If you just had your first human baby, your whole family dynamic changes in those first few weeks. The newborn part of your journey goes by so fast. Documenting it authentically includes making your pets a part of the photos. These tips on how to include your dog in your newborn photos will make your session so much easier!

Ease Your Dog Into The Photos

Your dog’s comfort will make the photos turn out SO much better. As soon as I get to a session I let your dog sniff me and my camera bag. Most of the time they start out pretty hyper and calm down mid-way through the photos. It is easier to bring them in for photos later. But for the first section of your session they can walk in and out as they please! If your dog has never seen a big camera before they might be a little hesitant at first. They almost always come around quickly. If your dog has a favorite spot on the couch or bed, it is always a good idea to include that as an area for your session to take place. A comfortable pet is a happy pet! Depending on your specific dog, sometimes it is best for one partner to be on baby duty and one partner to be on dog duty and take care of both babies at the same time throughout the session.

Pre-Photoshoot Walk

A walk is the perfect way to get a little energy out of a higher energy dog! I know getting ready for your newborn session is already a little overwhelming, but this is a worthwhile step. Starting out the session at a lower energy level makes them simmer down quicker. My newborn sessions are at least an hour long, so it is totally fine if you aren’t 100% ready when I get there. We spend the first little bit of the session looking around the areas you want to use for your session and talking through the process. This also helps your dog (and you!) get used to me being in your space.

Have Special Treats On Hand

Another one of my go-to things for newborn sessions with dogs is giving them a treat when I walk in your house! We can talk ahead of time about what their favorite treat is. We can make sure you have some available in your house. Treats also work great for a little positive reinforcement throughout your session. 

In-home Sessions Are Perfect

Being able to include your whole family is one of the best parts of an in-home session! These sessions are the perfect way to romanticize your new life, and the blending of your fur babies with your human baby. We can also have your newborn session in a studio, but the charm of being in your own environment is unmatched! You and your dog are already comfortable in your house. I want your session to feel easy. It is also a LOT less stressful to have all the things you need for your human baby and your dog in one place. It is a lot easier to get ready for your session when you’re not the one packing and leaving your space. We don’t need your house to be in perfect shape for your session either! Read more about my in-home session tips in these other posts:

HOW TO PLAN YOUR IN-HOME SESSION

FIVE TIPS FOR YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

HOW TO CHOOSE A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER 

I always appreciate being let into your home during such a vulnerable time for you and your family. It means the world to me to be able to give you photos where you can look back on exactly how you were feeling during the newborn phase of your life. 

If you are interested in booking your own newborn session, check out my packages HERE

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