Imagine the charm of Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Acre Wood, with beautiful scenery around every corner.
70 Acre Wood is a destination pet photography experience.
“A dreamy world, all your own.”
In 2020, I stumbled upon a pet photographer on Facebook who had transformed her seven acres in Scotland into a pet photography paradise. Intrigued, I reached out, eager to learn more about her process. Her advice? “Take your time.” She explained how her setup took years to perfect and constantly evolves. I told her I’d love to see it in person one day.
Fast forward just two years: I applied for an international pet photography retreat…in Scotland! Once accepted, I reached out to her again and asked if I might stop by. She graciously welcomed me and two other photographers for a grand tour. It was inspiring, informative, and so much fun to see it in person.
Now it’s 2024, and I’ve spent four years transforming my own 70 acres into a pet photography haven—even if it’s mostly wild grasses and “weeds.” I start by seeking the best light, then consider the natural backdrops that make for stunning images. My style has evolved a lot since I began, and now I fully embrace nature’s quirks. We’ve planted flowers, shrubs, and trees, and I’ve scoured Facebook Marketplace (many times) for unique finds. A few trips into rural nowhere (one time I asked my friend, “Are we still in Minnesota…or Iowa?” #anythingforaphoto), I’ve brought home fantastic wooden planks, gates, railroad ties and those large spools. I’ve also brought back some pretty awesome gnarly stumps. I even managed to have half of a 100-year-old bridge moved in to complete my collection.
Other pet photographers now reach out to me about my setup and ask for advice. My answer? “Take your time, and remember, nothing’s set in stone…also, embrace the weeds!” Oh, and have a supportive helper! In my case, it’s my husband. I say things like this, “Soooo, how easy would it be to get that (insert log, stump, tree, rocks…you name it) over in this spot?” 😬
Curious to see these spots in action? Head to my website, www.annwagaman.com, to explore the map of 70 Acre Wood and catch a glimpse of these one-of-a-kind locations!
