Ash and Alder Photography

08/30/2026

There are days when I still can’t quite believe people pay me to do this. ❤️

Murphy is an 11½-year-old Golden Retriever, and I’m so thankful his mom trusted me to capture him exactly as he is.

An adventure dog at heart. Independent, goofy, a little naughty, and a mama’s boy through and through.

He’s had a rough couple of months medically, and for a while, the medications he needed dimmed some of that spark that makes Murphy, Murphy. But recently, as he’s been able to come off some of them, his personality has been finding its way back.

We started his session with some more formal, posed portraits while he was still clean and handsome... because we knew that probably wasn’t going to last long. 😂

Then I got to watch him splash through the water, explore the shoreline, play, and eventually bury himself in the sand until that beautiful cream coat was decidedly less cream.

And I loved every second of it.

This is the best part of my job. I get to watch dogs be themselves, enjoy their lives, and photograph all those goofy little things that make their people love them so much.

Sometimes I still can’t believe people trust me, and actually pay me, to spend my time doing something I love this much. 🐾

08/11/2026

Check out my latest blog all about Ash and our dock diving days together.

From his first dock jump, when he couldn’t figure out how to get out of the pool, to becoming a Master Dock Diver with a shelf full of first-place trophies, dock diving became one of my favorite chapters of Ash’s life. It taught us both so much, gave us countless adventures together, and even he...

07/20/2026

One of my favorite quirks of Ash's was how he would gently nuzzle his head up against you whenever he wanted to cuddle. It was his way of saying, "I'm here... now love me." ❤️

Over the past few days, Ash took a sudden turn, and yesterday we had to say goodbye to our once-in-a-lifetime dog.

Our hearts are completely broken.

If you've followed Ash over the years, you'll probably notice my feed becoming a little more Ash-centered than usual over the next few weeks. I have thousands of photos and countless memories, and sharing them is helping me hold onto him a little longer while I figure out how to move forward without him.

Thank you to everyone who has loved him, cheered him on, and kept him in your thoughts. He filled our lives with more joy than I could ever put into words, and I'm grateful I have so many moments of his extraordinary life to look back on. 🐾💙

Photo credit to Kristen Murray Photography

07/04/2026

Vote this weekend for a chance to win an extra 250 points

Fundraiser for Ohio Animal Foundation

06/30/2026

🐾 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🐾

We're celebrating in a BIG way during the 2026 Celebrating Life with Animals Summer Photo Contest!

From July 3rd through July 5th, every contest entry that receives at least 10 new votes ($10 total) will be entered into a special drawing to win 250 BONUS votes! 🎉

Imagine turning 10 votes into 250 and giving your pet a huge boost toward the top of the leaderboard!

🐶 Enter your pet for just $25
🗳️ Votes are only $1 each
📅 Contest runs through July 31st
📖 Every entered pet will be featured in the 2027 Celebrating Life with Animals Calendar, and you'll receive a copy mailed to you this fall!

Best of all, every entry and vote helps support animals across Ohio through programs like:
❤️ Tackle Pet Hunger
🦉 Wildlife and companion animal grants
🐾 Community outreach initiatives
…and so much more!

So rally your friends and family this holiday weekend and help your pet become a star while making a difference for animals in need.

🎆 Special 250 Bonus Vote Drawing Details:
• Entry must receive at least 10 new votes between July 3 at 12:00 a.m. and July 5 at 11:59 p.m.
• Votes may come from multiple supporters
• Winner will be drawn, notified, and announced on July 6

Don't miss your chance to celebrate America's 250th birthday with your favorite four-legged patriot! 🇺🇸🐕🐈

Visit the contest page for complete rules, prizes, and entry information. Contest ends July 31! Link in bio.

Fundraiser for Ohio Animal Foundation

06/28/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the Ash and Alder Photography booth at the Dublin Barkers Market at Bridge Park yesterday! 🐾

Whether you stopped to say hello, entered a giveaway, shared stories about your dogs, or simply admired the photos, I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Small businesses are built on connections, and getting to meet fellow dog lovers is always one of the best parts of these events.

I also had a very special (and unexpected) visitor today... Ash himself made an appearance! ❤️ If you've followed my journey for any length of time, you know he's the heart behind Ash and Alder Photography. Seeing him greet people, collect pets, and soak up all the attention made my day.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support local businesses, enjoy the beautiful weather, and celebrate all things dog. I can't wait to see some of you again for future sessions and events!

06/26/2026

Adoptable dogs

06/18/2026

"My dog could never do that."

I hear that all the time. 😊

The truth is, a pet photoshoot isn't about having a perfectly trained dog. It's about creating a positive experience where your pet is rewarded for every little success, whether that's sitting, looking at the camera, or simply exploring a new environment with confidence.

Treats, praise, and patience go a long way, and by the end of most sessions, your dog thinks they've just played the world's best game.

Want to learn more about how reward-based training helps create beautiful pet portraits? Check out my latest blog post!

🐾📸 Read it here:

If you’ve ever watched a behind-the-scenes moment at a pet photoshoot, it might look less like a formal portrait session and more like… a snack-fueled negotiation with a very cute CEO. 🐾 And honestly? That’s exactly what it is. Your Pet’s Photoshoot = One Big Training Session At its core,...

06/17/2026

The Ohio Animal Foundation, one of our community partners, is having a summer pet photo contest. Make your pet a star and help animals in need in Ohio!

06/16/2026

🐾 Win a Pet Photography Mini Session with Ash and Alder Photography! 🐾

I'm excited to be partnering with the Ohio Animal Foundation's Charity Calendar Contest by donating a pet photography mini session to help support animals across Ohio! ❤️

The Ohio Animal Foundation does incredible work promoting animal welfare, supporting organizations that care for animals in need, and helping create a better future for pets throughout our state. Every vote in the calendar contest helps support that mission.

As part of the contest, one lucky winner will receive a complimentary mini session with Ash and Alder Photography!

If you'd like to support a wonderful cause and enter for a chance to win, be sure to check out the Ohio Animal Foundation Charity Calendar Contest and cast your votes!

Together, we can celebrate the animals we love while helping those in need. 🐶🐱❤️

Fundraiser for Ohio Animal Foundation