Yes, Siblings Are Welcome! How to Include Your Whole Family in a Newborn Photo Session in Minneapolis
When families from across the Twin Cities choose me to be their newborn photographer, they often tell me it’s because my sessions not only include baby, but because I welcome their entire family in my newborn photography experience. Of course — preserving memories of baby is important. From their tiny details to glimpses of their personality, the first few weeks of a baby’s life are so fleeting and they change so quickly! Newborn photos are invaluable for preserving all the beautiful details of baby! But what I encourage my clients to see even more so is that the most meaningful newborn photos aren’t of baby alone — they are of your entire family surrounding that baby with love! Your baby’s arrival marks a momentous time in your family’s journey as it has now grown and the next chapter is beginning. Plus, years later, when your now newborn is then a big kid, they will love looking back at these photos and see what mom, dad, and big sister or brother looked like when they arrived.
Are You a Traditional or Lifestyle Newborn Photographer?
I tell my clients that I am actually both! Or, what I like to call a “hybrid newborn photographer.” What does it mean to be a “hybrid” newborn photographer? This means that my sessions include both beautiful images of baby alone - swaddled in beautiful blankets, lying in a bassinet or vintage basket, as well as images of your entire family interacting with each other and loving on baby. I believe that a baby’s story begins with the connection they have with their family. Photographing newborns without their people misses something essential. As a result, my newborn sessions always include beautiful, more traditional images of baby plus your entire family. Having your family included is not an “add-on” to the session fee or a different price point, but family newborn sessions are what make up every session I offer. In fact, my sessions have resulted in me being designated a Master Newborn Photographer from the National Association of Portrait and Child Photographers (NAPCP)! An honor that I am very humbled by.
Why Family Presence Creates Stronger Newborn Images
From a practical standpoint, babies feel safest when they’re close to their parents and siblings. I try to create a peaceful environment for families so that they can be themselves during a session. I want them to feel confident in having their new reality be present in their newborn images, too. Life goes by so quickly and these things can be so easily forgotten that I feel these types of images add more value to what they receive in their photo session.
Emotionally, family presence creates depth and more authentic images.
Your entire family’s hands surrounding them as they sleep in a bassinet. Mom feeding baby in a rocking chair. Siblings cuddled closely by her side. Dad’s enormous hands holding baby like a little football. A quiet moment on the couch, as an entire family reads a book together with baby in the midst of it all. These types of images tell your story and better reflect what your new life is like rather than just a posed picture of baby alone or of an entire family smiling at the camera.
When family is present, babies tend to:
Settle more easily
Stay relaxed and comfortable
Respond to familiar voices, warmth, and touch
What Family-Centered Newborn Photography Looks Like
As we all know, family is never perfect and can often be chaotic. I reassure my clients that this is expected and even embraced during their session. In my Studio, I provide an experience where siblings can play, have snacks, and be themselves. We take breaks for diaper changes and feedings - and even photograph these things if possible! I create an environment where all the details of your “new norma” can play out in a beautiful way. Taking the pressure off to be “the perfect family” allows parents to come to their session relaxed and focus on being present without the pressure to perform.
Here are some moments common in my sessions:
Holding your baby near a window with natural light
Lying down next to each other while looking at baby’s little feet and hands.
Feeding baby together
Sitting together on a bed or living room sofa and reading a book (this is the case in my studio or in your home!)
Letting moments unfold naturally There’s no pressure to perform or smile for the camera. The focus is on comfort, closeness, and connection — images that feel lived-in and honest.
Including Siblings (Even When It Feels Unpredictable)
Many parents worry about how siblings will behave during newborn sessions.
What if they don’t want to participate?
What if they wander off?
What if it feels chaotic?
Here’s what I’ve learned: siblings don’t need to cooperate perfectly to belong in these photos.Their curiosity, hesitation, excitement, and affection are part of your family’s story. Often, the most meaningful images come from the in-between moments — a sibling checking in, offering a gentle touch, or simply being nearby. I shoot through it all and you will be surprised by the beauty that results. Those moments matter more than posed smiles ever could.
I also work to prepare my clients before their session through our pre-session zoom call where questions can be answered, my newborn session prep guide which has tips for helping siblings enjoy their session as well as advice for how to prepare kiddos before hand and special things to bring along. The key is to not tell them “we are going to have our picture taken, so you have to listen and behave,” but rather that they should approach the session as an event or experience where they will get to play and have fun as a family!
Why These Images Matter More Over Time
Right now, the newborn stage can feel like a blur — especially in those early weeks when days blend together.
But years from now, these photographs will hold something deeper.
They’ll remind you:
How small your baby once was
How your family moved through transition together
How connection looked in the very beginning
Newborn photos that include family become part of your family’s story — not just documentation, but memory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Photo Sessions
Should parents be in newborn photos?
Yes — including parents in newborn photos helps tell the full story of your baby’s earliest days. Babies feel safest when they are close to their parents, and those quiet, connected moments often result in the most meaningful images. Years from now, these photographs become just as important to your child as they are to you.
What if my older child doesn’t cooperate during the newborn session?
That’s completely okay — and very common. Siblings don’t need to sit still or smile on cue to belong in newborn photos. I allow space for curiosity, movement, and breaks. Some of the most honest images come from brief moments of connection rather than long stretches of “perfect” behavior.
Is a lifestyle newborn photography session better for families?
Lifestyle newborn photography is often ideal for families who value connection over posing and want to be in a relaxing environment where they can just be themselves. These sessions take place in my Minneapolis studio and focus on real interactions rather than props or elaborate setups. For many Twin Cities families, this approach feels more relaxed, flexible, and emotionally meaningful.
How long does a Minneapolis newborn photo session usually take?
Most newborn sessions last between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on your baby’s needs. This slower pace allows time for feeding, soothing, and breaks without pressure. The goal is to work around your baby — not rush them.
Do newborn photos have to happen within the first two weeks?
Not at all. While very early sessions capture sleepy, curled poses, meaningful newborn photos can happen well beyond the first two weeks. Connection, not timing, is what truly defines these images. Older newborns often bring more alert expressions and interaction with family members.
Your Twin Cities newborn photo session doesn’t need to be about perfection.
It can be about presence.
About closeness.
About remembering the way this season felt in your home, with your people.
When we photograph families together, we aren’t just preserving images of a baby — we’re honoring the foundation they were born into.And that story is worth remembering.
Ready to book a Twin Cities newborn session with your entire family?
MORE RESOURCES TO PREPARE YOUR FOR YOUR NEWBORN SESSION!
Experience a Newborn Session with AMG Photography
When to Book Your Newborn Session
