If you are planning to do a newborn session, try to Include siblings in baby’s photoshoot. This is a great way to celebrate the new addition to the family while capturing sibling bonds.
Children are often very excited when you tell them they will be an older sibling. That’s because they now have a baby to care for, just like you did! One great way to have the older children bond with the new baby is by including them in the newborn photoshoot session. Not only will they have one-on-one time with the newest family member, but they’ll also feel super happy to be included.
Why include siblings in baby’s photoshoot
There are several reasons why you might want to consider including young siblings in your newborn session:
- It’s a great way for older children to bond with the new baby.
- It can be a fun and special activity for the whole family.
- It’s a nice way to capture sibling bonds.
- It can be helpful to get the whole family in some photos together.
- It can provide continuity and a sense of family.
- It can also help older siblings feel important and connected to the new baby.
The best way to get a sibling to cooperate for newborn photos
Take part in this game. The task of working in a family dominated by children. Particularly for young people. They are still unfamiliar with Big Brothers/Sisters and are certainly self-minded. I work primarily in studios, and parents always ask for angelic siblings’ photos. Ask parents what their siblings like and what is their favorite books, sweets, etc. Anything that would be good for your connection to the other person. Make an appointment accordingly. Do a couple of pictures with the siblings early on. I always get the baby settled, then go for the older brother or sister. After that, it is easy to start wrapping babies.
Have low expectations
When you include the baby’s older brother or sister in a newborn shoot, it’s important to have low expectations. The older sibling may not be cooperative, jealous of the new baby’s attention, or may not be interested in being in the photos. Whatever the case, try to go into the shoot with a relaxed attitude and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
If possible, it may be helpful to have someone else on hand to help wrangle the siblings while you focus on getting the shots of the newborn baby. And don’t forget to take a few solo photos of each older sibling as well – they’ll appreciate having some pictures just for them!
Time outs aren’t a bad thing at the studio.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to include your baby’s older siblings in their newborn session. But, let’s face it, sometimes siblings can be a handful! So, if you find yourself in a situation where your toddler is acting up, or your older child is getting antsy, don’t hesitate to take a break. A quick time out will give everyone a chance to reset and regroup. And, who knows, you might even get some cute shots of the siblings cuddling while they’re taking their break!
Plan ahead.
Before the photo shoot, it’s a good idea to plan what you want to do and how you want to pose. Then, you can look online for inspiration or even ask the photographer for ideas. Sometimes just searching newborn pictures on your browser is enough to plan a decent photo session.
If you have younger children, it might be helpful to create a short list of poses you want to try so that you can easily go through them during the photo shoot. You can also bring props, such as balloons or stuffed animals, to help get everyone into the spirit of things.
It’s also important to consider how long you want the photo shoot. For example, if you have younger children, they might not be able to sit still for very long. So you might want to consider doing a shorter session or taking breaks between poses so everyone can stay comfortable.
Be patient.
During the photo session, it’s important to be patient and go with the flow. Of course, things might not always go according to plan, but that’s okay!
If someone isn’t cooperating or a pose isn’t working out, try not to get frustrated. Instead, take a break and come back to it later. It’s also helpful to have a few backup ideas in case something doesn’t work out the way you want it to.
Above all, remember that everyone is doing their best and try to have fun! Newborn photoshoots can be a bit chaotic, but they’re also a lot of fun.
Get everyone involved.
One of the best ways to get everyone to cooperate in photographing newborns with older kids is to involve them in the process. Ask everyone for their input on poses and let them help with prop placement.
You can also ask everyone to take turns being in front of the camera so that no one feels left out. And, of course, don’t forget to take a few candid shots of everyone goofing around!
Matching Outfits
Nothing’s more adorable than children in a set of matching outfits! The great thing about this idea is that you can choose from so many options, trends, and styles.
- You can choose a clean theme and dress your baby’s brother or sister in simple color palettes such as white, beige, dusky rose colors, etc.
- Or, you can let the outfits be as bright as your children’s, with vibrant colors. Pops of neon, holographic tones, and bold contrasts can be some ideas you can go for.
- If you plan on using this idea, make sure to pick an outfit that will be comfortable for the baby to wear. The last thing you want is an unhappy, fussy baby in your photos!
Pairing different colors can create interesting visual effects in the photos as well. You can mix and match solids with patterns or go for an ombre look by having each child wear a different shade. If you want to keep it simple, you can also put your children in all-white outfits and let them be the show stars!
Another great thing about this idea is that it can be easily incorporated into any type of shoot. So whether you’re doing an in-studio session or going for an outdoor shoot, matching outfits will always look great.
Setting Themes
You could choose many themes for your kids’ photography session. You can brainstorm and pick ideas or allow the kids some creative freedom to explore for themselves.
For example, you could dress your children like a rock n roll band from the 80s, pick themes like “Springtime,” “4th of July,” etc. You can even dress them as their favorite characters from movies, TV shows, or cartoons!
Some specific sibling themes could be:
- Siblings who are different sizes (big and little)
- Sisters who are best friends
- Brothers who are always fighting
- The “perfect” family
- A day in the life
Whatever theme you choose, make sure it is something your children will enjoy and will capture their personality!
Outdoor Fun
You could also plan with your kids’ photographer to have the photo shoot outdoors. Then, the kids can enjoy themselves fully in places like local parks, the beach, amusement parks, etc., resulting in vibrant and happy pictures! Take note of the weather, though, and plan accordingly, so everyone is comfortable during the photo shoot.
Make sure to pack some snacks and drinks for the kids, so they don’t get cranky halfway through the shoot. And if you’re planning to do the shoot on a sunny day, don’t forget to put on sunscreen!
Candid Moments
Staying indoors and letting the photographer capture glimpses of your family life in the photographs will make for a memorable experience. You can have the photo shoot at home, in your baby’s nursery, or in any other room you like.
The photographer will be closely able to capture how the children interact with the new baby and preserve special moments you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
Include pets!
If you have pets at home, include them in the photoshoot. They’re part of the family, too, after all!
Pets can sometimes be difficult to work with, but it’ll be worth it when you see how cute the pictures turn out. Here are a few tips for including pets in your newborn photoshoot:
- It would be best if you were a pet-friendly photographer: Not all photographers are comfortable working with animals, so it’s important to find one that is. Ask around for recommendations or look for reviews online.
- Make sure your pet is well-behaved: This is important for both the baby’s safety and the photoshoot’s success. If your pet is not used to being around babies, it’s best to leave them out of the shoot.
- Have someone else help: It can be helpful to have someone else hold or distract the pet while taking pictures. This way, you can focus on getting great shots of the baby without worrying about the pet.
- Be prepared for anything: Pets can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared for anything. Have a backup plan if your pet doesn’t cooperate or gets too excited.
Safety Measures
You’ll need to be very gentle in teaching your older children how to hold the baby if needed carefully. You can try different positions for holding the baby until they decide which one is comfortable.
You’ll also need to make sure you buy safe toys and props for your children to play with during the photo shoot. Then, have a conversation with them, simply explaining safety measures and providing constant supervision throughout the photo session.
Make them feel comfortable.
Make sure everyone is comfortable with being photographed and there is no tension between siblings. If someone is uncomfortable or doesn’t want to participate, don’t force them. It’s important that everyone is happy and relaxed before the photographer starts taking pictures.
You can try to get everyone in a good mood by playing games or singing songs together before the photo shoot. If you have time, you can even do a practice run with your camera or phone so that everyone knows what to expect.
Try to be natural
Try to capture natural interactions between brothers and sisters. This will likely result in more genuine and candid shots. You can also ask the older siblings to help you with things like holding the baby or fetching props. This will help them feel involved and invested in the shoot.
Give them time
Give everyone plenty of time to get comfortable with the photographer and the setup before taking photos. This will help reduce stress and ensure that everyone has fun during the shoot.
Use props
Have props on hand for siblings to interact with if needed (e.g., stuffed animals, cars, balls). Use props to help tell the story of the siblings’ relationship. For example, if the siblings are always arguing over a toy, you could use that toy in the photo shoot to show their relationship. If they are always cuddling, use a big stuffed animal for them to cuddle.
Get down on their level.
Shooting at eye level will help create more intimate and personal photos. Get down on the floor or sit on a chair or stool to take photos of the siblings from their level. This will help bring the focus to their faces and expressions, making the photos more engaging.
It can be difficult to get down on the floor or sit on a chair or stool with a newborn baby in your arms, so you may need to ask for help from another adult. But it will be worth it when you see the beautiful newborn portraits you’ve captured of your siblings interacting with your new baby.
Encourage movement and play.
Encourage the siblings to move around and play. This will help create natural and candid shots. You could even have a game of tag or Simon Says in the background while you take photos. Again, this will help to create a relaxed and happy atmosphere.
Capture everyday moments
Try to capture everyday moments between siblings. These photos will likely be more meaningful to you in the future. For example, you could capture a photo of siblings reading a book for the baby, playing a game, or cuddling them consciously.
Shoot a lot
Take lots of pictures! You may not get everything perfect on the first try, so it’s important to have plenty of options to choose from later on. Following these tips, you can create beautiful memories that include your new baby and their siblings!
Do a good edit
Edit your photos to create an album that tells your family’s story. You can use software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, or you can hire a professional photographer to edit your photos for you.
When editing your photos, consider adding some effects or filters to make them look even more special. For example, you could add a vignette effect around the photo’s edges or convert it to black and white.
Don’t forget to include some captions with your photos. Captions can help tell the photo’s story and are a great way to add some personality to your album.
Final words
Including siblings in a newborn photography session can be a great way to celebrate the new addition to the family while capturing older sibling bonds. Remember a few things to remember when including siblings in your newborn photos. But more important than anything else, ensure that everyone is comfortable with being photographed and that there is no tension between siblings. If someone is uncomfortable or doesn’t want to participate, don’t force them.
If you’re looking for a reliable newborn photographer near Port Coquitlam, BC, contact Artin Photography. They have over twenty years of experience with newborn photography and maternity photography. They also offer other services like cake smash and family portrait photography.
Get in touch with me to find out more.