Newborn Photos With Dogs: Gentle, Safe, and Joyful

A quiet morning, a tiny boy, and two very proud protectors

This sweet family visited my studio to work with a newborn photographer in Glastonbury who could safely include their dogs in the portraits. When Leif arrived, his parents were ready in all the medical ways you’d expect from two doctors. They knew the terms, the tests, and the timelines. What surprised them wasn’t the science; it was the sleep. The exhaustion hits differently when love keeps you awake. During Leif’s newborn session, they gratefully handed him to me for a few hours of peaceful posing while they sank into the studio sofa and took a breath.

They didn’t come alone. Two enormous, velvet-eyed Doberman Pinschers trotted in like seasoned professionals—gentle, curious, and very ready to be part of the first family portrait as a family of five. The result? A gallery of photographs that show tenderness, structure, and a little comic timing courtesy of wagging tails. If you’re dreaming about newborn photos with dogs, here’s how we made it safe, calm, and genuinely meaningful.

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Why include your dogs in newborn photos?

Dogs are family, full stop. They carried you through long walks in the third trimester, greeted you after every prenatal appointment, and now they’re learning their new role as guardians and greeters. Including pets:

• Tells your real family story instead of a polished highlight reel.

• Helps dogs learn “settle” cues around baby in a supervised, positive setting.

• Creates heirloom portraits you’ll treasure when that tiny newborn hand is suddenly throwing a tennis ball at the dog park.

For Leif’s parents, the dogs weren’t a novelty; they were big siblings. The photographs reflect exactly that.

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Safety first: how we created calm, controlled pet-and-baby portraits

Safety is the backbone of any newborn session, and adding pets just means a few more smart layers. Here’s the framework we used with Leif’s family.

1) Health & environment

• Sanitized, scent-aware studio. Dogs smell everything. We prepped with clean props and neutral scents to avoid over-stimulation.

• Baby’s sleep safety. Positions followed safe sleep rules for awake time vs. supervised posing; nothing compromised his airway or temperature. See the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for safe sleep basics. AAP Safe Sleep

  

2) Temperament check and warm-up

• Dogs met the space first—sniffing, pacing, and getting comfy on designated spots.

• The parents practiced “down,” “stay,” and “place” using treats and praise. If a dog couldn’t hold a cue that day, we’d pivot to compositing or separate portraits.

3) Posing strategy built for pets

• Floor-level setups with a wide backdrop so dogs could stretch into a natural sphinx lay.

• Baby elevated but supported—a secured bucket and padding with a trained assistant inches away, just out of frame.

• One handler per dog. You’ll never see them, but they’re right there, steady hands ready.

  

4) Short windows, big rewards

We photographed dogs first. Twenty minutes of focus is a win for most pets. After that, they got a cuddle break, water, and a comfy bed while we continued with Leif’s individual portraits.

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Posing ideas that work beautifully with dogs

Side-by-side guardians

Leif snoozed in a padded bucket while the Dobermans settled to either side. The symmetry feels regal, and because the dogs are in a down-stay, it’s safe and serene.

Nose-to-toes storytelling

If that hadn’t worked, we could have wrapped the baby snugly and let him peek toward a gentle nose or a watchful paw placed by a handler. Minimal movement, maximum connection.

Family bed portrait

We posed everyone on the bed—parents in the center with Leif swaddled, dogs flanking like loyal sentries. It reads like weekend-morning reality: soft blankets, easy smiles, and one tiny human at the heart of it.

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How to prepare your dogs for a newborn session

Two weeks out

• Refresh obedience cues: sit, down, stay, and leave-it.

• Practice “place” on a mat; reward calmness.

• Rehearse short “modeling moments”: lie down, look toward a treat, release.

Day before

• Long walk or playtime to burn off energy.

• Light grooming: brushed coat, clean paws.

• Pack rewards your dog loves but that aren’t crumbly or smelly.

Session day

• Arrive a few minutes early for sniff time.

• Bring a handler your dog trusts so you can relax into the family portraits.

• Expect flexibility. Some of the best pictures happen between the poses.

For extra peace of mind about dog-baby introductions and reading canine body language, the AAP’s HealthyChildren site and the AVMA have helpful guides:

• Introducing Your Pet to a New Baby (HealthyChildren)

• Pets and Babies Safety Basics (AVMA)

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The flow of Leif’s session (and why it works)

1. Start with the statement portrait
   We opened with the side-by-side guardians pose. Dogs were fresh, parents were excited, and Leif was in that dreamy early nap.

   

2. Move to texture and color
   Leif swaddled in deep teal on a wood plank background brought out his alert eyes. Babies have short wake windows; when he woke up, we shifted to awake portraits with soft expression and gentle hand placement.

   

3. Story sets
   The whimsical “sea of buttons” and the nautical crate scene are designed to cradle baby safely while creating visual interest. Textures, not props, carry the theme.

   

4. Parent portraits
   Skin-to-skin closeness, cheek-to-forehead, and quiet smiles. Parents often say these pictures feel like “proof of love” during the foggy weeks.

   

5. Family bed
   Everyone together—dogs included—anchors the narrative: two doctors, one tiny captain, and the best set of canine first mates.

   

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FAQ: Newborn photos with dogs

Is it safe to include dogs in newborn photos?
Yes—with supervision, trained handlers, and positions that protect baby’s airway and temperature. Dogs should be healthy, vaccinated per your vet’s guidance, and comfortable with basic cues.

What if my dog can’t hold still?
We can create composite images (separate photos blended in editing).

Do dogs have to touch the baby?
Not at all. Many of the most touching portraits show proximity, not contact—dogs resting near baby with everyone relaxed.

What if my baby stays awake?
Awake portraits are wonderful. We wrap for comfort, keep the room warm, and photograph expressions, hands, and tiny toes. A calm, fed baby is perfect—even with open eyes.

For more baby health and practical Q&A delivered by a pediatrician, this video library is parent gold: PedsDocTalk on YouTube.

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Practical checklist for parents bringing dogs to a newborn session

• Vet-approved health, up-to-date preventatives.

• Leash, harness, and a non-slip, neutral mat.

• Favorite low-mess treats and a quiet toy.

• A trusted handler who can step in while you’re in the frame.

• Realistic expectations: we aim for calm, close, and honest—not circus tricks.

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What Leif’s parents said (and what you might feel too)

They arrived tired but excited. A few portraits in, shoulders dropped, breathing slowed, and the room felt soft. Their dogs settled at the foot of the set, heads tilted at every baby sigh. Later on when they got to see all of their photographs—parents cuddled on their bed, baby dreaming in a swirl of teal, dogs bookending the frame—you could see relief. These photographs aren’t just pictures; they’re anchors to a time that otherwise blurs.

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Ready to plan your own newborn photos with dogs?

If your dogs are part of your love story, let’s design a session that feels safe, beautiful, and unmistakably “your family.” We’ll plan poses, practice cues, and create artwork that makes you smile every single time you walk past the wall. Contact us today to book your session.