Family and Siblings in newborn photography studio near York

Why Including Family and Siblings in Your Newborn Photoshoot Is So Special

Welcoming a new baby into your family is such a special and fleeting time, and I feel incredibly privileged to help families preserve these moments through beautiful, heartfelt images. As a newborn photography studio near York, I work with families across Hull, East Yorkshire, and surrounding areas to create timeless portraits that capture the joy, connection, and love that come with a new arrival.

One question I’m often asked is whether parents and siblings can be included in the newborn photoshoot—and the answer is always yes! In fact, I encourage it. Including family members in your newborn session not only adds depth and warmth to your gallery, but also creates meaningful memories you’ll treasure for years to come. In this post, I’ll share why it’s such a wonderful idea to involve the whole family, how I make the experience relaxed and enjoyable, and a few helpful tips to get the most from your session.

Why Include Family and Siblings in Newborn Photography?

As a newborn photography studio near York, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful and emotional it is to include the whole family in a newborn session. These early days pass so quickly, and having everyone together in the frame helps tell a complete story of this incredible moment in your lives.

When you bring siblings and parents into the session, it’s not just about capturing who your baby is today—it’s about showing the love that surrounds them. The way a big brother gently touches his new sister’s hand, or the proud smile on a parent’s face while holding their baby—these are moments that mean so much, and they’re impossible to replicate later on.

Including family also makes your photo collection more personal and unique. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, every family dynamic is different, and these portraits are a beautiful way to celebrate that. I love creating images that you’ll look back on and see not only how tiny your newborn was, but how your whole family came together around them with love.

How I Approach Family and Sibling Involvement in sessions at my newborn photography studio near York

At my newborn photography studio near York, I always aim to create a calm, flexible experience that suits your family’s needs—because I know that life with a new baby (and possibly older children too!) doesn’t always follow a predictable routine.

Newborn sessions take place on a weekday when everything is usually quieter and more relaxed. If you have older children who are at school during the week, I completely understand it may not be possible to include them on the same day. That’s why I offer the option to bring your family back on a weekend for an hour, just to capture those special sibling and family portraits.

This actually works beautifully, because it gives your older child their own time in the spotlight. Instead of feeling like the session is all about the new baby, they get a moment that’s just about them—connecting with their new sibling, cuddling, laughing, and playing a special role in the session. It often helps build excitement and pride in becoming a big brother or sister.

During every newborn session, I also make sure we capture a full variety of images, including:

• Individual parent and baby shots

• Parents with baby

• Full family portraits

• Siblings together

Every family dynamic is unique, and I want to help you tell your story in a way that is meaningful, and timeless.

Tips for Families Preparing for the Session

One of the questions I’m often asked at my newborn photography studio near York is what everyone should wear for the session. My goal is always to keep things simple, timeless, and beautiful—so your photos never feel dated and the focus stays on your connection as a family.

I always recommend soft, neutral tones—creams, beige, soft pastels, and earthy shades all work wonderfully. These tones photograph beautifully and ensure your images feel light, warm, and cohesive. Avoid bold patterns or logos, as they can distract from the emotional moments we're capturing.

To make things even easier, I have a carefully curated client closet available for both mums and children to borrow from. For little girls, I have a lovely selection of soft tulle dresses that add a gentle, whimsical feel to the images. For mums, I offer a collection of stunning gowns in flattering styles and soft fabrics—perfect for creating elegant, graceful portraits without the stress of finding something to wear. These gowns are chosen to suit a variety of body types and are especially helpful for new mums who want to feel both comfortable and beautiful during the session.

For dads and boys, a simple shirt in a light or neutral colour paired with chinos or smart jeans usually works really well. I always send out an additional guide with your confirmation but if you’re ever unsure, I’m always happy to chat beforehand and help guide you through what will work best.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can toddlers be included even if they’re very active?”Absolutely! I’ve worked with lots of energetic little ones, and I know how to adapt the session to their pace. I have a variety of posing options for siblings—whether they want to cuddle close or prefer to sit nearby. There are many ways that children can safely be included in a photo with their new baby sibling, I will always consult you and take my lead from your family on the best way to safely pose your children together to achieve the perfect photo. I will gently guide and support them throughout,. We keep it fun, relaxed, and child-led.

“What if my child has additional needs or may take longer to settle?”I am fully inclusive and always strive to make every child feel safe, welcome, and seen. If your child has any additional needs or you think they might benefit from extra time, please just let me know when booking. I will happily schedule a longer session to ensure everything is calm, unhurried, and supportive. Your family’s comfort is my top priority.

“What happens if my older child is in school during the week?”Newborn sessions usually take place on weekdays, but I completely understand that this might not work for school-age siblings. That’s why I offer the option to return on a weekend or an evening for an hour to capture those special sibling and family images. It often makes older children feel extra special, too—it becomes a moment that’s just about them and their new role in the family.

“How many family members can be in the session?”My studio is set up to comfortably accommodate immediate family—parents and siblings of the newborn. If you’d like to include grandparents or extended family, feel free to get in touch and we can chat about what’s possible.

“Do you offer individual shots with parents too?”Yes, always. I include a variety of setups in every session: individual shots of baby with mum and dad, both parents together with baby, full family portraits, and of course, sibling shots. Every family is unique, and I tailor each session to reflect that.

Kind Words From My Lovely Clients

At my newborn photography studio near York, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many wonderful families from Hull, Beverley, York, and surrounding East Yorkshire areas. Each session is unique, filled with real emotions, and focused on capturing your family’s love and connection in an honest and beautiful way.

One mum shared this incredible review after her maternity and newborn sessions with me:

"The most unbelievable experience with Leonie. She is absolutely fantastic in every single way! We have had a maternity and newborn shoot with Leonie and we absolutely adore the images from both shoots. She is kind, patient and wonderfully talented and takes absolute pride in the work she does and let me tell you, it shows in the images she gets as a result! The images she has captured of my baby girl are the most beautiful things and moved me to tears—they captured all of her delicate little features absolutely perfect and I could not recommend her highly enough! Perfect perfect perfect—thank you so so so much, we are so grateful x"

Another lovely family recently visited with their newborn and toddler. Here’s what mum had to say:

"Can’t thank Leonie enough! I had seen her work before I had become pregnant and thought to myself that if I had another child I would use her for my newborn shoot. I was so excited to make that a reality and we attended a few weeks back. She was welcoming and pleasant, the studio was beautiful with a vast range of props to choose from. I had a fussy baby for most of the session—Leonie worked around her feeds, cuddles, and changes. I then had an excitable and difficult toddler attend later in the session for family photographs. Again, Leonie worked at his pace. I was sure we hadn’t captured any family shots as he was far too excited. When we attended the viewing session I was shocked to see that she had caught some beautiful family images—I cried because they were just perfect and beautiful! As for the newborn photos, I can’t stop looking at them! I can’t believe that’s my baby—they’re stunning and I’ve shown everyone I know! Thank you Leonie, we absolutely love the images. What you do is amazing—a true professional. x"

These words mean the world to me. They reflect not just the final photographs, but the entire experience I aim to provide—calm, inclusive, baby- and child-led, and full of care. Whether your baby needs extra cuddles or your toddler wants to run the show, I’ll adapt every step of the way.

Every family brings their own beautiful energy to the studio, and I feel incredibly lucky to help preserve that in images you’ll treasure forever.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of These Precious Moments

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most beautiful and emotional milestones—and I truly believe it deserves to be captured with care, creativity, and heart. At my newborn photography studio near York, I’m here to help you preserve those early days in a way that feels authentic to your family.

Including parents and siblings in your newborn session isn’t just about getting everyone in the photo—it’s about celebrating your family’s story, connection, and love in this fleeting moment of new beginnings. Whether it’s your first baby or you’re adding to a growing family, I’ll guide you gently through the process so that it’s relaxed, enjoyable, and full of meaningful moments.

From outfit styling with access to my client closet, to flexible session options that work around school schedules and individual needs, I’ve created every part of the experience to be thoughtful and inclusive. My goal is simple: to make sure you walk away with images that not only look beautiful, but feel like your family.

Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?

If you're expecting and would love to create timeless, heartfelt images of your growing family, I’d be honoured to welcome you to my newborn photography studio near York.

Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, I’ll work closely with you to plan a relaxed and meaningful session that includes the people who matter most—siblings, parents, or the whole family. With beautiful wardrobe options available, a calm studio environment, and a flexible, inclusive approach, I’m here to make sure your experience is just as special as the images we’ll create together.

📅 Now booking newborn sessions ✨ It's best to book while you're still pregnant to secure your ideal date.

👉 [Click here to enquire or book your session]📩 Or feel free to email me directly at [contact@bluebellandlacephotography.co.uk]📱 You can also message me on Instagram: [@bluebellandlacephotography] or Facebook [@bluebellandlacephotography]

I can’t wait to help you capture this incredible chapter of your life.

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