How to Prepare for a Newborn Photography Session with Siblings.

As a newborn photographer, I understand that preparing siblings for a newborn photography session can be a daunting task. It’s important to create a fun and safe environment that allows siblings to be themselves while capturing timeless moments with their new baby brother or sister. In this blog post, I’ll share tips and advice to help parents prepare their children for a successful

 

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1. Give your Older Children a Heads up

The first step in preparing siblings for a newborn photography session is to start the conversation early. As soon as you book your newborn photography session, let your children know what to expect. Explain that a  photographer is so excited to take pictures of your family, and will be photographing them with their new sibling. Involve your children in the preparation process by showing them photos of other families and their siblings that have done newborn photography sessions. This will give them an idea of what to expect and make them more comfortable with the idea. If your child is style conscious, you can choose a couple of different outfits that will work well for photos, and let them choose between them for which outfit they would like to wear for their photography session with the family and their newborn sibling.

2. Emphasize the Importance of Safety

Newborn photography sessions with siblings often will attempt to get to have your little one hold or be close to your older children for the photo. The age of your child will really dictate what type of photo your photographer can safely photograph. Explain to your children that the photographer will be handling their baby sibling and that they need to be gentle and follow the photographer’s instructions. Reinforce the importance of staying in one place and not running around during the session. By emphasizing safety, you’ll give your children a sense of responsibility and help them understand the importance of being calm and patient.

3. Get Them Excited

A newborn photography session with siblings should be a fun and exciting experience for everyone involved. Get your children excited about the session by involving them in the planning process. Let them help you choose outfits and props for the session. This will give them a sense of ownership and make them more invested in the experience. Show them photos of other families that have done newborn photography sessions with siblings and talk about how much fun it was. By getting them excited, you’ll help them feel more comfortable and relaxed during the session. Children will often mimic our moods. If we present the session as a fun adventure where they can big the big brother or sister and help take care of the baby, they may be more inclined to cooperate

4. Practice at Home

Before the session, take some time to practice at home. Have your little one practice holding your baby while on the bed, or sitting on the floor. This will help your children feel more comfortable and confident during the session. It will also give you a chance to see what works and what doesn’t. If your older child is prone to just stand up or drop your little one, let your photographer know. This way your photographer can incorporate posing where your baby is safe.

5. Be Flexible

Newborn photography sessions with siblings can be unpredictable, especially if your children are young. Be prepared to be flexible and go with the flow. If your children need a break, take a few minutes to let them run around and blow off some steam. If they’re not comfortable with a certain pose or prop, don’t push it. It’s important to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere, so everyone can enjoy the experience. They can read your frustration. They may get frustrated and not understand what you want them to do. They may simply, just not want to do it. Take it easy, don’t push it. Your photographer can often photograph different poses that don’t include your other children while we wait for them to be ready.

6. Bring Snacks and Toys

To keep your children engaged and happy during the session, bring snacks and toys. Make sure they already ate before coming, or bring a good lunch with them. Newborn photography sessions can be long. Choose snacks that are easy to eat and won’t make a mess, like crackers or granola bars. Bring a few of your children’s favorite toys to keep them entertained during breaks. This will help keep them focused and make the session more enjoyable for everyone.

7. Don’t Overdo It

Newborn photography sessions with siblings should be short and sweet. Young children have short attention spans, and they can easily become bored or frustrated if the session goes on for too long. Keep the session to an hour or less, and try to schedule it during a time when your children are well-rested and fed. By keeping it short and sweet, you’ll be able to capture the perfect photos without stressing out your children.

8. Take Two Cars or Break Up your Newborn Session in Two Days

Newborn photography sessions can be long, sometimes 3 hour or more hours. This is a really long time to be trying to keep your child entertained, for both of you. If you bring two cars, you can either have your other children come at the beginning of your photography session, or towards the end of the session, depending what works best for their schedules. You can also opt to photograph the solo newborn photos one day, and the family portion a different day. This often works out well when older children can’t take off of school and you need a weekend to do a session. This way, you are only at the studio for about an hour on the weekend.

Newborn photography with siblings can be an overwhelming idea, but it is one that is worth it. Some of parent’s most treasured photos are when their children are photographed together, especially when moments are photographed when the older siblings are taking care of their newborn baby brother or sister. By being prepared for your newborn photography session with siblings, you can make the process more more stress-free and will be able to enjoy the process more more. At my studio on Kent Island in Stevensville, Maryland, Raising Wild Ones Photography has plenty for your child to do. We have an area set aside for younger children to play, a tv we can put on after they are done with photos, a train car that sits right behind our studio. It is great for exploring on a warm day, and even an ice cream shop, Tasty Toucan and a Bakery Peace of Cake all directly across the street. If you are interested in getting in scheduling your newborn or family photography session, please contact Molly Humphrey at Raising Wild Ones Photography. I look forward to hearing from you!