Can I Bring My Dog to My Newborn Photo Shoot? (Yes, and Here's How to Do It Well)
I am, by my own admission, completely and utterly dog obsessed. Big dogs, especially. My dogs don't get left home with anyone. I have literally rearranged travel plans around them. So when a client messages me asking whether they can bring their dog to their newborn session, my answer is always an enthusiastic yes, with a few things worth knowing first. I have two dogs of my own at home on our half-acre in the Perth Hills, so I understand on a very personal level that your dog isn't an afterthought to your family portrait. They're a founding member.
If you're searching for a newborn photographer in Perth who genuinely welcomes dogs (not just tolerates them), you've found her. Here's how to make it work beautifully.
Your dog is family. Full stop.
The whole point of a newborn session is to capture your family exactly as it is right now, and for a lot of Perth families, that includes a very large, very beloved, possibly slightly dramatic dog who has just been demoted from Only Child to Big Brother or Sister.
That transition deserves to be documented. A newborn snuggled against a dog who has no idea what's just happened to their life? Some of my favourite images I've ever made.
I photograph dogs of all sizes, breeds, and energy levels in my Darlington studio. Big dogs, little dogs, the ones who sit perfectly and the ones who absolutely do not. What matters far more than breed or size is temperament, and you know your dog better than anyone.
The honest bit about safety
Your baby's safety is always my first priority, and I mean that in a very practical, non-negotiable way. I need both of you to help me manage the fur-sibling moment: one parent spotting baby, one parent managing your dog. I don't have a spare set of hands during the session, and I won't pretend otherwise.
Dogs who go into protective mode around you, your baby, or strangers, even out of love, aren't safe to include in the studio. I'll always ask you to reposition your dog if we need them closer to baby, rather than moving the baby toward them. And I do reserve the right to call it if things aren't feeling settled. It's never personal. I
t's just how I keep everyone (including your dog) comfortable.
The good news is that a bit of thought beforehand makes the whole thing so much smoother. Here's what actually works:
Before the session day: If you haven't already, start introducing your dog to the idea of the baby before they arrive home. My client Sacha shared one of the best tips I've heard: "Before baby comes home from hospital, take a blanket home that bub has been wrapped in so the dogs can smell their new human, and when bub comes home, they're a little bit familiar already."
Another long-time client, Sharon, took a similar approach: "We held Luna close and took her to sniff Joshua when we first brought him home. Same with Alisha. We made sure we included her in lots, to sniff and be around both babies as much as possible."
The morning of the shoots it's a good idea to allow your dog to burn off some energy before you arrive. A good walk and a proper sniff around outside the studio before you come in will do wonders. The studio is a genuinely exciting place for a dog, new smells, warm floors, lots going on, and a dog who's already had a run is a much more cooperative subject than one who's been in the car for 40 minutes trying to hold it together.
Bring treats. Non-messy ones, ideally, both for your dog's coat and for my floors. I may need to tuck a little treat into the wrapping layers near baby to get your dog interested in sniffing them, so let me know beforehand if you'd rather keep kisses off the table (no judgement either way).
Also bring a lead, a water bowl, and something familiar from home. Their bed, their blanket, whatever smells like comfort. Familiar scents help settle dogs in new environments.
We'll bring your dog into the session early on, while baby is settled and your dog's curiosity is at its peak. Once they've had their moment in the spotlight, they're usually more than happy to retire to a warm corner while we get on with the rest of the shoot. It tends to work out really well for everyone.
My studio is thoroughly cleaned between every session. If you're a little nervous about a newborn being on the same surfaces a dog has visited, please don't worry. Hygiene is something I take seriously as a matter of course, not just when pets are involved.
Looking the part?
You wouldn't show up to your session without brushing your hair. Same energy applies to your dog. Book them in for a bath and groom beforehand if they're due for one. It genuinely makes a difference to how your images look.
Clipped nails are worth the trip to the groomer too. It reduces the risk of any accidental scratching if your dog startles. And if you want to go all out, a new collar that coordinates with your family's outfits is a genuinely lovely touch.
Is someone available to take them home after?
The dog portion of your session is usually a small part of the overall shoot. After their big moment, most dogs find the warmest patch of floor in the studio and have a very relaxed nap while we continue with the baby. (My studio is warm by design. Sleepy babies, sleepy dogs, it works out.) But if your dog is more of an active type, it's worth having your partner take them for a walk in the gorgeous surrounds near the studio in Darlington while we finish up.
Before you book
Please let me know in your pre-session questionnaire that you're planning to bring your dog, their approximate size, a little about their personality, and whether they've met the baby yet. The more I know going in, the better I can plan your session to get the most out of the time we have together.
I can't wait to meet your whole family. All of them. 🤎
MJ x
Ready to book your newborn session at Little Brown Rabbit Photography in Darlington? Get in touch HERE
In the meantime, head here to read more about how I take safety in my studio seriously.
