Newborn photoshoot with a 6 weeks old baby girl and a toddler | Croydon newborn photographer
You have probably heard it many times if you have done some research on when is the best time to have your newborn photoshoot. Most photographers will tell you, it’s best to have your newborn photoshoot within the first 2 weeks of life.
Well this session was with a 6 weeks old little girl and her brother. I photograph newborns up to 12 weeks old. After that, we call them Baby, instead of newborns, and I still photograph them !
Why 6 weeks old is still a beautiful time to capture newborn photos ?
There is something so beautiful about capturing a newborn who is already a few weeks old. they are starting to stretch out, to lock eyes on you, and they are still so tiny !
This little baby girl I photographed with her brother gave us so many sweet eye contacts, soft yawns and gentle stretches, it was so cute. She was able to follow my camera lens, as I wear black, my camera is black and the rest of the studio is very light and white. I create this contrast on purpose as babies don’t see colours before 2 or 4 months.
She was a bit hungry at the beginning so Mama gave her some milk, which is a beautiful pause in the session as I capture breastfeeding moments too. Here little brother was feeling a bit left out so he went to give is mama lot of big cuddles, I was just melting, honestly !
Bringing a toddler into the mix
A lot of new parents often worry about having a newborn photoshoot with a toddler involved too. They always tell me their little one will probably not behaved and they are not sure how the session will go down.
Well the energy will be different for sure. Toddlers get bored very quickly. So that’s why I often do the first few poses with the toddler and the newborn, so we are sure we locked down some beautiful photos of them.
During this session, the little sister was so in love with her brother and already used to his presence, she was genuinely calming herself when he was next to her, holding her little hand ( ovaries crying again !).
Instead of forcing poses, we focus on the in-between. When the toddler brother wanted to jump into the poses with the parents, I would let him do it, rather than force him in. Same when it was one parent holding baby sister in their arms, if the brother wanted some attention and was approaching the seat, I would invite him to have a cuddle with the parent.
The key is flexibility and fun
We play little games, Dad plays peekaboo behind me, little brother has to find the stickers in his sister.
The entire session is designed to flow with the 2 kids, and we adapt to them.
You don’t need to have it together
Your baby doesn’t have to sleep the entire session. We go with the flow and how your newborn feels. If they need a feed, a cuddle, a nappy change.
Your toddler doesn’t have to sit still. I would encourage to bring games or toys with you, that he can play with on the side between poses. I do some little puzzles in the studio too. If you feel stressed or constatnly concerned about your toddler, checking on them with one eye, it will show on the photos and we don’t want this.
It is hard for little one to stay still for a long time and listen to a lot of grown ups in the room. So your only job will be to relax and let it go. Whatever happens, happens. Let’s embrace their little chaos and capture the essence of your new family :)
If you are ready to book your newborn photoshoot in Croydon and Surrey, please complete the form below and we will discuss about your dream session.
Much love, Claire
