Columbus Pet and Family Photo Shoot - Logan the Frenchie

Dog and Owner Photo Shoot in Columbus, Ohio | © Holly Hildreth Photography

Logan, the silliest French Bulldog of them all, was a joy to photograph during his recent pet and family session. This super friendly pup is very loved by his family, and holds a special place in the heart of his dog-dad. Logan and his dad made the big move to Columbus, Ohio, from Puerto Rico and went through the difficult transition of starting anew so far from home. Logan played an important role in keeping his dad's spirits up by providing lots of love, laughs, and company during an otherwise stressful time. I can definitely relate. When I moved across the country to Columbus back in 2012, I knew absolutely no one here and only had my corgi by my side, so I completely understand how important our furry friends are in helping us get through the challenging seasons of life.

We did our photo shoot at Creekside Park in Gahanna, Ohio. We wanted to have a good mix of urban scenes as well as some natural backgrounds to give us lots of variety. I love using this park, as you don’t have to walk far to get lots of different looks during a session.

As it turns out, it doesn’t matter what the background or location it—Logan is going to do his best to give face licking kisses wherever he goes. This goofy boy and his inability to hold his licker let me get beautiful portraits of him with his family with genuine smiles and laughter, and helped keep the session fun and lighthearted.

Logan’s people also wanted to be sure we captured a shot of him wearing his Superman costume complete with a big red cape. This was such a fun shot—I love when we get to do unique and personality-filled photos like this. To get this shot I placed Logan on a large rock and then I laid down on the ground and aimed my camera up. This allowed me to get a great larger-than-life shot of Logan proudly showing off his costume while his cape billowed in the wind.

Incorporating special items into your pet photo shoot is a great way to make photos more meaningful and memorable—whether it’s a costume, special collar, favorite toy, or their favorite treat.

Ohio Puppy Photography - Winnie the Golden

One frequently asked question I get is “Can you photograph young puppies?” Clients worry that their new wiggly ball of fluff won’t sit still long enough to have their picture taken. But here’s the secret: they don’t have to! With puppy sessions we will go with the flow and make sure it’s a fun and stress-free experience for your puppy. They may even blissfully fall asleep at the end of our shoot like 8 week old Winnie the golden retriever puppy here.

Your pup's adorable antics and charm deserve to be preserved forever. Puppies grow up so fast! That's why investing in professional pet photography while your new pet is still a young puppy is a great choice.

Professional pet photographers specialize in capturing the unique personality and quirks of your puppy. They know how to bring out the best in their subjects, whether it's their playful spirit, curious nature, or heart-melting puppy dog eyes.

Puppies can be super wiggly at this age, so keeping them on leash is always a good idea. I will photoshop the leash out after our session so it looks like your sweet little fluff ball was running free, when in reality she is safe and leashed the whole time. That means there’s one less thing to worry about during your session!

Plus, the experience of a professional pet photoshoot is enjoyable for both you and your puppy. It's a chance to bond, create lasting memories, and have fun capturing moments that reflect the joy your puppy brings to your life.

If your ready to book your puppy’s pet photography session, visit my booking page to request your shoot: Book A Session

Newark, Ohio Puppy Photography Session at Highland Hills

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 with outdoor string lights, a beautiful view of the surrounding hills, a pond with fountain, a vintage truck, and horses, longhorns, and highland cows. If you're looking for an event venue for a wedding, party, or as an amazing photo shoot location, I highly recommend checking them out!

The center piece of the venue is a large, rustic barn. I liked that the neutral wood colors and textures made a simple yet attractive backdrop.

On the back side of the barn is a nice covered patio with string lights. This spot overlooks the pastures where the longhorns and Scottish highland cows reside. I especially love that this patio and barn is slightly higher elevation than other areas of the property. This allowed me to get an unobstructed view of the hills and sky in the background.

The whole venue is amazing, but I think my favorite spot was the cute vintage pickup truck by the pond with the Appalachian mountain foothills in the background. What a perfect setting for pet photos!

Columbus End of Life Dog Photography - Chloe the Sheltie

“I lost a treasured friend today

The little dog who used to lay

Her gentle head upon my knee

And shared her silent thoughts with me.

Although my eyes are filled with tears

I thank God for the happy years

He let her spend down here with me

And for her love and loyalty."

Chloe's family recently brought her to me for an End of Life photo session. While Chloe’s health issues limited her mobility, that didn’t stop her from laying in the grass, sniffing the summer breeze, watching storm clouds roll in, and sipping on some dirty lake water (her favorite!) I'm so glad we were able to get Chloe in for her session when we did, as the next day she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. After Chloe’s passing, her mom reached out to let me know how important these photos were to her. They were glad Chloe was able to get out of the house and enjoy one last evening together doing some of her favorite things. They remarked that Chloe seemed happier and more herself than she had in a long time. It was a bittersweet goodbye, but I am honored that I had the opportunity to document some final happy memories together for Chloe’s family to cherish.

Losing a pet is one of the most painful experiences in life. However, End-of-life pet photography can be a beautiful way to capture some last happy memories before your beloved furry family member passes. It can help you cope with your grief, navigate the loss, and remember your pet in a happy light. Owners also report it gives them a sense of closure as the sessions provide a time and a place to celebrate your dog’s life as well as come to terms with what is next. It also provides you an opportunity to give your pup one last evening to do the things they love, whether that’s just laying outside in the sunshine, wading in some water, going for a car ride, receiving pets, eating their favorite foods, or just enjoying some fresh air with you. If you are in need of End of Life Pet Photography services, please use the form on my Contact page to reach out today.

Travel and Destination Pet Photography - Angel in Cocoa Beach, Florida

Angel the Dachshund had a blast during our destination pet photography session in Cocoa Beach, Florida!

Blondes really do have more fun! This beautiful blonde dachshund is Angel. I met Angel's owner, Liz, about 13 years ago online through Flickr. We hit it off, connecting through our mutual interest in dog photography, and our friendship grew from there. Liz has been a great cheerleader for me and always very supportive of my pet photography passion! So when I recently had an opportunity to travel to Cocoa Beach, Florida, I knew I just HAD to meet up with Liz and do a little photoshoot with her pup while I was there. It was truly so special for both of us to be able to do this!

We wanted to make sure to have a location that just screams "Florida". With those classic pastel hues and beachside views, South Beach Inn in Cocoa Beach was the perfect spot for our session.

While many of my clients live in Central Ohio, I do offer travel and destination pet photography services. Contact me today to get a custom quote!

Columbus, Ohio, End of Life Pet Photography Session - Rocky

"I didn’t want to go at first,

I fought with all my might.

But something seems to draw me now

to a warm and loving light.

I want to go, I really do.

But I will try as best I can

to live just one more day with you.

To give you time to care for me

and share your love and fears.

I know you’re sad and afraid,

because I see your tears.

I’ll not be far,

I promise that, and hope you’ll always know

that my spirit will be close to you

wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.

You know I love you too,

that’s why it’s hard to say goodbye

to this life with you." - Susan A. Jackson

I recently had an End of Life session with sweet Rocky here. Rocky's family contacted me about a session when he got some devastating health news. Unfortunately I was in Florida at the time. We discussed checking in to other awesome pet photographers in the area who might be able to get Rocky in before I got back to Ohio, as time is of the essence when dealing with End of Life cases. But, Rocky is a determined guy! He held on until I got back to Columbus. I think he knew just how important these photos would be to his family. After having a rough night, Rocky did not have the strength to walk or sit/stand for more than a fleeting moment, but what he could do was stretch out and enjoy laying in the cool grass, watching his fur sibling, Minnie, explore the park, and soaking up all the snuggles and pats from the people who love him the most.

Bittersweet portrait of dog and owner together during an end of life pet photography session in Ohio

One concern I hear from owners considering End of Life pet photography is that they’re afraid their dog isn't suitable for a photo shoot due to being blind, deaf, or mobility or otherwise impaired. They worry that if their pet is not able to run and play, then the photos won't capture their pup's personality. I’m here to tell you that you have no reason to worry! Here is proof that we will absolutely capture wonderful memories of your faithful friend regardless of any impairments they may have.

If you’re looking for an end of life pet photographer in Columbus, let’s chat! You can request your dog’s photo shoot HERE

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!

Westerville, Ohio, Pet Photography Session - Scout and Finnegan

This wonderful Westie pair is Scout and Finnegan (The Scout Report & Finn Files). This dynamic duo had so much expression and personality, which made my job easy! These furry friends enjoy competing in all kinds of dog sports and of course love spending time with their family.

We had our session at Everal Barn and Homestead in Heritage park in Westerville, Ohio. I wanted to be sure to include some seasonal flowers as well as capture a gorgeous sunset. Scout and Finn came to me through a recent model call on my Facebook Page. I do occasionally put our model calls for special projects, so if you’re interested in your pup being considered, make sure to follow my page to stay informed!

Westerville, Ohio, Pet Photography Sunset Session - Bernard & Cookie

Bernard’s owner reached out to me to take advantage of my July fundraiser for Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio, where a portion of every session fee is donated to help homeless and neglected pets in central Ohio. Bernard had some unfortunate health news, and his owner wanted to get him in for a session while he was still happy and able to get around. Bernard’s sister-from-another-mister, Cookie, came along too for some photos. Their owner let me know that Cookie is shy and can be skittish in new and strange situations, so we made sure to budget extra time into their session to ensure Cookie was comfortable with everything, and worked to make the experience as stress-free as possible for her.

Our shoot day was…INSANELY HOT! But sometimes you just get crazy lucky during a shoot and not only get a stellar sunset, but a brilliant blue twilight complete with a few stars and fireflies! I may have been dripping sweat through Bernard and Cookie's session, but it was so worth it for results like these!

Westerville, Ohio, Pet and Owner Photography Session - Scout & Kira

Ohio weather in the summer can be a gamble. For instance, as I was driving to my shoot with Scout, the beagle/chihuahua mix, the sky opened up and absolutely poured. As I arrived at the park the rain was tapering off a bit, though it was still very blue in the west and the radar said more rain was on its way. We decided to roll the dice and go ahead and shoot as much as we could before the rain arrived.

Scout’s owner let me know that he is pretty timid around strangers and in new situations. But as soon as I got out of my car this little dude tried to immediately French kiss me! It’s safe to say I had his approval. With shy and skittish dogs, I like to budget a little more time into the session to make sure your pup is comfortable in front of the camera. One great way to make sure your pup is relaxed is to do some action shots of walking/playing. That usually helps them loosen up a bit. Another good approach is taking some candid shots of the sweet moments between owner and pet. Getting pets and reassurance from their owner can really put a pup at ease, plus it gives me a great opportunity to catch those special moments.

Scout’s owner was hoping for a sunset for their session. One thing about these kind of rainy days is you rarely get a sunset. But sometimes, you get super lucky and are surprised with an amazing array of colors as the sun goes down. Sunsets after a storm are usually much more vibrant than normal due to the higher moisture content in the atmosphere and greater scattering of the sun’s rays. All this goes to say fortune favors the bold. I’m so glad we decided to go for it and shoot anyway, despite everything looking like we would be rained out!

Columbus, Ohio Pet Photography Session - Twix and Tanner the Mini Poodles

Twix and Tanner the miniature poodles came to me for a summer sunset session at Clintonville's Whetstone Park of Roses. The park is in full bloom right now, which makes for some amazing, colorful backdrops! Park of Roses is one of my favorite parks, as there are so many great spots to shoot here, so you can get lots of different looks.

Just a reminder: if you book a pet photo shoot with me in July ‘22, a portion of your session fee will be donated to Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Ohio. I have one opening remaining, so if you'd like to get your dog in for a photo shoot, send me a message today!

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

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/