Newborn Photography Ottawa East | Expectations for Siblings. Newborn photography is a beautiful way to capture the precious moments shared between siblings. It’s important though to set realistic expectations when photographing newborns with siblings of different ages.
1. Toddlers (1-3 Years):
Toddlers are bundles of energy and curiosity. While capturing sibling love with a newborn can be heartwarming, expect some challenges. Toddlers can have short attention spans and they may not understand the importance of the session so it’s important to be patient and flexible. Plan to have two to three poses that include your toddler as they may not be able to stay engaged longer than that.
Having a new family member is a lot to adjust to so don’t be surprised if your toddler isn’t excited to kiss, hug, or lay with your new baby. It’s perfectly normal for the transition to take time. As a photographer I have photographed thousands of toddlers so I have tricks up my sleeve to ensure there will be beautiful photos of your children and family together.
2. Preschoolers & Kindergartners (3-6 Years):
Preschoolers and kindergartners are more cooperative and can follow simple instructions. We may be able to include two to three more poses beyond a sibling photo and a family photo. This age group is generally excited to be part of the photoshoot but they may become distracted easily. They may also be dealing with a lot of mixed emotions about welcoming a new baby to the family. I work quickly with older siblings and turn their photos into a game to help keep them engaged and feeling comfortable. By describing ahead of time what will unfold during their session you can help increase their comfort with the process. Let them know their session will be fun and fast and that you’re excited to have photos of your entire family together.
3. Elementary-Aged Siblings (7+ Years):
Older siblings often understand the importance of the newborn session better. They can follow directions and cooperate for longer periods which means the variety of family and sibling poses can be larger. Older children are often very helpful at newborn sessions making it easier to capture tender moments between siblings. Encourage them to relax and interact with their baby sibling naturally and we’ll create beautiful memories together.
To ensure successful photos with siblings during newborn sessions, consider these tips:
- Set a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in the lead up to your session to put everyone at ease.
- Communicate your most important photos to your photographer but remain adaptable, as children can be unpredictable.
- Chat with your children before the session (toddlers included) to explain what will unfold.
Remember, the goal is to document the children’s unique sibling relationship at whatever stage they are at. By adjusting expectations and with careful preparation we can capture the genuine connections between siblings that families will treasure for years to come.
