4 tips for getting toddler siblings to participate, happily in their new, siblings newborn, photo session
Give them breaks and fun things to do in between photos.
My studio, in Vestavia, Alabama, offers a light and bright space for your light and airy, studio newborn session. I love to incorporate toddler siblings in a few photos and, then, allow them to take a break to play with toys in my sitting area. Every photo opportunity takes no more than 5 minutes. As you may know, toddler lose interest quickly.
Play Games during the photo session
Make a game out of every photo
- Have them kiss baby or mom or dad
- If they can count tell ask to kiss baby a certain number of times or count baby’s fingers or toes.
- Hide things like treats or small toys under baby for sibling to find
- Make plenty of animal noises and ask them to mimic you
- Ask them to point to different body parts on their new, sibling
Let them be themselves
Some of my favorite photos, through the years, have been when I ask children what they would like to do in a picture or have simply guided them to a spot and let them simply be. Sometimes I will even pretend I’m not taking pictures any more to see what they’ll do.
Make them feel the newborn photo session is as much about them as baby
Older siblings are, often, feeling the lack of attention that’s been taken away from them with the arrival of their new, sibling. I love to make sure siblings receive time for portraits just of them or with mom and dad by themselves.
During the breaks older siblings are taking I make sure to capture plenty of moments with mom, dad and baby individually and together.
Laura Cardan is a newborn photographer based out of Birmingham, Alabama. She offers studio and in-home newborn photo sessions.
Along with newborn photography, Laura offers maternity, family and baby sessions in studio and on location.