I loooove newborn sessions with toddlers, especially the energy that an older child brings to the session! As a mum to two (almost three), I understand how precious the bond between sibling is and how capturing it will bring back so many memories one day. Some parents are however worried that their toddler will not cooperate during the photoshoot so if you have similar concerns, read bowl my tried and tested methods to make every session work, no matter what personality or mood the older child might show :-).

happy mum cuddling with newborn baby and older son at home

smiley boy toddler looking at the camera

a quiet moment between a mum and her son reading a book together

Mum: ‘Zofia you are so talented & captured so many gorgeous photos! We are planning on blowing up 6 of them to put on the massive wall in the kitchen so will have to show you once they're up!‘

Dad sitting in the chair at home feeding his baby and looking happily at his older son

newborn baby and older brother laying on bed being tickled and laughing

a close up on a newborn baby tiny feet and toes

What’s my secret to a relaxed newborn photoshoot with an older sibling?

I always say hi to the toddler first and ask them to introduce their little sibling. That way I want to give them the spotlight right away and feel excited and proud about their new sibling!
I start with siblings' photos simply because they are probably the hardest ones to get so if one of the children is not in the mood, we can always go back to photographing them together later during the photoshoot.
Some toddlers (especially younger ones) don’t have a lot of interest in their baby brother/sister in those early weeks and that’s absolutely fine - I will never pressure your child to ‘hug the baby’ or ‘kiss the baby’ if they don’t feel like doing it. Instead I know a lot of tricks to get them interested in a fun, age-appropriate way ;-)
Prepare to capture the candid moments - those are the most precious images that one day will bring back so many memories!
Trust me and relax. Often sessions with toddlers get chaotic. That’s my bread and butter! I never expect a toddler to ‘sit down and smile’ - instead I love it when they show their personality and energy because that’s how I can capture their natural smiles! I know what to expect from them and when to press the shutter button to take that perfect image.

mum posing naturally with her newborn baby during at home family photoshoot

newborn baby laying on bed at home looking at the camera

a fun candid moment of a family playing together at home during a photoshoot

The session featured in this blog was actually one of those where parents felt like there will not be a single image worth keeping because of the behaviour of the older boy, but as you can see it couldn’t be further from the truth! Which is why I share a sneak peek right after the session… to put your mind at ease, so you can see the photoshoot the way I saw it even before your gallery is ready.

mum looking at the camera smiling naturally with baby in her arms

Mum: ‘Oh my word, how you were able to capture these photos is beyond me! Thank you so much, I couldn't believe how relaxed and silly Jack was with you, you really did get him to cooperate for most of the session! I am SO excited to see the rest😍 Thanks again for your patience and for sending me this sneak peek! They are BEAUTIFUL!‘

brothers sitting together on the chair during an at home photoshoot

candid moment of a toddler playing and mum feeding a baby during an at home photoshoot

sleeping newborn baby comfortably in bedroom

Are you considering booking a newborn session? To reserve your date or have your questions answered first, just drop me a line and let’s chat!

Newborn photoshoot with older siblings | London family photographer

Photographing older babies: why is it worth booking a photographer after you’ve missed a newborn photoshoot

Golden hour (sunset) family photoshoot in London: top tips