As an Indianapolis Photographer, I love creating cake smash sessions that feel personal and intentional. No two setups are ever the same. Each session is customized based on my clients’ preferences, say, along with my own creative direction. That flexibility is one of the reasons families come back year after year.
Occasionally, parents ask if they can include their dog in a cake smash session. While it is not common, it is absolutely possible. If your dog is part of your daily life, it can make sense to include them in this milestone too.
When Including Your Dog Makes Sense
You know your dog better than anyone else. Before deciding to include them, it is important to think through a few things. Is your dog comfortable around your baby? Are they calm when food is nearby? These questions matter, especially during a cake smash session where excitement and movement are part of the experience.
Safety always comes first in my studio. As an Indianapolis newborn Photographer, I am used to reading cues, slowing things down, and adjusting when needed. That same approach applies here. If at any point it feels like too much, we pause or pivot.
Timing Is Everything
I do not recommend starting a cake smash session with your dog. Once cake is introduced, things can change quickly. Instead, I focus on capturing the main cake smash images first. Once we have those, we can thoughtfully bring your dog into the session.
This keeps the experience calm and controlled while still allowing space for those meaningful images that include every member of your family.
A Session That Feels Like Your Family
When including a dog works well, it adds something special to the final gallery. It makes the session feel specific to your family and not like something copied from a trend. These are the kinds of details that matter over time.
If you are considering a cake smash session and wondering whether your dog can be part of it, I am always happy to talk it through. As an Indianapolis Photographer who works closely with growing families, my goal is to create sessions that feel natural, thoughtful, and personal from start to finish.
