Why you should include the whole family in your newborn photo session | Gibsonia Newborn Photographer

Mom dad baby and toddler together Why you should include the whole family in your newborn photo session


I think it’s so very important to include the whole family in your newborn photo session! Some photographers only photograph your baby or they only include the parents and siblings in just a few of the photos. With my lifestyle newborn photo sessions, I always include the parents and the older siblings in a lot of the photos!

I also want to include your furry kids (dogs and/or cats) and I encourage you to invite the Grandparents over to be included in some of the photos too!

In this post I’ll tell you why I think you should include the whole family in your newborn photo session and I’m including photos from a recent newborn and family session that took place in my clients beautiful home in Gibsonia, PA.

Mom baby and toddler together Why you should include the whole family in your newborn photo session


Other than liking my style of photography, families usually choose me as their newborn photographer for one or all of three of these reasons:

  1. I come to your home for a photo newborn session.
  2. I do lifestyle photography so it’s more relaxed with no stiff or awkward posing and I capture more real life moments.
  3. I include the whole family in my newborn photo sessions. (at no additional cost!)

Mom dad baby and toddler together Why you should include the whole family in your newborn photo session


The most important reason to include the whole family is that the parents and the older sibling(s) are a huge part of your baby’s story! When I come to your home for a photo session, I’m there to capture your unique family and tell your unique story. The first chapter of your baby’s story would be incomplete without including everyone in the photos!

toddler boy and baby newborn sister cuddled for a newborn session with Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer


As a Mama to three boys, I also know how important it is to Moms to have images with both (or all) of her precious little ones together!

However, I also know that if you have a toddler you’re probably worried about getting them to cooperate for photos with the new baby. I promise you that I’lll get some! (see the blog posts linked at the end of this post!)

toddler boy and baby newborn sister cuddled for a newborn session with Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer


I photographed the birth of this adorable big brother just two years ago so I loved seeing him all grown up. He’s such an awesome big brother to his new baby sister.

toddler boy and baby newborn sister cuddled for a newborn session with Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer


As an adult, I absolutely treasure the photos I have of myself as a baby with my parents. I have VERY few of these photos and I really wish that I had more! I love to see what my parents looked like when I was born and the clothes that they were wearing and what our old home looked like.

I guarantee that one day your teen and adult children will also treasure photos of themselves as babies with their family. And even little kids love to look at the photos from their session.

I always encourage my clients to order a photo book as I think this is the best way to preserve your memories and allow your whole family to flip through these images as often as they want.

dad with newborn red headed daughter on his shoulder Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer
red headed toddler boy smiling for camera
red head newborn baby girl yawning


I have a version of this image of this sweet sleeping baby without Moms hand on her but I really love the one of Moms hand on her belly!

red head newborn baby girl sleeping
mom with newborn red headed daughter on his shoulder Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer
mom with newborn red headed daughter on his shoulder Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer
red headed toddler boy Gibsonia newborn photographer
dad with newborn red headed daughter on his lap Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer
dad with newborn red headed daughter on his lap Mary Beth Miller Gibsonia newborn photographer
red head newborn baby girl sleeping
red head newborn baby girl sleeping


I got to hang out with this wonderful Grandma during the labor and birth of her grandson, so it was great to see her again for this photo session and to include her in the photos with her beautiful new granddaughter. I also got some of her with her grandson!

In addition to getting some photos with the Grandparents, they can also really be helpful with keeping older siblings entertained and supplied with snacks! This Grandma was a big help during the session.

grandmother with red head newborn baby girl Gibsonia photographer
red head newborn baby girl Gibsonia photographer
grandmother with red head newborn baby girl Gibsonia photographer
grandmother with red head toddler boy Gibsonia photographer
grandmother with red head toddler boy Gibsonia photographer


I really loved seeing this wonderful family again! I always feel a special bond with my birth clients so it meant so much to me that they asked me to come and photograph their precious new baby at their home!

grandmother with red head toddler boy Gibsonia photographer


As a Gibsonia newborn photographer, that loves to include the whole family into a photo session, I’d love to chat with you about your newborn photo session!


If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in the greater Pittsburgh or Youngstown Ohio areas,  
please get in touch to inquire about a session!  



Here’s some blog posts you may be interested in! 


Come give me a follow on Instagram or Facebook!


~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~

Mary Beth Miller Photography has over twelve years of experience and specializes in newborn photo sessions in Pittsburgh PA and many of the surrounding areas.  

5 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Rya Duncklee

    It IS so important to include all of the kids in a newborn photo session! Love these natural images.ReplyCancel

  • Kathryne

    Such sweet photos!ReplyCancel

  • Megan Peter

    I love how perfectly “natural” all these are. There’s no pretense- just them loving on their new baby. ReplyCancel

  • Kami Vanous

    What gorgeous babies!!!  And yes, a photo book is a must for those treasures!ReplyCancel

  • Lindsey

    Love that the whole family is a part of the baby girls photos! It’s so wonderful seeing the them interact with her/love on her! Something she and the rest of the family will treasure forever!ReplyCancel

Mary Beth Miller Photography

724.371.6575
marybeth@marybethmillerphotography.com

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Twp., and also serving Boardman, Poland, and Canfield, Ohio.

Mary Beth Miller Photography

best newborn photographers in Pittsburgh Expertise logo award

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Twp., and also serving Boardman, Poland, and Canfield, Ohio.