Summer is such a magical time in so many ways — sun, beaches, celebrations, outdoor picnics and concerts. It’s also a great time to book your dog photo session, especially if it’s a time when your whole family is together to join in the shoot! As a dog photographer, I’m always on the lookout for locations that bring out the best in every pup, and over the years, I’ve found four go-to locations across Southern New England that are absolute favorites for summer photo shoots. Each one offers a unique vibe, perfect for different kinds of dogs and personalities.

---

1. rhode island beach — dog friendly with gentle waves & coastal vibes

There’s something truly special about photographing dogs at the beach. Unfortunately, most public beaches in Connecticut are not dog-friendly in the summer, so I frequently get asked if summer beach sessions are possible. If you’re up for a short drive, I have an amazing spot in southern Rhode Island where your dog will be welcome on summer evenings.

If you’re looking for a coastal vibe for your session, this beach is the ideal backdrop. Soft sand, gentle waves, beach grass and a lighthouse in the background makes for incredible images of your beach loving dogs. Beaches are one of my favorite locations because they often bring out the happiest, most carefree side of dogs. Plus, the natural light and open space let me capture those gorgeous golden hour moments that make summer photos shine.

---

2. WAVENY Park — PRISTINE LAWNS, GARDENS, castle vibes

For a simple yet sophisticated vibe, this park in New Canaan Connecticut offers a gorgeous backdrop for dog portrait sessions. It’s a beautiful, dog-friendly park with natural elements like walking trails, meadows, lots of trees, gardens and a pond, but it also features a stunning stone building that resembles a castle. The park’s mix of sun and shade also helps keep our canine models comfortable during longer sessions, so we can get lots of candid, joyful shots. Plus there’s beautiful benches for family members to sit for group photos. It’s a great balance between natural beauty and relaxed vibes.

---

3. GLASTONBURY Open Space — FOREST, MEADOW, epic SUNSETS

One of my most loved locations in every season is hiding in a little known open space in the town of Glastonbury Connecticut. This spot has woods, fields, tall grasses, evergreen trees, a tiny pine forest, and an epic spot for sunsets and late day sun coming through the trees. It’s simple, yet perfect for dog photography. Let your dog enjoy some off-leash time to capture those fun action photos, or keep them on leash and let me work my leash-removal magic in Photoshop. We can stay at the beginning of the path for older dogs or do the one mile loop for more adventurous ones. This place never disappoints.

The simple and beautiful feel of this location allows me to create stunning images in a variety of outdoor settings that capture a dog’s adventurous spirit. It’s also a quieter spot, so pups who get easily distracted or nervous in busy places can really shine here. Reach out for your weekday evening session this summer!

---

4. The Studio — Cool, Comfortable, and DISTRACTION FREE

Of course we must include my studio space! Summer is a wonderful time to come hang out with me in the air-conditioned, private and beautiful studio space in Killingworth, CT. You don’t have to worry at all about weather (rain and heat can’t interfere), bad lighting (I control it!), leashes or even collars (let your pup be totally naked). You’ll have a bathroom for outfit changes and a grassy outdoor space for your dog’s potty breaks.

Choose a simple backdrop to highlight your dog’s true personality, bring their favorite toys and I’ll bring the treats! We can play around with different props to create images you’d love to showcase in your home. The studio is ideal for dogs who will thrive in a distraction-free environment, and is perfect to schedule in the summer when it’s hot and humid outside and you’d love the comfort of an indoor space.

---

Whether it’s the salty breeze of the beach, the shade of a park, the freedom of open fields, or the cool comfort of the studio, each of these locations helps me create beautiful, heartfelt photos that tell your dog’s unique story. Summer is the perfect time to capture those happy wagging tails — and I can’t wait to explore these spots with you and your pup!

---

I am so excited to announce the return of my studio passion project, With Love & Dogs. I originally began this project in early 2020 and put it on hold when the pandemic happened. Over the last five years I have not wavered in my desire to work on this project, I’ve just had several major life events that caused it to remain on hold, such as the loss of my dad and Oats, plus the founding of a second business. I believe it may be even more important work now than it was five years ago, and I can now work on it in Oatsy’s memory. In 2025 I plan to resume work on this project, and I’d love to work with you and YOUR DOG!

THE WITH LOVE & DOGS PROJECT

This project will aim to share messages of love, hope, kindness and equality using chalkboard signs and a simple studio set up, with dogs as the main subjects. There will be focuses on human and animal rights, environmental awareness, friendship, inclusion and more.

The simplicity allows the focus to be on the dog and the message, and combines two of my favorite things: dogs and quotes. I have big dreams for this project, including an exhibition and possibly *a book!* and I would love for you to be a part of it.

I am looking for confident, friendly, well-trained dogs in a variety of colors and breeds for specific images for this project. Below I’ll show you some of the images I’m currently working to create, as well as information on how participate in the model call. Please complete the application to be considered and thank you for your interest in the With Love & Dogs Project!

---

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PROJECT

I have so many ideas in my head for this project and the images I want to create, but I’d been struggling with how to get other people excited about certain visions that are only living in my brain! So I finally just sharpened a pencil and sat down and did a type of artwork that I NEVER do: drawing.

These are amateur sketches so go easy on me, but I just wanted to attempt to convey the thoughts in my brain onto paper so that you can see my vision. I’m going to explain each image below in more detail, so if one jumps out at you, you can read more about it below. I am looking for confident, friendly and WELL-TRAINED model dogs to help me create these images. For some, I will be looking for specific breeds, colors, sizes, etc. For others, I just need a sweet, well-trained pup that’s willing to pose with a chalkboard (and maybe sunglasses)! If you think your dog would be a great fit for one of these images, continue reading below for more information about my MODEL CALL and the different options for you, and complete the Model Call Application to be considered. Please also feel free to share this post with your friends, if you know someone who might be interested!

Here are sketches of the images I’m looking to turn into photographs for the next phase of the project:

---

1) All Colors Are Beautiful

(6 Dog Image)

This is the image that most excites me and I absolutely cannot wait to create it. I am looking for 6 dogs of different breeds, but the same height (around 30-35” tall when sitting) that can all pose together with a giant chalkboard in front of them. I am looking to showcase the variety of colors of human ethnicities, but using dogs, as a reminder that we are ALL beautiful. I will need dogs of various breeds that are fully black, brown, red, yellow and white, and then I am hoping to also include a multi-colored dog, such as a Dalmatian or a brindle Australian Shepherd. Due to the nature of the photograph and how large the chalkboard will be, I am looking for 6 dogs that are all about the same height, and fully one color (with the exception of the multi-colored pup). For this image it will be a requirement that all dogs are extremely friendly (especially with other, new dogs), confident, calm and very well-trained.

Needed:

• Fully black dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

• Fully brown dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

• Preferably looking for a Dalmation or brindle Australian Shepherd, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

• Preferably looking for an Irish Setter, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

• Fully yellow dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

• Fully white dog, any breed but possibly Great Pyrenees or Samoyed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly

*Please note that I will be looking for certain breeds and looks to compliment each other in this image, certain shades of colors, and very specific temperaments and training levels. If your dog doesn’t get chosen for this image you may still be able to participate in another image :)

---

2) trying to see your perspective

(2 Dog Image)

For this image I am looking for a great dane and a very small breed (if you have both of these dogs in your family, please let me know!) that are looking at each other, with the smaller dog on a stool to be at eye level with the larger dog. I know there are many other large breeds, but to start off I’d really love to try and get a Great Dane because they are famously the tallest. The breed of the smaller dog is open, as long as they are comfortable sitting on a stool and being in a studio space and with a larger dog.

Needed:

• Great Dane, well-trained and friendly

• Small dog, any breed, well-trained, friendly, who would be okay sitting on a stool

---

3) You Can Sit With Us

(3-4 Dog Image)

I love this idea - which aims to send a message of kindness, inclusion and anti-bullying. I am looking for 2-3 dogs of one breed, preferably golden retrievers. Then I will need 1 other dog of a different breed, hopefully shorter and much different looking, to show that we can include those who are different from us.

Needed:

• Ideally 3 Golden Retrievers, all about the same height, well-trained and friendly

• Smaller dog, any breed, well-trained and friendly

---

4) Kindness is so Gangster

(1 Dog Image)

I am so excited to create this simple, fun image and I’m looking for a rottweiler specifically (at this time) who would be able to wear sunglasses for a few minutes to get a cute “gangster” looking image. Please contact me if you think your rottie would be great for this image!

Needed:

• Rottweiler, well-trained and willing to wear sunglasses :)

---

5) Admire someone else’s beauty

(2 Dog Image)

This image focuses on inclusion and love, and I really love this quote. I am looking for two similar breed dogs that look slightly different for this image, so f you have two dogs in your family that get along well and would be able to look at each other, I’d love to work with you!

Needed:

• 2 Dogs of a similar breed with slightly different looks (preferably from the same family), well-trained

---

6) Wake Up Humans

(1 Dog Image)

As I mentioned above, there will be a focus on a variety of timely, important topics, including environmental awareness. I love this image, especially from the perspective of an animal. Since I can’t use a polar bear, a dog will be the next best thing :)

Needed:

• Any breed, any size, well-trained

---

7) My Human’s Rights

(1 Dog Image)

Human rights and equality have always been one of my main objectives of this project, and again I think these type of messages are very timely and important. I am looking for any well-behaved, confident dog for this image (breed and color are open) but if you have a special connection to human rights issues, please let me know! I would love to have people participate who love the messages and find them personally meaningful.

Needed:

• Any breed, any size, well-trained

---

8) F*ck Society’s Idea of Beauty

(1 Dog Image)

This image again focuses on inclusion and love. I used Maggie the Wunderdog for my sketch, and if you’re unfamiliar with Maggie’s heartbreaking and inspiring story, I invite you to check her out. (You can find her on Instagram @maggiethewunderdog.) Maggie lost her eyes and one ear to severe abuse, but now spreads so much joy and love to everyone shes meets (and many of us that just follow her online!). I used Maggie as an example, but I am looking for a dog model with a similarly difficult story to feature in this image. I would love to tell your dog’s story if they have suffered a difficult past, and perhaps do not look like the “traditional dog.” I am also open to working with a dog that is up for adoption and meets these criteria! Please contact me if this speaks to you and you have a dog that would be a great match for this quote.

Needed:

• Blind, injured, disfigured dog that had a tough past and has had a second chance at life, or that is currently up for adoption! :)

---

9) Don’t Just Be Sorry, Do Something

(1 Dog Image - open to also including a cat and/or rabbit)

Ok please don’t judge this sketch too hard! I know it’s awful but I am not a sketch artist :) This images aims to focus on animal rights, environmental awareness and kindness in general. I am looking for 1-2 dogs, or possibly a cat and/or rabbit can be included as well. If you have one dog or a variety of animals that would be able to sit for this image, please let me know!

Needed:

• Any breed, any size, well-trained

---

Want to See more??

Check out the studio video!

Check out this video from my studio announcement to see what studio sessions look like, the gorgeous space I work in, and to see more images from the With Love & Dogs Project. I invite you and your dog to join me in this amazing space to create meaningful images and fun memories that you can cherish forever!

---

Model Call!

I am offering two different types of Model Calls for participation in the With Love & Dogs Project.

Option 1 - Book a Full Session & Get $100 off Artwork & a digital image

Book a full Studio Session at $400 and receive a $100 Print Credit for participation in the project, plus the digital copy of your project image! You will get the full With Love & Oats Photography Experience, with the print credit and an image as a thank you for participation in the project.

See a full studio session HERE.

What's included:

• Pre-Session Planning / Consultation

• Welcome Packet with treats!

• 40-60 minute session for 1-2 pets (and human family members!)

• Studio location in Killingworth (typically held on Fridays but can be flexible)

• Viewing of a minimum of 15-20 professionally edited & enhanced proofs

• Personal Viewing & Ordering Appointment

• Selection of beautiful print and art products*

• Web-sized digital files of all purchased images

• Delicious, healthy pet treats

• Lifetime memories!

• **$100 Print Credit for Artwork

• **Complimentary web-sized (non-watermarked) digital copy of your image for the project (A $50 Value!)

*Customized art, prints and digital files are available for purchase at the Viewing & Ordering Appointment, and are not included in the session price. Small charges may apply for additional pets and extra studio time.

Option 2 - free 20 minute mini session for project image only

If a full session is not currently in your budget, but you would really love to have your dog participate in the project, I will be hosting a few “Mini Session” Days where you can bring your dog in to be photographed for the project image only. You will receive a web-sized, watermarked digital image of your dog’s project image to share on social media. You may upgrade to a non-watermarked image, artwork or prints for an additional fee. These dates will likely take place in mid 2025, and will be set days on either a Friday or Saturday. A $50 refundable deposit will be required to hold your spot, but will be refunded after you complete your mini session, or can be applied toward artwork or digital upgrades.

*Please note that an upgrade to a full session will be $350 but you will receive $100 back toward your artwork purchase. If you are unsure which option is best for you, please contact me and I’ll be happy to discuss it with you!

How To Apply:

• Complete the questionnaire in full by clicking the green button below (be sure to specify which image you’re applying for)

• Follow With Love & Oats on Instagram by clicking here (thank you!)

• Like With Love & Oats on Facebook by clicking here (thank you!)

Timeline:

• Model applications will be received until all spots are filled for all images

• Full Studio Sessions can be scheduled anytime (coordination will be needed for multiple dog sessions)

• Mini Session Day(s) - if needed - will take place on a rolling basis

---

I’m thrilled to continue work on this exciting passion project and I’m looking forward to working with you and your dogs to create meaningful images, fun memories and heirloom artwork that you can cherish forever.

I am also currently offering my Signature Outdoor Sessions, so if you don’t feel that a studio session is right for your dog but would still love to work together, please click below to contact me about an outdoor session! I also offer studio sessions year round, even if you’d prefer not to participate in the project. If you’re considering either, let’s chat!

---

Join me for a luxury pet portrait experience in a country barn to capture fun and beautiful images of your pets and create one-of-a-kind artwork and gifts.

Saturday, June 1, 2024 & Sunday, June 2, 2024

KILLINGWORTH, CT

*Limited sessions available! Book now to secure your spot.*

Join me for a luxury pet portrait experience in a country barn to capture fun and beautiful images of your pets and create one-of-a-kind artwork and gifts. Limited spaces available. Only happens one weekend a year! Featuring two beautiful sets, tons of props and YOUR PET as the center of it all!

---

LIMITED EDITION SPRING 2024 SETS:

FLOWER CROWNS

Choose from simple red or red with snowflakes. Add any variety of adorable props, blankets or even a funny sign!

HOT AIR BALLOON

Simple and classic with a twinkly tree, blanket ladder and cozy floor coverings. Add props and blankets to make it your own!

Use one or both sets during your session!

the studio space

Join me at my beautiful studio space in a gorgeous barn in the country. You’ll have the space reserved just for you during our session.

Location:
Connecticut Photography Studio
294 Route 81
Killingworth CT

---

THE DETAILS:

SESSION FEE | $350

What’s Included:

• 20 Minute Photo Session (for 1-2 dogs or cats per family)

• 20 Minute Viewing Session (immediately after)

• 5x7 Acrylic Block ($130 Value)

• 3 digital files for social media sharing ($180 Value)

• Posing help from a professional dog trainer

PLUS:

• 2 Beautiful Sets

• Flower crown props

• A fun, private studio session with my undivided attention

• Delicious, healthy treats

• Lifetime memories!

Additional add-on products:

Immediately following your pet’s photo session, we’ll view your images and choose your favorites. A beautiful 5x7 acrylic block and 3 digitals are included, plus add on more of my awesome product options to turn YOUR PET INTO ART. Perfect for home decor and gifts for family!

• 5x7 Mounted Print | $40

• 8x10 Mounted Print | $50

• Additional digital files | $50 each (Save $10)

• Canvas & Metal Wall Art | 15% off regular pricing

---

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

When will I get to see my images?
Right away! After your professional photo session, you can take a break for a few minutes with your pet and I’ll get your images loaded onto my computer. Then we’ll look through them together and choose your favorites!

What can I do with my images?
I’ll guide you through choosing your favorite images right away and choosing your selection for your 5x7 acrylic block art (included). You can also choose from other awesome product options like mounted prints, small albums, gallery wrapped canvases or metal wall art. These products make awesome home decor and gifts for family members! I’ll design everything for you and handle the ordering and shipping. You’ll be able to see and touch samples of everything right in the studio during your ordering session.

When will my products be delivered?
Expect product deliveries between 1-3 weeks after our session, depending on your order.

What if my pet won’t cooperate?
I will have a professional dog trainer on hand to assist with posing your pet, plus I have lots of tricks up my sleeve for working with animals and we’ll be able to get some fun images that show their unique personality.

To ensure the best possible outcome, try to exercise your pet before arriving at the studio. We don’t want them exhausted, but calm is always helpful when we have a short window. Brush up on commands prior to the session, especially “sit,” “stay,” and “lay down.” Make sure they go to the bathroom before coming into the studio so they’re not restless. But don’t stress! These sessions are relaxing, fun and I have lots of help!

Can I be in some photos with my pet?
Of course! We can include 1-2 human family members in the images due to the size of the sets.

I have more than 2 pets. Can I still participate?
Yes! Each additional pet is $30 extra. Due to timing restraints (because these are quick sessions), if you’d like an image with all the pets together or several of each pet, please speak with me about booking a full, longer session so we will have time to really capture all of your pets and create a beautiful group image.

What should I bring?
I will have props for you to choose from, including flower crowns and bow ties. However, if you have something specific you’d like your pet to wear, or a special toy you’d like included, please bring it along! Make sure your pet is dressed how you’d like (aka remove dog tags if desired, no harnesses, etc). Since I’ll be editing images and ordering products very quickly for you, I will not be removing collars, harnesses and tags in these images.

My dog gets nervous around other dogs.
No problem! Your reserved time is all yours with me in the studio and there will not be any other pets besides yours during that window.

How early should I be?
Please arrive a few minutes early to let your pet go to the bathroom outside and please clean up after your pet. Dogs should ALWAYS be leashed or cats crated until you arrive inside the studio space. You can come into the studio at your reserved time and we’ll get started right away!

I want to do this with my pet! How do I book my session?
Yay! I’m so excited to work with you! All you have to do to get started is click the green button below to contact me. Once you contact me I’ll send you a quote with a questionnaire, contract and payment screen and we’ll discuss the available times you can choose from on that day. Completion of the questionnaire, contract, and payment will secure your time slot. Sessions will be booked on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t wait!

---

I can’t wait to work with you and your sweet pets to bring you these fun springtime images. I’m thrilled to be offering these unique studio sets to my clients for the first time ever this year, and I hope you’ll join us! If you have any questions please click the green button and simply add your question into the message section, or feel free to email me at jennifer@withloveandoats.com. I hope to see you in the studio!

---

Today I’m sharing a beautiful beach session I did at Hammonasset Beach in Madison this past fall. Bindi’s mom reached out about capturing some images of Bindi playing on the beach, as well as photos of them together and a few family photos with her parents. We had so much fun watching Bindi run around and play, never far from her family. She has such a sweet and gentle personality, but is also super playful and loved running around in the sand and water. It was such a joy working with this family and I’m thrilled with how their images turned out!

Beach sessions at Hammonasset and most Connecticut beaches are only possible in the months of October through March each year, so if you’re interested in a dog portrait beach session, reach out today to book for March or the fall.

My sessions typically start by just letting dogs just run around, play and get some energy out. In Bindi’s case, that involved immediately running into the water, getting soaked and chasing her ball! She had so much fun and I just let her play for a while before doing any family photos so I could capture these awesome action images.

Water shaking series’ are one of my favorite things to capture during beach or swimming sessions and this series came out amazing!

Bindi posed on the driftwood log like an absolute champ, for about 10 seconds. Then she lept off and continued her awesome day of running around the beach!

We took a few photos with the beautiful sun and clouds that we were fortunate enough to have for the second half of our session. The clouds really make the sky colors pop in the evening. I actually took these images prior to actual sunset (see how high the sun is in the sky?) but used specific camera settings to make the subjects a bit darker and showcase the colors in the sky. I love doing these types of photos during beach sessions!

Some more beautiful Bindi portraits as the sun started to go down by the water.

Bindi’s family wanted to capture a few images of her with her favorite toy, a stuffed Eeyore - how cute! So we did a few of her playing and posing with him! I always ask my clients if their dog has a favorite toy they’d like to bring to the session, because if there’s something really special that they love it can be fun to have photos of them with their special toy.

A few last gorgeous images of Jenna and Bindi with that lovely dusk light on the beach. Aren’t they so beautiful?

Thank you to the Bindi’s family for trusting me to capture these memories of your family and your very special pup. You were all a joy to work with and Bindi is such a sweet and fun loving dog. I cannot wait to see you all again!

---

Heirlooms

Bindi’s family chose a stunning album with a beautiful linen cover and lots of large mounted prints of Bindi for their home. An album is the perfect way to remember all the sweet memories of their family. Check out the video to see me flip through their album!

To learn more about heirloom artwork and how to turn your dog into art, click here.

---

Interested in booking your own outdoor session? We can go on a hiking adventure, to a park, to your home, to the beach…the possibilities are endless! Contact me today and let’s chat about your dogs and how I can help you capture them in photographs that you can cherish forever. Don’t wait if you’re considering a beach session as they are only available on most Connecticut beaches (due to state law) for certain months of the year. I can’t wait to work with you!

---

Hi friends! It’s that time of year again! Oats and I have decided to continue our fun holiday card tradition which will hopefully bring an extra smile to your face this holiday season. We will send a (very cute) Oatsy holiday card to anyone who would love one this year! All you have to do is tell us where to send it. This year’s card has lots of Oatsy photos because we all need as much cheer as we can get this year!

Simply email me at jennifer@withloveandoats.com with your name and address (and your pet’s names if you have pets!) by this Thursday, December 10, 2020, and we will get some Oatsy goodness coming your way. You can also check us out on Instagram or Facebook and send me a message in either of those places.

In return, we ask that you do one random act of kindness for someone this holiday season. Let’s keep spreading love!

---