How to Involve Siblings in Maternity Photos | Atlanta Maternity Photographer

A new baby brings a lot of exciting changes for growing families! And for big siblings, it’s quite the shift in their universes. Whether they’re already brothers and sisters, or this is the first little sibling they’ll welcome, adding a new baby to family dynamics isn’t always easy for kids. That’s why it’s key to involve siblings in maternity photos.

Making big brothers and sisters part of your maternity shoot helps them feel included, encourages excitement for a new little brother or sister, and enables you to capture these moments of your family in its current state! I’ve learned various ways to make maternity sessions fun and memorable experiences for parents and big siblings. 

Here are my favorite ways to involve siblings in maternity photos!

Make Them Feel Special 

Have you ever noticed the way your child beams when they get to help you with an important job or task? The confidence they feel when you’ve made them a part of something that’s typically for grownups? That same sense of pride will be evident when you involve siblings in maternity photos. 

Big brothers and sisters will hear a lot of talk about “Mommy having a baby” and will notice things happening in their family that don’t necessarily include them. Making your maternity photoshoot, an event where they feel important and rewarded for their involvement, will make them feel part of welcoming the new baby–and excited too!

Plan to bring treats or even a new toy to make your maternity session extra special for your big kids. Talk with them about it in advance, and emphasize how essential their job as big brother and/or sister will be on the day of your shoot. 

I love to involve siblings in maternity by planning shots of them with mommy and her growing belly. There’s nothing as sweet as a big brother or sister gently hugging their mom’s bump or giving it kisses. Before your maternity photoshoot, hype up the excitement about photos they’ll be in as a big sibling!

Plan for Solo Portraits of Big Siblings

Of course, your maternity session will focus on mom and dad, but planning for solo shots of big brothers and sisters can be a great way to involve siblings in maternity photos. 

As much as they’re sure to enjoy those poses holding and kissing mom’s belly, planning portraits of just them is sure to make them feel like stars! Plus, when you look back on those solo images, you won’t believe how grown-up your older children seem as you welcome a new baby to your family. 

At my maternity photoshoots, I prefer to start with these individual pictures with big siblings. Beginning the session by focusing on them and making them feel important sets the tone that they are an essential part of the day and this experience. 

I find that kicking things off with photos of your children on their own makes them feel more comfortable and happier to participate in the rest of the session. 

Playing Photographer’s Assistant!

Another way I love to involve siblings in maternity photos is to continue to make them feel special as the session goes on: I recruit them as my assistants! Don’t worry. I don’t mean that they’ll be responsible for anything essential to your shoot–haha!

What I mean is that I let children help me behind the camera and help me with things around the shoot. They’ll feel like they have big tasks at your session! One of the best things about sessions at my private family property or studio is that we’re on our own and can take the time to enlist special helpers!

When big brothers and sisters aren’t part of a particular setup, I invite them to help me shoot pictures. They get to look in the lens, help me make adjustments to my settings, and even snap images. Giving them a role in the process allows them to feel included and like they’re part of the experience. Getting to hold the camera is always exciting for little ones!

By giving big siblings jobs and tasks, like helping me take photos they don’t feel like they’re in the background or scenery of pictures happening with their moms and dads. 

Instead, they know they have a big role in a day they might otherwise feel a little left out. They might not be in every photo from your session, but looking back, they’ll know they were involved!

Let Kids Be Kids

If you’ve already taken family photos with your children, you know that structured, perfectly posed portraits with kids aren’t always easy. Taking pictures with them at maternity sessions is no different, and that’s okay! 

Some of my favorite moments I’ve documented for growing families have been the unplanned and candid ones that genuinely show children’s personalities and spirits. Silly faces and expressions caught as we corral kids between setups are priceless!

I like to keep things light and fun when I involve siblings in maternity photos. Of course, I know how to document those perfect moments and grab them when they happen. But I’m also experienced with keeping the mood relaxed and not stressful for kids and parents. 

When things are upbeat and not too rigid or rule-heavy, children are more likely to cooperate and enjoy the experience! I have a toddler of my own, and I’m a seasoned photographer, so I know just how to bring out those genuine smiles and laughs.

Visit my Maternity portfolio gallery to see some of the beautiful North Atlanta families I’ve had the pleasure of documenting! 

Ready to involve your siblings in maternity photos and book your session? Fill out my Inquiry Form with your session details, and I’ll be in touch within 48 hours.