If you’ve ever asked a toddler to do something they have absolutely no interest in doing, you probably already know how that conversation ends.
Now imagine asking that same toddler to sit beside their brand-new baby brother or sister, look toward a camera, and smile.
Sometimes they’re delighted to participate.
Other times? Not a chance.
And after years of photographing children, I’ve learned that the best thing we can do in those moments is often to stop trying so hard.
Toddlers Have Their Own Plans
One of the questions parents sometimes have before their newborn session is whether we’ll be able to capture photographs of their older child with the new baby.
And I understand why those photographs matter so much.
Welcoming a new baby is a significant moment for the entire family, especially for a little one who has suddenly become a big brother or sister.
But toddlers are wonderfully unpredictable.
They may be curious about the baby one minute and far more interested in exploring the room the next. They may happily sit beside their new sibling at home but want absolutely nothing to do with it once a camera appears.
That’s completely normal.
And it’s why I approach newborn sessions with older siblings a little differently.
Sometimes the Best Approach Is to Stop Asking
Over the years, I’ve learned a little trick when photographing toddlers.
Sometimes, the more we ask them to participate, the less interested they become.
We invite them to sit beside the baby. We ask them to come give a kiss. We promise that it’ll only take a minute.
And suddenly, being photographed is the very last thing they want to do.
So instead of continuing to ask, I often shift my attention elsewhere.
I’ll begin photographing the newborn, talking sweetly to the baby and giving the older sibling a little space.
And you know what often happens?
Curiosity takes over.
That toddler who wasn’t interested a moment ago suddenly wants to know what we’re doing. They may wander over to investigate, peek at their new sibling, or decide that perhaps they’d like to be included after all.
It doesn’t happen every time, of course.
But I’ve found that giving children the freedom to participate on their own terms often works far better than trying to convince them.
Keeping the Experience Positive Matters More Than a Perfect Pose
One of the things I never want is for a toddler to associate their new sibling’s photography session with frustration.
A child who’s feeling overwhelmed or upset isn’t going to suddenly become cooperative because we’ve asked one more time.
And truthfully, I don’t want to spend our time making them feel that they have to.
Instead, I encourage parents to keep expectations relaxed.
We can invite an older sibling to participate, offer a little encouragement, and see what happens.
If they’re interested, wonderful!
If they’re not, we move on and try again later.
Sometimes we capture that sweet sibling portrait right away. Sometimes it happens toward the end of the session, when everyone has settled in.
And occasionally, a toddler simply isn’t interested that day.
That’s okay, too.
The goal isn’t to force a photograph at the expense of the experience.
It’s to create a calm, welcoming environment where beautiful moments have room to happen naturally.
A Little Patience Can Make All the Difference
I was reminded of this during a newborn session I photographed at the Pure & Simple Alumni Reunion with Danielle Hobbs Photography.
I was reminded of this during a newborn session I had the pleasure of photographing at the Pure & Simple Alumni Reunion with Danielle Hobbs Photography. It was a wonderful reminder that when toddlers are involved, a little patience, flexibility, and a willingness to go with the flow can make all the difference.
Rather than approaching sibling photographs with a long list of expectations, I prefer to make room for the little personalities in front of my camera.
Sometimes that means giving an older sibling a little extra time.
Sometimes it means focusing on the newborn while the toddler explores.
And sometimes the sweetest photographs happen when we simply allow the moment to unfold.
What I Want Parents to Know Before Their Newborn Session
If you’re expecting another baby and wondering how your toddler will do during newborn photographs, here’s what I hope you’ll remember.
You don’t need to practice smiling for the camera.
You don’t need to worry that your child won’t sit still.
And you certainly don’t need to apologize if your toddler decides they have other plans.
I have photographed enough little ones to know that their personalities, moods, and attention spans are all part of childhood.
My job is to work with those things, not against them.
We’ll keep things gentle, follow their lead, and give them opportunities to participate without pressure.
Because a successful newborn session isn’t one where every child follows every direction.
It’s one where your family feels comfortable, your baby is cared for, and we preserve the beautiful beginning of this new chapter together.
Remembering the Beginning of Their Story Together
There is something so meaningful about those first photographs of siblings.
One day, the newborn who seems impossibly tiny will be running through the house trying to keep up with their big brother or sister.
They’ll share toys, secrets, adventures, and probably more than a few disagreements.
But right now, they’re just beginning to know one another.
And whether that first portrait includes a perfectly placed kiss, a curious little glance, or a moment of quiet closeness, it’s a beautiful part of their story.
We don’t need perfection to preserve something meaningful.
Sometimes we just need a little patience and the willingness to go with the flow.
A Gentle Approach to Newborn Photography
My newborn sessions are baby-led, thoughtfully paced, and designed to give families room to settle in without feeling rushed.
Whether you’re welcoming your first baby or adding another little one to your family, I’d love to help you preserve these fleeting early days.
