5 Tips When Including Your Toddler At Your Newborn Photo Session
Calgary Newborn Photos with Siblings
Newborn portrait photography Studio
What is wonderful about having professional newborn photos taken is not only the opportunity to document this tiny, precious and much loved “addition to the family” but also the perfect time to get updated photos of the entire family including any older siblings. As a newborn, child and family photographer, my primary goal for every newborn session to document the whole family during this incredibly special time. Having two boys myself, I know it can be harder for some older children to accept these new little bundles of joy. Bringing a brand new baby home can be a big adjustment for everyone and this is especially true for older siblings.
I will never forget when my eldest son walked into the hospital room to meet his brand new baby brother for the first time, he took one look and ran back outside into the hallway to be with his grandparents. He wanted no part in this new expanded family but thankfully once we left the hospital and returned home, our son warmed up to the idea of having a little brother and they both have truly been inseparable since! I tell you this because I have been there myself and completely understand what concerns you might have.
If you are at all worried about how your toddler will handle being a part of having newborn baby pictures taken, I promise you I’ve got you covered! Below I have outlined five helpful tips when including your toddler at your newborn session and ways to help older siblings enjoy being a part of the newborn portrait photoshoot. From my experience photographing many newborn sessions over the years, I’ve found that even if a toddler is reluctant at first to take part in the photo session, they do usually appreciate the extra time I provide them with so that they can be one on one with their new sibling.
1 - Safety is Always First
Newborn babies are simply the most precious little bundles of joy but are also so very fragile in first few weeks of life, a time when you are most likely booked in to have your newborn photography session. For families that have toddlers under the age of five, it can be a lot to ask to have them hold their brand new little brother or sister. This is why I will usually wrap your newborn baby with their arms and feet tucked in and place baby into a supportive prop where I will then ask your toddler to come and sit next to them to hold or snuggle with their little sibling. I will also have your toddler lay on a soft, comfortable rug that allows me to place your newborn baby in the arms of your toddler but not require your toddler to hold the weight of baby. These can make for the most adorable newborn pictures and show the scale of how small your newborn baby really is. I also alway enlist the parents to be at arms length so that should your toddler need a break they can quickly take baby or assist with their toddler.
2 - Let Your Toddler Be In The Spotlight
Most toddlers and even older kids love seeing pictures of themselves! I will usually take a couple pictures of them with their baby brother or sister and then show them the back of the camera so they can see how amazing they look with their brand new sibling. I will encourage them to give me a silly face or even ask them for a series of expressions I might not have seen before. This always gets them giggling and laughing which makes for a much more relaxed and enjoyable session. Dads always seem to get the best laughs out of their kiddos so Dads, be prepared to get beside me to team up and get those giggles out of your toddler. Newborn photo sessions are meant to be fun for everyone!
The more your toddler feels involved in the session, the more co-operative they tend to be so I will ask your toddler all kinds of questions to stay engaged with them as I am working with your newborn baby. I will have them help me grab wraps and bonnets, ask them if they think their baby is cold, tired or perhaps needing diaper change. Older siblings love to take on the big brother/big sister role and this provides a great opportunity to do so!
3 - Provide Snacks and Toys
Toddlers can have very short attention spans and so being prepared is the best way to avoid a huge meltdown! In the studio, I do stock the bar with organic health bars and snacks as well as have a special drawer with some small mess-free treats along with lots of stickers should your toddler need a little reward for being so helpful during their brother or sisters newborn session! I do also have safe, age appropriate toys for little ones to stay occupied. I usually start my sessions by showing the toddlers where I keep these fun, new toys and allow them the time to warm up in the studio space surroundings, get to know me and to provide a distraction while mom feeds baby prior to getting started. I do also recommend that parents bring a couple of their toddlers favourite books to keep your toddler occupied while I am photographing baby alone or with each individual parent.
4 - Make Time For Breaks
I usually will start the session with full family photos and siblings images as toddlers do have very short attention spans. This ensures that we get the images you are hoping for but also allows the siblings to take a break if needed. It is completely okay and to be honest expected that they will likely need to take a break. I take regular breaks throughout all newborn session to allow mom to feed her new baby and to settle baby if needed so I defintitlely like to do the same for toddlers if they need it. A quick cuddle or story from mom or dad can be all it takes to get your toddler back in the mood for more portraits with their newborn baby brother or sister.
5 - Go With the Flow
It is easy to get frustrated and impatient with your toddler when you are exhausted from having very little sleep and still recovering from giving birth. From baby crying to a depending toddler, it can test the limits for both mom & dad. Remember to breathe and try to remain calm, I have seen it all and I know firsthand that newborn sessions are really dictated by how you newborn and toddler feels on the day of your newborn session. Remind yourself that this is part of the journey and at the end of your session you will be left with gorgeous images of your family, whether perfectly posed photo or more “real life”!
Please do feel free at any point to let me know if you have any concerns. I am here for you to ensure that we are able to document your expanding family but to also ensure that everyone including you toddler has a wonderful portrait photography experience.
If you’re expecting and interested in booking a newborn session with me at my studio please get in touch below I can answer any additional questions you may have!
When you invest in a professional photographer, you deserve a luxury portrait photography experience with high end professional products to show off the beauty of your final portraits! Jillian Faulkner Photography provides a full-service photography experience by working closely with you to not only create images that reflect your family’s unique story but to also guide you on how best to display your updated family photos throughout your home. My studio offers a variety of different print formats to select from when choosing your family photography artwork to ensure that your final printed images suit your personal style and photographic needs.
Are you looking to learn more about photography yourself? If so, I highly recommend taking a look at this article posted by this creative photography teacher and mentor in the Los Angeles South Bay, her name is Ute Reckhorn. It is a great blog post on using slow shutter speeds and slow shutter photography!