outdoor

Columbus Dog Photography - Pet Birthday Photo Shoot with Freyja and Max by Holly Hildreth

Freyja the Rough Collie and Max the German Shepherd recently had a professional pet photography session to celebrate Freyja’s 1st birthday in style! We captured some of the beautiful spring colors as well as some exciting birthday photos for Freyja’s doggy birthday party announcement. These two were so fun to work with, and they had a blast while getting their photos taken. Freyja even had her own party hat and birthday bandana.

Dog birthday photo shoot with a Collie in a party hat in Columbus, Ohio, by professional pet photographer Holly Hildreth

Meet the Birthday Girl!

Collie wearing a "let's party" bandana during a dog birthday photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio.

Let’s Pawty!

Is your furry friend's birthday just around the corner? Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to celebrate their special day? Look no further than the magic of professional pet photography! Capturing your canine companion's personality and charm through expertly crafted images is not only a wonderful way to mark the occasion but also creates lasting memories you'll cherish for years to come.

Here are a few reasons why investing in professional pet photos for your dog's birthday is a pawsitively brilliant idea:

1. Forever Memories

Just like any cherished family member, our pets hold a special place in our hearts. Professional pet photographers have a knack for capturing those fleeting moments of joy, mischief, and affection that define our pets' personalities. Whether it's the way they tilt their head, their playful antics, or their soulful gaze, these images freeze-frame the essence of your furry friend, creating timeless memories you'll treasure forever.

2. Tail-wagging Fun

A pet photo shoot isn't just about striking a pose; it's a fun and interactive experience for you and your furry friend! Professional pet photographers are skilled at creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment where your dog can be themselves, whether that means chasing balls, frolicking in the grass, or simply lounging in the sun. The result? Authentic and heartwarming images that capture the true spirit of your pet.

3. Personalized Pup Portraits

Every dog is unique, and their birthday photos should reflect their individuality. Professional dog photographers work closely with you to understand your dog's personality, preferences, and quirks, ensuring that the images captured are a true reflection of who they are. Whether you envision a playful outdoor shoot, a cozy indoor session, or a themed extravaganza, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating personalized pup portraits that celebrate your dog in all their glory.

4. Share the Love

What better way to spread some birthday cheer than by sharing adorable photos of your four-legged friend with family and friends? Whether you frame them, create a custom photo album, or share them on social media, these images are sure to bring smiles to the faces of everyone who sees them. Plus, they make paw-some gifts for fellow pet lovers!

5. Professional Quality

While smartphone snapshots are great for capturing everyday moments, nothing beats the quality and artistry of professional pet photography. From expert lighting and composition to high-resolution images that showcase every whisker and wag, professional dog photographers have the skills and equipment to deliver stunning results that you'll be proud to display in your home.

So, why not treat your furry friend to a birthday experience they'll never forget? With the help of a professional pet photographer, you can celebrate Fido's big day in style, creating memories that will warm your heart for years to come. After all, every dog deserves their moment in the spotlight!

Columbus End of Life Pet Photography - Dugan by Holly Hildreth

Handsome 13 year old Dugan recently came to me for an End of Life session when he was diagnosed with a sinus tumor. He was a tiny gentleman during this pet and family photo shoot and was nothing but happiness, tail wags, and love--at one point taking a quick break from shooting to run up to me and ask for a belly rub. It was very clear to see just how special Dugan is to his people. I’m so glad we were able to capture the bond he had with his moms while he was still feeling good. I'll be thinking of Dugan and his family as they treasure the remaining time they have together.

Overhead angle photo of a chihuahua during an End of life photoshoot for a terminally ill dog in Columbus, Ohio

While End of Life Pet Photography sounds like a very somber occasion, owners often feel much more joyful and experience a sense of peace during these photo shoots. End of Life sessions give you a time and a place to make a few last beautiful memories together with your dog before they pass. Owners also find that having these images after their pet crosses the rainbow bridge helps bring them comfort an a sense of closure.

A happy LGBT couple and their dog during an end of life pet photography session in Columbus, Ohio

Newark, Ohio Puppy Photography Session at Highland Hills by Holly Hildreth

Two English Bulldog puppies in front of the Appalachian foothills of Newark, Ohio

All puppies are cute, but holy cow, English Bulldog puppies are in a league of their own!

I had the pleasure of photographing 8 rolly, polly English Bulldog puppies and their momma at the gorgeous Highland Hills Venue. These insanely cute puppies belong to the venue owner, so it was fitting to do the session there. I'm so glad we did, because the location is amazing!

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills outside of Newark, Ohio. Highland Hills Venue is a photographer's dream. They have a gorgeous wooden barn, outdoor string lights, a beautiful view of the surrounding hills, a pond with fountain, a vintage truck, longhorn and highland cows...and the list goes on! If you're looking for an event venue for a wedding, party, or just a place to photograph your next shoot, I highly recommend checking them out!

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

English Springer Spaniel photographed by Professional Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth during a session in Alexandria, Ohio

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!

Westerville, Ohio, End of Life Pet Photography Session - Twinkle the Boston Terrier by Holly Hildreth

Twinkle’s owner reached out to me as soon as she received some devastating health news about her furry family member. Less than 24 hours later, Twinkle was in front of my lens for her special photoshoot. Twinkle passed away at home, surrounded by family, shortly after our session. I am glad that we had this chance to make a few last happy memories in the time she had left with us, and grateful to Twinkle’s family for trusting me with such an important shoot.

Twinkle’s owner found me through The Tilly Project, a network that connects pet owners with photographers who provide End of Life (EoL) pet photography services for cases just like Twinkle’s. EoL sessions are such an incredibly valuable gift that you can give yourself and your loved ones. I keep time reserved in my schedule every week specifically for cases like this where owners aren’t sure how much time their dog has left and/or are dealing with tough decisions around the declining health of their best friend. If you find yourself in this situation and would like to book your own EoL Pet Photo shoot, contact me today and I will be in touch ASAP.

Westerville, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Babe and Sparkles at Heritage Park by Holly Hildreth

Babe the Shih Tzu mix was all smiles for her photoshoot. Babe's bubbly personality makes it so you can’t help but smile when you see her. Although our shoot was focused mostly on Babe, her furry sibling, Sparkles, shared in the limelight for a few shots. Sparkles is a sweet, blind, Cavalier mix who wasn't impressed with the super model life and opted for being pushed around in her stroller like the queen she is instead.

We shot at Everal Barn and Homestead in Westerville, taking advantage of all the great landscaping and seasonal colors. What I love most about this park, however, is that there’s a perfect little hill that allows us to get slightly above the treeline so that we have wide open view of the sky for sunset shoots. While the sun went behind clouds during most of our shoot, we still got a gorgeous, colorful sunset to take advantage of at the end of our session.

If you need more Babe in your life, her owners have an Instagram account for her! https://www.instagram.com/lilmissbaberescuedog/

Westerville, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Oksana the Husky by Holly Hildreth

I absolutely love springtime! The warmer temps, vibrant splashes of color, and beautiful spring flowers—it’s all a perfect recipe for a great outdoor pet photography session. For Oksana the husky’s session, we used both Astronaut Grove Park and Everal Barn and Homestead at Heritage Park in Westerville, Ohio. Not only did we get amazing spring colors to work with, but we were lucky enough to catch a perfect sunset as well. But our photo shoot didn’t stop there! Oksana and her owner were great sports and stuck around a little longer so we could keep shooting into twilight. This allowed us to got some dramatic blue hour photos featuring dark clouds rolling in, making for a truly dynamic pet session.