So many Calgary families tell me the same thing during our planning call: “Our dog was our first baby.” I completely understand, and I love hearing it. Including your dog in newborn photos is one of my favourite parts of what I do, because those images capture the full story of your family, not just a chapter of it. Over the years I have photographed golden retrievers resting their chins beside sleeping babies, tiny dachshunds curled up next to bassinets, and senior dogs meeting their newest family member for the very first time. Every single one of those sessions followed the same careful structure, and that is exactly what I want to share with you here.
Why Including Your Dog in Newborn Photos Is Worth It
Your dog has been part of your daily life for years. They have walked the river pathways with you, waited by the door every evening, and probably slept on the nursery floor while you assembled the crib. Leaving them out of your newborn session means leaving out a family member.
There is also something practical here. Dogs age faster than we do. Ten years from now, these photos may be the only professional portraits you have of your dog with your child. Parents rarely regret including their pet. They often regret leaving them out.
You can see how naturally pets fit into these sessions by browsing my newborn photography portfolio, where several of my favourite images include a furry sibling tucked quietly into the frame.
Dog and Baby Photo Safety Rules I Never Bend
Dog and baby photo safety is not something I improvise on the day. These are the rules I follow at every single session, no exceptions, no matter how gentle or well trained your dog is.
A parent’s hands are always within reach
Baby is never left alone with the dog, not even for the two seconds it takes to adjust a blanket. In any pose where the dog is close to your baby, a parent is right there, often just outside the frame or edited out later if needed. Composite editing lets me create images that look intimate while keeping everyone completely safe the entire time.
The dog approaches on their own terms
I never place a dog into a pose or hold them next to the baby. Instead, we invite them in with calm voices and treats, and we let curiosity do the work. A relaxed dog gives us soft ears, gentle eyes, and natural body language. A stressed dog gives us none of that, and forcing the moment is where problems start. Photographers across North America follow this same principle, and this newborn and dog photoshoot safety guide echoes what I practise at every session.
We read the room constantly
Lip licking, yawning, turned heads, and pacing are all signs your dog needs a break. When I see them, we pause. Your dog goes to another room with a treat and some water, and we photograph other setups. We only bring them back when they are settled. Most sessions need only ten to fifteen minutes of the dog’s participation to get everything we want.
How I Structure Including Your Dog in Newborn Photos
Structure is what turns a potentially chaotic morning into a calm one. Here is how I organize the pet portion of a session:
- Dog shots come first or in one focused block. I photograph the dog while they are fresh and curious, before they lose interest, then they are free to relax for the rest of the session.
- Baby is settled before the dog enters. A fed, sleeping baby means we are not managing two unpredictable subjects at once.
- One handler, one job. One parent manages the dog with treats and a leash if needed. I focus entirely on the camera and on baby.
- Simple, grounded setups. Baby stays safely in a bassinet, on a bed, or in a parent’s arms. The dog rests beside, never on top of or over the baby.
The result is a handful of setups that feel effortless in the final gallery: your dog’s nose gently pointed toward the baby, the whole family on the bed together, or a wide shot of your dog watching over the bassinet from a respectful distance.
Why In-Home Sessions Make Newborn Photos with Pets Feel Calm
When a family tells me they want their pet included, I almost always recommend an in-home session rather than bringing the dog to a studio. Your dog already knows the smells, the sounds, and the routines of your home. There is no car ride, no strange environment, and no waiting in an unfamiliar space. That familiarity shows up in the photos as relaxed body language and genuine curiosity about the baby.
In-home sessions also mean your dog can come and go. After their portion is done, they nap in their favourite spot while I photograph baby’s details, parent poses, and sibling shots. If you are also planning portraits with grandparents or older children, an in-home setting keeps everyone comfortable, and having a family pet in the newborn session adds a layer of warmth that a studio simply cannot replicate for animals. Other photographers who specialize in these sessions agree that home is the calmest setting, as this thoughtful piece on bringing your dog into newborn photos safely explains beautifully.
Preparing Your Family Pet Before Session Day
A little preparation goes a long way. Here is what I ask families to do in the weeks before I arrive:
- Exercise your dog that morning. A long walk before I arrive means a calmer dog during the session.
- Practise “sit” and “stay” near the bassinet. Even five minutes a day in the week before makes a noticeable difference.
- Grab a fresh groom. A bath a day or two before the session keeps fur looking soft in close-up shots.
- Stock up on high-value treats. Something special they only get on big occasions holds attention far better than everyday kibble.
- Introduce baby’s scent early. Let your dog sniff a blanket from the hospital before baby comes home, so the session is not their first encounter with that new smell.
Because newborn sessions happen in the first weeks of life, timing matters too. If you are wondering how flexible scheduling works around your due date, I explain the whole process in my post on when to schedule newborn photos if your baby comes early or late.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my dog will not cooperate on the day of the session?
It happens, and it is never a problem. I build extra flexibility into pet sessions, and if your dog is having an off day, we take breaks, try again later in the session, or use composite editing to combine a great baby shot with a great dog shot. I have never left a session without at least one image the family loves.
Can you include cats or other pets in newborn photos too?
Absolutely. Cats are less predictable than dogs, so I photograph them wherever they happen to settle rather than posing them. Newborn photos with pets of any kind follow the same principle: safety first, patience always, and no forcing the moment.
Do you offer pet-friendly sessions in your studio as well?
My studio sessions are designed around newborn posing and props, so I reserve pet portraits for in-home sessions where animals are most comfortable. Many families choose a hybrid approach: an in-home session with the dog, followed by a luxury newborn studio session in Calgary for the classic posed portraits.
If your dog was your first baby, I would be honoured to tell that story for you. At Amanda Dams Photography, I create luxury newborn and maternity portraits for families across Calgary and the surrounding areas, with every detail handled for you, from planning and styling to heirloom albums and wall art. If you are expecting and dreaming of images that include every member of your family, four-legged ones included, take a look around amandadamsphotography.com and then reach out through my contact page. I would love to hear about your baby, your dog, and the story we will capture together.
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