The magic of a young family photograph is enough to melt hearts and one that everyone looks back on to cherish. So, it’s important to include everyone in your little family at your newborn session. Most of all it’s important to include siblings. New brothers and/or sisters can often feel as much overwhelm as parents when a little baby joins them in their life, so here’s 6 tips to prepare siblings for a newborn session. Below are 6 tips that will help.
1// Plan ahead
A 2 to 4 hour session is a lot to ask of a toddler, or even a teenager! I find that parents love the duration of the sessions as it give them chance to relax and enjoy watching their newborn baby. But, I always suggest bringing siblings along to the very beginning of the session, and then are collected by a grandparent or family friend after an hour or so.
2// Getting to know you ALL
With every session I like to get to know my clients. Even if my client is a cute little puppy! So, when you arrive at the studio, I’ll spend a little time getting to know you all, with emphasis on the children. Whilst you are feeding baby, I’ll get to know their sibling/s and help to build a little friendship so that they begin to get familiar with me. It might be that we play a little, sing songs or just have a natter.
3// Make it about EVERYONE
So that the whole session doesn’t become about baby only, I like to involve siblings where possible. And not just in the photographs. To continue to build that friendship I aim to seek a little help from siblings that are a bit older. Simple little tasks that they can help me with, like passing me a wrap or bonnet. Involving them by asking them what colours they like best and how much they love their new brother or sister. To involve them will really help with co-operation.
4// Enjoy your session – even with the crying!
Yep – it will happen! Baby will cry and be unsettled so it’s important to just go with the flow. I want you to really enjoy your experience, so understand that my sessions are baby led. We will always work to what baby is happy with. And that works for siblings too. A little treat for being good {the park across the road} often works really well should we need it!
5// It’s good to practice
Another idea to prepare siblings for a newborn session is to try a ‘mock’ photo shoot at home the day before you’re due to visit. Siblings will have only had their little brother or sister in their life for about 2 weeks, which isn’t very long at all. So if you suggest a little photograph occasionally then they will be more familiar with being close to baby. A great but SAFE shot is asking your older child/ren to lay next to baby on the bed looking up at your phone or camera.
6// Know your child’s limits
Safety is the most important aspect of any newborn photography session. So, although we might really see a shot coming together with a little more time – if your child/ren is tiring then it’s best to change it up or allow them to rest. It’s unfair to ask them to ‘pose’ with baby for too long, and to be fair – the photographs will translate that expression too. It’s best to work safely, efficiently and to aim for one beautiful set up rather than lots of different ones.
For more information about my newborn photography sessions, please click here or get in touch here.
Smile, Jeni x
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