How to Include Older Siblings in Your Maternity Photos
Including older siblings in maternity photos is, according to Tami — the photographer behind more than 200 maternity shoots at Wonderstory — one of the most rewarding challenges. Small children don't pose: they play, they get distracted, they get excited. That is exactly where the good photos come from. This guide covers what works before, during and after the shoot, so the whole family looks relaxed and natural in the pictures.
How older siblings connect with the new baby
The bond between your older children and the baby on the way brings out real affection, and that is what a family shoot is built around. Watching your kids, you and your bump together gives you photos you will come back to for years. It is the start of a new chapter for everyone.
During a maternity photo shoot in Barcelona with siblings, curiosity and excitement show up fast. Kids usually touch the bump gently, talk to the baby, and happily play with books, toys and things they have picked out for their little brother or sister. That exchange does more than fill a photo album: it builds the bond before the baby is even born.
How to get the kids involved in the shoot
What you want from maternity photos with siblings is something natural and unplanned. To get there, bring your other children into the preparation.
Before the shoot, explain to your kids what is going to happen. Tell them why you want them in the photos, and how they can help make the day go well.
To help them relax and enjoy it, ask what they would like to do during the shoot. A game they love, a dance, a hobby they want to show off — let them choose. When kids get to play and be themselves, the photos come out without forced poses.
Planning and preparation
Once you have talked to your older children and know what they would like to do during the maternity shoot with siblings, it is time to plan the details. Here are the steps to follow:
- Find the right photographer: look for someone with real experience in family photography. Check the portfolio and talk to them first, so you know they can run the shoot in a way that stays fun and relaxed for everyone.
- Choose the right place: you can shoot at home, in a photo studio or outdoors.
A studio or your own home keeps children comfortable, while an outdoor location gives you more movement and energy. Decide based on what your kids prefer and the look you want for the photos. If the studio suits you, it also works for our Christmas studio photos.
Clothes and style
Clothes matter more than most people expect. If you shoot outdoors, soft colors and a neutral palette sit best with the surroundings.
Skip anything tight. Kids need clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in. For the studio or a lifestyle shoot you can go for coordinated maternity outfits, just keep your bump as the center of the picture.
Props and accessories
Props give any shoot personality, and with siblings they do a second job: they hold the children's attention. Think about toys, the baby's clothes or first shoes, and objects that say something about the older kids — a musical instrument, a football, whatever they are into.
Use play to get real, fun moments
Games and small activities make children forget the camera and act like themselves. Keep it simple: a tickle game, drawing a welcome message for the baby, singing, painting the bump.
The point of all this is simple: you and your children should feel comfortable and have a good time. That is what shows in the photos — the excitement about the baby coming — and it also makes a good gift for an expecting mother.
If you are thinking about booking, you can see how we work, what is included and the prices on our maternity photo shoot with a photographer in Barcelona page.