Session Locations
Each session I offer is designed around a specific setting and feel.
Rather than offering an overwhelming list of locations, I’ve curated a small number of Signature Session experiences—each chosen for its natural beauty, ease of movement, and the ability to create a variety of images within a short distance within the Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Largo, and the Tampa Bay area.
Most outdoor sessions take place at sunrise, when the light is soft and flattering, the temperatures are cooler, and the environment is quiet and relaxed. This allows us to create natural, timeless images while keeping your pet comfortable and at ease.
From lush gardens to coastal textures and colorful murals, each option offers its own unique atmosphere while maintaining the style you see throughout my work.
I’m always happy to help guide you toward the setting that feels like the best fit.
Choosing the Perfect Location
The location you choose does more than provide a beautiful backdrop—it helps tell your pet's story.
Whether that story unfolds on a quiet beach at sunrise, beneath shady oak trees, in a colorful coastal village, or in the comfort of your own home, we'll choose a setting that feels natural for both you and your pet.
There's no "right" location—only the one that feels most like you.
A Few Favorites
While I offer several locations, most clients are naturally drawn to a few favorites—each offering a distinct look while maintaining a soft, natural feel.
If you’re unsure where to begin, these are often a beautiful starting point.
Garden Sessions
Soft, lush, and naturally timeless
The Florida Botanical Gardens
One of my most loved locations, the gardens offer a beautiful mix of tropical plants, shaded paths, and seasonal color. With a variety of textures and greenery throughout, it provides a soft, natural backdrop that works beautifully for pets of all colors and coat types.
At sunrise, the gardens feel especially peaceful, with soft light filtering through the greenery and very few distractions.
This location is ideal if you love:
• lush greenery and natural textures
• soft, shaded light
• a calm, garden setting
Palma Sola Botanical Park (Bradenton)
Palma Sola is one of the most beautiful and versatile locations I offer. With winding paths, layered greenery, bamboo, and vibrant plant life, it creates a soft, natural backdrop that feels both peaceful and refined.
In the early morning, the gardens are especially calm, with soft light filtering through the foliage and minimal foot traffic.
Sessions at this location are offered on a limited basis and include an additional Location Fee due to travel and planning.
Coastal Sessions
Light, airy, and relaxed
Clearwater Beach
This location offers a more natural, less crowded stretch of beach with soft sand, sea grass, and subtle coastal textures.
Sunrise sessions here are especially beautiful, with gentle light over the water, cooler temperatures, and a quiet shoreline—perfect for dogs that benefit from a calmer environment.
This location is perfect if you’re drawn to:
• light, airy coastal tones
• beach grass and natural textures
• a relaxed, coastal feel
Coastal Village Sessions
Textured, character-filled, and storytelling
John's Pass Village
John’s Pass offers a coastal setting with character—wooden piers, boats, and waterfront views that create depth and visual interest.
The orientation of the docks works beautifully with early morning light, allowing for soft, directional sunlight without harsh shadows. At sunrise, the area is also much quieter, making it easier to move through the space comfortably with your pet.
This location is ideal if you’re drawn to:
• coastal textures and structure
• leading lines and depth
• a slightly more dynamic, waterfront feel
Cortez Fishing Village (Bradenton)
Cortez offers a completely different feel—a historic fishing village with weathered wood, working docks, fishing nets, and coastal textures that add depth and character to your images.
At sunrise, the light is soft and directional, bringing out the textures without harsh contrast, while the area remains quiet and easy to navigate.
Sessions at this location are offered on a limited basis and include an additional Location Fee due to travel and planning.
Mural Sessions
Colorful, playful, and expressive
Dunedin (Downtown Murals)
Dunedin—often affectionately known as “Dogedin”—offers a fun and vibrant setting with colorful wall murals, many of them dog-themed.
This location brings a more playful, expressive feel to your session, with bold colors and artistic backdrops that create something truly unique.
At sunrise, the streets are quiet and relaxed, allowing us to move easily between murals without distractions.
This location is perfect if you’re drawn to:
• color and personality
• artistic, one-of-a-kind backdrops
• a more playful, expressive style
Park Sessions
Classic, natural, and timeless
Largo Central Park
A beautiful and accessible park with a mix of open green space, a lake, and thoughtfully landscaped areas.
In the early morning light, the park feels open and calm, with soft reflections on the water and fewer people in the space.
This location works well if you love:
• open green space and trees
• water views and reflections
• a classic, timeless park setting
Waterfront Sessions
Clean, minimal, and open
Riverwalk (Bradenton)
Riverwalk offers a clean, open waterfront with views of the Manatee River and a mix of natural and architectural elements.
Early morning sessions here allow us to take advantage of softer light and a quieter environment, helping create a more relaxed and natural feel despite the more urban setting.
Sessions at this location are offered on a limited basis and include an additional Location Fee due to travel and planning.
At-Home Pet Photography Sessions
Some pets truly feel most comfortable at home — especially cats, birds, senior pets, and animals who feel anxious in unfamiliar environments.
In those situations, an at-home session can be a wonderful way to create meaningful portraits in a calm and familiar setting.
When planning an at-home session, we’ll identify areas around your home that photograph beautifully. This might include:
• A favorite resting spot near a large window
• A shaded patio or balcony
• A comfortable space where your pet naturally relaxes
Natural light is always the first choice because it creates the most timeless and flattering portraits. However, when lighting conditions are challenging, I can bring portable lighting and simple backdrops to gently shape the light while keeping the environment relaxed for your pet.
Many beautiful portraits of cats, parrots, and senior pets are created this way.
The goal is always the same: creating images that feel authentic to your pet’s life while still honoring the elements that make a portrait truly special — beautiful light, thoughtful composition, and a calm environment.
Cat Photography in Clearwater & Tampa Bay
While many portrait sessions feature dogs exploring parks and beaches around Tampa Bay, I also photograph cats in the comfort of their own homes. Cats tend to feel most relaxed in familiar surroundings, which allows their personality to shine through in a natural and authentic way.
Most cat portrait sessions take place near windows, patios, or favorite resting spots where soft natural light creates beautiful portraits. These sessions are calm and unhurried, allowing plenty of time for curious cats to explore, observe, and interact comfortably. Blue Merle Photography offers cat photography sessions throughout Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, and the Tampa Bay area, creating thoughtful portraits that celebrate the unique character of every feline.
Which Setting Feels Most You?
Every location has its own feel—and the one you choose will shape the overall look and mood of your images.
Most sessions take place at sunrise, when the light is soft and flattering, and the environment is quieter and more comfortable for pets.
If you're not quite sure which direction to go, this may help.
- You might love a garden setting if you’re drawn to lush greenery, soft light, and a calm, natural environment.
- You might love a coastal setting if you’re drawn to light, airy tones and a relaxed, beachy feel.
- You might love a coastal village setting if you’re drawn to texture, character, and storytelling.
- You might love a mural setting if you’re drawn to color, personality, and something more playful and expressive.
- You might love a simpler, more open setting if you prefer a minimal, understated look with water views and clean lines.
Still unsure? I’m always happy to guide you—we’ll choose something that feels just right.
What to Expect: Sunrise Sessions
Most outdoor sessions take place at sunrise—and while that may sound early at first, it’s one of the most important elements in creating the soft, natural images you see throughout my work.
Early mornings are quieter, cooler, and more relaxed, which makes a meaningful difference for both pets and people.
The light is gentle and flattering, without harsh shadows, and the overall experience tends to feel calm and unhurried.
Many clients find that once they arrive, it feels easy—and absolutely worth the early start.
If you’d like to learn more about how I choose locations and light for sessions, you can read more on the blog.
Ready to Plan Your Session?
Most sessions take place at sunrise to ensure the best light and a relaxed experience for your pet.