A majestic tri-color Border Collie sits alert in a golden meadow with misty mountains and pine trees in the background.

Portrait Photography in Big Bear Lake, CA


With its breathtaking scenery and current wildflower blooms, Big Bear Lake is practically perfect when it comes to having a pet portrait experience. We decided to work out an easy itinerary that would work for you too!

A majestic black and white Border Collie stands on rocks with a scenic mountain meadow and pine trees at sunset.

Booking Our Stay


There is no shortage of places to stay in Big Bear Lake. We opted to use Air B n B for once. It did not disappoint! The Moonridge location was centrally located and we were thrilled to snag Bewy's Family Cabin! It had more than enough amenities and was super pet friendly!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53847026?check_in=2026-06-28&check_out=2026-06-30&search_mode=regular_search&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1779312315_P3ImhDrlMFEV_NK0&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=dca0c151-31c8-488b-a9de-a49e88d4f4da


Moonridge Coffee log cabin exterior with carved wooden bear statue, red Adirondack chairs, and rustic deck seating area.

Moonridge Coffee was helped us stay fueled during our stay right across the street!

Rustic bedroom with sleigh bed, plaid wildlife bedding, moose and bear wall art, and warm wood nightstand.

Nice touches at Bewy's Family Cabin made us feel welcome!

A black and white Australian Shepherd dog sits on a sandy beach on a leash with a calm lake and blue sky behind.

Trying out the lake location with Max

Man and border collie dog standing on sandy beach shore with mountain lake and snow-capped peaks in background.

James and Max approve of this setting!

Things to Bring for a Pet Photography Session in Big Bear Lake, CA


First and foremost, think safety. Rattlesnakes do take up residence in the area and with the weather warming up, it's very important to be prepared. I will guide you as to where to step, but it's worth mentioning to keep your dog leashed at all times and close to you.

Water

Even though the temperature can be cooler in the mountains, it can get quite warm. The high altitude also can add an element of dryness to the air. So pack a few water bottles for you and your dog and his water bowl.

Poop Bags


It is important to be good neighbors to those who live in Big Bear Lake. This is for both the human and wildlife type. I will also carry these. We will take the used bags with us on our way out to properly dispose.

Brush


I will have one as well, but it's a good idea to bring along a dog brush. Sometimes foliage along the trails can get stuck in your dog's fur. We'll want to make them look great just before the shutter clicks.

Copies of Vaccines


I don't require this myself, however, if there is a situation where a park ranger or public servant asks, it's best to be prepared.

Australian Shepherd dog standing on a rock with misty mountain forest backdrop at golden hour sunset.

Mountain or Lake?


I wanted to be sure to grab both locations, the high point of the mountain ranges as well as the lake. Here, we took our Aussie, Max to the top of Bear Mountain and used the ski lift as the backdrop to tell the story. The sense of place can come alive in Big Bear!

Australian Shepherd dog sitting on rocks with misty mountain forest landscape in background during golden hour.
A majestic Australian Shepherd dog sits on rocks gazing at a misty mountain forest landscape at sunset.
A border collie dog stands on a rock with a scenic mountain and forest landscape in the background at golden hour.

Heading to the Lake


Weather in mountain regions can be fickle. We got a big surprise once we headed back down to the lake for a sunset session. The fog was rolling in quickly and I had to think fast on my feet! I was able to grab this image during the cold breeze and fog! It's worth mentioning that even the best laid plans can change. It will be important for us to remain somewhat flexible and let me get creative in the moment!

A majestic Collie dog stands on rocky shore at sunset with misty lake and dramatic cloudy sky in background.

Other Big Bear Lake Pet Photography Sessions

Since my lake session was shrouded in fog, I want to include some past sessions I did as a traveling pet photographer. These show a much calmer day!

Australian Shepherd dog sitting on rocky beach with snow-capped mountain and boulders in background on sunny day.
A brown and white Australian Shepherd dog smiling outdoors near a lake with golden sunlight and blurred natural background.
Brown and white Australian Shepherd dog sitting on sandy shore near a river with pine trees in the background.
Southern California Pet Photography


Thinking of Booking a Session?


Let's get in touch!

Smiling middle-aged woman with shoulder-length hair wearing a floral black dress, seated in a bright modern setting.
A majestic Collie dog stands on rocky shore at sunset with misty lake and dramatic cloudy sky in background.
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Travel Session in Big Bear Lake, CA

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