Why I Traveled to Arizona to Photograph Malibu the Pitbull at Watson Lake

Some sessions are worth the drive, and Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona is absolutely one of those locations.

I had the pleasure of photographing Malibu, an adorable pitbull, alongside her parents at one of the most breathtaking natural backdrops I've ever worked with. Watson Lake is unlike anything we have in Southern California. Massive granite boulders tumbling into glassy water, with reflections so perfect it almost looks like two photographs stacked on top of each other. For a dog family session, it's a dream.

What made this session so special was the love Malibu's parents have for her. It came through in every frame, in the way they looked at her, held her, and laughed when she did something very Malibu. That's what a family session is really about, and a location this stunning just gives that love an incredible stage.

We shot golden hour along the water's edge, using the boulders as natural framing and the lake's reflections to add depth and drama to the images. Malibu was a total natural.

If you've been on the fence about a destination dog family session, let this one make the case. The images you get from a truly stunning location are in a completely different league, and Arizona is closer than you think.

Interested in a destination dog photography session? I'm based in Los Angeles but also available for travel throughout Arizona, California, and beyond. Let's find a location as beautiful as your family deserves!