"Where should we go?"
When most people book a dog photoshoot, one of the first questions they ask is:
"Where should we go?"
The truth is, there isn't one perfect location for every dog.
The best photos sometimes come from the most stunning landscapes but can also happen at your local quiet beach!
The best dog photos truely happen when choosing a location that suits your dog's personality, confidence and comfort level.
When your dog feels relaxed, everything else usually just tends to fall into place. Their face softens, they have more fun and we capture genuine moments instead of forced poses that make them uncomfortable.
As a Perth dog photographer and certified dog trainer, choosing the right location is one of the most important parts of planning your session. That's why I work with every client before their shoot to find somewhere that feels like the perfect fit.
Start with your dog, not the scenery
It's easy to fall in love with photos you've seen online.
Maybe you've spotted Perth's skyline at sunset or the beautiful streets of Fremantle. But while those locations are beautiful, the most important question isn't which backdrop looks nicest.
Where will your dog feel happiest?
A confident social dog who like people, other dogs, bikes but tends to ignores them, might absolutely thrive in an urban location like Elizabeth Quay. You can basically take them anywhere and they will still feel happy.
A reactive dog who finds busy environments overwhelming will usually have a much better experience somewhere quiet with plenty of space. This is why I have scouted sooo many locations and give you the best recommendations for your own dog.
The happier your dog is, the more natural your photographs will feel.
So before we settle on a location, I'll usually ask you a few questions.
- Is your dog comfortable around other dogs?
- Are they worried about people?
- Do they love water?
- Would they rather sniff through bushland than run on a beach?
- Do they enjoy exploring or are they happiest somewhere familiar?
- Can they be off lead or do they need to stay on lead? (This is not a problem by the way!)
- Are they easily distracted or enjoy working with you closely at all times?
There are no right or wrong answers.
Every dog is different and that's exactly why I don't send every client to the same location.
It's about more than finding a pretty park
One thing that often surprises people is that not every beautiful walking spot makes a beautiful photography location.
When I'm scouting locations, I'm looking at things most people wouldn't normally notice, like how the light filters through the trees, how much open sky we have, whether the background stays clean without distracting signs or fences, how the sun moves throughout the evening, the way the trees look and what kind of trees we have in the background and whether there's enough variety to create a full gallery rather than just a handful of nice photos.
A bushland might be absolutely perfect for your daily walks but if the light is harsh, the background is cluttered by very sticky looking trees or the colours don't photograph well, it won't give you the same results.
That's why I've spent countless hours exploring Perth and testing locations at different times of year so I know exactly where to take you for the best light and the most beautiful backdrops.
In saying this - I am always super happy for recommendations and suggestions and absolutely ready to check if a location is suitable prior to our shoot. :)
Different locations create different stories
One of the best things about photographing dogs around Perth is how much variety we have.
On my location guide you'll find everything from glowing forests and open bushland to city skylines, rivers, beaches and pine plantations.
Each one creates a completely different feel while also suiting different personalities.
For example:
- Bushland creates soft, natural images with lots of space for dogs that enjoy exploring.
- Pine forests give beautiful warm light and magical backgrounds that work for almost every dog.
- Beaches are perfect for dogs that love running and don't mind other dogs around them.
- Urban locations create fun and impressive portraits for confident dogs that enjoy a little adventure.
- River locations combine water, rocks and greenery without feeling as busy as some beaches, especially in the mornings.
The location becomes part of your dog's story and I want to capture them somewhere for you where you see them and where you feel like this is totally them!
Once we've found the right fit for your dog, we can think about the style
Once we've narrowed it down to locations that your dog will genuinely enjoy, we can start thinking about the overall look and feel of your photos.
Do you picture soft, dreamy forest images with warm golden light?
Maybe you're drawn to wide open bushland, sandy coastlines with pretty sunsets or modern city backdrops.
Some people love earthy greens and natural textures while others are dreaming of pastel sunrises on the beach or an urban skyline at sunset. There isn't a right or wrong choice, it's simply about creating a gallery that feels like you.
That's why I've put together galleries of all of my favourite Perth photoshoot locations, so you can browse through them, compare the different styles and get a feel for what speaks to you before we make a final decision. We'll choose a location that not only suits your dog but also matches the colours, atmosphere and feeling you want every time you look back at your photos.
Reactive dogs deserve beautiful photos too
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:
"My dog is reactive so I probably can't have professional photos."
You absolutely can.
In fact, many of my favourite locations were chosen specifically because they're quieter and give us plenty of room to work. Since I'm also a certified force free dog trainer and have reactive dogs (Hi! We're in the same boat 👋), I understand how important distance, management and reading your dog's body language are throughout the session.
That means we can choose locations with:
- fewer people
- more open space
- easier escape routes - yes I look for those everywhere 😄
Don't worry if you have no idea where to go
Honestly?
A lot of my clients have no idea which location they'll love best and sometimes have trouble deciding.
That's completely normal.
You don't need to spend hours researching parks around Perth or trying to compare beaches.
After you've booked, we'll chat about your dog, what you imagine your photos looking like and whether you're dreaming of forests, beaches, open fields, water or city views. Then I'll recommend locations that suit both your vision and your dog.
Ready to find your perfect location?
If you're thinking about booking a dog photography session but aren't sure where to go, don't worry. That's exactly what I'm here for.
You can browse my favourite Perth dog photography locations here to get some inspiration:
Perth Dog Photography Locations Guide
Together we'll choose a location that suits your dog's personality, creates beautiful images and makes the whole experience feel relaxed from beginning to end.
