Including Big Brother or Big Sister in Newborn Photos

Bringing a newborn home is daunting. Bringing a newborn home with a toddler - phew, buckle up! It’s a HUGE adjustment for everyone, but big siblings go from being the star of the show to having to share the spotlight in an instant. There can be big feelings and big meltdowns when life becomes all about the new baby; it can be tough for them. When people show up asking first to see the baby, and only focus on the baby, it makes them feel even more left out. (It’s kind of like that with moms also… Don’t get me started on the lack of support for moms, though.) I go into newborn sessions with older siblings SO excited for them. I go out of my way to talk to them first, get down on their level, play with them, etc. Then I ask them to show me their baby sister or brother. I show them images we’re making and ask for their help with holding feet/hands, making silly faces to get mom or dad to smile, wrapping the baby, etc. They want to feel like they’re part of the process, and this usually gets more participation. A win for all of us! I also can’t forget my silly noises, which works for getting genuine laughs & smiles from parents too as well as some head tilts from fur siblings. Animal noises of all kinds work and raspberries or toots, especially with little boys, are my go-to’s! Playing games with the noises also usually results in some cute moments - asking them what sound does a dog make, but making a “mooooo” noise before they respond, and asking if that was right, is always a hit!

Photographing kids requires a lot of patience and can definitely be challenging. But I get to act like a kid with them, be silly and just have fun. I often wish that my job was 100% photographing and 0% business because these moments make my “job” feel more like fun than work.

This session was so fun and I made a new friend! Big brother was such a joy to photograph and we became best buds. HIs mom still texts me that he asks about me and that makes me incredibly happy!

Sunny the Dog Becomes the Best Big Sister! [Roscoe Village Newborn Photo Session]

To say I adore this family would be the biggest understatement! I met Sunny and her mom & dad at the Horner Park Farmer’s Market last spring and we got to talking after our dog’s met. My dog Emmie doesn’t love ALL dogs, but she liked Sunny and it made me quite happy! (It’s so hard to meet people as an adult and I’m so thankful for Emmie, who is often the ice-breaker!) These two are the sweetest and most genuine people I’ve met in a long time. I didn’t get their info at the farmer’s market, but I had Sunny’s name and found her on Instagram later that weekend. No shame here, I tracked her down! When Emmie DOES make friends, we need to keep them close by ;) Thus began our IG friendship! Later that summer, Ali announced Sunny was going to be a big sister & I’d been dying to photograph this gorgeous patch of wild Asters around this time. So, I asked them to model for me for a quick little sunset session, and we got the most amazing sunset. I was honored when they asked me to photograph them at home for baby girl’s newborn photos. I had the best time documenting this adorable little family of four and love watching Sunny shine in her new role. I only wish I could’ve stayed all day with them. Welcome, sweet baby girl. You’ve got the best mom, dad and fur-sister in your corner!

Mr. Oliver's Lifestyle Newborn Session at Home [Lakeview - Chicago, IL]

Repeat clients and families are so much fun for so many reasons. I get to watch your family grow, of course, and already know your kiddos so it makes it a little easier when photographing them. I got to meet Mr. Oliver and see his two big sisters and how much they’ve grown since I last saw them. I photographed his mom’s maternity session when she was pregnant with his older sister who was born in the height of the 2020 pandemic. While we had planned to do newborn photos for her, the world intervened. Miss A was two months old when we did her “newborn” photos but she ended up sleeping like a newborn at the last half of her session. Little brother was the same, even though he was about two weeks new here. He didn’t want to miss anything his big sisters were up to and was so alert, taking in his new world. I LOVE when newborns have their eyes open during their sessions. I feel like I can get a glimpse of who they are. Obviously there’s way less posing involved when they’re this alert, but it’s a trade-off! Oliver eventually did fall asleep for a few minutes at the end of his session so we got the best of both worlds in terms of the newborn photo world. Check out this cutie pie from one of my favorite families in Chicago!