How I Handle Family Photos with a Newborn and Siblings

Welcoming a new baby into the family is such a special time, and capturing those early days with indoor newborn family photos is a beautiful way to preserve the memories. But if you have older kids, you might be wondering—how do we get those sweet sibling shots without tears, tantrums, or someone running off mid-photo? (Totally valid concern.)

The good news is, I’ve done this a time or two, and I have a simple approach: keep it relaxed, follow the kids’ lead, and embrace the chaos when needed. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s genuine connection, and sometimes that includes a dinosaur toy or stuffed animal making a surprise appearance in the background.

Keeping Indoor Newborn Family Photos With Sibling Relaxed and Natural:

One of the biggest tricks to getting great family photos with a newborn and their siblings is that I do them early in the session—while excitement levels are high, and before anyone has a chance to lose interest. I give the kids a little time to warm up to me and once they are feeling a bit more comfortable, I will typically do photos that include siblings pretty early on. I never force anything because, let’s be honest, trying to convince a toddler to sit still when they’re over it is a battle no one wins.

Instead, we keep things playful, relaxed, and natural. If a big brother wants to give baby a quick forehead kiss before zooming off, we capture that moment and move on. If big sister doesn’t want to hold baby - no worries, we can photograph her peeking into the baby’s bassinet or crib. If they’re feeling extra cuddly, that’s awesome, we will take full advantage!

The Advantage of Doing Family Photos with a Newborn in Your Own Home:

Another reason in-home sessions work so well is that siblings are in their own space, surrounded by familiar things. This means they’re usually more comfortable and more themselves—whether that means snuggling up to their new sibling or needing to take a break to show me their favorite stuffed animal. At this session, their toddler was so excited to show me her camera - which I was also excited about because I got to show her how my camera worked a little bit too!

Either way, my goal is to document real moments, however they unfold. So whether siblings are eager to be in every shot or prefer to pop in and out, we go with the flow—because the best family photos happen when everyone feels at ease. Sometimes the “real” photos end up being some of the best ones. Those early days will soon be fuzzy memories, but photos are a way to go back.

Cherishing the Beautiful Chaos of Indoor Newborn Family Photos:

At the end of the day, my goal with indoor newborn family photos with siblings is to create a relaxed, enjoyable experience for everyone—especially the little ones. By keeping things light, flexible, and stress-free, we can capture those genuine, heartfelt connections that make this season of life so special. Sibling interactions may be unpredictable, but that’s part of the magic!

Years from now, you’ll look back at these images and remember not just how tiny your newborn was, but also how their big brother or sister marveled at them, held them close (even if only for a second), or kissed their little head. These are the moments worth preserving, and I’m here to make sure you get to keep them forever.

Are you interested in an in-home newborn family photo session? Click HERE to contact me to book. You can view more of my newborn portfolio HERE.