Surf, Sand, and Shenanigans: Larry the Ducktolling Retriever's Photography Session at Ocean Grove, Victoria

If you’ve ever wondered what pure joy looks like on four legs, meet Larry— the red-furred bundle of sunshine and sass.

Larry is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and during his recent photo session at Ocean Grove Beach in Victoria, he showed us what it really means to live your best beach life.

Larry is the kind of dog that makes strangers smile. With his russet coat, white blaze, and that signature Toller grin, he’s got “handsome” covered. He’s quite the heart-stealer. But looks aside, Larry’s real charm is in his personality — which proved to be true the second his paws hit the sand.

We chose Ocean Grove Beach for Larry’s photo session because it offers everything a pet photographer dreams of—wide open spaces perfect for action shots, calm, shallow waters ideal for splashing around, and a generally peaceful vibe that lets dogs just be dogs. It’s one of those beaches that feels both scenic and relaxed, making it a favorite for laid-back, natural portraits. That said, on the day of our shoot, there was a little more seaweed than usual scattered along the shore—but Larry didn’t mind one bit.

To say Larry posed would be a bit of a stretch—but with some patience (and a few well-timed treats), we did manage to capture some truly beautiful, frame-worthy moments. Still, his heart was set on exploration, not sitting still—and honestly, that’s where the magic happened.

We embraced his boundless curiosity and playful spirit, snapping shots mid-zoom, tongue flopping, ears flying—those wild, joyful moments that captured the real Larry far better than any perfectly posed photo ever could.

I brought along a crowd favorite in the canine world—a well-loved green squeaky toy that never fails to win hearts (and zoomies).

Larry was instantly obsessed. We tossed it into the waves a few times, and he chased it like it owed him money, but by the end of the session… it had mysteriously vanished. Whether it was claimed by the sea or secretly buried for safekeeping, we may never know. One thing’s for sure—Larry had zero regrets.

We wrapped up the session with a big shake (sand everywhere), a rinse in the shallows, and plenty of treats. Larry, clearly exhausted but proud, trotted off back to the car as if to say, “Yep. Crushed it.”

Dogs like Larry are why we love what we do. Every wag, every splash, every muddy nose—we live for it. Pet photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about personality, and Larry brought it in spades.

Ocean Grove gave us the perfect backdrop, but Larry? Larry gave us the story. And afterall, photography is about the story!

Would you love a Beach Session for Your Pup?

Whether they’re a wave chaser like Larry or just in it for the salty sniffs and sunshine, beach sessions are all about letting dogs be dogs—and capturing their spirit in the wild

Drop us a message, bring the treats, and let’s make some magic. 🐾

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