Coffee. The first thing I need when I get out of bed in the morning. I have NEVER pressed the snooze button. I make myself jump (yes, jump!) out of bed at that first buzz. I’ve never considered myself a morning person. I TRY to be a morning person. I am much more productive in the AM. If I’m going to run or workout, it’s best for me to do that in the morning… AFTER coffee and breakfast, though -haha! When 7:00 pm comes along I’d much rather be in comfy pj’s with a glass of pinot grigio then headed to the treadmill.
Having been a flight attendant for 16 years with a crazy schedule, I like to think I’m pretty “flexible”. Sometimes with my schedule I would be driving home at 2 AM from the airport. Other times I would be getting a call from scheduling at 3:00 AM (ouch!) for a 5:00 AM sign-in to work the first Chicago flight of the day. And not to mention the flight delays and sitting on airplanes with passengers at who know what hour – It was my life!
I always found that people in the morning were calmer. There were less things to have gone wrong “yet” in their day. There was a peacefulness driving to the airport while the light would break in the sky, ready for the sun to come up. Serenity. Peacefulness. Quiet.
Now my full time career is photographing dogs. Given the choice of morning or evening photo sessions, I choose morning. Early morning. Sunrise. Don’t worry… I give YOU a choice! It’s just my preference. The world is calmer. There are less distractions, which is wonderful for dogs. We are done in time for a hot breakfast bagel sandwich or a maple scone from Three Sweet Peas on the ride home and you have the rest of your day!
I have a few favorite locations where I find “serenity” on these early mornings, perfect for your dogs to relax and enjoy their experience!
1. Plum Island Beach
This is my favorite of the beaches in our area north of Boston for a sunrise photo session. I’m surprised how busy some of the other beaches are at this time! For beach sessions, we meet a half hour before sunrise. The light at this hour changes so quickly, this also gives us time to get the beautiful silhouette images like the one below.
I don’t recall seeing anyone else during this recent session to celebrate sweet Sundance during her Memory Session. Beach sessions are held October through May, the timeframe that dogs are permitted on the beaches.
2. Kelsey Arboretum
This is a hidden gem! This is convenient for me and located in Boxford – just a 7 minute drive from my house in Georgetown. The arboretum is a 4 acre area with beautiful flowers, trees, and plants. Also along the path are benches to reflect, relax, and take in the scenery. The Arboretum features rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel and more and is in bloom from early April through July. Below, Marilyn strikes a pose just off of the road at the entrance with the pretty flowers in bloom.
This was a perfect location for Marilyn’s photo session! Marilyn had no interest in a trail hike or walking adventure. A quiet, condensed area was perfect for her. We met about a half hour after sunrise, with perfect light shining through the trees. We had azalea and forsythia that made beautiful backdrops. We didn’t see anyone at all this perfect morning.
The golden light was beautiful as it came through the trees to backlight adorable Marilyn. Isn’t she the cutest?!
3. Zorvino Vineyards
If you have been following along with me for a bit, you know that the vineyard is my absolute favorite location for dog photos! There are beautiful options for backdrops from a gazebo, to a barn, to a pond. We meet 30 minutes after sunrise – on sunny days it does get bright here! If we run into anyone, it’s just the groundskeepers starting their shift in the morning.
This past week I was there with adorable Sydney Roo with her mom for a Memory Session. Sweet Sydney Roo turns 14 next month! She enjoyed exploring the grounds with her nose. She recently lost her vision – but that didn’t slow her down one bit! The open area and quiet space were a perfect choice for Sydney Roo.
Coming up in July is Wine for Wags at Zorvino Vineyards. Be sure to mark your calendars for July 30th for this fun event! I will be there from 11:00-3:00 and the event will run until 8:00 pm.
What do you think? Could you wake up early with your pooch for one of these stunning locations? No one has ever said that they wished they hadn’t! I promise you it’s worth it!
This post is part of a photographer’s blog circle featuring pet photographers from around the world. Next up North Texas pet and equine photographer Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography captures the special relationship between horse and rider. Tracy does beautiful work and I know you will enjoy her post! Click on the link at the end of each blog and follow along. Enjoy!
All the photos you showed at these various location are stunning. Glad you are a now a morning person. Growing up you slept all morning. See what you missed.
Coming from a non-morning person here, I have to say you make me want to wake up just after sunrise to capture this light. I particularly love that beach shots, but all of your locations are stellar!
I hate mornings, but the few times I’ve done morning sessions, I have been happy to have them out of the way first thing and have the evening to myself. I do admit, that I am more productive in the mornings, I just hate them until I get going.
I don’t like the action of the getting up early, but once I do get up, I am also more productive and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.
Your locations are so gorgeous…I can see how they bring peace…
I am obsessed with your Plum Island images, those sunrises…sign me up. I’m definitely a morning person, but I do make good use of the snooze button 😉