How to Help Siblings Feel Seen During In-Home Newborn Photography Lifestyle Sessions
Beyond the Baby: Making Siblings Feel Seen in Newborn Photos
Welcoming a new baby into your family is a beautiful, emotional milestone—but for many parents, it also brings big transitions for older siblings. As an East County San Diego newborn photographer specializing in in-home lifestyle sessions, I’ve learned that capturing this season means more than photographing a sleepy newborn—it’s about telling the full story, including the tender, unpredictable, and often overlooked moments between siblings. Whether you're preparing for your own in-home newborn session or you’re a photographer looking to better support families with multiple children, here’s why helping big kids feel seen is just as important as celebrating the newest arrival.
How to Help Siblings Feel Seen During In-Home Newborn Photography
As an East County San Diego newborn photographer who specializes in in-home lifestyle newborn sessions, I often witness the beauty and the complexity of these transitions. During a recent session with the Crum family, who were welcoming their third child (their first boy after two girls), I was reminded of how powerful it is when older siblings are gently drawn into the celebration, not just as witnesses, but as valued participants.
Sisters pointing at photos on the wall and telling me about them. What is really cool is i took TWO of those newborn images for this family in years prior.
Newborn brother in an individual detail shot.
The Emotional Landscape of Older Siblings
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Zero to Three shows that toddlers and young children can feel a mix of excitement, jealousy, and confusion when a new baby arrives. They're no longer the center of attention, and their routines are disrupted. But photography can be a powerful bridge. It offers them a way to participate meaningfully in the family’s new story.
Using Photography to Create Inclusion
With the Crum girls, I kept my camera accessible and my heart open.
I allowed them to look through my viewfinder and ‘take pictures’ of their parents. This isn't just a fun distraction—it's a technique backed by research. According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology, participatory photography can help children process emotional experiences and transitions.
By handing over the camera (even for just a minute), children feel empowered. They aren’t just being photographed; they are part of the creation process. That shift in agency helps them feel seen. I am ultimately blessed with my light up LCD screen with a touch shutter on my Mirroless Canon!
Outtake image of sister taking a photo of parents while her younger sister photo bombs.
Why In-Home Sessions Help Siblings Shine
One of the reasons I love photographing newborns in my clients’ homes is that it allows for flexibility, familiarity, and natural connection. In a studio or out in nature, the pressure to perform can be overwhelming, especially when you're no longer the "baby" in the room.
At home, siblings can come and go from the session. They can bring their favorite toys, play near the baby, or cuddle up with mom and dad when they’re ready. This allows time to warm up and for the siblings to get used to me being around (and holding a camera). This allows the session to unfold in a way that supports their individual needs and personalities. The Child Mind Institute notes that maintaining routines and environments during transitions can greatly reduce sibling anxiety - What better way than to hold a session in a familiar place!
Sisters posing on their parents bed before photographing with their baby brother.
Including Pets in Newborn Photography
And yes—don’t forget the furry family members. Their dogs made an appearance too (just like the last 2 newborn sessions I have had with the Crum family), adding even more joy and personality to the session. Including pets in your in-home newborn photos is a beautiful way to tell the full story of your household during this season of change. Many families in East County San Diego treat their dogs as first babies, and incorporating them into newborn sessions always brings authenticity and warmth.
Sisters on the stairs with one of their pets posing for a photo during an in-home lifestyle newborn photo session.
Gentle Moments Create Lasting Memories
How to Help Your Older Kids Feel Prepared
As a parent, you may wonder how to help your older children feel confident and included in your in-home newborn session. Here are a few tips you can try ahead of time:
Talk about the session in advance. Let them know they'll be in photos, too, and that it's a special day for the whole family.
Give them a “job.” Whether it’s holding a blanket, helping calm the baby, or making silly faces, giving them a role helps them feel important.
Let them choose something. Outfit options or a favorite toy can make them feel more in control.
Stick to their rhythms. Try to schedule the session when they’re well rested and fed. I always build in flexibility and time for breaks so they never feel pressured.
These steps help make the experience enjoyable—not just for the baby, but for the whole family. Some of the most tender images I captured during this session weren’t posed. They were moments of spontaneous giggles on the bed, the girls whispering to each other while watching their baby brother sleep, or quietly holding his hand.
According to the American Psychological Association, early positive memories are foundational. They shape not only how a child remembers their childhood, but how they relate to others. Being included in a newborn session isn't just a photo op—it's a formative memory.
Eye-Catching Highlights from This Session
Sibling Bonding & Newborn Photos at Home – Discover the emotional impact of including older siblings in your newborn session.
Beyond the Baby: Making Siblings Feel Seen in Newborn Photos – Why in-home photography captures more than just milestones.
Helping Big Siblings Feel Included – I also find it important to capture siblings, without the newborn involved. We are also celebrating the bond of being new big sisters here! I also recommend individual photos where possible, too.
Crum sisters posing with baby brother.
Photographer’s Corner: How I Work With Siblings
For fellow photographers, capturing sibling connection in newborn sessions requires patience, flexibility, and a playful approach. Here are a few things I’ve found incredibly helpful:
Use a silent shutter. It helps avoid startling or distracting younger children, especially in quiet moments. I use this mirrorless camera with a silent shutter option for smoother transitions.
Offer agency. I let kids help by "taking a photo" with my camera or showing them their picture on the LCD screen. You can even hand them a kid-friendly instant camera as their 'job' to build confidence.
Honor their timeline. Some children jump in right away; others warm up slowly. Either is okay. Let the story unfold naturally. It is best if you have a flexible time frame and don’t need to ‘rush’ out.
Talk at their level. I kneel or sit to make eye contact and speak softly, using their name. This builds instant trust and comfort. ASK QUESTIONS! They love to talk about all of their favorite things.
Use simple props to spark a connection. Books, textured blankets, or soft stuffed animals like their plushies to help prompt natural interaction. Ask them about their baby sibling, “where’s brother’s nose?” etc.
Don't forget the pets! Ask siblings to help pose the dog or talk about their favorite memory with their pet. It builds camaraderie and eases nerves.
Prep parents in advance. Let them know to expect wiggles and breaks. Reassure them that a child’s unpredictable energy is part of the beauty of lifestyle sessions and you will capture beautiful moments!
Give Breaks. A break for the older siblings is a perfect opportunity to get some bonding nursing time photos with babe and mom, as well as individual, detailed shots or posed portraits.
These small considerations often lead to the most genuine moments, and happy families who come back year after year. Want more of my behind-the-scenes tips and gear favorites? Follow me on Amazon or message me on Instagram!
These small considerations often lead to the most genuine moments—and happy families who come back year after year.
Also, don’t forget you can -remake- photos from the past! These sisters posed in gowns grandma brought with her that their mother and aunt wore together when they were their age.
Black and White edit of sisters holding newborn baby brother and smiling at camera.
Final Thoughts: Celebrating the Whole Family
Whether you're a parent preparing to welcome another baby or a photographer learning how to better support growing families, I hope this post encourages you to pause and look beyond the posed. Including older siblings in your newborn session isn’t just a sweet bonus—it’s a profound way to nurture belonging, connection, and confidence during a season of change.
Some of my favorite images are the ones where big siblings aren’t perfectly still or smiling, but are simply themselves—curious, silly, unsure, or deeply proud. These moments tell the truth of family growth in a way that staged portraits alone never could.
If you're a parent in East County San Diego hoping to document this season, I’d be honored to help tell your story—messy, beautiful, and entirely yours. And if you're a fellow photographer, I hope you walk away with new tools to invite children into the frame with authenticity and heart. Thanks for being here.
Want help in San Diego CA?
Well, contact me! I would be honored to help you capture your loved one’s littlest features — I’ll walk with you.
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Morgan Liberatore
Dedicated to serving others in a NEW way, that doesn’t involve active service in the military. I want to capture your special moments and help in any way I can.
Well, contact me! I would LOVE to help you with your dream couples lifestyle photo session with your pup and coffee.
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Discover how to help older siblings feel included and celebrated during Newborn Photo Sessions — backed by research and family-centered photography tips. Including siblings in your in-home newborn session adds depth, emotion, and lasting memories. Whether you're a growing family in East County San Diego or a photographer looking to support your client better, remember—it’s not just about the baby, it’s about the bond. Thank you for letting me share this part of the story with you.