Believe me… as a mama of four I’ve had my fair share of toddler meltdowns during photography sessions with my own children. Plus, I’ve witnessed a toddler temper tantrum or two during HJ sessions. It’s totally normal to have some tears and tantrums when little ones are involved- especially when a new baby just entered the world and is hogging all the attention and affection.
Here are some practical tips when preparing for a session with a toddler in tow.
Preparing for your session
I try my best to have open communication with parents ahead of time about what to expect during newborn photos, sibling photos, and the entire experience. It is also a great idea to have a conversation with your toddler about what they can expect. Hype it up as much as possible. Let them know that it is going to be a really fun experience for the whole family.
If your toddler is really young (under two years old) maybe consider a photography session after their nap time. This could be in the morning after they have had a full night's sleep or in the early afternoon after their morning nap.
If your child is older (over two years old) it's still a good idea to keep their routine as close to normal before newborn photos. If they usually take an afternoon nap, try and stick with that schedule so you don't have any unexpected meltdowns during the session due to lack of sleep.
I always recommend a meal or a nice heavy snack before the session. Nobody is crankier than a hungry toddler (or dad). Enjoy a yummy breakfast or a smoothie before a morning session, or a good lunch if you plan to have an afternoon session.
Last but not least, bring something familiar for your toddler– something they can hold onto and feel safe with. It could be their favorite toy, blanket, or book. Bring something tangible that they can see and feel when the attention is on little brother or sister.
During Your Session
Our newborn photography sessions always involve a few fun, and creative shots of siblings interacting together. This is my favorite part about newborn sessions because it's so special to see how caring big brothers or sisters can be towards their new baby brother or sister (or how they are still a little unsure of the new family member)!
If your toddler is older, they may be more interested in playing with the newborn and less interested in sitting for photos. That's totally okay! We will take lots of shots of siblings together as well as individual portraits of each child.
I always recommend parents let their toddlers be themselves. If they want to hold the newborn, great! If they want to sit back and observe, that's perfectly fine too. And if they want to run around and explore the studio... go for it! As long as they interact with the newborn in some way during the session, those sibling shots will be precious.
Most importantly… have fun!! It's so easy to get caught up in the planning of a newborn session or sibling photos but, at the end of the day our goal is to create beautiful memories that we can cherish forever.
When all is said and done… newborn photo sessions with toddlers are always a little bit chaotic but so worth it in the end. These photos will capture the beginning of a beautiful friendship between your children and will be a treasure as they grow up together.
The Correa Family | Baby Margaret's Newborn Session
The most precious family friends graced the studio to capture their sweet new baby girl Margaret. We have known Allie and Vinny since they were pregnant with their oldest Robert. It was so surreal to get to meet their new baby girl and watch Robert turn into a big brother. He was so gentle with her and the way that she looked at her brother just melted my heart. Check out some of my favorites from their newborn session blow.
Hello Jude Photography provides newborn photography in North Georgia for busy moms who want a stress-free and luxury portrait experience. Also offering maternity, family, and baby photography, our studio is located in the heart of Clarkesville, between Clayton and Gainesville. We serve families in Habersham, White, Stephens, Hall, Rabun, Banks, Jackson, Gwinnett, Forsyth, and Dekalb Counties, and all throughout the North Georgia region.
We offer a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to the carefully curated Studio Wardrobe and cozy bright and airy studio space, a beautiful gallery of story-telling images, and an array of family heirlooms such as albums, prints, custom framing and more to pass down to your children. If you are searching for the perfect maternity, birth, newborn or family portrait photographer near Clarkesville and are wanting to create heirlooms for your family, we can’t wait to serve you.
Comments