The North East's Leading Newborn Photographer
When it comes to photographing newborns, one of my absolute favourite shots to capture are the sibling shots. Even though photographing a newborn with their new big brother or sister comes with its own set of challenges, capturing the interactions and emotions is just priceless. Having had two toddlers myself and remembering just how uncooperative they can be I want to share with you some tips that really help me make these sessions enjoyable for everyone.
Firstly it’s crucial that I making the siblings feel special. Often when a new baby first arrives, it can be a big adjustment for everyone. Big brothers/sisters often feel insecure and neglected during those first days of having a newborn at home so if they think that this session is all about the baby, they may be resentful and uncooperative. So as soon they enter the studio, my goal is to make them feel that the session is about THEM, first and foremost.
I always make sure that I talk to big brother/sister first and introduce myself, all before I even lay eyes on the baby. Even getting them to introduce their new baby to me by saying, ‘who is this little treasure that you’ve brought with you today.’
I then take the whole family into the playroom to get everyone settled with drinks showing them that this area has been set out for them today and they can relax and play with anything they wish. Usually Dad stays here with older siblings whilst Mum and baby join me in the studio. Having a separate playroom means that hopefully siblings won’t get bored. They can come into the studio at any point but usually they are thrilled to get free reign over some new toys.
The key to successful newborn and sibling photo is the baby being in a deep sleep. Newborn babies can’t usually focus their eyes until after 6 weeks so to capture a stunning awake shot with their older sibling isn’t guaranteed. If you can get the baby to sleep then the main focus is to have them in a comfortable position so I can focus my attention on their sibling.
I always start a newborn and sibling shoot by making sure the baby has had a feed and is settled. The best set up for these kinds of newborn shoots is often a big white bed. I can gently position the baby in a safe and comfortable position, using pillows underneath the duvet so they cannot be seen but they can help ensure a firm and safe position. I also have a lullavibe pillow underneath which vibrates and some white noise playing too. I take some initial shots of the baby and wait until they are in a deeper sleep before bringing in their big brother or sister.
When doing those siblings pictures, I always have baby’s security in mind. Having Mum or Dad standing right next to their children at every moment, just out of the frame of the camera, carefully watching the baby’s position and safety. As the baby is asleep and safely lying on the bed, the key is to let the siblings find their place around him/her. I have a range of natural and playful positions for them to get close to their new baby and they don’t all involve posing for the camera. Often the best shots with toddlers are them kissing their new baby.
During the session, when siblings are around I will always engage them in what I’m doing, explaining my every move, or asking advice. “Do you think your little sister would like it if we sang her a lullaby to keep her sleeping?” Sometimes this involvement brings out the sweetest of emotions and the most incredible results. Once I asked a little one how we could help her sister keep sleeping and she suggested stroking her cheek. The picture resulted in one of the family’s favourite images of the day!
Sometimes however, getting toddlers to cooperate and even get near their new baby brother or sister is the biggest challenge. The key point to having siblings to cooperate in a newborn session is to always give them the choice. If they feel forced to do anything, they will probably do the opposite of what you want them to do. Also don’t forget a little bit of bribery can go a long way too. I’ve been know before during newborn sessions to hide little raisins around the baby. The little trick worked a treat and resulted in big sister delicately searching for the snacks whilst I happily caught it all on camera. Don’t worry, I’ve seen it many times before and I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to get the best shots from your toddler.
Other options for stunning toddler and newborn shots include swaddling the baby, putting down a large throw on the floor before getting the older sibling on their backs facing towards the ceiling. Next I often use a doll to show them where the baby will be placed. I always get a parent to be on the floor with them holding the baby securely so there is no room for movement before placing the baby into position. This involves the little one staying fairly still so isn’t suitable for most toddlers however it produces a beautiful image should the parents want to try it.
The final position is perfect for any age sibling and involves setting my large light parallel to Mum or Dad who are holding the baby in their arms. Then I encourage big bro or sis to go and kiss the baby gently at the top of their head. This side profile shot is always a favourite with parents and is super easy to capture with an uncooperative toddler.
Finally, getting photos of the eldest sibling on their own as well as a whole family is always recommended. Often the individual photos are the chance for the little ones personality to really shine through and they can be made to feel really special at this point. Click here to read a case study for recent newborn and toddler photoshoot.
Hopefully this post has convinced you that it is possible to get stunning shots of your children at this precious age. If you’re thinking about newborn photography with your toddler and would like some more information, please get in touch as I would love to chat through the options with you. It’s ideal to book your newborn session whilst you’re still pregnant to allow me to accommodate your due date in my diary. However if you’ve already had your baby, do get in touch as I may have some last minute availability.
