Can Your Dog Be Part of Newborn Photos? This Arlington Heights Session Says Yes
One of the most common questions I get from expecting parents who have a dog is some version of: "Is it weird to want our dog in the newborn photos?" It's not weird. It's usually one of the best parts of the gallery.
This first-baby session in Arlington Heights is a good example of why. The family's dog, Olive, followed us everywhere — genuinely everywhere, from room to room, underfoot during outfit changes, curled up nearby during quiet moments. Nobody had to coax her into a single frame. She just did what dogs do, which is stay close to the people she loves, and that alone gave us some of the sweetest images of the whole session.
Your dog doesn't need special preparation
I don't ask families to train their dog for a session or plan a specific "dog moment." Olive wasn't posed or directed — she simply existed in the space the way she always does, and that unscripted presence is exactly what made her part of the story instead of a prop added to it. If your dog is nervous around new people, we work around that too. But for a dog like Olive, comfortable and curious in her own home, the best approach is almost always just to let her be herself.
What to wear, and why it matters more than people expect
This family's wardrobe choices ended up being a great example of what actually works well in photos. We stuck with neutrals and added a small pop of color rather than anything matchy or overly coordinated, mixing in a few different textures so the images had some visual depth instead of looking flat. Mom wore a dress for part of the session, then changed into pants later — not because anything was wrong with the first outfit, but because comfort matters as much as the look itself, especially a week or two into life with a new baby. Both outfits photographed beautifully, and the changeover barely interrupted the flow of the session. (For more on building a wardrobe that photographs well without overthinking it, see my full guide to what to wear for an in-home newborn session.)
A relaxed house, a relaxed session
This was a beautiful home to shoot in, but what actually made the session work wasn't the house — it was how relaxed everyone in it was. When the baby needed a bottle partway through, we simply paused and picked back up once she'd finished, no rush, no stress about losing time. That kind of ease shows up in the images themselves. Nobody was performing for the camera; everyone was just living in their own home for an afternoon, dog included.
If you have a dog and you're wondering whether they belong in your newborn photos, the answer is almost always yes. Reach out here and let's talk about an in-home session in Arlington Heights that includes your whole family — four legs and all.
FAQ
Can my dog be part of our newborn session? — Yes, always — pets are part of the family story, and most dogs need no special preparation at all.
- What if our dog is nervous around new people or cameras? — That's fine too; we work at whatever pace keeps your dog comfortable, even if that means fewer or shorter moments together.
- What should we wear for a newborn session? — Neutral tones with one small pop of color and a mix of textures photograph beautifully. Bringing a comfortable backup outfit is a great idea, too.
- What if our baby needs a feeding break during the session? — Completely normal — we simply pause and pick back up once your baby's ready.
