As a dog photographer, it’s my job to know all the coolest spots to create epic and unique portraits for your home.
Not everyone wants to go on a 5-mile hike to make sure that happens, though.
That’s OK.
We have many parks in Spokane where we can take care of business.
“Oh but Angela, places like Manito have been done to death by photographers. How can you make a one-of-a-kind portrait of my dog?”
It’s all in the way you look through the viewfinder.
The best parks in Spokane
Our city is pretty dog friendly. There’s only one place I can think of that doesn’t allow dogs and that’s the Finch Aboretum. I know that’s a pretty popular place for portrait and wedding photographers, especially in the fall, but I’ll probably never see the inside of it.
If dogs can’t go, I don’t go.
It’s just my thing.
As long as your dog is on leash (and you pick up your poop), parks in Spokane are welcoming to our four-legged friends.
Here are my five favorites.
1. Manito Park
See above. Manito is one of the most popular parks in Spokane for portrait photography. The Renaissance garden — Duncan Garden — is beautiful from spring to fall. It, along with the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, is one of the few places in the park where you need to make a reservation for wedding photography.
There’s also the duck pond, the rose garden and the lilac garden.
But you know me … I like the woods, the trails and the rocks. Always the rocks.
That foot bridge just beyond the Bench Café is pretty cool, too.
2. Dishman Hills Conservancy Area
If I could do every local session for dog photos at Dishman Hills, I would be happy. And I would still manage to make everyone’s portrait unique and incredible.
It holds wooded trails and rocks and ravines and ponds and a great open space.
In less than 3 miles, you can be on top of the world at Eagle Peak or Nimbus Knob where we can do an amazing panorama.
3. Saltese Uplands Conservancy Area
Tucked away in Liberty Lake, Saltese Uplands looks remarkably different from either Manito or Dishman Hills. It almost makes one wonder how it could be in the same area.
There’s a lack of trees to protect from the elements so it can make for very windy days. That’s when I need to pack a sandbag to weigh down my off-camera flash gear.
I love the open grassland and with a full 7-mile walk around the loop, you can views of both Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.
It can also make for some wicked sunsets and cool panoramas.
4. Mirabeau Point Park
Teeming with photographers in the fall, Mirabeau Point Park is another spot that’s done to death but I get to look at it differently.
Since we live in Spokane Valley and Mirabeau is a less-than-10-minute drive away (depending on how many red lights we hit), Bella and I know the area as well as we know our own toes. We’ve taken every trail and investigated every rock, nook and cranny.
Still, every time we go I see a new spot to mark and create something cool.
5. Riverfront Park
Oh yeah, this one takes a left turn for me. Gone are the trees and trails and rocks and open sky. In are cement paths, buildings and people milling about.
Riverfront Park is a Spokane staple, for residents and visitors alike. It’s a great place for drive-through tourists to have dog photos done to remember their vacation time here.
The tower and bridges and other landmarks may seem like obvious places that are overdone, but it’s all in how you look at it: from a dog’s perspective, not a human’s.
All around the circle
That’s a little trip around my favorite parks in Spokane and why they’re great spots to create cool portraits of your dog doing dog things.
The worldwide pet photographers blog circle is focused on why we love our city this week. Start with my friend Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole sharing what she loves about Las Vegas.
When you get to the bottom of Nicole’s post, click the next link in the circle and then keep going until you find yourself back here to parks in Spokane. That’s when you know you’re home.
Right where you belong.
And when you’re ready to create an epic portrait of you and your dog at one of the cool parks in Spokane, hit me up.
Spokane really seems to have amazing places for a dog photo session. I love the photos of the boxer!
Ollie is such a sweet boy. I love doing his photos. That was my second time. He’s a lot of fun.
I have no doubt you can create a one-of-a-kind portrait in any park. But, lucky you and your clients, because I think you have the most beautiful parks. I might crawl under my desk and cry for a minute or two as I think about my next sessions and my boring parks.
I really love the diversity of the landscapes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. I can find something totally different by going 20 minutes in any direction.
Those rocks at Mirabeau Point Park – epic.
They are! I am so fortunate to have that spot so close to home.
I envy the vistas and rock terraces in your photos ALL THE TIME! I do love the Corgi in the city, and it looks like (judging by my blog this week) Riverfront Park is a very common name!
The diversity of this state still amazes me. I can’t wait to explore your side of the state! Those rocks at Mirabeau Point Park are amazing.
Wow, you have access to so many amazing parks!! The view from the top of Dishman Hills looks so beautiful! You can have so many adventures over in Spokane.. so jealous!! I need to come and visit!
I squealed when I saw the Chihuahua picture but the Boxer in the rocks made my jaw drop. I don’t think I’d ever leave that spot – WOW!
Beautiful parks, Angela! WOW! I ‘m not sure I can pick a favorite, but kind of in love with Eagle Peak and that view! Amazing! And that Corgi by the riverfront – what a fun spot!