Location Guide
Welcome to the Scruff Life Photography Location Guide! This is your personal resource for finding the perfect backdrop for your pet photo session. Each location listed here has been carefully selected, offering unique features that enhance the charm and personality of your session. When you click on any of the listings, you’ll find a description of the location, special highlights, whether a permit is required (with any associated costs), and a gallery of sample images from past sessions, including some featuring my own dogs.
While these locations are ones I can personally vouch for, I’m always open to new ideas! If you have a specific location in mind, feel free to share it—I’ll happily evaluate the spot and let you know if it would be a good fit. Some of the wonderful locations in this guide have come from client suggestions, so let’s work together to create the ideal setting for your pet’s photo experience.
Bald Eagle - Otter Lake Regional Park
White Bear Township, MN
This is the park I grew up going to with my childhood dogs, so it’s a special spot for me. I’d love to show you my favorite spots in each season. Lupines in the summer. Snowy lake moments in the winter. People tend to bring their dogs off-leash here, so be warned.
Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Blaine, MN
Newly added to the location guide in November 2024!
The Blaine Wetland Sanctuary has proven to be a great spot for pet photos with a gorgeous boardwalk over a lush wetland, beautiful trees, and stunning sky views (perfect for that sunset photo). Plus, you won't get dirty on the boardwalk.
Boom Island Park
Minneapolis, MN
Hello, Minneapolis city views, nature, and a gorgeous bridge! This is such a fun session spot. It can get busy and I’ve seen dogs running off-leash here, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, it is a totally awesome spot! We have to plan ahead and get a permit to shoot here though, so let me know if you love this one!
A photography permit ($47) is required to use this location.
Future Irish Avenue Park
Hugo, MN
Newly added to the location guide in November 2024!
This is an expansive off-leash park in the northeast metro that features some beautiful landscapes. If your dog is good off-leash and doesn't mind meeting other off-leash pups, this might be the spot for you! Not recommended for dogs without a strong recall or with any reactivity towards dogs/people.
Interstate State Park
Saint Croix Falls, WI
If you’re looking for a photo session location that’s a little different from the rest, this might be the one for you! It’s absolutely stunning for a golden hour adventure session. It’s gorgeous all year round, but can be a bit risky for pets that wander... leashes are a must here.
A photography permit ($50) is required to use this location.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo, MN
This park is such a gem. It is fairly popular, so it may not be ideal for dogs with stranger danger depending on the season, day of the week, or time of day. If you like this location, we can craft a game plan to make it work. It’s a perfect dog sports area, especially with the groomed snow trails in the winter for ski sports!
Lyndale Park Rose & Peace Gardens
Minneapolis, MN
Do you love flowers, gardens, and colorful photos? This is the spring/summer photo spot for you! It’s not the best for reactive dogs due to the busy and popular nature of Lyndale, but it’s a gorgeous spot and it’s awesome for photos!
A photography permit ($47) is required to use this location.
Rice Creek North Regional Trail
Shoreview, MN
This is a popular photo session location. I would not recommend it for dogs with issues with strangers (people or other dogs). The busy part is generally the pine tree area, which is close to the parking lot. It’s worth it, in the right situation, but it’s not a location I can bring my reactive dog to without planning appropriately.