So, picture this: sunny days, palm trees swaying, and your best friend by your side. Yep, we're talking about Los Angeles, where the dog adventures are as endless as the blue skies. And guess what? I'm about to spill the beans on some of my favorite spots, where we can capture your dog's cuteness in all its glory. Whether you lean more toward nature, beach, or the colorful city life, I have the perfect location for you. Want to keep it simple? Totally cool. Want to rent a production studio styled as a 50's diner for your dog to model in a chef's apron? Also an option.
📍Click each location for a map link
Best Shoot Time: 1 hr before sunset - 30 min after, or early morning, off seasons (avoid busy summer times if possible, too many people).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring and Fall
Best for: Dogs who can handle distractions, are not reactive. People who enjoy colorful, fun, iconic spots for photos.
Best Shoot Time: 1-3 hrs before sunset or early morning (there are really tall apartment buildings to the west, so can shoot most of the later afternoon.
Best time of year to shoot: Year round, but be cautious of summer temps as ground is concrete.
Best for: Dogs who can handle distractions, are not reactive. (lots of local dogs walking by at times) People who want a clean, urban feel (and can picture the boats if you want to). Interesting and clean white and bright walls/apartment buildings to shoot against.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons (avoid busy summer times if possible, too many people).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter.
Best for: Dogs who can handle distractions, are not reactive. People who enjoy colorful, fun spots for photos. They have a sunset gradient/rainbow mural, too.
Best Shoot Time: 1-3 hrs before sunset or morning. Buildings on campus offer more shade than an open park, so we can be more flexible in timing.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs who do well in public spaces, can handle at least minor distractions without barking, as it's a university and not technically a park. A great mix of landscaping and architecture, with a variety of locations to explore.
Best Shoot Time: 1-4 hrs before sunset or morning. Buildings on campus offer more shade than an open park, so we can be more flexible in timing.
Best time of year to shoot: Year round, but be aware of concrete/asphalt temp in summer.
Best for: Dogs who do well in public spaces, can handle at least minor distractions without barking, as it's a university and not technically a park. Not as many dogs on campus during less busy times, so can be a good option for more reactive/distracted dogs. A great mix of landscaping and really cool/iconic architecture, with a huge space to explore. Also great for graduation photos, for students with pets.
Outdoor malls, like the Grove, Century City or Westfield Topanga
Best Shoot Time: Mornings or afternoons, depends on the space, but can be more flexible in shoot time due to tall buildings providing shade.
Best time of year to shoot: Year round, but be aware of concrete/asphalt temp in summer.
Best for: Dogs who do well in public spaces, can handle at least minor distractions without barking. They can offer nice walls and backgrounds to shoot against, and sometimes some interesting ledges, walls, or tables.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hrs before sunset, and up to 30 min after, specifically during low tide. Best time of the year is King Low Tide in Dec/Jan, worth planning for.
Best time of year to shoot: Winter (I have only shot there during super low tide, so I can't advise to other seasons yet).
Best for: Dogs who love the beach, can run off leash reliably, enjoy sand.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hrs before sunset - 30 min after or early morning, off seasons (avoid summer times, the grass dries up and trail is hot, tall grasses). Involves walking (can involve hiking).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter.
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking. Potential for off-leash action shots. Beautiful in Spring, grassy hills. Longer walk/trail in and out to get to the open grass areas.
Best Shoot Time: 1-3 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons (avoid busy summer times if possible, the grass dries up and trail is hot). Involves walking (can involve hiking).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter.
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking. Potential for off-leash action shots. Beautiful in Spring. Long walk/trail in and out, but can also utilize the grass areas near parking, and the areas along the creek close to the parking lot. (Fun fact: I used to go to summer camp here as a kid!). Also gives the feeling of being in nature/in the forest.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons (avoid busy summer times if possible, the grass dries up).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space. Off-leash action shots. If you want bright yellow mustard flowers in Spring, or grassy open fields, and incredible city views, this park is for you!
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset (depending on side of the mountain) or early morning, off seasons (avoid busy summer times if possible, the grass dries up and trail is hot). Involves walking (can involve hiking).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking. Potential for off-leash action shots. Beautiful in Spring, and actually nice during May gray/June gloom as there's no shade on some trails.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset (depending on side of the mountain) or early morning, off seasons (avoid summer as it requires hiking and it'll be too hot).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking. Potential for off-leash action shots. Forest vibes without driving to the forest.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hrs before sunset or super early morning, off seasons (avoid summer as it requires hiking and it'll be too hot). Steep hike to the city view.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs and owners who love parks and hiking up hills. City views on top of a hill.
Best Shoot Time: 2-3 hrs before sunset (lots of shade) or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get very busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking, can handle seeing other dogs. Very rustic park, lovely lake in the middle (there's one great spot for a lake shot). There's a little pond with some turtles, too. Looks like a campsite in parts of the park, lots of trails around it.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks, can handle seeing other dogs, smaller park so there's not much space to avoid if your dog is reactive. Lovely landscaping, a little pond, and a row of roses in the springtime.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that do well in urban areas. Great for smaller dogs (for the fountain, stairs, etc. ), but can work for any. For the owner who loves fashion, and everything Beverly Hills.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning (avoid weekends if possible as more people are out). Avoid summer as it's mainly concrete/asphalt and the ground may be too warm.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs who thrive in urban environments, can handle at least minor distractions. Good for dogs who can't handle seeing many other dogs, as they're less frequent over there. Great for people who like colorful locations with fun shapes, lines, and patterns.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get very busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks, can handle seeing other dogs, smaller park so there's not much space to avoid if your dog is reactive. Off-leash action shots. It has an iconic bench with a city skyline view as well.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hr before sunset to 30 min after (if your dog can handle distractions well), or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends are too busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks, can handle seeing other dogs, smaller park so there's not much space to avoid if your dog is reactive. Nice landscaping, a lake with a view of DTLA.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset or early morning (park gates don't open until 8 though), off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get very busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space. Off-leash action shots. Open fields and great city views. Lots of cool different landscaping to explore, and walking distance to Chinatown.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset, or early morning, off seasons and weekdays (weekends can get very busy).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks and hiking, can handle seeing other dogs as well as ducks/geese around the lake. Large grass areas, trees, and a few trails as well.
Best Shoot Time: Morning or afternoon/evening - tall buildings allow for lots of shade. Avoid days as it's all concrete. Weekends can get busier, especially Sunday as its Smorgasborg (food truck festival).
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that do well in urban areas, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space. Owners who appreciate a bit of colorful street art, industrial vibes, and city views. They have a cool painted ground area between buildings that's super cool. The roof of the parking lot is also awesome, but closed weekends.
Best Shoot Time: Morning, before the store is open (no photography allowed when security is there)
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that do well in urban areas, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space if we go early. For owners who LOVE PINK and want a very minimalistic outdoor location.
Best Shoot Time: Early morning or close to sunset
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that do well in urban areas, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space if we go early. For owners who love cool architecture, interesting lines, reflective surfaces, little gardens, interesting angles.
Best Shoot Time: Early morning or close to sunset, but can do afternoon depending on where we go (lots of shade from tall buildings)
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that do well in urban areas, can handle seeing other dogs, but also good for dogs who need a little space if we go early. For owners who love cool architecture, interesting lines, interesting angles, urban life.
Interested in possibly renting a uniquely creative indoor location in Los Angeles? Check out my blog post about renting creative spaces like the ones below, through PeerSpace,
Interested in a backyard where your dog can run? Trying looking through Sniffspots as well (private backyard rentals for safe off-leash play). Good for reactive dogs, and groups of dogs. I haven't personally used any Sniffspot rentals for a photoshoot, but think it could be a good option if that's your vibe!
FURTHER SOUTH/ORANGE COUNTY
Best Shoot Time: 1 hr before sunset, and up to 30 min after, or early morning.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs who love the beach, can run off leash reliably, enjoy sand. Dogs who are dog friendly and can focus with distractions.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hr before sunset, and up to 30 min after, or early morning.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs who love the beach, can run off leash reliably, enjoy sand. Dogs who are dog friendly and can focus with distractions.
Best Shoot Time: 1 hr before sunset, and up to 30 min after, or early morning. When there isn't an event
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs who love the beach, can run off leash reliably, enjoy sand. Dogs who are dog friendly and can focus with distractions. Nice Spanish style building to photograph around.
Best Shoot Time: 1-2 hrs before sunset, or early morning, off seasons, avoid weekends.
Best time of year to shoot: Spring, Fall, Winter
Best for: Dogs that love parks and the outdoors. Forest vibes without driving to the forest, it's just a city park but with the right angles can look very rustic.
Are you looking for something even further south in San Diego? Check out this beach location guide from San Diego pet photographer Michaela, of BMAC Pet Photography.