If you're planning newborn photos and you already have a toddler at home, I'm guessing the baby isn't what's keeping you up at night. It's the three-year-old. You picture everyone cozy on the bed, gazing at the new baby, and then you look over at your oldest negotiating snack options like she's closing on a house and think there's no way this works. Savannah had that same worry going into her session, and I get it. I've been the mom doing the math on whether something is about to go sideways.
When I got to their Carmel home, it was quiet and a little sleepy, the way houses get in those first weeks with a newborn. Renley, their three-year-old, stuck close to her mom and watched me carefully, sizing me up before she decided anything. Josh was the calm one, moving around the house and keeping things light. And in the middle of all of it was her brand-new baby brother, tiny and squishy and still very new to all of us.
Meeting Renley Before the Camera Came Out
Savannah told me ahead of time that Renley was shy with new people but couldn't stop talking once she felt comfortable. She loved books, baby dolls and bugs, and she was over the moon about being a big sister. Honestly, that was the most useful thing anyone could have told me before I walked in. So I didn't pose anybody right away. I let her look me over, asked about her books, and waited for her to start telling me about her world. Once she did, her excitement about the baby came out in this quiet, earnest way I couldn't have directed if I tried.
Yes, We Got the Grandma Shot
Every family session has what I call the grandma shot. Everybody looking at the camera, everybody smiling, and grandma texting it to the whole family about four minutes after the gallery lands. Savannah didn't send me a list of groupings. "You know best," she wrote in her questionnaire, and that trust let us move through the session without chasing a checklist. We got the classic family photos first and then let things loosen up.
Three Seconds of Holding the Baby (and Other Big Sister Moments)
This is where Renley really showed up. Sometimes she wanted to hold her brother for exactly three seconds before announcing she was done. Sometimes she leaned in close and studied his fingers like she'd be quizzed on them later. And every so often she'd disappear to grab a book or a toy she was sure he needed right that minute. None of it was planned, and I loved every bit of it.
Savannah had told me Renley takes care of her baby dolls constantly, and that half the time, her gratitude at dinner is that "God gave us a baby in mommy's belly." You could see all of that in how she treated her brother. Her hand would rest on her mom's arm while he slept, and Josh kept looking at both kids like he couldn't quite believe they were his. I have a feeling those are the photos Savannah will come back to most.
What If Your Toddler Doesn't Want to Join In?
Savannah came in pretty open. She wanted photos of the baby on his own, a few with big sister and a handful of the whole family, and the rest was up to us. That openness is a big reason sessions with toddlers go well. If your toddler wants in, we lean into it, and if they need a break, they get one while I photograph the baby or the two of you. Kids wandering in and out of the frame is just what three-year-olds do, and it doesn't throw anything off. If you want the full rundown, I wrote a whole post on what to expect during newborn photos with siblings, plus a few tips for getting your toddler ready for newborn photos.
Real Is Better Than Perfect
Savannah described her family as casual, preppy and outdoorsy, but what stood out to me in person was how they were together. Josh kept things light, Savannah stayed steady, Renley was sweet in her quiet way, and Kyra, their dog, kept a careful eye on everybody. A newborn session with a toddler is never going to be silent or predictable, and I wouldn't want it to be. When Savannah looks at these years from now, I doubt she'll care whether Renley sat still. She'll remember how full the house felt those first few weeks. If you're planning your own, here's how my in-home newborn photography in Indianapolis works, from booking to gallery.
Nervous About Newborn Photos with a Toddler?
If you're worried your toddler will be too loud or too much for a newborn session, you're not doing anything wrong. You're picturing real life with a three-year-old, and that's what I want to photograph anyway. Your family doesn't have to be calmer or quieter to get beautiful photos. Most of the time, the stuff you're stressing about now is what you'll love seeing later. And once the newborn days are behind you and you're ready for family photos with your crew, here's how to prepare kids for family photos without the stress.
Got a big sister or big brother in training at your house? I'd love to meet them.
The Heart Narrative | Carmel Newborn Photographer
Lauren Lewis, The Heart Narrative
Expecting a new baby with a toddler already running the house? I'd love to photograph your family just as it is, tiny fingers and big feelings included. Reach out through my contact form and let's talk about what an in-home newborn session could look like for you. Want some inspiration first? My Pinterest is packed with ideas from past sessions, and the Journal has plenty more real families like Savannah's.
Let's marvel in your messy.
