pet product

Commercial Dog Photography - German Shorthair Pointers by Holly Hildreth

Commercial pet photography of a German Shorthair Pointer dog running and playing with a toy showing a pet product in use

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.

Two German Shorthair Pointer dogs during a commercial photo shoot showing off leather collars for a commercial pet business

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.

Stunning Commercial dog photography of a German Shorthair Pointer dog wearing a fancy leather collar and standing in front of a lake at sunset in Ohio
Funny commercial animal photography of a German Shorthair Pointer dog running toward the camera. His tongue is hanging out of his mouth and ears are flapping in the wind, giving him a humorous expression

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 dog photography of a black German Shorthair Pointer dog in a field of tall grass in Columbus, Ohio

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.

commercial dog photography of a German Shorthair pointer dog running with a toy in his mouth demonstrating the real pet product in use

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.

Commercial Dog Photography portrait of two German Shorthair Pointer dogs posing together in front of a lake at sunset while wearing luxury dog collars made of leather to demonstrate a pet product in use

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

Commercial adventure dog photography action shot of a German Shorthair pointer dog tracking game and pointing in a lake in Ohio

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