5 Must-Have Family Photo Combinations for Your In-Home Session

And then there were four! If this sweet family looks familiar, it’s because I’ve had the joy of photographing them since 2018 (!!). Their session was chock full of family portraits, candid moments, and everything in between. If you’re wondering what to expect during an in-home family session, let this family be your experienced guide to some of the best family photo combinations.

But first, let’s rewind a bit. Our very first session together involved a snowy Chicago riverfront adventure — just Jake, Kendal, and a brand-new ring sparkling against the winter skyline. Oh, it was magical and beautiful beyond words. We laughed, we wandered, and I remember driving home thinking how much I loved every single second with them. (You can see it for yourself here: A Snowy Chicago Engagement Session).

Since then, we’ve walked through so many seasons together—both literally and figuratively. From their glowing Wicker Park studio maternity session with Brooks to welcoming him home for his newborn photos (how is he the big brother now?!), to their sun-soaked family picnic maternity session while baby Paige was still tucked safely inside Kendal’s tummy — every chapter has felt like flipping another page in a story I’m honored to help tell.

And now? Baby Paige is here. Brooks has officially stepped into his role as the sweetest, proudest big brother.

Watching their story unfold has been a true gift. Gently documenting their journey from “just us” to “all of this.” I cannot wait to see what the next eight years hold as their littles grow and their own connection deepens even more.

An In-Home Newborn Session with Baby Paige

Paige’s newborn session felt exactly the way I believe newborn photography should feel: natural, relaxed, and fun—for Mom and Dad, too!

In-home newborn sessions are intentionally unhurried. There’s no rushing out the door, no packing diaper bags for a studio, no wondering if you remembered the pacifier (or stopping at a store along the way). Instead, you get to stay in the space where your family’s real life is already unfolding. You can document the nursery you thoughtfully prepared, nestle into the couch as big brother climbs up beside you, and then stop by the kitchen, where your coffee sits in the microwave after its third reheat.

These sessions are family-led. That means I’m not arriving with a rigid shot list and a timer. I’m there to observe, gently guide when needed, and document the natural rhythm of your home with a creative touch.

Of course, I also know that most families appreciate knowing what to expect. So, while we won’t be “checking boxes,” there are certain family photo combinations that consistently photograph beautifully without adding pressure or stress.

Let’s talk about those.

cute family photo combinations for you in-home newborn session

Morton Grove, Illinois, family photographer

Family Photo Combinations That Photograph Beautifully

When a new baby joins the family, the dynamic shifts. My goal is to capture both the whole picture and the little in-between moments that make your family uniquely yours.

Here are some of my favorite family photo combinations for in-home newborn sessions with multiple children:

1. Everyone Together

We’ll absolutely capture the full family portrait — but in a way that feels natural. This might look like:

Snuggling together on the bed
Sitting close on the couch with baby in mom’s arms
Dad wrapping everyone into one big hug

I’ll offer light direction (think: “Everybody lean in close” instead of “Everyone look at me and smile!”). But the magic comes from the way you and your kids naturally interact.

2. Each Parent with Baby

These are often the quietest, most emotional frames of the day.

Mom and baby near a window with soft light
Dad holding baby against his chest
A gentle sway in the nursery

You deserve to be in the frame, not just behind the scenes. These portraits become increasingly meaningful over time.

3. Siblings + Baby

With older siblings — especially toddlers — we keep it playful and low-pressure.

For Brooks and Paige, this looked like:

Brooks sitting beside Paige on the bed while she rested safely supported
A quick kiss on her forehead
Him gently holder her hand

We never force prolonged poses. A 30-second window of genuine affection is more than enough. Often, the “almost” moments — the giggles, the wiggling, the curiosity — are the ones you’ll treasure most.

4. Each Child Individually

In larger families, I always make space to photograph each child on their own, too. It’s easy for older siblings to feel a little overshadowed during the newborn season, and this is a sweet way to honor them. (I’ll probably ask them to show me their favorite toy or talk about something they’re really into so they really feel seen.)

A few frames of Brooks solo — his big smile, his proud energy — tell an important part of this story.

5. Parent + Children (Without Baby)

This might surprise you, but I love capturing a parent with the older sibling(s) while baby rests nearby.

It preserves that connection and reminds them: you are still my baby too.

What to Expect During Your In-Home Newborn Session

If you’re preparing for your own in-home newborn session and wondering what it will feel like, here’s the honest answer:

It should feel like a relaxed morning at home.

We’ll move room to room based on light and comfort. We’ll pause for diaper changes and snack breaks. If your toddler needs a minute to warm up, we’ll give them that space.

You don’t need a perfectly styled house. A few neutral spaces near windows are more than enough. I’ll gently guide you toward the best light and help you settle into natural positions that feel like you.

There is no pressure to perform.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s presence.

Why Family-Led Sessions Matter

Over the years of photographing this family — from their Chicago engagement session to two pregnancies and now two newborn chapters — one thing has remained constant: the best moments happen when we let them unfold naturally.

When sessions are family-led:

Kids feel safe and relaxed.
Parents don’t feel stressed trying to “get the shot.”
The images reflect your real connection, not a Pinterest checklist.

With Paige’s session, some of my favorite images weren’t posed at all. They were Kendal instinctively brushing Brooks’ hair back. Jake rocking Paige while chatting with his son. Brooks climbing up beside his mom just because that’s what he always does.

Those are the frames that will mean everything years from now.

Transitioning From ‘Just Us’ to ‘All of This’

Meeting sweet baby Paige and watching Brooks step into his big brother era was surreal in the best way. It truly feels like yesterday I was standing in this same house photographing Brooks as a newborn.

And now? He’s taller, louder, funnier — and so inquisitive and proud of his baby sister.

This is why I love what I do.

Getting to document both the milestone moments and the quiet in-between seasons for clients-turned-friends is something I never take for granted. Watching their story expand from engagement to marriage to parenthood (twice!) has been a privilege beyond words.

I can’t wait to see what the next eight years hold.