Autumn Pet Photography Session in Central Ohio - Murphy and Mella

As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, it's the perfect time for a professional pet photography session in Ohio. I recently had the absolute pleasure of capturing two adorable dogs, Murphy the dachshund, and Mella the mini golden doodle, at one of my all-time favorite spots in Ohio. Let me take you behind the scenes of this memorable fall photo shoot and show you why autumn is one of the best seasons for pet photography in Ohio!

Meet Murphy the Dachshund and Mella the Mini Golden Doodle

Murphy and Mella are quite the dynamic duo. Murphy, a lively dachshund brings a classic charm to every photo. His short legs and long body make him an absolute joy to photograph (I am a total sucker for short-legged dogs). Mella, is a fluffy mini golden doodle with an irresistibly sweet face. Her soft, wavy fur and playful personality made for the perfect contrast against the rich fall backdrop.

Why Fall is the Best Time for Pet Photography in Ohio

The vibrant fall colors are a photographer's dream, especially when it comes to outdoor pet photo session. I have a favorite hidden gem photo shoot location here in central Ohio that never disappoints, and that’s exactly where we did Murphy and Mella’s photo shoot. I love how the colorful fall leaves carpet the creek bed every fall, creating a natural, picture-perfect setting. I often find myself wishing the fall season would last all year long, as it provides the most stunning backdrop for capturing the unique personalities of pets.

Tips for a Successful Fall Pet Photo Shoot

If you're considering a professional pet photography session in Ohio this fall, here are a few tips to make the most of it:

1. Choose the Right Location: There are several local parks and wooded trails in the Central Ohio area that have great fall color. Whether you want to have your dog’s photo shoot at Hocking Hills, Highbanks Metro Park, Hoover Reservoir, or anywhere in between, chatting with your dog photographer about location is a great first step to making sure you have an incredible and memorable pet photography experience.

2. Dress for the Season: Not just for the humans—consider bringing a cute bandana or seasonal accessory for your pup. It can add a nice touch of personality to the photos and make them feel more festive. For This photo shoot, Murphy’s owner dressed him in a dapper bowtie collar.

3. Time It Right: The best time for a fall photo shoot is during the "golden hour," shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. The soft, warm light enhances the colors of the leaves and adds a magical glow to the photos.

4. Let Your Pets Be Themselves: The most captivating pet photos come from candid moments. Let your dogs explore, play, and show their true personalities. It’s in these unscripted moments that we capture their unique spirit.

Why book a professional photo shoot for you and your dog

Booking a professional pet photographer can make all the difference in capturing those perfect moments with your furry friend. As an experienced pet photographer, I know how to work with all kinds of dogs of all ages, personalities, and abilities. It’s incredibly important to me that I am able to give you and your dog a stress-free and enjoyable photo shoot experience. Whether it's a solo dog session, two best friends like Murphy and Mella, or capturing the beautiful bond between dog and owner, the results are timeless images that you can cherish for a lifetime.

With the fall season in full swing, now is the perfect time to schedule your pet photography session in Columbus, Ohio. The stunning backdrop of autumn leaves combined with the playful energy of your pets will result in photos that are not only beautiful but also full of heart and personality.

Columbus Ohio Rescue Dog Photography - Macy from FCDS

I like to think that as one final act of love after a pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, they guide your next dog to you from the other side. I think that's how Macy here found her way into Mike and Nora's home. After losing their beloved pup Rajah last year, they decided it was finally time to open their hearts to another dog. Since they had adopted Rajah from the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center shelter (FCDS), they wanted to find their next pet there as well.

Macy’s journey to FCDS was a difficult one. After her previous owner was arrested and facing a lengthy jail sentence, the police brought Macy to FCDS. But everything changed the day Nora and Mike met her; there was an instant connection, and they knew she was meant to be part of their family.

Despite her rough start, Macy is unbelievably sweet and trusting. You might notice her slightly quirky expression—veterinarians believe she may have been hit in the face quite hard, an injury that broke off all the teeth on one side of her face and caused nerve damage, leading to some facial paralysis.

I’m constantly amazed by the resilience of dogs. Despite all the trauma she’s been through, Macy waddled right up to me with a wagging tail, eager to say "hello." She stayed by my side, happily munching on treats while I captured her beautiful spirit through my lens.

Every rescue dog has a story worth telling, and professional pet photography is a wonderful way to preserve that story for years to come. Macy’s photos not only showcase her beauty and spirit but also highlight the importance of adopting dogs from a shelter like FCDS. These photos aren’t just about capturing cute moments; they’re about celebrating resilience, second chances, and the powerful bond that comes with rescuing a dog.

Why Choose Professional Photos for Your Rescue Dog?

Professional photos of rescue dogs help capture their unique journey and give you lasting memories of the joy they bring to your life. If you’ve adopted a rescue dog or are considering it, a rescue dog photoshoot in Columbus, Ohio can be the perfect way to celebrate them. Whether they’ve had a tough past or are just beginning a new chapter, every adopted dog deserves to be celebrated for who they are today.

If you’re interested in professional photography for your adopted dog, I would be honored to help you capture those precious memories. From shelter dogs to rescue pups, every dog has a story to tell, and every moment is worth remembering. Follow the link below to book your dog’s photo shoot now!

Adventure Dog Photography: Epic Outdoor Corgi Photo Shoot

For outdoor lovers, there’s nothing quite like hitting the trail with your furry friend by your side. Recently, I had the perfect reminder of why I love combining pet photography with outdoor adventures. You’ve never seen a dog enjoy a hike like this! 💦 🐕 📸 A couple of weeks ago, I took my dog, Brisket, hiking at one of my favorite local spots. The only problem? I didn’t bring my real camera and regretted it the entire time. I was dying inside every time we passed a beautiful spot, especially when the light was perfectly golden. I knew I had to go back.

So, on our next visit, I overcompensated by bringing not only my camera but also a light to capture the fun. With the extreme drought we’ve been experiencing here in Ohio, the creek that’s usually a couple of feet deep had almost dried up, leaving just an inch or two of water in most spots. It was the perfect place for my corgi, Brisket, to stomp around—stubby legs and all—while I snapped photos!

This is exactly what makes outdoor pet photography so special. Letting your dog’s adventurous spirit run wild, just like Brisket did in the creek. Whether your pup is splashing through the water or exploring new trails, those natural, carefree moments tell the best stories and showcase your dog in their element.

From Hocking Hills to Battelle Darby Creek, I love creating photo sessions that feel more like an outdoor adventure. Maybe your dog is a fearless explorer, leading the way on every path, or perhaps they love to take their time, sniffing every plant and rock along the way. Each dog brings their own unique energy, and that’s what makes these sessions so exciting. The changing seasons, the beautiful light, and the diverse scenery—everything comes together to create moments that are completely one-of-a-kind. Every adventure deserves to be remembered, and what better way to the story of your dog’s wild heart?

Ready to hit the trail with your furry trailblazer? Reach out, and we’ll make it an unforgettable experience! Click here to get started!

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A look behind the scenes

Ohio Engagement Photography for Couples with Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Arrow's Dog and Family Photo Shoot by Midwest Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth

As a professional pet photographer, I always love having sunny weather for a session, But, sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. For Arrow's Family and Pet photo shoot, her plans included torrential downpours! But the silver lining to the gathering storm clouds is that it made for some really dramatic skies and lighting, which allowed us to take incredibly unique family photos. The impressive thunderstorm that provided us with such a great background for our session ended up drenching us on our way back to the parking lot at the end of the shoot. (Still worth it!)

We began our outdoor pet photography session in a shallow creek area at Alexandria, Ohio’s best hidden gem: Lobdell Reserve. The cloudy skies allowed us to get nice, soft lighting while we were photographing by the stream. This is proof that cloudy days can still give you amazing results for your dog and owner portraits!

Arrow loves to wade in water, so this was the perfect session location for him. It’s always so fun to incorporate some of your dog’s favorite activities to really help capture the essence of your dog. Plus you can’t help but smile watching your dog having a blast in their element.

After our playful romp in the creek, we took a little break to go back up on the edge of the woods where we found a nice little bench to take a moment to catch our breath before moving on to another spot.

Next we headed over to a hiking trail through a tall prairie grass field. This spot gave us an unobstructed view of the sky and allowed us to get some shots with the approaching storm in the background. We tried to work quickly to get our portraits done before the storm got too close, but we were really cutting it close. You can even see some raindrops in a few of these photos if you zoom in. While most people think of family portraits they envision a clear blue skies, but I vote for making stormy sky portraits a thing! I grew up in Tornado Alley, and nothing reminds me of home quite like watching a storm build up in the distance. While we don’t get nearly as many storms here in central Ohio, every now and again we do get a pop up storm that puts on a show.

Ready to book a pet and family session for you and your dog?

Click the link below to get started!

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Ohio Professional Dog Photography - Dolly & Juniper

There are tons of great reasons to get pet portraits, but one of the most special is when you add a new puppy to your home. I recently had the pleasure of photographing Dolly and her little sister, Juniper the Toy Poodle puppy, together with their mom. I like to keep all my sessions as stress-free as possible for everyone involved, which means we'll work with whatever your dogs feel like doing. With puppies, sometimes that means letting them get their zoomies out while I photograph! Although most people think a professional dog photographer would prefer a puppy who sits still the secret is I love the chaos and energy puppies have as it allows me to get some cool action shots.

This little family of three was such fun to work with. Dolly and Juniper were full of life and personality, and it was so easy to see just how special they are to their mom. I love capturing the quiet little moments of love shared between a dog and their human. Which photo below is your favorite from this session?

Ohio Puppy Photography - Cellana the Standard Poodle

Isn't Cellana, the 10 week old Standard Poodle puppy just gorgeous?! Besides being super fluffy, she also has a special power--with the help of some water, she can transform into a sheep! Cellana was a good sport for our quiet creek session, and was brave about getting in water for the very first time!

This secret little hidden gem of a location is one of my favs! Nestled in the Appalachian foothills just 20 minutes from Columbus, it provides a peaceful, quiet, and of course gorgeous spot for photos. Although the water level in the creek was quite low due to the drought we've be having, we still made the most of our time there.

Do you have a water-loving dog that you'd like to have photographed in this spot? I have a very limited number of sessions available for this particular location this Fall. My calendar books up SUPER fast, so if you're interested in scheduling something for your own pup, reach out today!

Alexandria, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Spider the Mudi

When I saw the forecast was going to be a high of 24 degrees, I asked Spider’s owner if she wanted to reschedule for a warmer date. She decided to keep the original date and brave the cold, and I’m so glad she did! We got a little dusting of snow the night before, and the shallow creek we photographed at had turned to ice. It made for a beautiful location! I’ve been really wanting to do some more winter-looking shoots, and I got my wish! Spider was seriously such a treat to work with. He happily did all the poses I asked for, including climbing on logs, balancing on rocks, and more. We got so many great shots.

Many owners are hesitant to book a winter shoot, as they worry that the backgrounds will look boring and drab. Well, here's proof that you can still get amazing shots in winter! If you'd like to do your own winter shoot (and your dog is cold-tolerant), contact me today to schedule! www.hhildrethphoto.com/contact

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!