One of the myths about newborn sessions is that they have to be done in the first 10 days of life. Granted, babies usually are only in that sleepy stage for a short time, so sometimes it works well to schedule the session within the first 2 weeks…especially if you are super excited about capturing how tiny they are.

Sometimes life intervenes though…such as a move, work schedules, extended stay in the hospital, etc. In home “newborn” sessions can be done at any age…especially with my lifestyle approach. I love some wide eyed eye contact from these babes!! Usually they tucker themselves out at some point and snooze for a bit, so we get some natural sleepy pictures too.

Another myth is that newborn sessions with young siblings are stressful. They don’t have to be! I remember almost 10 years ago, when I had newborn myself (and a 19 month old toddler), loading everything up into the car, including the temper tantrum throwing toddler, to get everyone to a studio so we could get newborn pictures made of my son. The studio was turned up to a gazillion degrees so we could get those perfectly posed gumby baby photos (and we were all confined to this small space while sweating profusely) all the while, trying to convey love and adoration in our family photos. It was hell. Yes, I’m glad I have some newborn photos of my sweet babe, but man, I wish we would have had the option of taking relaxed newborn photos in our air conditioned home with room to roam for my toddler.

Usually I find that newly promoted big brothers and sisters want to be involved in the pictures…until they don’t. Then we don’t force it…they go run off for a snack or to watch a show and usually find their way back in later in the session, willing and happy! Check out this cutie pie, Theia (her name means light…isn’t that beautiful?) Her big sister was precious and did her best to steal the limelight…and we let her.