Hello, World! Happy, Little, & Loved | Poses with Family, Siblings, and Both Parents

A new baby brings much joy and adventure to your home! Beautifully preserve this incredibly special time in your life with a custom newborn session for the whole family by Sarah Borchgrevink.

Type of Combinations & Setups Offered:

At SBP there are currently, as of 2019, four main session types that encompass the first 14 days of life, specifically your newly earthside baby boy or girl. The bean bag and wrapped newborn sessions include the option to add family, sibling, or parent images, while the petite and full options include all things family. While there is no pressure to book one session over the other, these do appeal to many parents who would also like to participate in the spotlight! After all, Little One will only be small for a short time; as one of the top Houston newborn photographers, four years in a row, and also a Mama to four spirited kiddos, I can attest this time is fleeting.

There are three main components to this portion of your little one’s first professional photo shoot. These include the following:

• Family as a whole

• Parents

• Sibling
  
  We generally spend about 30-35 minutes of our time together cycling through several setups and options so you’re sure to have a fantastic proofing gallery full of gorgeous setups, connections in which everyone interacts with Baby, and also traditional portraits, too. Much care and thought is put into the posing, lighting, wrapping, and preparation for your time in front of the camera. There is an even more detailed breakdown of behind the scenes at this post. There is also the option to read about an adorable, simple, and timeless gallery of first-time parents.

This blog post will showcase the groupings you can expect as well as the type of lighting and posing implemented. Let’s get started!

Baby + Family Photography

During time part of your baby’s session with Sarah we will spend plenty of time capturing your immediate family as a group, such as family images with the newborn and also any other kiddos you may already have. If you would like to bring Grandparents please let me know in advance and you made add them for a small fee if you would like to do so. Moreover, if you’re unsure about what to wear to Baby’s photoshoot, have no fear: all of this is covered in your newborn styling questionnaire.

We always use a solid backdrop, such as a rustic wall, and also use the all-white, gorgeous lighting that’s called back lit. Both types make for dynamic images, variety, and truly encompass all the beauty of your clan. It’s always nice to have a traditional, classic image in which everyone is smiling and looking happy! However, lifestyle options, in which everyone interacts and focuses on the youngest member, is also a wonderful addition to your gallery.

Parents | Studio Poses with Mom & Dad

The second portion is an even smaller breakdown of our time together, too! The ‘parent’ portion includes both individualized setups of each parent with Baby, but also parents together. For instance, it is nice to have setups showcasing father and newborn photography, photos with both parents, mommy and new baby together, too, as all of these are part of your story. I am honored to capture these for you!

Dad & Baby

If you’d like further reading on Safe Poses for Newborn & Father click on over for more details and explanations.

Mom & Baby

A mother’s love knows no bounds. This post showcases my favorite poses and ways to showcase the bond and connections between new mommies and their cherub loves.

Sibling

Newborn photography with sibling(s) is a very popular request! Like family and parent images, sibling setups include classic, rustic, and timeless images for a dreamy gallery of your little ones!

For more information ways I safely pose your new addition please click on over to 3 Safe & Simple Baby Photo Ideas with a Sibling.

Thank you for stopping by this week’s blog post to read about how we pose your family with the new bundle of joy! If you are currently pregnant I would love to connect with you below. I am currently booking posed, in-studio newborn sessions for March - October 2019. Appointments take place in my Houston Portrait Studio 6 days per week. See more information about online booking & scheduling as well as a fully transparent digital pricing guide with full resolution images for download.

The Snuggle is Real | 3 Safe & Simple Baby Photo Ideas with Sibling

3 Best Ways to Safely Pose a Newborn Baby with their Proud Big Brother or Sister!

There are few things things more important to a new mother as a precious images showcasing the love and connection between her children. As a mom to four little ones, I identify with how special these images are! For instance, when I announced I was expecting Baby Number 4 (who turned out to be a boy!!) I instantly began looking for the perfect photographer to capture a sibling portrait of all my little ones. In fact, this image is hung in my house as 40x50” gallery wrapped canvas, so it’s a great way to wake up and see my spirited tribe of kiddos all snuggled together!

However, this blog post also shares transparency! In the world of posed infant portraiture, safety is key! I cannot stress this enough! Sometimes a new Mom will send me a Pinterest image of a child holding a younger sibling and relays that she would love to have that particular image! While I am happy to take client inspiration it is always important to keep these facts in mind:

• Is the pose age appropriate? For instance, a 13 month old cannot stand and hold a new sibling even if you did see it on Pinterest, ha!

• How comfortable is Big Brother or Sibling interacting with the new addition?

This in mind, I have compiled a list of 3 ways to safely photograph your precious newborn baby along with your other child(ren).

1 ) Flokati Rug

Of all the sibling photo ideas with a newborn, this one is my absolute favorite! There is something extremely timeless, classic, and stunning about the texture of the flokati rug. I also adore this pose because everyone is properly supported. For instance, with the elder sibling laying on their back, I always have posing pillows behind their head so their neck is properly supported. Once I have wrapped the younger sibling, who is a newborn, they are gently placed in the crook of Big Brother (or sister’s!) neck with posing beans placed underneath them. Mom and Dad can easily sit on either side of the flokati rug and they’re not in the frame. That way, if the sibling did decide to get up, no big deal, hands can be on Baby at all time. I do recommend this pose for kiddos who are about 3 years or older simply because they often can take direction easier.

Also, during this pose we are always sure to give lots of praise to the sibling! I include them in the process by letting the Big Sister select things like the color of the wrap, headband or bonnet, and also we will sing songs during this portion. I also recommend doing the sibling photo first so that your toddler or preschool aged child is refreshed and excited to help! Often they’re very proud and ready to show how sweetly they can hug and hold their sibling. This pose is very safe. I have a variety of flokati rug colors, too, and a huge stash of wraps, headbands, bonnets, etc., so we can style everyone to match the colors in your home.

2) Baby inside of prop

Placing your newborn baby inside of a floor prop, such as a bucket or bowl, is a great way to have adorable sibling photos! This is because your newborn is safely tucked away into a floor prop and the sibling hugs the prop or even sits next to it. This is my “go to” for younger siblings, such as toddlers, because even if the toddler is not interested in holding sibling, we can often have them in the same frame. This is why it’s important to consider the age of the sibling and what is appropriate for their development.

For example, Benjamin, who is not even two years old, was such a rock-star during his little sister’s wrapped session with me! He was a little unsure of actually holding sister in his lap. The baby is safely posed inside of this basket. With Benjamin, we simply asked him to give sister a kiss and we praised him!

The good thing is that I have tons of amazing floor props and interesting items so the options are endless! However, if you do book a posed newborn session with a sibling portion, feel free to let me know if there is a certain prop you truly adore and would love to have in your session.

3) Baby in child’s lap

Baby in child’s lap is the top requested idea for sibling photos. Moms cannot help but tear up and swoon when they see their eldest taking on a protective, sweet role for the new arrival. This pose is often great with children who are three or older. However, if you have more than one child, often we can do a few variations of this pose, too.

As always, thank you for stopping by my blog to see information on newborn and sibling photography! Other related topics you may enjoy are:

• What to Wear to Your Baby’s Newborn Session

• Dad Posing with Brand New Baby

• A Mother’s Love: Mom & Newly Earth-side Baby

• Ninja Wrapping Skills | Adorable Ways to Keep Baby Snuggly

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

 

FAQ From Clients: What to Wear to Baby's Newborn Photo Session

In Studio Family Photos during Newborn Session: What Should Parents or Siblings Wear?

Booking your baby's first professional portraits is truly exciting! You've waited months to meet the baby and have dreamed of holding them in your arms! Now that you've selected your photographer and are gearing up for a great session, you may be a little unsure what to wear to your newborn session. Have no fear! As a professional newborn photographer plus mom (I mean, I DO have four kiddos!) I know how important these images are to you. You'll treasure them forever. You would like to look and feel your best. I'm here to guide you and provide an amazing, laid back experience for you new parents.

Creams, Beige, and White | Top Colors that Photograph Best

When your baby arrives, you'll receive a newborn prep guide from me. This is a detailed guide that tells you everything to expect, such as how to prepare your new arrival for the spotlight, but also covers when your family images will take place and how to dress for those. In my studio, I use a large wood wall for the photos. Because it's rustic, I prefer neutrals and lighter tones against the dark wood. My least favorite options are black and prints; my favorite is always beige, cream, taupe, ecru, white, etc. These tones are natural, classic, and will not detract for your little one during the session.

The V-Neck for Dad | Classic, Clean,Timeless

One of my favorite poses of Dad and Newborn Baby is when Dad is holding the baby against his chest; I love how Dad is the protector here. Baby is so small and new they literally fit in the palm of Dad's hand. During this portion, a v-neck that's fitted is a great outfit choice because it will forever be classic. There are no distracting prints or colors; Dad's arms are also showcased in comparison to the tiny newborn so it makes for a beautiful image! Any brand of these v-neck t-shirts is totally fine. Some parents buy them at Target or you can also find them at stores such as JCrew. Most men already have these in their closet, so it's one less thing to worry about on the morning of baby's photography session. For all of my family and parent posing, the baby is wrapped in a simple style so they're the perfect little bundle of joy you can hold. I always pull a wrap that looks nice against the cream or lighter tones I prefer you wear.

Simple Top or Maxi Dress for Mom

Moms are usually most nervous about the family photos because they worry about how they'll look. All photos, however, at my studio are hip up so baby is the star. I pose baby so you they act as a prop. I typically don't do a lot of images in which Mom is staring into the camera and smiling; it's more about connecting with your baby. A great idea for Mom to wear is a maxi dress or even the maternity gown from the baby shower, or, if you had pregnancy portraits with me, you probably purchased a dress for those images. You can definitely wear the same dress again. Not only will this makes thing easier for you, the dresses are usually jersey knit, which is a breathable textile. It's stretchy, soft, and you'll be able to move easily.

Sibling: Jean or khakis +A Light Cotton Top

The sibling portion always makes mom's heart soar! This is a very popular request for sessions and we set aside an additional 30 minutes for these setups. I like to pose the older sibling on their back while the eldest child holds the new baby. This is a safe way for them to interact without worrying if the baby will be dropped. A neutral colored flokati, such as cream or white, is a really pretty option here. Little ones look super precious in classic, natural attire such as dark wash blue jeans, perhaps even khaki pants, and then a simple top in a lighter color, such as beige, cream, white, or tan. 

Thanks for stopping by to see my favorite colors in the studio, plus some tips on what to wear for our time together in the studio! 

Let's recap this post:

• Avoid bright colors, such as neon or even dark tones, such as black

• Maxi dresses or light, airy tops are great for Mom

• V-neck t-shirts are fabulous for Dad

• Sibling looks adorable in simple top and dark wash jeans

• Target, Kohls, J-Crew, or even Amazon are great resources for shopping. Your own closet is full of inspiration I bet, too!

If you are pregnant and are thinking about booking a professional newborn portrait artist in the Houston area, I would love to be considered for your photo needs! Let's chat! I look forward to hearing more about your family.