Wegman was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts. While living in Long Beach, California, Wegman acquired the first of many dogs, Man Ray, and created a series of photographs involving the dog in different poses or costumes. Following Man Ray's death in 1986, Wegman acquired Fay, who became his new subject. In 1989, he was commissioned to create a series of artistic yet educational concept shorts for Sesame Street, using Fay and her pups, and in more recent years, their pups. Wegman wrote, directed, and provided deadpan narration for the segments, including an appearance in "Elmo's World: Dogs."