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Teeny shelter puppies get an adorable newborn photoshoot

The puppies are only a few weeks old.
 By 
Brian Koerber
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"What happens when a foster mom is also a newborn photographer?" Kelly Frankenburg asked on her blog.

Adorable newborn puppy photos, of course.

Frankenburg is the photographer behind the lens of 11 Sixteen Photography, based out of Richmond, Virginia, which specializes in capturing newborn babies. Recently, she and her husband signed up to help the city's shelter by fostering a few tiny puppies. Naturally, she put her photography skills to work.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"A few days ago we welcomed Mama Paris and her three boy puppies into our home," Frankenburg wrote on her blog. "We will be fostering them until the puppies are eight weeks old and weaned from mama."

The pups, named Tito, Messi, and Love Bug, were only two weeks old when they arrived at Frankenburg's home, making them the perfect subjects for a newborn shoot.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"The shoot was super fun," Frankenburg said in an email. "I kept a heater on to keep them warm during the shoot. They were easy to work with since they’re so sleepy."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Thankfully, mama kept a watchful eye on the whole thing.

"Mama dog followed me into the studio and kept an eye on the pup for about five minutes," she said. "I let her sniff and investigate the situation. I guess she approved, because she left the room and I found her asleep on the couch."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"Tito is the smallest and also the lightest in color," wrote Frankenburg.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"The biggest and darkest one is Love Bug, named by my daughter.  He’s getting ready to cut his first tooth any second," she wrote.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Messi is named after the soccer star Lionel Messi.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

According to Frankenburg, the puppies will be available for adoption through the Richmond Animal Care and Control in the upcoming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled if you're responsible and ready to give one of these cute dogs a forever home.

Of course, a newborn shoot wouldn't be complete without a few pics of mom. Frankenburg says that although Paris is still a little scared, she's been following her around her home, and is beginning to open up.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I am so excited to spend some time with her, teaching her to trust, and letting her have some fun running in the yard," she wrote.

Frankenburg will be sharing pupdates to her Facebook page, as well as her Instagram.

[h/t: People]

Topics Animals

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Brian Koerber

Brian was the Culture Editor and has been working at Mashable on the web culture desk since 2014.

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