How to Get Newborn Photos With Siblings Without the Chaos

Yes, newborn photos with siblings can go smoothly, and the secret is flexibility, not cooperation. In my in-home sessions, we start with everyone together while the kids are fresh, and then siblings come and go as they please. Some stay the whole time, some for 30 seconds. Snacks, play, and relaxed parents do the rest.

You’ve pictured it a hundred times: your toddler gently cradling the baby, looking at the camera and smiling. Then you picture what actually happens at home when you say “be gentle,” and you wonder if it’s even worth trying.

It is. I’ve photographed a lot of big siblings who wanted nothing to do with the baby, and I’ve even hidden Cheerios under a newborn to get a toddler curious. (It works.) We always end up with something beautiful, even when it feels like chaos in the moment.

So if you’re expecting your second or third baby and wondering how to include the big kids, here’s exactly how I run it, and how you can set yourself up for a good morning.

Should Siblings Be in Newborn Photos?

Yes. I love to always include siblings in newborn sessions, and honestly the age where it can be the most chaotic is probably exactly what you’d expect: it’s usually the one-to-four-year-olds, and the younger they are, the more chaotic it tends to be. But that’s not a bad thing. They just want to play, and that’s real life with a toddler and a baby.

These photos matter more than parents expect. When my second son was born, the photos of my two boys, whether it was with me, the whole family, or just the two of them, were the most important ones to me. You’ll feel the same in a few years.

Each age needs a different approach, and that’s okay:

• Ages 1 to 4: Plan to play. They may be in the photos for 30 seconds or the whole time, and either one works.
• Around 5: Usually does well staying in the photos, may need an occasional break, and loves when things get silly.
• Around 12: Usually ready and wants to help. I once photographed an 11-year-old big sister who wanted to help with the baby the entire time and was so excited to be getting pictures taken.

Three or more kids? That just means lots of play. I direct when I need to and let moments unfold naturally when I don’t. I’ll guide parents and older kids into the good light, and the younger ones join us from there.

When Do Siblings Join the Session?

Because I shoot in your home, there’s no drive, nap-schedule juggling, or pickup logistics to plan around. I arrive at 10am, and we start with the full family while everyone is fresh and happy. Then we keep shooting with siblings until someone runs off or needs a break.

Siblings are fully flexible about how long they stay. Some are in the whole time because they want to be. Some are in for about 30 seconds before they run off to play and come back. When siblings take a break, we keep going with just mom, just dad, or baby on their own. Usually, seeing the photos continue without them gives them FOMO, and they come running back.

If siblings are already upset when I arrive, that’s okay too. We start with baby, or with the parents holding baby, and gradually add siblings in when they’re ready. For the whole flow, see: how long does a newborn photography session take.

How Do I Prepare My Toddler for Newborn Photos?

Feed them, keep screens off, and talk about it as something fun you’ll do together. A well-fed toddler is a happier toddler, and snacks are the secret weapon of the whole session.

A few things that help:

• Talk about the session ahead of time. For a shy or anxious toddler, I’ll often send photos of me and talk through what we’ll do together. Seeing my face before I arrive helps.
• Call it whatever feels natural. “Photo shoot” is fine. Or just say we’re going to take pictures and play together, because that’s what we’re doing.
• Let them help choose. If they’re old enough to care about what they wear, get them involved.
• Skip the soft-hands practice. You don’t need to rehearse anything for the photos. Just do what you’d teach about the baby anyway, and what comes out will be sweet and natural instead of awkward.
• Don’t promise a reward at the end. A toddler can’t wait that long, and it almost always backfires. Give them snacks throughout the session if they need them. It’s immediate, and it almost always calms them down.
• Let them keep their toys. Sometimes parents take away the toy a toddler is holding onto for the photos, but if it means he’ll get upset, just let him have it. It’s real life, and you’ll be glad to remember his favorite toys in five years.

What Should Siblings Wear for Newborn Photos?

Dress for comfort and confidence, not for being perfectly styled. I care much more about everyone feeling good in what they’re wearing than about everyone matching.

If a kid wants stripes or polka dots, sure! If it means they’re happy and smiling big, that’s all that matters. I’m also happy to send wardrobe mockups if you’d like help. (Check out some of my favorite outfit ideas for siblings here.)

The most common mistake is wearing something uncomfortable because it looks cute, then not feeling good in the photos. When you feel good, you look good. For more, see: what to wear for newborn photos.

Sibling Poses That Work With a Newborn

Siblings can hold the baby if they’re up for it, but a good sibling photo doesn’t have to include that:

• Younger kids: They might just lie on the bed next to baby.
• Older kids: They can sit on the couch, the rocking chair, or the bed. My 11-year-old client even held baby while mom and dad wrangled the younger kids, and I loved those real-life shots.
• Peeking over the beanbag: Toddlers run back and peek at baby.
• Playing nearby: Mom or dad cuddles baby in the foreground while siblings play.
• Holding a finger or toes.
• The airplane: Dad plays with siblings, then flies them over to see baby.

Sometimes holding baby just doesn’t happen. If a sibling has too much energy to make it safe, or isn’t interested, we can’t force it. That’s when we use the Cheerio trick or take more real-life photos of them playing while baby is snuggled next to them.

What If My Toddler Won’t Cooperate?

It happens, we have a plan, and the photos still get made. I never push a kid who says no. We try something else or let them take a break.

Often I’ll direct the parents, and they’ll come play with the toddler or fly them over to the good light. When it’s framed as play instead of directions, kids are far more likely to do it. If it still isn’t happening, we let them play and move on. Snacks and a break while we focus on baby almost always bring them back.

I once photographed a session with a two-year-old big sister who wanted nothing to do with me. She cried every time she looked my way, so we let her do her own thing while mom, dad, and I played with her baby sister. Slowly, over the session, she started showing me her toys, not wanting to be left out. The photos from the end of that gallery were some of the most precious, and the family ordered an album.

The reframe: A good sibling photo can look so many different ways. It isn’t only a child holding baby and smiling at the camera, although those can be cute too. It’s a sibling peeking over the beanbag, playing next to baby, or holding a tiny finger. With little kids, you just have to be flexible.

The Session Day Habits That Keep Everyone Calm

You don’t need to set anything up. It’s your home, so kids can play or grab a toy whenever they want.

• Snacks anytime. I recommend ones that don’t stain, like white yogurt, Cheerios, and cheese sticks.
• Screens off before I arrive, and make sure kids are well fed before the session.
• Breaks in another room are fine. If a toddler is young enough that a parent needs to go with them, I’ll focus on baby with the other parent, or baby on their own. Sometimes we even move with the toddler if the light is good where they chose to play.
• A reset outside. If we need to shake things up, we go outside and play. A toddler on the playset with dad while mom holds baby is one of my favorite things.

What seasoned parents do automatically: They stay flexible. You can’t force things to go perfectly, and that’s okay. Things may not turn out exactly as you pictured, but they’ll be beautiful. And they have snacks, snacks, snacks ready.

Newborn Photos With Siblings Are Worth the Extra Planning

Siblings can absolutely be part of your newborn session. Timing and prep do most of the work, and you only need a short window of cooperation, or none at all. If there’s one thing to remember, it’s that a plan built around the big kids makes the whole session easier.

Families are beautiful. Every one I photograph has so much uniqueness and love, and I love telling your whole family’s story, not just what baby looked like. Every family just wants to have fun together, and a session can be a fun morning of time together. If it feels like chaos, I promise we’re getting something. Parents just need to smile through it like it’s the best day of their lives, and everything turns out beautifully.

To parents on the fence about newborn photos with siblings, do it. I hear “my toddler is wild” all the time. All toddlers are wild. I don’t need them to cooperate. I need parents who are flexible, ready to play, and ready to smile. If your toddler is doing their own thing but you’re laughing and playing with them, that makes for a beautiful session.

What’s your biggest worry about bringing siblings, or your funniest sibling photo story? Tell me in the comments. And if you’re pregnant, reach out in your second trimester so we can plan sibling timing from the start. Learn more about your Louisville newborn photographer here.

Frequently Asked Questions