Kristen Calgaro Photography
Tell me about your family:
With all the focus on the new baby, some older siblings feel left out while others embrace their new role with authority and pride. It is a great idea to let me know a bit about your family and child(ren) prior to our session. (An informed photographer is a happy photographer). You’ll want to tell me about the family dynamics and about your children’s personalities aside from just colors and props. I will want to know how they are dealing with their new family member, a bit about their temperament and even their favorite color, activity, game or program.
Make it about them too, not just the baby:
I like to talk to the siblings before I even get my hands on the baby, that way they feel like the session is about them too and not just their new family addition. I like to chat them up, talk to them about how the session is going to work and find our common ground. Eventually I will ask them if they’d like to introduce me to their new baby brother or sister. Sometimes they will and sometimes they won’t and that’s okay – children are unpredictable and if you are a parent I don’t need to tell you twice!
I always like to capture images with siblings first because then it’s about the siblings right away and their patience hasn’t been worn too thin. It’s also important to make them feel involved. I will ask their opinion and advice throughout the shoot such as “Which hat do you think will look best on ___?” or “What do you think the baby is crying about?” As a mother of four, I’ve learned that it is invaluable for cooperation if children feel like they are involved, that their opinion matters, and that they are cared for.
Practice makes perfect:
Try a mock shoot prior to your newborn session or have your family practice posing. Ask your child(ren) to lay next to the baby on the bed, lean in to kiss the baby or have older siblings practice holding their new brother or sister so that they are comfortable and confident. Not only does this encourage your child’s competence with the baby, it gets them ready to be in front of the camera (if they’re not already).
Plan ahead:
Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours (also depending on which type of session you have booked) and patience is not always part of the package with toddlers or even five year olds. Therefore, I always suggest planning an activity or have another family member available for the older siblings after their portion of the session is complete.
Planning ahead may also include a reward. This is completely up to the parents but sometimes it is helpful to have a little incentive for the siblings. You know your child best so deciding on what that may be is up to you but a little ice cream, game or other small token of fun can do the trick to secure some good family photos.
Go with the flow:
From crying hungry newborns to impatient toddlers it is easy to get frustrated or apologetic. Don’t! I (and all newborn photographers) know all too well that newborn sessions are dictated by the newborns and their siblings. This is okay. Remember to breathe and try to laugh and remind your family to do the same.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and I can’t wait to meet your little ones for their newborn shoot!
What’s so great about in-home newborn photography sessions you ask? As a mother of four, I can tell you that trying to get out of the house during those first few days is TOUGH! That’s why I make it easy for my clients and travel to you! I want you to spend more time snuggling that precious little bundle rather than having to spend hours trying to pack up and drive somewhere. With my in-home newborn photography sessions, you don’t need to do a thing other than make sure baby is nice and tired when I get there! A feeding and good burping right before tends to do the trick.
Are you expecting a new baby this year? I’m now booking 2018 newborn sessions, and it would be an honor to capture the first images of your precious bundle! There’s nothing like that brand-new soft skin, those teeny fingers and toes, and that fuzzy fresh hair. You’ll want to remember every detail because, as all parents say, they grow up so fast!