Recommended Photo Locations For Every Dog
The following is a list of locations where I have had ample experience photographing dogs and can vouch for what the shooting experience will be like. With that being said, if you have a location in mind that is not listed, please offer a suggestion. I’m thrilled to find new locations, and I’ll scout out the location prior to our session to ensure it is appropriate and safe for your pet.
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Ideal for dogs who are confident, easy-going, and who love everyone and everything.
Not recommended for dogs who are easily distracted, anxious, fearful, or protective since these locations are frequently crowded with other dogs and people from all walks of life.
A Modern, Urban Setting with the Manatee River Bradenton Riverwalk
The newly revamped Bradenton Riverwalk along the Manatee River features a wide variety of interesting scenes for a canine such as: Boat Dock, Large Lawn Area, Clock Tower Plaza beside the DeSoto Bridge, Amphitheater, Family Fun Zone with Playground & Splash Pad for Children, Fishing Pier, Tidal Discovery Zone, Outdoor Living Rooms, Skate Park, large open space with pavers at Regatta Plaza, and Kayak & Canoe Launch. The Riverwalk offers a variety of pavers in various patterns throughout, which offers an interesting background for smaller dogs. Free admission, learn more at its official site.
Old Florida Feel with Wooden Bridges & Waterways Robinson Preserve
This preserve is so massive there’s two different entry-points and honestly I’ve never been able to do the whole park in one trip! Once farmland, the preserve is striving return to its native state with coastal and wetland habitats. Also, your dog can join you for kayaking as long as he stays in the kayak to preserve the newly-restored waterways. Free admission, learn more at its official site.
• The 75th Street entrance is nearby the only public restrooms, Valentine House, playground, the 53-foot tall lookout tower, and secluded, small beach areas on the Tampa Bay offering a fun, sandy time for your dog(s).
• The Manatee Avenue entrance is nearby numerous wooden bridges (which abounds with fishermen), the paddle outlet to Perico Bayou, and a mangrove-lined boardwalk/pier.
Historical Florida with Dense Foliage & Dog Beach Riverview Pointe Preserve
If you crave seeing your fur kid let loose in the water, but not keen on the very public and very busy street at the Palma Sola causeway, rejoice in this hidden gem! We will be mindful of high and low tide, as that will greatly affect how big the available beach is.* There’s a lot of history to smell for the discerning canine nose! This region used to be Florida Indian land and is also widely accepted as the landing point of Hernando DeSoto expedition. If your canine loves other dogs, Sunday morning he’ll be in for a treat as a group of locals routinely take their dogs to swim at this beach. Free admission, learn more at its official site.
*Do not take your dog to swim at neighboring DeSoto National Memorial as there are frequent, dangerous rip currents. The waters at the Riverview Pointe Preserve are contrastingly very calm being an inlet on the river side, not the bay side.
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Ideal for dogs who are: confident, easy-going, goofy, who love everyone and everything.
Manageable for dogs who are easily distracted, anxious, fearful, or protective.
Rustic Florida & Beautiful Lake Manatee Lake Manatee State Park
Don’t let the small size of this park fool you...there’s a wide variety of native plants and walking trails to offer as locations. There is the beautiful namesake Lake Manatee as a backdrop from two spots; a grassy kayak launch and metal fishing piers. No swimming allowed for dogs, since its hard to judge if there are alligators in that dark water!
In my experience this park is less crowded than any of the other locations listed here, so if your pet doesn’t do well with strangers, but you would still like authentic Florida scenes, then this park is perfect. To put your mind completely at ease, I recommend going early on a Sunday morning. A single-person in a car (pets included) pays $3.50, two people in a car pay $5. Learn more at its official site.
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Ideal for dogs who are: easy-going, couch potatoes, snugglers who love everyone and everything.
Manageable for dogs who are easily distracted, anxious, cautious, fearful, or protective.
Not recommended for energetic, playful, curious dogs since there’s not a lot of room to maneuver at the marina and the pier is more scenic than entertaining.
Urban, Nautical Manatee River Regatta Pointe Marina & Green Bridge Pier
If you like the nautical look with boats as a backdrop, the Regatta Pointe Marina is perfect. There is an open, grassy area for action shots on the neighboring Green Bridge Pier. Free parking, learn more at its official site.