My Favourite Locations in Calgary for Dog Photography

Chantell Schulz • May 15, 2025

When it comes to capturing your furbaby's personality, location matters just as much as timing and lighting. As a Calgary dog photographer, I've found the best spots that offer stunning backdrops and dog-friendly vibes. Whether your pup is a city explorer, nature-lover, or a bit of both, Calgary is the perfect place for your dog's photoshoot experience.

1. Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fish Creek is one of my go-to locations because of how much variety it offers in one place. From winding forest trails to open meadows, wooden bridges, and peaceful water spots—it’s a dream setting for capturing your dog’s personality. The park shifts beautifully with the seasons, offering vibrant greens in summer, rich autumn tones, and soft snowy scenes in winter.

Perfect for: Adventurous Dogs who love to explore and don't mind getting their paws wet.
Reactive Dog Friendly? YES

2. Carburn Park

Nestled beside the Bow River, Carburn Park offers a mix of scenic trails, reflective ponds, and dense greenery that creates a calm, storybook feel. In the fall, the golden leaves make the whole area glow, but it’s a solid choice in any season. There's plenty of visual variety—from tree-covered paths to wide-open spaces—for capturing both playful and peaceful moments. It’s a popular park though, so be prepared for some background hustle and bustle.
 
Perfect for: Dogs who are confident and love to explore despite a bit of noise or activity.
Reactive Dog Friendly? NO

3. St. Patrick's Island Park

Looking for a blend of sleek cityscapes and natural beauty? St. Patrick’s Island nails that mix. With modern bridges, river pathways, and curated green spaces, it offers a clean, contemporary backdrop without losing that touch of nature. The architecture adds a cool, urban edge to your photos, while the river and skyline bring in those sweeping, cinematic views. It’s usually bustling, so it’s best suited for pups who are comfortable around people and distractions.
 
Perfect for: Dogs who are curious and confident who thrive on new sights and sounds.
Reactive Dog Friendly? NO

4. North Glenmore Park

North Glenmore has that perfect mix of open space and tucked-away trails. With sweeping views over the reservoir, tall grasses, and the occasional grove of trees, it offers tons of variety for your dog’s session. Whether your pup wants to zoom across a field or take a breather in a shaded spot, there’s room to do it all. It's also one of the more spacious parks, which makes it easier to keep distance from distractions when needed.
 
Perfect for: Dogs who enjoy a mix of wide-open play and peaceful, quiet spots.
Reactive Dog Friendly? YES

5. Your Own Backyard Or Neighbourhood

There’s something special about capturing your dog in a place they know and love. Offering sessions right in your backyard or along your favorite walking path means your pup feels comfortable and relaxed, which often brings out the sweetest, most authentic moments. Plus, no travel stress means more tail wags and genuine smiles!
 
Perfect for: Dogs who prefer familiar surroundings and aren't super social with new places or people.
Reactive Dog Friendly? YES

Choosing The Right Location

Your dog’s comfort is my top priority when choosing the perfect location for their photoshoot. When you book a session with me, I’ll send a personalized questionnaire to get to know your furbaby better. Their personality, energy level, and any sensitivities help guide the decision on where we’ll capture their best moments.

How I Choose Locations for Dog Photography

By Chantell Schulz • August 27, 2026
When you look at a beautiful park, you might see trees, grass and a pretty trail. When I look at it, I’m thinking about light, backgrounds, composition and where I can position your dog. Choosing a location for a dog photography session is about much more than finding somewhere that looks pretty. There are a few things I look for when I’m scouting a location.

What Happens If My Dog Won’t Cooperate During Their Photoshoot?

By Chantell Schulz • August 19, 2026
One of the biggest worries I hear from dog owners is, “What if my dog doesn’t cooperate?” Maybe they don’t have the best recall. Maybe they can’t sit still for more than two seconds. Maybe they’re easily distracted by squirrels, people, or literally anything happening around them. The good news? Your dog does not need to be perfectly trained for a photography session.

Fall Dog Photography Sessions

By Chantell Schulz • August 12, 2026
Fall is one of my favourite times of year for dog photography. The changing leaves, warm golden light, and beautiful colours make the perfect backdrop for photos that feel cozy, colourful, and full of personality. This year, I’ll be offering both fall mini sessions and full dog photography sessions throughout Calgary.

What Makes a Great Location for Dog Photography?

By Chantell Schulz • August 6, 2026
Choosing the right location can make a big difference in your dog's photos. While every park has something unique to offer, there are a few things I always look for before recommending a spot. My goal is to find a location that not only looks beautiful but also helps your dog feel comfortable throughout the session.

How I Photograph Families (Without the Stress)

By Chantell Schulz • July 29, 2026
Family photos with your dog are some of the most meaningful images you'll ever have. While they may look effortless, there's a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure everyone looks their best...including your pup. Here are a few ways I create beautiful family portraits while keeping the session relaxed and enjoyable.

5 Common Summer Editing Mistakes (And How I Avoid Them)

By Chantell Schulz • July 22, 2026
Summer is one of my favourite seasons for dog photography. The lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and long evenings create beautiful backdrops, but they can also make editing a little more challenging. It's easy to get carried away trying to make colours pop, only to end up with images that don't look natural. Here are five common summer editing mistakes I see and how I avoid them.

Why I Photograph Dogs During Golden Hour

By Chantell Schulz • July 16, 2026
If you've ever wondered why I recommend evening sessions, the answer is simple: golden hour helps me create beautiful photos of your dog. Golden hour is the period just before sunset when the light becomes softer, warmer, and more flattering. Unlike the harsh midday sun, it creates a natural glow that helps your dog look their best.

How to Keep Your Dog Cool During Calgary's Hot Summer Days

By Chantell Schulz • July 9, 2026
Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy Calgary's parks, trails, and green spaces with your dog. But as temperatures rise, it's important to take extra precautions to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable. Dogs can overheat much faster than people, so a little planning can go a long way.

How To Photograph Multiple Dogs

By Chantell Schulz • June 24, 2026
Having multiple dogs means more personalities, more memories, and a whole lot more love. But one question I get often is: “Can you actually get all of my dogs looking at the camera at the same time?” The answer? Absolutely. Photographing multiple dogs takes patience, preparation, and a little bit of strategy, but capturing your whole pack together is one of my favourite parts of a session.

Why Grad Season Is the Perfect Time to Treat Yourself to a Photo Session

By Chantell Schulz • June 17, 2026
Graduation season is here! It's a time filled with excitement, change, and the feeling that one chapter is ending while another is just beginning. For many dog moms and grads, there’s one special face that has been there through it all: their dog. The late nights studying, the stressful moments, the exciting wins, and all the everyday memories in between, your dog has been part of this chapter too. So why not celebrate this milestone with the one who has been by your side?