Why We Love Photographing Families with Their New Dog
Every few months someone calls the studio and says something like "this is going to sound silly, but can we bring the dog?" It never sounds silly to us. Adding a dog to your family is a big deal, and we think it deserves the same kind of documentation as any other family milestone.
We had a session recently that turned into exactly what we hope for every time. A family came in to do a portrait session with their new puppy, and about 30 minutes in, everyone ended up on the studio floor. Not because we posed it that way. Because the puppy wouldn't sit still, the daughter thought that was hilarious, and pretty soon the whole family was down there with him in a pile, laughing.
That's the photo everyone remembers from the session. Not the nicely composed one on the bench. The floor one.
Why studio sessions work well for families with dogs
A lot of people assume outdoor sessions are the only option when a dog is involved, but our Midtown studio actually works in our favor here. There's no leash pulling toward a squirrel, no traffic noise spooking anyone, no worrying about mud before a session. Just soft natural light, room to move, and enough space for everyone (two legs and four) to actually relax.
Dogs read a room fast. When the space is calm, they settle in faster than you'd expect, which is when the real moments happen. The tail wag mid laugh. The kid whispering something in the dog's ear. The dog deciding the middle of the family pile is exactly where he belongs.
This works whether your dog is brand new or has been with you for years
We hear from a lot of families right after they've brought home a puppy or adopted a rescue, and that timing makes sense, that stage moves fast. But we also love photographing dogs who've been part of the family for a while. If your dog is part of your daily life, they're part of your family's story, and that's worth having real photos of, not just what's on your phone.
What to expect if you bring your dog into the studio
We don't need your dog to perform or hold a sit-stay the whole time. Honestly, the sessions that go a little sideways are usually the best ones. We build in time for your dog to sniff around and get comfortable before we start shooting, and we're not precious about fur on the studio floor or a little chaos in the frame. Hair and makeup is available on site if you'd like it for the humans in the family, and the dog can join in as much or as little as makes sense for your family.
If your family has grown by four legs recently, or you've just never gotten around to it, we'd love to have you in for a session.
