a woman and her dog. She is petting the dog and the focus is on her engagement ring. Photo shoot in the Columbus, Ohio area during late summer

After the creek, we moved on to a nearby prairie grass field just in time to catch the end of golden hour and sunset. The tall golden grasses were perfect for capturing that warm, romantic atmosphere that really resonated with the joy of the couple’s engagement. We let the dogs burn off a little energy by walking them around in order to capture some action shots of the dogs individually as well as the whole family together.

Action shot of a Golden Retriever dog running toward the camera during a professional pet photography session in Columbus, Ohio
Creative Engagement photo shoot pose of a couple holding hands with their dogs at their feet during an engagement photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio by pet photographer Holly Hildreth

One of my favorite things about this session was watching the interactions between everyone. The connection this couple shares with each other and their dogs was evident in every frame—whether they were walking hand in hand, surrounded by their trio of happy pups, or kneeling down for some cuddles while the dogs tried to give them kisses. Including dogs in engagement photos adds a level of joy and spontaneity that’s hard to beat. It’s always a joy to capture those genuine candid moments where everyone is relaxed, being themselves, and simply enjoying each other's company.

Engagement photo idea showing a dog-friendly pose for photo shoots of couples and their dogs
Professional Dog Photography session of two Golden Retrievers in field in Columbus, Ohio

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we captured some of the final moments of the day. The prairie grass took on a soft silhouette against the dramatic sky. We captured a few final sunset portraits. I can’t help but love this amazing shot of Tuco the corgi mix. This little short king practically has a sun ray crown on his head for crying out loud!

Cool and dramatic profession dog portraits of a corgi-mix against a sunset sky with sun rays shining through the clouds, in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio Dog Photography Session of a Golden Retriever dog in a field at sunset

After all the excitement of exploring the creek and runhing through the field, Tuco, Lido, and Pasha were ready to take a break and lounge by their parents while they shared few quiet moments together, bathed in the golden hour glow of the setting sun. The dramatic sky above provided a beautiful natural backdrop that felt almost cinematic—exactly the kind of setting you'd want for unforgettable engagement photos with your dogs.

Engagement photo shoot of a couple and their dogs at sunset in central Ohio

My favorite shots though are of the couple surrounded by their three dogs. It was the perfect ending to a session that celebrated not just a new chapter in their lives, but the family they had already built together with their beloved dogs. Engagement photos that include your dogs capture more than just a milestone—they tell the story of your entire family.

This little family was so much fun to work with, and here is what they had to say about their pet photography experience:

“Holly is such a talented photographer. We wanted family photos with our three crazy pups and they turned out amazing! We 100% recommend Holly Hildreth Photography for beautiful photos that you will cherish forever.”

Engagement photos are such a special milestone, and including your dogs in the celebration makes it even more personal. After all, our pets are our family—they share our homes, our hearts, and all the ups and downs of life. It was an honor to be part of this beautiful moment for Tuco, Lido, Pasha, and their paw-rents, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to capture these memories that they will cherish forever.

Amazing and dramatic engagement photo of a couple posing with their dogs in front of a sunset with sun rays shining through the clouds over a field in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re looking for engagement photo ideas that include your dog, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Including your dogs in your engagement photo shoot is a wonderful way to celebrate the love and joy that makes your family complete!

Ohio Puppy Photography - Winnie the Golden by Holly Hildreth

Golden Retriever puppy by a stream in New Albany, Ohio, during a professional pet photography session

One frequently asked question I get is “Can you photograph young puppies?” Clients worry that their new wiggly ball of fluff won’t sit still long enough to have their picture taken. But here’s the secret: they don’t have to! With puppy sessions we will go with the flow and make sure it’s a fun and stress-free experience for your puppy. They may even blissfully fall asleep at the end of our shoot like 8 week old Winnie the golden retriever puppy here.

Professional pet photography session of an 8 week old Golden Retriever puppy in flower garden at Rose Run Park in New Albany, Ohio

Your pup's adorable antics and charm deserve to be preserved forever. Puppies grow up so fast! That's why investing in professional pet photography while your new pet is still a young puppy is a great choice.

Professional pet photographers specialize in capturing the unique personality and quirks of your puppy. They know how to bring out the best in their subjects, whether it's their playful spirit, curious nature, or heart-melting puppy dog eyes.

Puppies can be super wiggly at this age, so keeping them on leash is always a good idea. I will photoshop the leash out after our session so it looks like your sweet little fluff ball was running free, when in reality she is safe and leashed the whole time. That means there’s one less thing to worry about during your session!

Plus, the experience of a professional pet photoshoot is enjoyable for both you and your puppy. It's a chance to bond, create lasting memories, and have fun capturing moments that reflect the joy your puppy brings to your life.

If your ready to book your puppy’s pet photography session, visit my booking page to request your shoot: Book A Session

Portrait of a Golden puppy during a pet photography session in New Albany, Ohio
Cute Golden Retriever puppy playing with a stick during a professional pet photography session in Ohio
Golden retriever puppy during a puppy photography session
Cute Golden Retriever puppy peaking out from a rose bush during a professional pet photography session in New Albany, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Lucy & Rosie by Holly Hildreth

Lucy and her recently adopted sister-from-another-mister, Rosie, were a delight to photograph. Lucy was so bubbly and eager to please. She just wanted to be in the spotlight! Rosie was a little hesitant, but soon learned that photos mean lots of treats! But...can we just take a minute to talk about the glow-up Rosie has had?!

Rosie had a tough start in life. She is a former puppy mill momma. She was stuck in a wire cage 24/7, with another cage on top of her. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the excrement from the dog above her would fall onto her, which is a horrible way to live! Luckily Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio stepped in and got her out of there. Four months ago Rosie started her life over, and she has totally won the jackpot being adopted by an amazing, patient, loving family that adores her. Only happy days are ahead for this girl--and she deserves it!

Columbus, Ohio, Rescued Dog Photography - Ace by Holly Hildreth

I got to meet and photograph handsome Mr. Ace recently! Ace is currently searching for his forever home through Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio. He's an approximately 5-years-old, 45 pound Golden Retriever mix.

Ace is the sweetest guy. For a special treat, he does the most adorable spin when he's excited. When you meet him, he warms up quickly and is your best buddy - especially if you're willing to offer belly rubs and bones - two of his favorite things. He is house trained and crate trained and is just ready to be your bestest boy. Ace LOVES to go for walks and spend time outdoors. He is so happy when he is roaming around a fenced yard, so a fenced in backyard is a must, as Ace loves to bask in the sun and run when given the opportunity. He does well with other dogs, though he requires slow introductions to other dogs and boundaries, particularly around food. Younger kids are likely not the best option for Ace's home as he does guard his food. Ace does have some longterm medical needs that his adopter will need to keep up with. He will need to take daily medication for his heart and arthritis. Apply today to meet Ace! For detailed information about STS's adoption process, including fees, please visit their website at http://www.stopthesuffering.org.