A newborn photography session can be about so much more than portraits of your new baby. It is also an opportunity to capture the family you have become, from the first photos of your newest addition to the sweet interactions between siblings. This light and airy newborn session welcomed a baby girl and included her mom, dad, and big sister. I had previously photographed big sister for her own milestone sessions, so getting to document this next chapter for their family was especially sweet.

What family photos can you include in a newborn session?

One of my favorite parts of newborn family photography is creating a variety of portraits that show the connections between everyone. That includes full family photos, individual portraits with each parent, and sibling photos that give older brothers and sisters a special place in the session.

For this family, we captured everyone together, including classic family portraits looking at the camera and more natural moments as mom and dad focused on their girls. We also photographed mom holding her newborn daughter on her own, along with dad cuddling his new baby girl and a sweet nose to nose moment.

These individual portraits are a lovely way to document the beginning of each parent’s relationship with their newest little one.

How do you include an older sibling in newborn photos?

Newborn sibling photos are some of the most meaningful images to create during a session. They capture a relationship that is just beginning, whether an older sibling is carefully looking at the baby, sitting beside her, or sharing a quiet moment together.

Here, big sister joined her baby sister for portraits in a delicate little bed decorated with flowers, as well as photos with the baby nestled in a basket. These images celebrate her new role as a big sister while keeping the focus on the connection between the girls.

I also make time for individual newborn portraits. This little girl had a beautiful variety of solo images, from simple portraits on her belly to a sweet pose with delicate angel wings and a dainty headband. A black-and-white portrait of her cradled in her dad’s hands adds a timeless, artistic touch to the gallery.

What does a light and airy newborn session look like?

Soft whites, pale pinks, delicate textures, and simple props gave this session its feminine, light and airy style. A vintage-inspired bed with lace and flowers, a heart shaped wooden bowl, and a crochet style basket added variety without taking attention away from the baby.

The goal is to create a cohesive gallery while giving each setup its own character. Classic family portraits, close-up connections, and carefully styled newborn images can all work beautifully together.

Capturing your growing family

A newborn session is a chance to preserve those first days with your baby while celebrating the people who are already part of her world. From individual newborn portraits to sibling photos, parent-and-baby images, and the whole family together, these photographs tell a fuller story of this new chapter.

Ready to book?

If you are expecting a new baby and want portraits of both your newborn and your growing family, I would love to help. Contact Kate at Crabapple Photography via email or text at (617) 918-7149 to learn more about newborn sessions at our Andover, Massachusetts studio and plan a session that feels right for your family. Follow along on Pinterest or Instagram for more.