Babies & Dogs: Two of my favorite things!

When you’re preparing for your newborn session, you’re probably thinking about tiny fingers, sleepy snuggles, and capturing those first precious days. But if you’re anything like me, there’s another member of your family you couldn’t imagine leaving out…

Your dog.

Before your baby arrived, they were your baby. They greeted you at the door every day, curled up beside you on the couch, joined you on adventures, and loved you through every season of life—including your pregnancy. They are the beginning of your family’s story, so it only feels right that they’re part of documenting this next chapter.

As a Connecticut newborn photographer who absolutely loves dogs (of every size!), I encourage families to include their furry family members in their newborn session whenever possible.

Your First Baby Deserves a Place in These Memories

I remember bringing my first baby home to my two dogs. I had so many questions running through my mind.

How would they react?

Would they adjust to sharing our attention?

Would they ever forgive us for taking over their side of the bed?

There were moments of curiosity, moments of adjustment, and eventually something even more beautiful than I could have imagined—a friendship that continues to grow every single year.

Watching my children grow up alongside our dogs has been one of my greatest joys. Looking back at those early photographs reminds me just how much love filled our home from the very beginning.

Those are memories I would never trade.

Why I Love Photographing Dogs During Newborn Sessions

One of my favorite parts of being a newborn photographer is telling your family’s complete story—not just part of it.

Your home isn’t complete without your dog, so why should your newborn gallery be?

Some of my favorite images include:

• Your dog laying beside you while you cuddle your newborn.
• Tiny baby fingers reaching toward a curious nose.
• Your whole family snuggled together on the couch.
• Baby wrapped up while your dog watches over them.
• Sweet little details like baby toes next to well-loved paws.

These photographs become so much more than portraits—they become memories of what life truly looked like during those first few weeks.

Don’t Worry if Your Dog Isn’t “Perfect”

One of the biggest concerns I hear from parents is:

“I would love to include our dog… but I’m worried they won’t cooperate.”

Please don’t let that stop you.

I’ve worked with energetic puppies, senior dogs, rescue dogs, giant dogs, tiny dogs, and everything in between.

We never force anything, and your baby’s safety is always my highest priority.

Typically, we’ll start with your dog while they’re excited to participate, capture those beautiful family images, and then let them relax while we focus on baby portraits. Sometimes all we need is a few minutes to create images you’ll treasure forever.

The best photographs rarely come from perfection—they come from genuine connection.

A Stress-Free Experience for Your Entire Family

Whether your newborn session takes place in my cozy Connecticut studio or in the comfort of your home, I want every member of your family to feel welcome—including the four-legged ones.

I’ll guide you every step of the way so your session feels relaxed, natural, and never rushed.

You don’t have to worry about knowing how to pose your dog or getting everyone to smile at the camera.

That’s my job.

Your job is simply to soak in these fleeting moments.

Because They’re Family Too

Dogs have a way of making a house feel like home.

They’re there before the babies arrive, they patiently adjust to all the changes, and before you know it, they’re following toddlers around the backyard or lying beside them during bedtime stories.

These relationships are so incredibly special.

Years from now, when your children look through their newborn album, they’ll see more than just themselves as babies.

They’ll remember the dog who grew up with them.

The one who patiently watched over tummy time.

The one who stole snacks from little hands.

The one who loved them from the very beginning.

Those memories deserve to be preserved just as much as every tiny yawn and sleepy stretch.

If you’re searching for a Connecticut newborn photographer who welcomes dogs, you’ve found one.

I truly believe your dog is part of your family, and I’d be honored to include them in documenting this beautiful season of your life. Together, we’ll create timeless images that celebrate every member of your growing family—paws included.