9 of My Favorite Milwaukee Dog Photoshoot Locations

One of the best things about Milwaukee is all the fantastic backdrops it provides photographers! Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing dogs and their humans all over the city. From downtown to the suburbs, I’ve explored Milwaukee along with my clients, and let me tell you–it’s filled with picture-perfect spots!

While there are endless scenic sites to choose from in our city, there are a few in particular that I find myself suggesting to clients again and again. Here are my favorite Milwaukee dog photoshoot locations.

1. Lakeshore State Park

Some of the best views of the city’s skyline can be seen from the Lakeshore State Park oasis. Pups love to explore the beach and trails at this Milwaukee photography spot, and so do their people! With stunning seascapes, the golden hour is the best time for sessions featuring the city’s beauty and Lake Michigan.

2. Iconic Downtown Milwaukee Spots 

Nothing says “Milwaukee” like the Milwaukee Art Museum’s brise soleil wings! Local pet-families love signature downtown locations like the art museum, O’Donnell Park, and the Northwestern Mutual Tower. I have to be honest: I love photographing these places, too! Dog photoshoots in this area don’t just provide iconic Milwaukee scenery. They also allow me to create a lot of image variety while shooting in one spot.

3. Milwaukee’s Lakefront 

The lakefront area between Milwaukee Art Museum and the Harbor House provides the prettiest combination of lake and city scenery you’ll find anywhere. The lighting after sunrise and before sunset creates a perfect ambiance for photographing Milwaukee pups in their element.

4. Lake Park

If you’ve seen photos taken at Lake Park, you’re familiar with the gorgeous greenery in its meadows and winding wooded paths. I suggest this park to dog-parents because nothing brings dogs out of their shells like tons of plants and blossoms to sniff and discover! With so much foliage, Lake Park is excellent for dog photoshoots in the spring, summer, and fall, when nature’s colors are really showing off!

5. Lakefront Brewery-Area 

This cluster of East Side shooting locations near Lakefront Brewery (Commerce Street to Holton Street) is picturesque, urban, and so Milwaukee! The Marsupial Bridge and Swing Park are ideal places to capture photos of your favorite city-dog. Over on Commerce Street, the Beerline B portion of Milwaukee’s RiverWalk creates a perfect river backdrop. The wildflowers at Kadish Park make summer shoots a dream, plus there are amazing city views! And of course, shots taken in front of Lakefront Brewery’s signature buildings are a client favorite.

6. Historic Third Ward

Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is full of fun architecture and charm that shows up in every image. The area’s mix of building styles and structures let me easily photograph various backdrops in one session! Plus, it’s home to a large stretch of Milwaukee’s RiverWalk, perfect for a dog photoshoot featuring our namesake river.

7. Seven Bridges Trail

Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park (South Milwaukee) looks like it was made for photos. The trail is gorgeous year-round and filled with tons of places for dogs and their families to stop and smile! From wooded areas and the bridge, to the path to Lake Michigan’s beaches, every session I shoot at Seven Bridges Trail is unique. It’s a pretty popular Milwaukee photography spot, so morning shoots are ideal before it gets too busy!

8. Hoyt Park

I’m such a fan of Hoyt Park! Situated in Wauwatosa, the park’s scenery is always a pleasure to shoot. With its river, an iconic suspension bridge, and access to the Oak Leaf Trail and Forked Aster Hiking Trail, there’s something beautiful to capture everywhere you turn. Plus, Hoyt Park is home to one of Milwaukee’s best beer gardens, perfect for enjoying while out with your dog. The park’s greenery is stunning, but I love snow-filled dog photoshoots there, too!

9. Iron Horse Hotel 

The outside areas at the Iron Horse Hotel (in Milwaukee’s Fifth Ward) are charming and full of character – just like my favorite dogs! Everything about the Iron Horse is chic and unique, and its patio and outdoor grounds are no exception. The hotel is often busy with guests and locals alike, and I recommend a dog photoshoot during quiet times. (As in, not during brunch in the summer!)

Honorable Mentions

Patios and Beer Gardens

Milwaukee is full of dog-friendly restaurant patios and beer gardens. They’re some of my favorite locations to capture you and your dog, hanging out and doing your thing! If you don’t already have a favorite restaurant or patio to visit, I put together a list of my go-to’s to give you some ideas.

Your Home

You read that right! I may not have visited your home before, but I can tell you it will be one of the best settings for photographing you and your dog. Your home is where you and your dog are the most comfortable. It’s where you spend the most time together, and where we’ll have the most control over our environment. When in doubt, your home is a perfect place for me to photograph you all.

Is your favorite Milwaukee dog photoshoot location on my list? If not, I’d love to hear where you’ve taken your best photos! Leave me a comment or send me an email at jen@dogsofmke.com.