Welcoming a new baby is a big change for the whole family, especially when an older child becomes a big brother or sister. Newborn photos are a wonderful opportunity to capture this new relationship while your baby is still tiny. There are so many ways to take newborn photos with an older sibling. Also, there really isn’t a wrong way to incorporate them. Some parents want the focus to be on sibling photos, and some want the focus to remain on the new arrival. Whichever option you choose is the correct choice.
For Miss S’s newborn session, her family traveled from Tewksbury, MA, to my Andover studio. Along with individual portraits of their new baby girl, we made time for photos with her three year old big sister, Miss A. The result was a gallery of classic newborn portraits and sweet moments between the two sisters.
How Do You Capture Natural Newborn and Big Sister Photos?
The best sibling portraits don’t have to be complicated. For Miss S and Miss A, we photographed them together while Miss A smiled beside her baby sister, as well as a particularly sweet moment when she leaned in to give her a kiss.
With a three year old, I keep sibling photos relaxed and age appropriate. Some children are excited to hold or kiss their new sibling, while others may prefer to sit nearby or simply look at the baby. I follow the child’s lead rather than expecting them to hold a pose for too long. This leaves room for genuine expressions and natural interactions.
It’s also important to remember that sibling portraits are just one part of the session. We can photograph your newborn individually and include family portraits, too, so you have a variety of images from this special time.
Keep Newborn Styling Simple and Timeless
Miss S’s individual portraits featured a soft palette of white, gray, blush pink, and light green. We used a white wooden bowl lined with white fur, textured gray knits, delicate headbands, a blush swaddle, and a light green knit bonnet to add variety throughout her gallery.
This understated styling also worked beautifully alongside Miss A’s pink outfit. The soft colors kept the portraits cohesive without making the sibling photos feel overly coordinated or themed.
If you prefer classic newborn photography, neutral tones and simple textures are an easy way to create variety while keeping the focus on your baby and your growing family.
What If Your Older Child Doesn’t Want to Pose?
Not every child will be ready to smile for the camera or interact with a new sibling on cue, and that’s okay. I work with each child’s age and personality, allowing time for breaks and adjusting the approach when needed.
We can try a few different ways of bringing siblings together, without putting pressure on your older child to perform. Individual newborn portraits can fill out the gallery, too, so there is no need to make every image depend on a sibling pose.
The goal is to create photographs that reflect your family as it is right now, including those little moments that you’ll want to remember as your children grow.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?
If you’re expecting a baby and would love newborn photos with your older child, I’d love to help you plan a session that captures both your new baby and this exciting change for your family.
My Andover studio welcomes families from Tewksbury, the North Shore, Greater Boston, and Southern New Hampshire. Contact Kate email or text at (617) 918-7149 today to learn more about newborn sessions and reserve a spot for your growing family. You can also follow along for all of the fall fun on Pinterest and Instagram.
