Getting Big Sister in the Photos | Bethel Park Newborn Photographer

As a Bethel Park Newborn Photographer, I admit I get a little excited when I hear my client also has a toddler! See, my specialty and one of my favorite subjects to photograph is not just newborns, but newborns that have an older sibling that is of toddler age!

This blog post will mostly be images that include the big sister who is a toddler, and I will create a 2nd post to focus on the new baby and her parents! There are just way too many of my favorite images to cram into one blog post!

This adorable little one was just a few months shy of turning two when her baby sister was born. Sometimes working with little ones so close in age can be challenging but I am always up for that challenge!

Typically, little ones under two do not have much interest in being too close to their new baby sibling. But as I have mentioned in other blog posts, like this one, I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve!

As a newborn photographer who has been doing this for over fourteen years, I have a few methods to capture moments throughout the photo session to get the older sibling as close as I can to the baby.

I also know when the toddler agrees to “hold” the baby, it is probably only going to last for about eight seconds! And guess what, that is totally okay and totally expected! Believe me, this is usually how it goes and I’m prepared for it!

One of the things I love most about a toddler is their unique and silly personalities! And you just really never know what to expect or know what they will do next!

Sometimes, this is what happens when you ask a toddler to kiss the baby… 😆

And I encourage letting your toddler have drinks and snacks during our session! This is one of the many perks of having a newborn session in the comfort of your own home! Toddlers feel more relaxed in their own environment!

Any time that Mom is feeding or chainging the new baby, I take the opportunity to follow the older sibling around the house to get photos of just them without the baby around. This little one looked out the window for birdies, took great care of her “baby”, played peek-a-boo from under the table, and checked on her doggie from ubder a door crack.

When a toddler is not feeling like climbing up into mommy’s lap while mommy is holding the baby, I have dad “fly” them around the room and have them land onto mom’s lap! This usually gets me a few seconds of shots of all three of them before they decide they are done and want down.

I also will ask the older sibling to find a toy to give to the baby, this will also give me a couple of seconds of them getting closer to the baby.

While on the bed she agreed to hold the baby for a few seconds…

Having the family read a book together is almost always a great opportunity for some family shots! I do not even think big sister knew the baby was so close for a few minutes because she was so interested in her book. Because once she realized the baby was touching her, she was done reading. Again, this is totally normal and ok!

I absolutely loved getting to meet, hang out with, and photograph this adorable toddler, her newborn baby sister, and their parents in their beautiful home in the Bethel Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh!

Go have a look at part 2 of my blog post from this photo session with more images of the sweetest newborn baby sister!

If you’re looking for a newborn or baby photographer in Bethel Park, Canonsburg, Upper Saint Clair,  McMurray, Bridgeville, or Mt. Lebanon, please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to plan a photo session for your new baby!

Here are some other blog posts that you might want to check out! 

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All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography 

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over thirteen years of experience photographing families, newborns, and babies in Pittsburgh including Bethel Park, Canonsburg, Upper Saint Clair,  McMurray, Bridgeville, and Mt. Lebanon. Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!