Wilmington Beach Pet Photography: A Sunrise Session with Oakley

Some pet photo shoots feel special from the very first message, and this was definitely one of them. Molly reached out just a few days before she and her 13-year-old doodle, Oakley, planned a quick trip to Wilmington. She mentioned Oakley was starting to slow down and wanted to capture him in his happy place — the beach.

We met at Fort Fisher just before sunrise, one of my favorite spots for Wilmington pet photography sessions. The morning light was soft and golden. Oakley’s eyesight and hearing may be fading, but the second we pulled out treats, he lit up. His energy was calm and grounded, completely at peace by the water.

As the sun came up, we started with solo portraits of Oakley soaking it all in. Molly soon joined him, and we got some beautiful photos of the two of them watching the ocean together. You could feel how connected they are in every shot.

After some time on the sand, we moved over to the park for a few more photos. That is when Oakley’s playful side came out. I brought out a tennis ball, and suddenly he was a puppy again, running along the boardwalk like it was the best day ever. He left with the ball, and later Molly reached out to ask where she could find more because he loved it so much.

The final gallery included a mix of peaceful beach portraits, joyful action shots, and a few sweet moments between Molly and Oakley. She had a hard time narrowing down her favorites, which is always the best kind of problem.

After the shoot, I sent her off with a list of my favorite Wilmington coffee shops to check out, including Hidden Grounds, The Ibis, Canary Yellow, and Casa Blanca. She made the most of her visit, and I am so glad this session was part of it.

On Instagram, she shared a few of the photos with the caption:

“Soulmated so hard.”

Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Looking for a Wilmington pet photographer to capture your dog’s happiest moments? Whether it is a trip to the beach, a sunset session, a fun visit to the studio, or cozy portraits at home, I would love to help you create lasting memories.

Contact me here to start planning your pet photography session in Wilmington.