Magnificent Marblehead Lighthouse In Evening Sunlight

I can’t believe this was my first time photographing a dog during evening sunlight at the magnificent lighthouse in Marblehead, MA. What a treat and what a fun evening with handsome Hank with his mom and dad for our Tails of the World book session! This was session number 7 for the book with just 3 more to go!

This spot brought back so many memories, even just on the drive. I took the backroads to avoid the traffic on the highways at rush hour. I drove through Salem, MA, my old stomping grounds. When I first moved to MA just over 20 years ago, Salem was the first of the cities that I made “home”. Salem was never an easy city to drive through – there is no easy way in and out. When I lived there I was a flight attendant working for American Airlines and flying out of Boston’s Logan airport. October in Salem was mayhem! I always took my vacation in October to get out of the chaos!

Marblehead Neck

The city of Marblehead is a coastal town located just 16 miles north of Boston. Marblehead Neck is a scenic peninsula located in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It is a narrow strip of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and is connected to the mainland by a causeway. This area features rocky shores, sandy beaches, and several small coves. There is a parking lot before trekking over the causeway which is a perfect place to leave your car if you plan a walk around the “neck”.

Several years after living in Salem, I lived in Nahant and then Lynn. Both are fairly close to Marblehead. I have fond memories of walking Marblehead Neck with my roommates, and dreaming of living in one of the mansions on the water. The views are stunning! I just looked up two of the homes for sale that I saw this day that I was there – one for just $5 million and the other for $4.7 million – ahhhh to dream!

Chandler Hovey Park

The “iconic” Marblehead Lighthouse is located at Chandler Hovey Park. The park is named after Rear Admiral Chandler Hovey, a Marblehead native and a decorated naval officer. There is a parking lot with free parking. I went on a weekday evening. It was busy, but there were still parking spots available. The weekend’s might be more of a challenge to find a space.

Chandler Hovey Park and the Marblehead Lighthouse have a rich historical background. The lighthouse was built in 1896 and has served as a navigational aid for ships entering Marblehead Harbor. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, adding to the park’s cultural significance.

The views of the Atlantic Ocean and Marblehead Harbor are breathtaking! The park is surrounded by water on three sides. It offers a tranquil atmosphere with sailboats passing by. There are picnic areas and people can be seen walking, jogging, biking, and even fishing.

I was surprised to find more people sitting in there cars rather than walking around, but I guess they are at least enjoying the beautiful view! It was a cooler evening, but I would still rather sit on a bench and read a book or eat a snack rather than in the car.

Dog Portrait Sessions

I would love to go back here in the near future for a pet portrait session! I love the blend of a charming setting with the beautiful backdrops. I’m guessing sunrise might be pretty epic here, too!

Hank’s family chose a story book with 25 images from this session. I can’t wait to see the final book!

Interested in a pet portrait session here in Marblehead, or other epic north shore locations? Fill out an inquiry form and I will be in touch:

Around the Circle

This week is a tiny circle with just three of us! Make your way around and click on the link at the end of each post to see some amazing pet photographer’s “takes” on Sunlight! Next up Equine Photographer Jessie Collins shares the importance of sunlight for your dream session. Enjoy!