New parents smiling on bed holding newborn baby with golden retriever dog lying at their feet.
Sleeping newborn baby in cream ribbed gown with wooden buttons and floral headband, hands raised, lying on soft green background.
Golden retriever rests in foreground while smiling couple cuddles newborn baby on bed in soft focus background.
A couple tenderly holds their sleeping newborn baby girl wearing a floral headband in a warm, intimate portrait.

You just brought home a new baby, and your dog has opinions about it. She's sniffing the swaddle, circling the bassinet, and making it very clear that she is not about to be left out of the picture… literally. Sound familiar?! If you've been wondering whether to include your fur baby in your newborn session, I want you to hear this loud and clear: yes, please do! Pets are family! And as a Greendale family photographer who has seen a dog crash a newborn session in the best possible way, I can tell you that some of the most beautiful, real moments happen when the whole crew is in the frame together.


I shot a newborn session in a client's home not too long ago. They had a dog, and honestly, the family wasn't totally sure whether they wanted to include her. We started setting up, getting into those first quiet newborn poses, and it became very clear very fast that this dog was not going to sit on the sidelines. She jumped right in.

A golden retriever dog gently rests beside a sleeping newborn baby wearing a floral headband on a bed.

And I mean that literally. She nudged her way into the frame, curled up next to the baby, and looked like she had been waiting her whole life for this moment. We ended up with some of the sweetest photos of her snuggled into this new family of four and we still grabbed plenty of shots without her for variety. But those ones with the dog? Irreplaceable moments that this family can remember forever now!


This session reminded me why I will always, always encourage families to include their pets. Especially when you're adding a new baby to the mix, there is something incredibly tender about capturing the family's first baby (the dog) welcoming the newest member home. Those are the photos you are going to want on your wall.

A happy couple sits on a bed with their newborn baby and golden retriever dog in a cozy bedroom.
A young mother in a burgundy sweater sits cross-legged, tenderly holding her newborn baby close to her face.
A golden retriever dog curled up sleeping next to a peacefully sleeping newborn baby on a gray bed.
A smiling father gently cradles his newborn baby girl wearing a floral headband while sitting on a bed.
Close-up of soft newborn baby feet wrapped in a cozy beige knit blanket.

Here's what I wish more families knew before they even reached out to book: including your pet takes a lot of patience. A lot! And that is completely okay. It's something I come prepared for. When we are in the middle of a session and the dog is doing her thing, the most important thing for parents to do is keep looking at me and keep smiling. I'll handle getting the pet's attention. The second I get it, I need you looking at the camera… or at the baby, depending on the prompt. That split second is where the magic lives, and my job is to catch it.


What sometimes trips families up is thinking they need to manage everything at once. You don't. That's what I'm there for. Breathe through the chaos, trust the process, and let me capture the chaos!

Here's what I wish more families knew before they even reached out to book: including your pet takes a lot of patience. A lot! And that is completely okay. It's something I come prepared for. When we are in the middle of a session and the dog is doing her thing, the most important thing for parents to do is keep looking at me and keep smiling. I'll handle getting the pet's attention. The second I get it, I need you looking at the camera… or at the baby, depending on the prompt. That split second is where the magic lives, and my job is to catch it.


What sometimes trips families up is thinking they need to manage everything at once. You don't. That's what I'm there for. Breathe through the chaos, trust the process, and let me capture the chaos!

A smiling couple sits with their golden retriever dog while the woman holds their sleeping newborn baby with a floral headband.
Sleeping newborn baby girl in floral headband and beige outfit nestled in a wicker basket.
A couple smiles at their sleeping newborn baby while a golden retriever dog looks on curiously indoors.

Here's how we set these sessions up for success:

Let the dog be part of it from the start

Don't wait until the end of the session to bring the pet in, hoping everyone is tired enough to cooperate. Let the dog sniff around, get comfortable with me and the equipment, and settle into the space. The more natural the environment feels, the better.


Someone holds the leash

Having a partner, family member, or even an older sibling hold the dog between shots keeps things moving without turning it into a chaotic free-for-all. We can always crop out a hand or adjust positioning.


Keep your eyes on me, not on the dog

This is the big one. I know it feels instinctive to look at your pet when they're being unpredictable, but the moment you look away from the camera is often the moment I get the shot. Trust me to redirect the dog's attention… that's my job, and I genuinely love that part of it.


Expect a few rounds of "almost"

Pets are, as I like to say, predictable in being unpredictable. Some shots will be blurry. Some the dog will turn away right as I click. That's part of it. We keep going, we stay loose, and the good ones come.


Don't stress about getting it perfect

The goal isn't a perfectly posed pet portrait. It's capturing your family as you actually are right now. A little chaotic, full of love, and all together. Those imperfect, real moments are what make the photos worth everything!

Pets are part of the family story. Full stop. And newborn sessions are one of those chapters that goes by so fast you'll blink and wonder where it went. Including your dog (or cat, if they're brave enough) means the whole story gets captured, not just the baby but the full picture of who your family was in this season.


I became a photographer because I wanted to help families hold onto these fleeting, beautiful, sometimes messy moments. A dog snuggled up next to a newborn? That's a memory worth keeping. It's the kind of photo that ends up framed on the wall and pointed to for years: "Look, that's when we brought you home and the dog immediately claimed you."

A couple sits on a bed with their newborn baby while a golden retriever dog rests beside them.

If you've been on the fence about whether to include your pet when you bring your little one home, I hope this helps persuade you, in the best way possible!


Are you expecting and already thinking about how to fit the dog into the frame? I would love to work with you! I photograph newborn sessions in-home throughout the Greendale area, including Franklin, Oak Creek, Hales Corners, and surrounding communities, and I genuinely love working with families (and their pets) to capture this season of life in a way that feels real and true to you. Head over to the main website to learn more or reach out to get on my calendar. Your dog is already excited. Let's make it official!

A golden retriever rests beside a sleeping newborn baby held by a parent in a cozy family portrait.
Happy couple sitting on a bed smiling and holding their newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket.
A proud father with dark hair and beard tenderly holds his sleeping newborn baby girl wearing a floral headband.
A mother in a burgundy sweater tenderly holds her sleeping newborn baby wrapped in a cream swaddle with a floral headband.
A couple sits on a bed with their newborn baby and golden retriever dog in a cozy bedroom setting.