Adventure Dog Portraits: How to Turn Your Love of Hiking and Dogs into a Profitable Business

There’s something truly magical about photographing dogs in nature—especially when that nature offers rugged terrain, golden light, and panoramic views.

A few years back, I hired Sarah of Abenteuerhunde Fotografie to photograph my husband and I with our dogs in our local mountains. We spend many weekends hiking, so before Flee got too old to come, I wanted these memories documented. Sarah did a fantastic job, of course, and one of her photos hangs proudly in our living room as a huge framed canvas.

*Framed portrait by Sarah Stangl of* *Abenteuerhunde Fotografie*

The photo brings me so much joy and also reminds me to pack my camera when we go hiking.

I now have a wonderful collection of my own dogs in various mountains around the world, but I’ve never offered these types of sessions since we’ve not lived anywhere suitable. Until now.

We are currently in Provence, France, and last weekend, we hiked Roquebrune-sur-Argens. We had just put Ares in the car when I said, “I think I want my camera,” and ran back inside to grab it. We’d driven past a few times, so I knew the colors and different rock formations would make for interesting photos.

As we hiked up, I watched as the sun lowered and the rocks ahead began sparkling red in the evening golden light, and with every step, I hoped we’d get there in time.

Then we scrambled over a rock, and the view literally took my breath away.

*Our recent* *hike with Ares in Provence*

Inspired by this recent hike and the photos I took of Ares, I'm realizing the potential for Classico Portraits to offer adventure dog sessions in this region—something I was never able to offer in Australia due to location restrictions.

If you’re an outdoors enthusiast, do you have locations nearby that would be perfect for expanding into this genre too—and charging a premium to do what you love?

Finding the Ideal Backdrop: What to Look For

The most compelling outdoor dog portraits combine dramatic landscapes with rich textures and natural light. Look for locations that offer:

Contrasting Elements: Think rocky outcrops against blue skies, dense forests meeting open meadows, or reflective lakes creating mirror-like compositions.
Varied Terrain: Trails that feature hills, cliffs, or natural steps add depth and interest to images.
Seasonal Beauty: Wildflowers in spring, golden grasses in summer, orange hues of autumn/fall, or snow-covered peaks in winter all provide unique aesthetics.

Whether it's a national park, a coastal trail, or a forested hillside near your city, the key is finding a place where dogs can explore safely and where the landscape enhances your composition.

Chasing the Best Natural Light

Golden hour—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—is universally the best time for outdoor photography. The warm, honeyed light enhances every detail—the texture of fur, the contours of the terrain, and the sparkle in a dog’s eyes. However, other times of day can also work beautifully:

Mid-morning: Light filtering through trees creates natural spotlights and soft dappled effects.
Overcast days: Even light eliminates harsh shadows and allows for rich color saturation.
Late afternoon: Long, dramatic shadows add depth and storytelling elements.

Capturing Action, Connection and Candid Moments

A hiking dog photoshoot doesn’t need to feature only the dog—it’s about energy, movement, and the bond with their human. Encourage clients to interact naturally with their dogs: walking along trails, taking breaks under large trees, or enjoying a quiet moment at a scenic overlook. Candid shots often capture the most authentic expressions of joy and adventure, but give some suggestions for which direction to face or which rock to sit on for a bit of control.

For action shots, position yourself lower on the trail to emphasize the climb, or shoot from above to showcase the view below. Wide apertures (f/2.8 to f/4) help isolate your subject while keeping enough of the background in play to showcase the landscape.

Related: Download our free guide: “Dog poses the sell”

Practical Tips for a Successful Shoot

Scout locations in advance. Whether it's a mountain range or a local nature reserve, knowing the best spots in advance will save time and effort on the day.
Choose the right gear. A versatile zoom lens (like a 70-200mm) allows for tight action shots and environmental portraits without switching lenses mid-hike. A wider lens on a second body will also come in handy!
Plan for comfort. Both you and your clients should wear appropriate hiking shoes, bring water, and be prepared for changing conditions.
Know your client's experience level. Choose trails that represent the type of hiking they do so that everyone is safe (including the dog!) and not overly sweaty for photos!
Respect the environment. Stick to designated trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and leave no trace.

Turn Your Passion into Profit

The outdoors may be your passion, but if you weren’t photographing a client, who would you enjoy that trail with? Perhaps you and your dog? Maybe a partner or friend? By giving your time to a client, you're giving up the chance to enjoy the trail as you normally would. That’s because it’s work—and work should be paid accordingly!

When working out your pricing, don’t forget to cover your travel time, the hike time itself, and to charge for the unique skill set you have.

And don’t forget—these adventure photos make amazing wall art! So consider selling products to increase your profit margin. Already have a portfolio but not sure if it’s worthy of printed art? Let’s chat!

Related Podcast Episodes Worth Listening To

If you want to branch into profitable adventure dog photoshoots, here are three podcast episodes to check out:

Have you found an amazing local hiking spot for dog photography? Share your experiences and favorite shots in the comments!

Author
Kirstie McConnell |

Founder

The Pet Photographers Club

When Kirstie launched her pet photography business in Australia in 2012, the genre was barely a thing. She spent the next years at the forefront of this niche, marketing not just her own business, but the concept of pet photography. Each year she photographed around 100 dogs, cats and horses per year to create wall art and albums for pet-parents.

Now based in Europe, she continues to offer pet photography to her clients back in Australia on return trips and the occasional local client, but otherwise photographs luxury tourists and spends the rest of her energy helping other pet photographers build a business which will allow them to follow their dreams.

Internationally recognized as a leader in the industry, she hosts the podcast, workshops, courses and business events for The Pet Photographers Club which she co-founded.