How to Do an In-Home Newborn Session with Siblings

This was the summer of the third babies! ☀️💛 I had the sweetest session with a former college teammate and her newest little one—baby #3. It’s always such a gift getting to capture these moments, especially when I’ve photographed each of her babies as newborns. Somehow, time flies and stands still all at once. The older kids seem so grown, and SO. DANG. FUN. But being behind the lens again with this family felt like slipping right back into place. I am grateful for these full-circle moments and the magic of reconnecting—camera in hand. Many families love the idea of doing a newborn session with siblings, but I understand how it might also feel a little daunting to corral everyone. So, I’ve put together some tips (and even more encouragement) for you to dive on into it.

This nostalgic in-home session with baby Lucas overflowed with laughter, energy, and the beautiful chaos that comes with big sisters in the mix. (Oh, baby boy, you’re in for some fun with these two cuties leading the way!) It’s wild to think that the last time I was in this home was for Kyla’s newborn session, and before that, Penny’s! Somehow, the years blur together, and yet each visit feels familiar—the same warmth, the same love, just more little feet running down the hall.

Balancing Family Dynamics During a Newborn Session

As a lifestyle family and newborn photographer, I can tell you: photographing a new baby is never just about the baby. It’s about the whole family and the unique rhythm of this brand-new chapter, especially when the session takes place in your home. And when older siblings are involved, that rhythm usually includes bursts of excitement, LOTS of curiosity, mayyyybe a little jealousy, and the occasional need to show off a cool dance move or stuffed animal mid-shot.

But those improv moments are actually some of my favorite parts of a newborn session with siblings!

It’s so normal for older siblings to act differently during a session. Someone new is in their home (me!), and there’s a fresh little baby is taking up a lot of attention. The energy of “look at my new baby brother!” can turn into “look at me!” in about 0.2 seconds. Instead of trying to tone that down, I’ve learned to lean into it—to make them feel seen, helpful, and celebrated.

Because when siblings feel included, the session feels fun for everyone—and that joy shines through in the photos.

How to Help Older Siblings Feel Included

One of the easiest ways to get big brothers or sisters excited about the session is to give them a job. Kids love feeling like they’re part of the process. Sometimes it’s as simple as:

“Can you show me where baby’s tiny toes are?”
“You’re my special blanket helper today — can you help fluff it up?”
“Let’s count how many fingers baby has together!”
“Will you do a show-and-tell for your baby brother with your favorite toy?”

Small, age-appropriate “tasks” not only help redirect energy but also give siblings a sense of ownership in the moment. Suddenly, they’re not being told to sit still. They’re part of the team.

And once that connection clicks, the sweetest, most natural sibling photos unfold. Those little hands gently resting on baby’s belly, the proud smiles, the giggles when baby sneezes—those are the moments worth capturing (and framing!).

What to Do When It’s Time for Baby-Only Photos

Now, as much as I adore sibling participation, there does come a time in every newborn session when we need a little space for those quiet, baby-only shots. The tricky part? Convincing a preschooler (or even a big kid) that this isn’t the moment for another round of peekaboo in front of the camera.

Here’s where a little planning—and patience—go a long way.

If there’s another parent, grandparent, or even a favorite snack nearby, that’s the perfect cue for a short break. Sometimes we’ll say something like, “You did so great! Now it’s baby’s turn. Can you show Daddy your dance moves in the kitchen while we finish these up?”

Other times, I’ll use quiet activities to keep them close but occupied: coloring, building a block tower, reading, or “helping” me by holding a soft toy just out of frame. The goal isn’t to remove them from the experience, but to give them a moment where the attention naturally shifts (maybe without them knowing).

Older siblings often crave reassurance that they’re still special and seen. They aren’t trying to be difficult. When they know the session isn’t just about the baby—it’s also about their new role in the family—they relax. And that’s when the genuine, heartfelt interactions shine through.

Letting the Flow, Flow

There’s a misconception that newborn sessions need to be perfectly calm and quiet—but life with multiple kids rarely looks like that. And that’s okay. Honestly, if this is your second or third, they probably sleep better with the familiar noise of daily life anyway.

I’ve found that magic happens when we stop trying to overly control the flow and instead meet each moment as it comes. If the baby needs a feed? Perfect! We’ll photograph those tender, quiet snuggles. If big sister wants to twirl through the living room? Wonderful! That’s part of the story, too.

By letting kids (and parents!) be themselves, the photos reflect genuine connection, not posed perfection. Everyone breathes a little easier, and the session becomes less about “getting the shot” and more about documenting this fleeting, beautiful, very real chapter. And oh, how you’ll savor these photos later (speaking from personal experience with my own little humans).

A Full-Circle Moment

Watching Erika and her family grow over the years has been such a joy. From capturing Penny’s sleepy newborn smiles and Kyla’s proud big-sister energy, and now meeting baby Lucas, it feels like witnessing the same story unfold in new, wonderful ways.

The girls were SO. DANG. FUN. Full of sass, giggles, and curiosity about their new brother. At one point, they both insisted on showing me how they could make him “smile,” which, of course, turned into a contagious fit of laughter all around. These small, spontaneous moments are why I love in-home sessions so much. The comfort, the chaos, the authenticity—I just love it! Everyday life really can become art.

Yes, time flies, but there’s still plenty of it to make the sweetest memories. These sessions aren’t just about preserving how tiny your baby was; they’re about remembering the atmosphere — the way your home felt, the sound of little feet running down the hall, and the love that expanded overnight.

Newborn Sessions with Siblings That Capture Life in the Moment

So, if you’re planning an in-home newborn session with siblings, know this: there’s no need to stress about behavior, attention spans, or perfection. The beauty of lifestyle photography is that it’s supposed to look like your life.

Let the big kids be loud. Let the baby fuss. It truly doesn’t faze me. Let yourselves laugh, regroup, and cuddle in close. I’ll be there, quietly capturing it all — the big smiles, the soft moments, and the love that ties it all together.

Because years from now, when baby Lucas is running down that same hallway, these photos will tell the full story — not just of his first days, but of a family growing, evolving, and embracing every wild, beautiful bit of it. 💛