You've decided to hire a dog photographer in Sydney for your pet family portraits – fantastic! Now comes the delightful task of choosing the perfect location. Spoiled for choice with numerous stunning options, where do you begin?
Today, let's explore five picturesque settings for your dog photo shoot, accompanied by some of our favourite spots in and around Sydney. But first, consider a few simple questions:
First off, you're going to want to ask yourself some simple questions
Tip: Don't spend a long time thinking about these answers. Pick the first place that comes to mind.
Where do you and your dog feel happiest and most relaxed?
What's the first place that comes to mind for a weekend outing with your furry companion?
Do you have any emotionally significant locations, like where you tied the knot?
Envision your portraits adorning your walls – where are they taken, and what's the backdrop?
Let's narrow down these locations into these 5 settings!
A) Park
B) Park and Beach (Combo)
C) Beach
D) Farm
E) Your Home
A) The Park Dog Photo Shoot
It's likely that you already have a favourite park in mind. It is a place that you and your dogs like to frequent. It makes you happy thinking about this place. A park location provides a beautiful backdrop of green grass and tall trees.
These places are also perfect for your family if you don't particularly want to get wet (eg. at the beach). You'd want to pick a place where there's lots of space. This allows us to get lots of action shots of you and your dog without any distractions.
Some locations that we love for dog photoshoots at the park are:
1) Centennial Park
Your photo shoot will begin in the beautiful park here in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. It is perfect for its wide expansive areas of grass and trees. Imagine getting photographs here that make your family look like they are in the middle of a forest.
2) Clifton Gardens Reserve, Mosman (See below under Park/Beach Photo Shoot)
3) Fagan Park, Galston
A standout location known for its tranquil ambience and diverse natural backdrops, including themed gardens like the Mediterranean, Chinese, and Japanese Gardens.
Park with Beautiful Waterfront views:
4) Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender Bay
Your photo shoot here will be like no other. Wendy's Secret Garden is a beautiful garden that hides amongst Lavender Bay Parklands. We'll start our session right at the top where there is a small park that overlooks the water. As we head down, there will be lots of photo opportunities with flowers and lush greenery as the backdrop. We will then get to the water's edge.
The best spot for a memorable family photo is right in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can even stand on a small patch of sand, which makes it look like you're at the beach! This location has everything - beautiful gardens, water, and city views - and that's why it's one of our absolute favourites. Just be aware that it can get crowded, especially on Saturdays.
5) Clarkes Point Reserve, Woolwich
This location offers a picturesque setting for your family photo shoot with the cityscape as your backdrop. If you and your furry friends enjoy the waterfront and the beautiful Sydney skyline, then this is the perfect spot for you. The park provides ample space for both you and your dogs to run around and have fun. It's a peaceful and serene environment, ideal for a relaxing evening with loved ones.
B) The Park and Beach Dog Photo Shoot
These locations are our most precious ones. They offer a vast range of photo opportunities and are also incredibly enjoyable to be in. The best part is that your dogs get to have a blast at the end of the day. They can run through the water and you can capture some breathtaking action shots of your family.
You and your dogs are sure to have a delightful evening with us! We will begin your photoshoot at a lovely park nearby, capturing both action shots and family portraits. Following that, we will head to the beach, where the beautiful and vast expanse of the beach awaits. After a relaxing evening, you and your dog can cool down by running through the water.
Some locations that we love for beach dog photography in sydney include:
1) Clifton Gardens Reserve, Mosman
Your photo shoot here will not disappoint! It is a much smaller area compared to North Curl Curl Beach and Reserve. But, this means that there will be a lot less walking around and is also quieter. This reserve provides one of the best locations for a park and beach styled shoot. Though the beach is a small strip, we find that it's enough to capture beautiful beach shots. PS: Park along Morella Road to avoid expensive parking at the Reserve.
2) Greenhills Dog Beach
C) The Beach Photo Shoot
A beach is our second most common photoshoot setting. Families who opt for the beach often cite the sand and water as their happy place. We've seen dogs that love running up and down on the beach, while others immediately go for the water.
Beach photo shoots are a ton of fun and make for some EPIC action shots of dogs running through the water. Some dogs like to be on the sand but not in the water, which is okay as well! Often times, families do end up getting wet while at the beach! But we often save this until the very last part of the session.
Some locations that we love for dog beach photoshoots include:
1) North Curl Curl Beach (See Park/Beach Photo Shoot)
2) Clifton Gardens Reserve, Mosman (See Park/Beach Photo Shoot)
3) Sirus Cove Reserve, Mosman
If you decide to visit this location, we recommend choosing a weekday to avoid crowds. We have a secret tip for you – there's a secluded beach just 5 minutes away that is equally impressive. On the way to the beach, we can capture some beautiful shots of your dog amidst the lush greenery.
D) The Farm Photo Shoot
Are you interested in a farm photoshoot here in Sydney? We're excited to offer this location as it's one of our favourites for pet photography. If you choose this option, we'll capture the beautiful farm vibes with photos taken in areas of long grass and farm fences. Do note that we won't be including any farm animals in the shoot.
Some locations that we love for this type of dog photography include:
1) Western Sydney Parklands
There are numerous locations to choose from in this vast area. Whichever location we decide on, there will be plenty of room for you and your dogs to run around. Additionally, a brand new off-leash dog park named Shale Hills Dog Park is now open, and it is the biggest of its kind. It boasts of state-of-the-art dog agility and training facilities that are perfect for active dogs that would have been farm dogs in another life.
E) A Photo Shoot at the comforts of your home
Our clients often prefer having their photo sessions at home, as it provides a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for both them and their pets. We find that this type of session yields the best results, as it allows us to capture natural and authentic moments that truly reflect the family's personality. Additionally, having access to props and decor from the home adds a personal touch to the portraits.
We often try to combine a home session with a park shoot nearby. Your backyard might also make for the perfect backdrop for some action shots of your family.
Conclusion
No matter where you choose to have your pet photo shoot, we know that it will turn out well. At the end of the experience, you will be sure to get beautiful artwork to put up on your walls!
That said, it is still important to take the time to pick the right location. You might not decide to do a Pet and family photo shoot every year. So, it's best to choose the best possible location for your family for this session.
You may pick one of our favourite locations here or decide on one completely different. At the end of the day, it's about you and your family. Where do you and your dog have the most fun? Where are you most comfortable and relaxed?
What's Next?
We can help you with this brainstorming process. All you have to do is click here to contact us! Or, book your free meet and greet session with us here. Together we can choose the perfect location for your pet and family photo session. I can't wait to hear from you soon!