Washington, D.C. At-Home Newborn Session
how to help your toddler prepare for your newborn session with their new sibling
As a Washington, DC newborn and family photographer for the past 8 years, one of the most common concerns I’ve heard from parents about booking a newborn session is they are worried about how or if their toddler will behave during our time together. And I totally get it - their lives have been turned upside down and they are adjusting to their new role as a big brother or sister, while also at a stage of life where they tend to make their feelings known in big ways! But, as I tell all of my family clients, kids (especially toddlers) will be kids, if we can drop any expectations of perfection and just roll with the punches, we will get great photos. However, in my almost decade of experience as a newborn photographer, I have learned that it always takes a village and the newborn photos are a great time to call the calvary and bring in reinforcements! Having an extra adult - be it a family member, nanny, babysitter or good friend - on hand can go a long way towards making our time together even more fun! Not only does it allow us to have quiet time with baby, it also lets you shine some special light on your older child while your helping hands take care of the baby for a bit!
Another important piece of advice when working with older siblings: decide when you’d like them to be included in the session. Often we start with the whole family so your older kiddo(s) can be excused to play, in which case we schedule the session to start when everyone (especially toddlers) is happiest! But if your newest big brother or sister is feeling particularly clingy (which is pretty common!), we might want to wait to introduce them to the photos towards the end, just in case they are having too much fun and don’t want to stop participating (or leave your side!). This is one of the many reasons why a pre-session consultation is included with every PLUME Portrait session and strongly encouraged - a few minutes spent chatting about dynamics can make your session go so much more smoothly than starting from scratch the day of the shoot.
And finally, if your child wants to bring their lovey or another favorite toy into the photos, let them! It makes them feel confident and secure, and usually they loosen their grip on it naturally after a little while - but even when they don’t, that lovey is part of the family at this moment in time, so they fit right in!
If you are expecting or recently added to your family and would like to document this time with a PLUME Portrait Session, or would like to learn more about the PLUME Photography experience, please reach out and inquire!
Amanda Reynolds of PLUME Photography is a Washington DC-based newborn, children, and family photographer, specializing in lifestyle in-home newborn photography. Using both analog film & digital cameras, her signature style is immediately recognizable both for its artistic aesthetic, and the authentic and genuine connection she captures. Offering an elevated and effortless portrait experience to her clients, PLUME Photography serves the Washington, DC area, including Alexandria, VA, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase, MD, as well as Annapolis and the Eastern Shore. She is available for portraits on Sanibel Island, Boca Grande, and Naples FL during the winter months.