Photogenic Genius or Photgraphic Goof?

[Nancy Sunderland]

This past Friday we had to re-schedule our family pictures because the weather was nice and my husband had to bale & chop hay, pick up big bales, etc., yada yada yada before it rained (today), which it did, and still is. Anyway, we rescheduled the photo shoot for NEXT Saturday, sounds fine right? Well, our puppy comes home on FRIDAY... I can't bear to leave our newbie cutie alone on her second day, so naturally I thought, let's include the pup in the picture? The photographers are award winning and nationally aclaimed, and the shoot will be indoors in the studio, in a private room with a door. I've worked with this group since I had my senior portraits done, many moons ago... What does everyone think? Include the new pup, leave her crated, or get Grandma to babysit?

Second issue: If we include the new pup, shouldn't we then also include our existing dogs? (They are BIG) We have two adult Labs, our 6 year old black lab is HUGE, and our 2 year old yellow/white phantom boy is well, not very well trained.

All of a sudden I have a prospect of a photo shoot with:
1) Two adults
2) Four daughters (10, 5, 3, 13 months)
3) Three dogs!

So, I want to include the puppy, and not the big boys, does that make me mean or just practical? I would have to REALLY bathe/shampoo/de-shed/groom, de-stinkify my labs the same day as bringing a new puppy home, all the while, everyone has urged me NOT to introduce the pup to the boys too soon.... Oh boy, Any suggestions?

(Attached was our last years picture which my mom took, outside by our farm)

[Nancy Sunderland]

http://www.beltramistudios.com/

[Tammy & Gracie]

I don't know. But as a young pup on it's first day at home, you and she will be exhausted. Maybe you should leave her home to sleep in her crate?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thinking back to our first day home with our puppy, I'm thinking she would probably be better off staying with Grandma. Those first couple of days are a big transition, and they are a little confused and lonesome. Taking her out for the family picture may cause a little too much stress. I would imagine she will also be tired from the trip. I'm sure Grandma would love to cuddle with her.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I know how exciting it is, and you want to show off that new puppy....BUT ...Leave poor Sable home with Grandma to adjust to her new surrondings. You don't want Sable to get sick or catch something, and she needs to be fully immunized with her shots. Also with introducing her to your boys, along with the rest of the family is really a lot for a puppy in one day. Take pics with your cell phone, or camera and you can post them on DK for all of us to see.....

[Adrianne Matzkin]

What are the chances the photographer will come to you?? Then you can shoot pics with everyone

[Nancy Sunderland]

Too much $$$ to have them come to us, I think I'll stick with no dogs; three is too many, and one wouldn't be fair! We'll do a "Christmas Card Photo" with the whole gang I think, thanks everyone for helping!!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I would say leave all the dogs out of the picture. You wouldnt want to play favorites. Also adding a puppy is another hassle because they squirm and wont look at the camera well. There's my 2 cents.

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

Great family photo, very natural, not posed. You could take a pic of the new pup surrounded the kids and then when the pup is older, take an all dog shot. I would get everyone cleaned up, make sure the dogs are tired before you take the picture and include everyone. It doesn't have to be taken the day she arrives. Give her some time to settle in, she won't grow THAT fast. :-) Good luck, whatever you decide on.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I missed the pic the first time. Hey I will make you a deal I will trade you one of my boys for one of your girls. I will take the little redhead! ;o) You cant have my 2 youngest but the 19 and 21yr old are all yours. LOL! Hey you can have them both!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Could I give away my 21 year old? Please, please. He is a nice kid but college is way expensive and he is just too casual about it. I would trade for any dog - even a non-doodle! Any takers??????
Seriously, I would consider taking the new pup. A photo is only a grabbed moment in time, it doesn't have to include everything you hold dear. I say if the pup isn't too wiggly, take her along in a crate and if the moment is right, put her in the picture. It doesn't mean you don't love the other dogs, the puppy is the new moment in your life. Enjoy! Puppies and children are only little for a short time so capture it. I don't think there are going to be germs to make the dog sick at a photography studio - people take new babies for photos before they "have all of their shots!"

[Nancy Sunderland]

Yup, but they have to come work on the farm, but I should warn you, the red head is a little wild. My husband is training her to be a UFC fighter....I'm only half joking...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Deal!!! He is a good worker - not lazy at all, just casual about the need to study until you actually know the material for a class.
And I love little wild red heads - just my favorite type of "monkey." As for the UFC stuff - my other son and daughter-in-law both teach martial arts (tae kwon do) plus she also has a black belt in judo. All my kids are into climbing (called bouldering) so I just think we could keep her busy, busy, busy. I am ready to be a gramma and grammas have lots and lots of patience!