spring

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!

Westerville, Ohio, End of Life Pet Photography Session - Nymeria & Maks by Holly Hildreth

How adorable is this brother/sister duo?! We had beautiful weather for littermates Maks and Nymeria's photoshoot. Their owner reached out to me through The Tilly Project to schedule an End of Life session when Nymeria unfortunately received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Unsure of how much time she had left with us, we made certain to get her in ASAP for a photoshoot. Both of these pups were super sweet during their session, and Nymeria was acting so happy that you almost couldn't tell that this 13-year-old girl was so sick. I hope that she continues to be her happy self and enjoy all her favorite things in the time she has with loved ones.

The Tilly project connects families with photographers who specialize in end-of-life pet photography. The aim of these End of Life sessions is to provide families with portraits to remember their beloved pet after they are gone, as well as provide a way to process the grief of losing their furry friend.

In addition to providing end-of-life pet photography services, The Tilly Project also offers a variety of resources for families who are grieving the loss of a pet. The project's website includes a grief toolbox, a blog, and a forum where families can connect with each other and share their stories.

Westerville, Ohio, End of Life Pet Photography Session - Nellie by Holly Hildreth

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

This is sweet senior face is Nellie. Her mom reached out to me for an End of Life photoshoot when Nellie's health began to sharply decline. Luckily I have the most amazing, understanding clients which allowed me to move some session around in order to get Nellie in the very next day for her shoot!

Nellie’s owner describes her more like a sister than a pet. They have made so many memories in their 16.5 years together. It was easy to see just how special their connection was. While Nellie’s health issues limited her mobility, that didn’t stop her from laying in the soft grass, sniffing the cool spring breeze, and enjoying watching the sunset with the ones she loves the most: her mom, and fur-sibling Patriot. I'm so glad we were able to get Nellie in for her session when we did, as 2 days later, she made her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. Run free, Miss Nellie! Until we meet again.

While we all want our furry family members to be by our sides forever, unfortunately at some point we all must say goodbye. End of Life pet photography sessions are an amazing gift that you can give yourself. We capture beautiful memories in our time together, that many owners find helps them with the grieving process when their beloved pet passes. I keep time reserved in my schedule every week specifically for End of Life sessions 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 - Lola the Cocker Spaniel by Holly Hildreth

A blind cocker spaniel dog wearing a flower crown in front of pink flowers during an end of life pet photography session on Columbus Ohio

Lola the cocker spaniel came to me for a photo shoot when her owner received a pet photography gift certificate for Mother’s Day. This sweet senior Cocker lady is blind, but that doesn’t slow her down. She was super outgoing and loving, and your best friend if you gave her cuddles and booty scratches. It just goes to show that even if your pet has an impairment, we can still get amazing photos during your session. Lola’s owner even brought along a little flower crown for her photo shoot, which was the perfect finishing touch for this queen.

Westerville, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Marnie and Murfey the Havanese Dogs by Holly Hildreth

Marnie and her brother Murfey the Havanese dogs recently had their session at Everal Barn and Homestead at Heritage Park in Westerville. These two were absolute rockstars! Marnie had the sweetest smile, and Murfey might be in the running for "best head tilt ever". True to their breed, these two were smart, outgoing, silly little pups. So it's no surprise that historically, Havanese were once used as circus performers, due to their happy clown-like nature. I knew from the moment I met these two that the shoot was going to be amazing, and they did not disappoint!

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.