A Passion for Pets and Photography

As a professional sport dog and family pet photographer, Hannah Wren Milhorn gets to hone her skills as a photographer while capturing every pet’s personality

By Amber Smith Zaliski

Photo by Stephanie adcock

Hannah Wren Milhorn has been an animal lover for as long as she can remember, and while she never imagined photography as a career, it is a calling that has captured her heart. As she has pursued her passions, Hannah has found her niche as a professional sport dog and family pet photographer, and she is grateful for every opportunity.

Mesa inside a YETI cooler for a themed commission session with Hannah Wren Photography.

 “I’ve always been an animal lover,” Hannah said. “I’ll never forget the time my dad surprised me with my first dog in second grade. After begging him for weeks about a new dog, one night he came home with a puppy in his arms at my grandparents’ house. That’s when my love for all things dog began.” A Texarkana native, Hannah knew she wanted to return home when she graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018. “One of the things I love about Texarkana is the amazing people and all of their incredible stories. From discovering what I’m passionate about and finding my calling from God, to building a business, I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m grateful for the journey I’m on.”

Hannah and her husband, Greg, pro trainer and co-owner of Red River Retrievers, LLC, currently live in Texarkana, Arkansas, with their five black Labs: Beaux, Clyde (pictured), Grizz, Honey and River. Photo by Marissa Merritt.

Hannah was first introduced to the sporting dog industry in 2016 when her boyfriend (now husband) Greg Milhorn embarked on his new dog training business. At Red River Retrievers, Greg and his business partner, Lawson Barker, specialize in basic obedience, gun dog training, hunt test training and field trial training. “I’ve always supported Greg in his dog training business and loved helping out,” Hannah said. “In the beginning, I would volunteer in the field and help throw birds, and I would use my iPhone to create content for their business page for social media.”

“Capturing the Intensity of the Dog” is a tagline that Hannah uses frequently when photographing retrievers.

 In December of 2016, Greg’s mom surprised Hannah with her first DSLR camera for Christmas. “I was excited to explore photography with my new camera and continue creating retriever content. The next summer, I traveled to Colorado with Greg and Lawson for their annual training trip. I used my new camera and photographed the dogs in training and at hunt tests for two solid months in the Rocky Mountains. I was hooked.”

This December 2021 cover of Retriever News magazine featured cover photography by Hannah Wren Milhorn.  (Magazine courtesy of Retriever News)

 It wasn’t until 2021, however, that Hannah decided it was time to pursue her passion. While Hannah knew she liked taking pictures of retrievers, she had never considered photography as a career option – she studied public relations and marketing in school and didn’t have any hands-on professional photography training – yet. “In 2021, I took some time out for myself. I knew I needed a change. During my time off, I discovered the things I was most passionate about and eventually, my camera ended up back in my hands taking pictures of working dogs. I started telling people about my interest in taking pictures, and I got some great advice early on: just keep practicing. So, that’s what I did and haven’t looked back.”

Jewel retrieves a bumper during a commission session with Hannah Wren Photography during May 2022.

Scout fetches a mallard duck during his commission session with Hannah.

 In the fall of 2021, Hannah wanted to grow her photography skills and traveled to Montana to attend a field photography workshop by one of the country’s top photographers of working retrievers, Mark Atwater. “Mark’s workshop enabled me to take better photos with the camera equipment I had, and I learned how to better capture with my camera what I saw with my eyes,” Hannah said. “Mark is one mentor and friend that I have learned and continue to learn from. He is always there for advice and wisdom.”

 An amazing opportunity presented itself last fall when Hannah was asked to work as the official photographer of the 2021 National Retriever Derby Championship. “I said yes and was honored to photograph this iconic event and work and meet with some amazing, talented people and incredible dogs,” Hannah said. “I am looking forward to Mark’s upcoming Montana field photography workshop in August to continue learning new techniques and skills and then being able to travel to Sedalia, Missouri, again this fall as the 2022 NRDC official photographer as well as working with Mark at the upcoming 2022 HRC International Fall Grand in Nashville, Tennessee. There is so much I love about this work – traveling, meeting new people and amazing dogs, and there really is just something about capturing the intensity of the dogs that play this game.”

Hannah captures the Douglas family during a family pet photography lifestyle session last month.

Hannah with Mark Atwater, one of the country’s top photographers of working retrievers, during his field photography workshop in Donalsonville, Georgia, in December 2021.

 When Hannah isn’t traveling for retriever events, she is happy to offer private photography sessions locally or make travel arrangements outside the greater Texarkana region. “My sport dog commission sessions are private working retriever sessions that focus on capturing the intensity of the dog and delivering photos of your dog like you’ve never seen before,” Hannah said. “I strategically select the location, lighting, background, and time of day, so my clients receive spectacular images of their dog(s). I offer clients a variety of images such as portraits, land action shots and a series of water action images. I can also make arrangements to hunt with clients.” And if you’re looking for beautiful family photos, pups included, Hannah is happy to offer those sessions as well. 

Greg and his support crew – Hannah, Bonnie, Clyde, and Beaux – while he was running dogs in a UKC Hunt Test in 2018.

 Hannah Wren Milhorn feels blessed to be doing something she loves. “At the end of the day, I give God all the glory, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to meet so many amazing people and their dogs, and to create a business I am so incredibly passionate about. My husband and family have been 100% supportive, and I can’t thank them enough. Now that we’re in the same industry as a husband and wife, it’s exhilarating to be behind the lens while Greg is on the line running dogs at hunt tests and field trials. It is truly amazing to see things that I have prayed for coming true.”