Puppy Photoshoots – A Saint Bernard Birth Story

It’s National Puppy Day and we’ve got a blog full of cute puppy photos for you! I was lucky enough to be present for the birth of my Saint Bernard, Puzzle. Each week after I traveled to Austin each week to photograph her entire litter and it was so much fun watching them grow! Here are a few of my favorite puppy photos from Puzzle’s birth story and first 8 weeks.

On the night of her birth, we kept watching for signs of labor, jumping anxiously every time her mom took a deep breath or shifted her weight. We ordered pizza, watched movies, fell asleep on the couch, and finally, in the early morning hours, mama Ellie went into labor.

Puzzle was the second puppy out and immediately I knew she was the one. Call it fate, call it a cosmic connection, call it whatever you like, but I loved that puppy from her very first breath.

While everyone was enamored with the adorable splotch on her muzzle, I knew the universe had a hand in bringing her to me by the mark on the back of her neck. One of my favorite features on Jake was the white heart atop his head, and there in brown on the back of this puppy’s neck was the matching piece.

I lost Jake 13 days after Puzzle was born. The pain was unimaginable, but I knew a piece of him lived on in Puzzle and I welcomed the distraction of driving from Dallas to Austin to snuggle and photograph the puppies each week, hoping all the while that after evaluations, Puzzle would be my puppy.

Growth Chart Puppy Photos

Early on I knew I wanted to photograph growth charts for the puppies. It was Dementhon Saint Bernard’s “J” litter, so we posed the puppies next to the letter J for weekly growth chart updates. Puzzle’s litter name was “Jade,” not far from my heart dog, “Jake.” I still can’t believe how fast she grew.

Saint Bernard puppy posing next to the letter J showing growth from 2 weeks to 8 weeks old.

2 Week Puppy Photos

We also photographed small themed vignettes. At 2 weeks, we placed the puppies on a steamer trunk suitcase to create cute photos of the entire litter.

Saint Bernard puppies sleeping on and in front of a brown leather steamer trunk.

4 Week Puppy Photos

At 4 weeks we photographed the puppies with Tonya’s adorable granddaughter. If you thought puppy photos couldn’t get any cuter, check out the sheer joy of these photos.

6 Week Puppy Photos

At 6 weeks, we swaddled the puppies in green and created cute photos in a hammock. Admittedly as a four-legged-only mom, I had no idea how to swaddle a dog so a quick trip to YouTube was in order. Puzzle could barely keep her eyes open and eventually crossed her paws as she napped…a signature move of Jake’s.

Saint Bernard puppy yawns while laying in a hammock, swaddled in a green wrap.
Five Saint Bernard puppies sleep in a hammock.

7 Week Puppy Photos

At 7 weeks, we swaddled the puppies in pink and blue and created cute photos of them napping in a basket. Puzzle was less amused by these photos, but eventually snuggled into the blanket.

Saint Bernard puppy swaddled in a pink blanket with a pink flower on her head naps on a fuzzy blanket.

8 Weeks

Then at 8 weeks, Puzzle was officially mine! I named her Dementhons Joined at the Heart, call name Puzzle, as a tribute to the matching piece that joined her to Jake. She is my pride and joy, she makes me smile every day, and I will be forever grateful that I was chosen to be her mom.

For more cute puppy photos, head over to our National Puppy Day blog post.

Important Considerations for Puppy Photoshoots

If you recently added a puppy to your family, Haute Dog Pet Photography offers adorable puppy photoshoots in the safety of our studio or your home that capture the joy and innocence of your little bundle of fur. When booking a puppy photoshoot, there are several important factors to consider, with safety being paramount. Firstly, ensure that the photographer has experience working with animals, particularly puppies, as they require patience and understanding to capture their best moments without causing stress. It’s also crucial to select a location that is safe and comfortable for your puppy, preferably familiar surroundings where they feel at ease. Discuss any specific concerns or requirements with the photographer beforehand, such as avoiding potentially hazardous props or environments.

Contact us for priority scheduling for your puppy photos so we don’t miss a moment!

UPDATE! Puzzle turned ONE and we celebrated with the ultimate birthday photo session. Check it out HERE!