Ohio Rescue Dog Photography - Studio Portraits of Josie

In my free time I volunteer my pet photography talents to a few Columbus, Ohio-area dog rescues in hopes of helping adoptable dogs find their forever homes. Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph Josie, a very special one-eyed English bulldog, who is available for adoption through Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio!

Meet Josie: A Sweet Bulldog Searching for Her Forever Home

Josie is a one-eyed, 2-year-old English bulldog with a heart of gold. Despite her delicate condition, Josie is full of love and eager to find someone who can provide her with the care she needs. She has a heart arrhythmia that is improving but requires regular medication—something her future adopter should be prepared to manage long-term. In addition to her special medical needs, Josie also requires typical bulldog maintenance care, such as having her facial folds wiped regularly and avoiding overheating.

Josie is incredibly friendly, fully house-trained, crate-trained, and gets along well with other dogs and people of all ages. She has a sweet personality. She was happy to pose for photos for me—as long as she could take some breaks to come over and get some belly rubs and eat some treats in between shots.

Josie is the whole package. She even has a full wardrobe of doggy clothes that she loves to get dressed up in! She truly deserves a loving home where she can thrive and receive all the care and attention she needs. If you are interested in giving Josie her forever home, please visit Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio to apply.

Why I Volunteer to Photograph Adoptable Dogs

Volunteering to take photos of adoptable dogs is incredibly meaningful to me. As a professional pet photographer, I understand the importance of a great photograph! The difference between a cell phone snap and a professional portrait can make a world of difference for a dog waiting to be adopted. Many dogs spend too much time in shelters or foster homes simply because potential adopters don't see their true personality from a standard photo. Often photos of adoptable dogs are taken at the animal shelter. The Pound can be a very scary place for most dogs! By busting these dogs out of doggy jail, we’re able to get them to a much more calm and positive environment, which in turn puts them at ease and allows me to capture each dog's unique spirit. I hope to increase their chances of being noticed by a family that will give them a loving home.

My goal is to use my pet photography skills to give back to the community here in Columbus, Ohio and help homeless dogs find their forever families. Every animal deserves a chance to be loved, and if my photographs can help make that connection, then all the effort is worthwhile.

Book a Professional Pet Photography Session in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re looking for a professional pet photographer in Columbus, Ohio, I’d love to help capture beautiful memories of your beloved pet. Whether it’s in the studio or outdoors on location, we will get a ton of incredible pet portraits. I photograph dogs and puppies of all ages, sizes, breeds, and abilities. Click the link below to book your dog’s photo shoot today.

Dog Birthday Party Photography - By Ohio's Premiere Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth

I have a tradition of doing birthday photos every year of my own dogs on their birthday to celebrate. I try to make the theme different every year, and also use it as an opportunity to get a little creative! Today I wanted to share with you my youngest corgi Brisket’s birthday photos. Brisket turned 3 this year, and you may not know this, but he’s not actually a dog—he’s really 3 possums stacked on top of each other in a trench coat…inside a corgi’s body.

This year I went with a color explosion for the party theme. I wanted a vibrant color pallet, reminiscent of Lisa Frank’s style for my puppy’s 3rd birthday party.

Of course I can’t just share this year’s photos without also including his last 2 birthdays as well. For his 1st and 2nd birthdays, I wanted to go with something simple, since he was still very much a puppy and not interested in modeling for me. Now that he’s older he is obsessed with getting his picture taken.

Brisket’s 2nd Bday

Brisket’s 1st Bday

Bonus Photo:

Brisket enjoying his doggy ice cream

Which doggy birthday party photos are your favorite? If you’re looking to book a professional pet photographer to capture some birthday portraits of your dog, please use my contact page to request your session today!

Ohio Commercial Pet Photography Shoot - Beer Can Label for Columbus Brewery

For the past few years, I have been fortunate to be a part of super a unique and popular fundraiser contest in support of RESCUEDohio, a Columbus, Ohio-based dog rescue organization I volunteer with. For this contest, people submitted pictures of their dogs and got friends and family to “vote” for them for the chance to be the new face of 3 Seventh Son Brewing beer cans! Each “vote” was a $1 donation to RescuedOhio. Through this contest we raised over $37.5k for RescuedOhio!!! These funds will go to helping provide medical treatment, housing and supplies, and adoption services to homeless, abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and puppies here in Central Ohio.

After the contest ended, I photographed the top 3 winning dogs for their beer label. I just love how these turned out. Take a look at how good Georgie, Winry, and Buddy look on the cans! We went with bold, primary colors, as they look super eye-catching when in a 6-pack.

To celebrate the release, Seventh Son Brewing threw a release party. To build excitement and get the word out, I did a photo shoot with the 4th place winner at the brewery. We used these photos across social media to help bring awareness to our campaign.

Ready to Party

Pastrami, the 4th place dog at Seventh Son Brewing

A Picture Perfect Puppy Party | Pet Birthday Photo Shoot by Professional Dog Photographer Holly Hildreth

Besides photographing other people’s dogs, I try to make a point of capturing my own two corgis, Rigby and Brisket. I have a yearly tradition of doing a small photo shoot to celebrate on their birthdays. Rigby recently turned a whopping 9 years old, so we had a photoshoot to celebrate!

Setting the Scene:

For Rigby’s 9th birthday, I wanted to go with a classic, sleek black and gold theme. I was going for a little bit of a Great Gatsby vibe. I transformed my studio with colorful gold streamers layered on top of a black velvet background and completed the scene with a golden “9” balloon and glittery party hats.

Behind the Scenes

I attached yellow streamers to black velvet background paper. On the table I have a piece of black acrylic to create a reflection.

The Birthday Boy

This one melts my heart every time!

More Than Just Snaps: Memories Made

By the end of the shoot, I had a camera roll full of hilarious and heartwarming photos that perfectly captured Rigby’s personality. Our session was a joyful celebration of the unconditional love our furry companions bring to our lives. So Happy Birthday, Rigby! I am looking forward to many more years together still to come.

If you want to celebrate your dog’s birthday in style, then ditch the grainy phone pics and create lasting memories with a professional pet photoshoot. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Valentine's Day Themed Dog Photoshoot by Ohio Pet Photographer Holly Hildreth

Adorable Valentine’s Day Puppy Portraits

A big round of a-paws for Rigby and Brisket being the best doggy models

While I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s day, I decided that my two corgis needed a Valentine's-themed shoot anyway. I knew I wanted to try something new, and decided to create my own background and set for this photo shoot. The inspiration came when I realized I needed to cut off and toss some seamless paper that got thoroughly scuffed up from use, but instead of just throwing it away, I had arts and crafts time! I cut hearts out of the used paper and taped them onto a clean roll of seamless with painter’s tape. The result was a super-festive, greeting-card worthy set of photos of my pups that you can’t help but smile about

Why Your Pet Business NEEDS Custom Commercial Animal Photography

While most of my blog posts here are of private client sessions, I also offer commercial pet photography services. Whether you are a small business making dog bandanas at home, a grooming salon looking to grow your client base, or are well-established pet supply chain, custom commercial animal photography of YOUR business and products is an excellent way to elevate your brand.

Research shows that 60% of consumers are more likely to contact a business that has high-end professional photos on their website and social media. Additionally, 90% of online shoppers say high quality, professional images are the most important factor when considering a purchase. As a result, not having these kinds of photos could be a deal-breaker for your clients, which in turn costs you business.

Some folks turn to stock photography for their marketing and website needs. But, you may want to reconsider. Eye-tracking research shows that consumers tend to ignore stock photos and "filler content" images. Generic stock photos can make your brand feel impersonal, cold, and less trustworthy. Plus, stock photos aren't exclusive or unique to you, meaning your competition could be using the exact same photos on their website! This makes it so much harder to stand out to prospective customers, especially in a highly competitive market.

If you are ready to invest in a custom commercial animal photography session for your pet business, contact me today! We'll discuss what makes your offerings unique and how to shoot that in order to make your brand stand apart from the competition. If you’re ready to take the next steps and elevate your brand, contact me today.

New Albany, Ohio, Pet Photography Studio Session - Luna

"Wow" is all I can say about Luna! This impressive girl was excited to show off some of the 100(!!!) tricks she knew during her session.

3 years ago, Luna was adopted from Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio. With the help of her awesome owner, this smart little lady is now turning heads and earning titles! If you're interested in learning how to teach your pup some adorable tricks just like Luna here, check out her page

http://instagram.com/lunathetrickdog

Luna's owner, Kay, is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and also a middle school teacher, so her trick training tutorials are easy for anybody follow along and to use to train tricks with your own dog at home! Interested in learning more about earning a Trick Dog title? Check out the AKC’s resource page on how to get started.

Reynoldsburg End of Life Pet Photography Session - Tanner

“Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog”. – Sidney Jeanne Seward

I am always honored to be trusted to photograph an end of life pet photo shoot, as I know how important these images are to the pup’s family. It’s an even bigger compliment when you’re capturing memories for a fellow photographer!

This is Tanner and his fluffy sibling, Sadie. Their owner (the wonderfully talented Jacqueline Marie ) contacted me for a session when Tanner's health started to fail. When you're an 18-year-old dog, you have to treat every day as a gift, so we got them in for my earliest available appointment. Once I met Tanner, it was easy to see just how much his family loves him, and the joy he brings to their lives. They all have a special connection that is just palpable in every photo.

Columbus, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Lucy & Rosie

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, Rescue Dog Photographer - Buddy

Meet Buddy. Buddy is one of the 80 dogs recently seized in a Pike County hoarding case. For those who wish to learn more about Buddy and his friends, continue reading below *Trigger warning: animal cruelty*

On January 30th, a Pike County man was arrested when humane agents were tipped off about animal cruelty happening on the premises. When they arrived, humane agents were greeted by a deceased dog that was tied to a tractor and appeared to have been beaten to death. They found 80 living but emaciated dogs and 40 deceased dogs on the property. Buddy is one of those lucky 80 pups that were removed from the premise and turned over to the Pike County animal shelter. From there, Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio stepped in to help with a number of dogs. These pups are now in foster homes learning what it’s like to be loved, with full bellies and comfortable beds. After receiving medical care and some TLC, Buddy and his friends are ready to find their forever homes through Stop The Suffering. To apply to adopt, visit https://www.stopthesuffering.org/adopt

Columbus, Ohio, Rescued Dog Photography - Ace

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.

New Albany, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Kevin and Harvey the Frenchies

Aren't Kevin and Harvey the French Bulldogs the absolute cutest?! Aside from these ladies having the best names ever, they were so sweet. They had to make sure to crawl in my lap and give kisses every couple minutes to remind me that they were just brimming with love and cheer. It's hard to have a bad day when you have these two looking back at you! Since French Bulldogs are not quite built for the cold, we had opted for a studio session.

Kevin and Harvey’s people brought the perfect fuzzy blanket from their house to incorporate in their shoot. We wanted to be sure to match their owner’s home decor colors with these photos, sowe opted for neutral, earth tones to match. I think that was the perfect call for these beautiful Frenchies!

Columbus, Ohio, Rescue Dog Photography - Giving back

Growing up my parents engrained in me the importance of giving back to your community in whatever way you could. The idea that you should always give more than you take, is one that I’ve carried with me into adult life…which is how I became involved in dog rescues!

As a kid, some of my happiest memories were going to the local humane society with my dad, and just spending time with the animals. I loved being able to meet so many different pets and giving love and attention to them when they need it most. Especially since ending up at a shelter is perhaps the most stressful experience of a dog’s life.

When I was in college, rescues started becoming more common. I also got my very first dog at this time, and well, once I had a dog in my life it was game over—I became obsessed with dogs and began photographing friends’ pets for some of my college assignments. So, when I graduated and moved to Ohio, I wanted to find my fellow dog people. That’s when I decided to join my first animal rescue. I started out by fostering dogs when my schedule would allow it, and then quickly discovered the need for high-quality photography of these adoptable dogs. With the rise of social media and adoption sites like Petfinder, having professional, attention-getting images of dogs in need proved to be instrumental in helping these good boys and girls find their forever homes.

Besides the obvious benefit of giving back to the community and helping animals in need, I love photographing rescue dogs and puppies, as it helps me keep my skills sharp. In rescue you have all kinds of cases, from beloved family pets whose owners passed away, to puppies that maybe were an impulse buy from a pet store or backyard breeder, and now that puppy is too big/energetic/too much work for their new owners. We also see some devastating cases of abuse, neglect, and severe under-socialization in situations like hoarding cases or puppymill cast-offs. Through volunteering with area rescues, I have been able to work with animals with all different levels of training, energy, confidence, and friendliness. This experience has helped me learn how to work with each animal individually, tailoring the shoot to their comfort level, in order to make their session as stress-free as possible.

The most common worry I hear from new clients inquiring about a photo shoot for their family pet is that they worry their shy dog won’t “cooperate”. I always reassure them that in 13 years of photographing animals, I’ve not yet met a dog that I couldn’t win over. I owe a lot of that to my experience in volunteering to photograph for rescues. Meeting and working with such a wide variety of dogs and cats has given me the necessary skills, tricks, and patience to take on any pet confidently.

Winter in Ohio is generally the slow season for most photographers. This means I have more time to volunteer and photograph adoptable dogs. One recent session that has really stuck with me is the “PopStar Litter”. The “PopStar” puppies are currently looking for their forever homes through Stop The Suffering Ohio. This little family’s backstory is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, the 7 adorable puppies you see here had an awful start in life. These sweet babies were found (as newborns) the day after Christmas, literally freezing to death in a trash pile in Kentucky! Luckily they were found just in time by a good Samaritan. After receiving emergency medical care, battling respiratory illnesses, and being bottle fed and cared for around-the-clock by foster volunteers, these babies are finally happy and healthy pups who are ready for their forever homes. To apply to adopt, visit stopthesuffering.org/adopt

Not in a position to adopt a new friend, but still want to help homeless pets? Area rescues and animal shelters are at capacity. If it weren't for our volunteers, we wouldn't have been able to save this little family. It takes a village-- from those who transported the puppies to Columbus, to the veterinarians who treated them, to the foster homes who provided love and care, to those who helped raise the funds to be able to pay for the emergency costs. Every bit of help makes a difference, and there are so many ways to make an impact. Visit STS's website to learn about ways you can help pups like these: https://www.stopthesuffering.org/copy-of-about-1

New Albany, Ohio, Pet Photography Studio Session - Roux the Afghan Hound

I've had an idea for a styled shoot rolling around in my head for ages. I pictured an elegant hound, wearing a gold crown, with moody lighting in a whole renaissance era oil-painting vibe. So when Roux's owner contacted me about booking a studio shoot for her gorgeous Afghan Hound, I knew this was the right pup to be my model. I asked her owner if she'd be ok with me getting some bonus shots after the regular shoot was done, and she agreed. So we did a normal shoot, and then switched into Rembrant mode to try to make this idea a reality. It's safe to say, Roux looks like she was born to wear a crown.

A few days after the shoot, I entered the image of Roux lying down with a laurel crown to the Professional Photographers of America’s annual International Print Competition (IPC). This image received a “merit” designation, which is awarded to high caliber images. This image joined 3 other of my photos which merited, to earn me a Bronze medal in the 2022 IPC competition.

Commercial Pet Photography - Columbus, Ohio, Magazine Shoot

I absolutely LOVE working on commercial pet photography projects for clients. I recently had a fun project come up for Dogster Magazine that involved photographing some Afghan hounds for the cover of their June/July 2022 issue. Afghan hounds aren’t exactly dogs you see walking through your neighborhood every day, so I was super lucky to find two incredible dogs from Solina Hounds in Alexandria, Ohio. Owner Sophia graciously brought her Afghan Hounds, Inca and Genny, to me for their glamour shots. We wanted to have a true beauty magazine cover look complete with a fan to blow out those luscious locks. These two gorgeous ladies did not disappoint. Both models were so friendly, happy, and easy to work with that it made my job easy! Below is the final cover for Dogster, a small sampling of some of my favorite shots from this session, and a behind-the-scenes look at my set-up.