Baby Henry's In-Home Newborn Session With His Pets


There’s something magical about capturing the joy of a family with their first child. Everything is new—and sometimes a little bit of a jolt from the life you're used to! And mom and dad aren't the only ones who experience change—so do furry friends! So it's special when clients ask me to focus on photographing the whole family together. That's exactly what we did at this newborn session in Bennington, Nebraska—two dogs and one cat included.


Should you include your pets in your family and newborn photos?


In my opinion, yes! Including pets in a newborn session is a meaningful way to celebrate your entire family. For this family, their dogs and cat are important parts of their family’s story. Watching the dog gently approach the baby and sit protectively nearby was heartwarming . The cat, curious yet cautious, added a touch of playfulness to the session—as you'll see, some of my favorite photos are of the cat watching as dad and mom interacted with Baby H.


If you feel confident in the safety of your baby around your animals, you should absolutely include your pets in your session. Obviously, safety is paramount, and scared or nervous pets might not be a good fit for photography around newborns, so don't be afraid to say "maybe we'll wait 'til the baby's older to do photos with the pets!". That is absolutely OK!


Another thing—you don't have to include your pets in every frame. I have many clients who want just a few photos with their newborn and pets, and I think this is a great compromise. It allows you to capture the whole crew without adding the stress of trying to wrangle pets and a potentially unpredictable baby on top of it. For more lifestyle-focused sessions, I do love to allow pets to just wander and interact with the family and baby the way they might when a photographer isn't present. It's special to see how your whole family lives together!


Including pets is another benefit to in-home newborn sessions. Photographing your baby at your home offers an intimate and personal experience, because you can relax in your own space, surrounded by the details that make their home special—from special touches in the nursery to the snuggles on the couch with your new family (including furry companions!).


Looking for a pet-friendly newborn photographer who loves good light and good dogs?


If you're considering a newborn session, consider including your pets! (From my perspective, I wouldn't say that just to say it—I include our dogs in my own family's photos!) Our pets are part of our families, and from a visual storytelling perspective, they add a layer of "what life is really like at this moment in time" that makes your session meaningful.


To the wonderful S family, thank you for inviting me into your home and trusting me to capture your new chapter with baby Henry. Your love and connection were inspiring, and I hope these photos will be cherished for years to come! (And thanks for including your fur babies, too!). 


If you’re ready to document your family’s story—fluffy friends included—I’d be honored to photograph your family. Let's talk here.