Spring in Niagara does not ease in gently. It arrives in waves of colour over a short period of time.

One week the vines are bare and the trails are quiet. The next, orchards are in full blossom, wildflowers are pushing through, and the whole region looks like the colour dial has been turned to high. For dog photography, it is one of the most rewarding times of year to be outside with a camera.

Here are some of my favourite spring locations in Niagara, and why each one is worth planning around.

McFarland House – Niagara-on-the-Lake

Daffodil season usually kicks things off, and the grounds at McFarland House are something to behold. That particular shade of yellow against a lush green lawn, with the historic property in the background, is classic and timeless. Usually there are some blue squill peppered around the old tree trunks as well. If you love a more refined, editorial feel and your dog is on the calmer side, this is for you. Blooms typically arrive in April. It’s an easy walk around the area.

TASC Tulip Farm – Niagara-on-the-Lake

If you want pure, unapologetic colour, the tulip fields at TASC deliver it. Rows of blooms in every shade, wide open sky, and a backdrop that makes images pop in a way that no other location can match in spring. Their new location in Niagara-on-the-Lake is going to be amazing. Sessions here require a little extra coordination to avoid the crowds. Early planning definitely pays off. The first couple of weeks of May are typically peak bloom time.

Providing the ground is dry and hard, I have permission to include equine clients at this location. If you live nearby and can hack over, or trailer your horse to the location, let’s get planning right away.

Tickets are required, so it is worth securing those when you book your session.

A Hidden Stretch of the Bruce Trail

There is a section of trail that, for a brief window in early May, becomes a sea of blue wildflowers. It is not a location you stumble across. It is the kind of place that makes clients stop mid-session and just take it in. Be prepared for a hike of about a 15-minutes to get into the spot with the squill. Along the way there are ample other opportunities for sporty trail shots. I am deliberately keeping the details close to my chest, but if this sounds like your kind of backdrop, it is one of the reasons to get in touch sooner rather than later.

Peach Blossoms – Lincoln

There is a narrow window each spring when the peach orchards come into bloom and the whole escarpment is awash with delicate colour. The blossoms are absolutely gorgeous on camera. I’ve used orchards in Vineland but really love the variety I can get at The Good Earth in Beamsville. The winery is surrounded by glorious pink blossoms. Gentle light, open space and room to move around make it a favourite spot of mine.

Blossom season is fleeting. Typically the first two weeks in May are the best. If this is on your list, it is worth reaching out early so we can plan around the timing. I haven’t actually held blossom sessions for a few years, but I’ve been granted permission from The Good Earth to photograph in the orchard Blossom Sessions this year, these will be spectacular!

The Vineyards in June – Niagara

The vines still look a bit sparse early in the season, but by early June the vines are breaking bud and green is coming back to the rows. It is quieter (no bird-deterrent devices going off to upset nervous pups) and more understated than fall, but there is something genuinely beautiful about that first flush of new growth. If you love the vineyard aesthetic but want something fresher and less expected than the golden fall version, June is your month.

Niagara Botanical Gardens

This location is a year-round favourite of mine. It keeps giving from the moment spring arrives right through fall. The variety of colour, texture, and setting means no two sessions here look the same. The variety of features at the gardens, provide a wealth of opportunities for dog portraits –  in addition to the seasonal flowers, there are historic buildings for backdrop, rocks to pop dogs up on, a fountain, a parterre garden and let’s not forget the tree alley leading to the Horticultural School.

This location works beautifully for dogs of all energy levels and there are very few distractions for reactive dogs and the paths make it easy for dogs and people with mobility issues. The Gardens make for portraits that feel lush and full of life.

There is a parking fee of roughly $8, unless you have an annual pass. That will provide you access to all Niagara Parks parking for around $30.

A Word on Timing

Spring sessions have a shorter planning window than any other time of year because so many of the best locations have their moment and then move on. Blossoms, wildflowers, tulips… they each have their week or two to shine and after that it’s all she wrote until next year.

Flexibility in scheduling is key with blossoms. If a specific location is calling to you, the earlier we talk, the better the chance we’ll be in the right place at exactly the right time.