Seattle Family Photos with Pets: How to Include Them (Without Chaos)

If your dog, cat, or other furry companion feels like part of your family (because they are), it’s only natural to want them included in your family photos.

But many parents hesitate.
What if it’s too much? What if they don’t listen? What if it turns into chaos?

The truth is, it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, and a lot of flexibility, Seattle family photos with pets can be just as relaxed, emotional, and honest as any other session.

Here’s how I help families include their animals without pressure, no matter their personality.

1. Decide when your pet should be involved

For in-home sessions, I usually suggest starting with your pet present and letting them fade out naturally when they’re ready. If we’re outdoors or in a studio, we can include them for the first portion of the session, then have a friend or partner take them home or on a walk.

They don’t need to be in every photo, just the ones that feel like them.

2. Build a small activity around your pet

The best images come from moments, not posing. Whether it’s cuddling on the couch, tossing a toy in the yard, or simply letting your dog lay across your feet, we work with your animal’s natural rhythm.

Including pets in family photo sessions works best when it feels like part of your real life, not something staged.

3. Let go of perfection

Your dog doesn’t need to sit perfectly still. Your cat might walk through the frame mid-snuggle. And honestly? That’s part of what makes it beautiful.

Some of the most heartfelt images come when your child is hugging the dog mid-laugh or when your cat quietly curls into your lap.

There’s no need to control the moment. We make space for it.

4. Tell me about your pet before the session (and know that I love animals)

When you book, just let me know a little about your pet, whether they’re calm, high-energy, or somewhere in between. I’ve worked with nervous rescues, clingy cats, farm animals, and excitable puppies. I tailor the session to support what your animal needs.

And just so you know, I truly don’t mind if your dog jumps on me or wants attention for the first five minutes.
If your cat rubs up on my leg, disappears halfway through, or demands a photo of their own, I’m all in.

I’m a lifelong animal lover, and I welcome pets of all kinds into my sessions. They’re part of your family story, and they absolutely belong.

Final Thought:

Family photos don’t have to be quiet or controlled.
They can be layered, joyful, unpredictable, and filled with the creatures who make your life fuller.

Including your pet doesn’t add chaos, it adds depth, comfort, and connection.

Looking for Seattle family photos with pets included?
I offer relaxed, film-based sessions that welcome all members of your family, whether they walk on two legs or four.