Welcoming a newborn into your home changes everything. It also stirs up a major question for pet lovers: can your dog be part of those first photos? At Studio Cath in Chicago, I say yes — but with care, planning, and a few simple precautions.
Why Some Families Want Their Dog in the Newborn Session
Your dog was your first baby. You walked them as a puppy, cheered their tricks, watched their tail wag when they saw you.
Now there’s a tiny human arriving. Including your dog in newborn photos helps capture your family as a whole — furry first, and human next. These images document a unique chapter: the meeting of family’s two worlds.
When done right, they give warmth, authenticity, and that cozy, “our crazy full house” feeling.
What to Do Before the Session to Prepare Dog and Baby
A relaxed dog makes for beautiful photos. Before scheduling your shoot, consider introducing your dog to “baby stuff.” Maybe bring home a blanket or onesie before the baby arrives so your pup can sniff and get used to the scent.
Some vets and child-safety organizations recommend mimicking baby noises or motions (like from a swing) — that helps pets adjust to new sounds and changes.
Good training is important even before your newborn arrives. If your dog responds reliably to basic commands — sit, stay, calm down on cue — that gives your photographer (and your family) more control once the baby is home.
A calm pet helps make the session smoother.
It pays to groom your dog, too. A recent trim and a good brushing can reduce shedding and make sure stray hairs don’t end up in blankets or on clothing.
I would also suggest having a lint roller handy just in case.
What Happens During the Session: Safety Comes First
At Studio Cath, safety is the top concern. When a dog is part of a newborn session, there are a few crucial practices.
First, the baby stays within arm’s reach of a parent or designated adult at all times. If the dog is joining the photos, someone else should manage the pet — maybe gently holding the leash or offering treats — not the person holding the baby.
That way, both baby and dog stay calm and secure.
Also, some of those dreamy, posed photos you see online — baby curled up next to dog, or paws on a crib should be done with care.
Photographers often start with simpler, low-pressure photos: dog alone, baby alone, or parents with baby and dog nearby. Once everyone seems comfortable, we may try gentle family-style frames — always ready to pause or shift plan if dog (or baby) feels uneasy.
Posing Ideas That Work — and What to Avoid
Here are a few tried-and-true pose ideas for newborn sessions with dogs:
- Baby in a swaddle or soft wrap, lying in a basket or crib, while the dog lies calmly nearby or rests a paw on the crib’s edge.
- Parents holding baby (standing or seated), with dog at their feet or gently leaning into the frame — no pressure on the baby.
- Lifestyle-style family photos, where the dog roams nearby — sometimes the most natural, unplanned moments end up being the most touching.
Some poses to avoid: forcing a small puppy or energetic dog to lie still beside a newborn, putting a pet directly on a potentially unstable surface above floor level, or expecting the dog to hold attention for long stretches.
Those setups are more stress than sweet.
Help Your Photographer Capture the Best Moments
Choosing a photographer familiar with pets and newborns makes a big difference. For example, at Studio Cath, I treat newborn sessions with pets the same as any newborn — with patience, breaks, hydrate-and-feed pauses, and slow transitions. Dogs get a chance to sniff around, settle in, and warm up before cameras come out.
You can help by setting aside time for one parent to manage the pet, bringing favorite toys or treats, and allowing extra wiggle room in the schedule.
More so than precise poses, many of the best photos come in those tiny moments: a paw on baby’s crib, a curious sniff, a little fur nose close to a swaddled bundle.
If you’re on the fence, think about what you care most about. Is it a perfectly styled, stylized portrait? Or a real, honest record of how your family introduced your little one? If the latter, including your dog — gently, safely, lovingly — can make those first photos feel even more like “home.”
If you’d like to explore how Studio Cath approaches newborn sessions in Chicago with pets, just say the word. I’d be happy to walk you through how we tailor each shoot to your dog’s personality and your family’s comfort.