Everything You Need To Know About Newborn Sibling Photography
Is your little bundle of joy on the way? Have you been dreaming of securing some adorable photos of your newborn alongside their older sibling? It’ll come as little surprise to most of you that sibling newborn photography sessions are among my most sought-after shoots.
Not only will you need to determine what aesthetic is right for your sibling and newborn photography package, but you’ll likely wonder what poses and outfits will create the sweetest snaps of them together. That’s all before considering how you’ll get your little one and their big brother or sister to engage when trying to capture some newborn sibling photos!
After years of experience working in photography in the wider Seattle area, I’ve learned a thing or two about snapping gorgeous shots of children, young and old, together.
I’ve no doubt you’re already envisaging what your newborn sibling photography session will look like. To get you organized, I’ve compiled all the must-know information into this complete guide to answer your lingering questions.
What Is Newborn Sibling Photography?
Newborn sibling photoshoots give you the opportunity to record some precious moments between your children. I’ve yet to meet a family in Seattle that didn’t fall head over heels for pictures of their children huddled around their newest sibling.
Depending on the family structure and how many children you have, you can work with your photographer to shoot a variety of photos. Naturally, you’ll be keen to procure some pictures of your newborn alone. But there’s something so special about newborn photography with siblings.
Your photographer can create beautiful portraits of all your gang, regardless of the age of your children. In my experience, there’s a relatively small age gap among the kids who participate in my newborn sibling photography sessions. But shots of older children and their new brothers or sisters are equally lovely.
How Is Newborn Sibling Photography Carried Out?
This is a question that’s on the mind of every parent ahead of a baby and sibling photography session. Thankfully, in most cases, it’s much more straightforward than you might expect.
The set-up of the shoot will depend on the sibling’s age and the family dynamic. Often, the older sibling will sit or lie beside the newborn, and you’ll position yourself close by for their safety. This can also help to give them some extra encouragement. Kids can become understandably restless during these lengthy photo sessions.
If the sibling is quite a bit older than your newest addition, it’s possible to get some pictures of them holding their little brother or sister. Provided you feel it’s safe to do so.
Many parents choose to combine their new baby’s individual session and a newborn photoshoot with siblings into one. This may take a couple hours, but it’s worth remembering that it may be difficult to keep your older children occupied. So, it might be easier for them (and you!) to attend part of the shoot rather than be present for its entire duration.
How Should Your Newborn and Their Sibling Dress for the Shoot?
Deciding on sibling and newborn photo outfits can cause parents quite a bit of distress. However, I’ve often found that when working with my clients in Seattle, the simplest clothes allow for the most stunning portraits.
As cute as funky colors and bold patterns look in person, soft, neutral tones tend to photograph much better. Brighter shades can seem quite harsh in photographs, particularly against a baby or young child’s delicate skin.
Sticking to whites, creams, grays, and pastels on plain clothing focuses all the attention on your beautiful children rather than the clothes they wear. While your youngsters don’t need to be wearing matching outfits, choosing colors that complement each other makes for some charming photos.
The Best Type of Shots for Newborn and Sibling Photography
When you begin researching photography ideas for newborns and siblings, you’ll likely find that new and inventive styles and formats always seem to come to the fore.
That being said, I’ve noticed that in all my years photographing families in Seattle, some photography poses for newborns and siblings are still as endearing as ever.
As I touched on previously, pictures of younger children and their newborn siblings are often best captured as they lie side by side on a soft rug of some sort.
Equally lovely but more of a challenge, photos of your newborn wrapped up in a swaddle blanket while their sibling holds them in the lap cross-legged are always a winner, too.
If your children are old enough to safely and confidently hold their younger siblings in their arms, I can capture some wonderful shots of them together.
Some of my favorite sibling photo ideas with newborns include having the older child smiling at their little brother or sister as they cradle them or holding the baby out in front of them while seated. Shots from above of them gazing at their newborn brother or sister are another great option.
Tips for Newborn Sibling Photography
While a newborn sibling photography session comes with so much excitement during the buildup, it’s safe to say that the behind-the-scenes antics can be stressful for parents!
As a Seattle-based photographer with plenty of experience in family photoshoots with newborns, I want you to be prepared for your family’s shoot. So, I’ve gathered several tips to make the process as smooth as possible.
- Make the most of the first 20 minutes while your older kids are still engaged in the session.
- Stick to plain, simplistic backgrounds.
- Dress your little ones in soft clothes that they can comfortably move around in.
- Even if you’ve just fed your kids, it’s always a good idea to put some extra snacks aside in case they get hungry.
- Don’t panic if your children aren’t keen to cooperate, as some of the loveliest photos can come from candid shots.
A Final Note on Newborn Sibling Photography
I hope you’ve taken something from this guide on newborn sibling photography. There’s a lot to take in here to prepare yourself and your family for the big day; I get it. But if you keep some of this information in mind when planning, I can help you pull off a fantastic shoot.
Please contact me if you’re considering a newborn sibling photo shoot in the wider Seattle area. I’ve in-depth experience photographing babies and their older siblings; I’ll be able to bring the image you have of your family to real life.You can learn more about the prices of my newborn photo packages in Seattle by checking out my pricing page.
