Children Should Rule the Session | Bulverde Lifestyle Photographer

I absolutely love documenting sweet family moments at-home. One thing I tell all my families before a family or newborn session with older siblings is to let your kids be kids. I know that can feel easier said than done when you have a photographer in your home and you’re hoping for those beautiful, frame-worthy family portraits. As parents, we naturally want to help things along. We want everyone looking at the camera, sitting still, smiling, and cooperating. Sometimes this might turn into us bribing, negotiating, correcting, and asking our kids to please cooperate for five more minutes, and I get it because we’ve all been there. However, I encourage you to resist the urge, and instead let your children rule the session.

Letting kids be kids and have freedom in a session is exactly what I love about in-home lifestyle photography. I want your children to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. If they’re silly, let’s capture the silliness, and if they’re shy, let’s give them space. If they want to run around the house, we’ll find a way to make that part of the story, because those little personalities are what you are going to want to remember most.

Why Your Children Should Rule the Session

Ruthie’s newborn session was the perfect example of why I believe so strongly in this. When you have a newborn and older siblings, there is naturally a lot going on. A new baby changes routines, and suddenly Mom and Dad are asking big brother or sister to slow down, be gentle, smile, and cooperate for pictures. Rather than trying to force the session to go a certain way, let them be and see where they direct the session.

Ruthie’s siblings brought so much personality and energy to their newborn session, and I loved letting them lead the way. There were sweet moments with their new baby sister, cuddles, smiles, and all of those little interactions that make sibling and family portraits so special.

Documenting Real Life

I am not against bribery because it does typically work, but why not make it a part of the session instead of something you save for after? That is exactly what we did for Ruthie’s lifestyle newborn session. We saved a little ice cream treat for the older siblings at the end as a special reward for doing so well with their new baby sister. It not only worked like a charm, but resulted in the sweetest pictures, and allowed us to end the session on high note with something fun and memorable. The kids were excited and relaxed and didn’t feel pressure to perform, allowing them to be themselves, which always results in amazing images.

Whether you’re reading a book, having a dance party, running through the backyard, or eating ice cream, these interactive, real-life moments are what your pictures should really capture, because those are the photographs that will transport you back years from now and make you smile and think, “Oh my goodness. That was SO them.”

Documenting Motherhood From Maternity to Birth to Newborn

One of my favorite things about photographing motherhood is getting to document the different chapters that surround welcoming a new baby. I have had the honor and joy of documenting sweet Ruthie when she was in her mother’s womb for their in-home maternity portraits, as well as the moment she was born for their Intimate Home Birth in Bulverde, TX. For Ruthie’s family, this newborn session was another beautiful piece of their story.

Your maternity portraits document the anticipation before your baby arrives, and birth or fresh 48 photographs capture the incredible moment your family changes forever. Then, your newborn session allows us to document what life looks like once your baby is finally home. If you’re interested in documenting your motherhood journey, Reach out today to schedule your session!