You know that shy feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time?  Kids get that too.  When they come into my studio with their brand new baby brother or sister, they’re checking me out.  Deciding if I’m likeable.

I usually start out by telling them what we’ll be doing.  I tell them how we’ll be holding the baby and how important it is to hold up his head.  Things like that.  I’m kind of in teacher mode.  (Side note: I used to be a first grade teacher!)

Once I get the shot set up, I want to surprise them.  I want them to be giggly and add a little life to the photo.  So, I do something like ask if they think that baby brother has a poopy diaper.  That usually gets a laugh to start.  Then we might go into scenarios of what would happen if he pooped on…  Sometimes, they’ll offer up stories and the laughs don’t stop.

From there, I’ll try to get a soft and sweet shot, so something like kissing the baby will wrap things up.  Toddlers can do something like count the babies toes or look at his hair if they are too young to kiss on command.

But, potty talk.  It works every time. 🙂

Long Beach Newborn Photographer // Tips for Photographing Babies and Siblings