San Antonio Sibling Photos | Tips for Great Sibling Portraits

As parents, we adore our children and we want photos of them looking like they adore each other.    🙂

Every parent could use tips for great sibling portraits.

It isn’t always easy getting 2 or more children to take a portrait together, especially with a newborn baby involved.  But at Chelsea Lietz Photography, I know how special these images can be and I want to be known for San Antonio sibling photos. I have several tricks up my sleeve for siblings that may be active, uninterested, or less than gentle with baby brother or sister.

I’ve seen hundreds of sibling sets and I am very patient with kids (that aren’t my own 😉 of course). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for parents to help prepare for a successful session and help me along the way.

I’ve prepared the following tips for great sibling portraits.  Some of them are newborn specific, but most apply to any type of session.

1. Try not to stress about it.  Kids absolutely pick up on your mood.  I try to make every photo session fun and if you are relaxed, it helps all of us!
2. Let your photographer try to develop a rapport. We see a lot of kids and can usually find a way to connect… even when they are shy, uninterested, or giving fake smiles.  Let us make an effort first and you step in when necessary or when we ask you to.  We really do this a LOT!  Chances are, we’ve seen it all.
3. Please try not to threaten your child into cooperating. He or she may do what you say, but any smiles or emotion won’t be genuine.
4. Bribes can be useful… but please try to save them for when they are truly needed. If you talked about earning ice cream the entire way to the studio, the excitement will wear off.
5. For older babies, kids, and even teens… prepare ideas about what makes them laugh… a certain song, dance, noise, toy, or joke. Keep it in your back pocket for when we really need it.
6. If you have a newborn, it’s helpful for the big sibling(s) to practice carefully and safely holding the new baby at home. If your family is comfortable giving kisses, practice that, as well.
7. Smile and have fun along with them! Demonstrate, act silly, cheer for sweet moments. It should be fun for all of us.
8. Let go of perfection. You may or may not get the “perfect” sibling photo. But you *will* get images of your precious kids being themselves and those memories are priceless, too.

Chelsea Lietz Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and maternity photography in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas including but not limited to Stone Oak and New Braunfels. San Antonio sibling photos and tips for great sibling portraits.  Please “like” me on Facebook and Instagram.