How to pose older sibling with newborn?

[EmyB]

I'm due in a month and my first son will be about 3. I'd love to get some photos of them together (am thinking of chocolate bribery to get my son to co-operate!) but I'm not sure what actual poses I can ask him to do. Any tips or examples or experience?

He won't be old enough to reliably hold the baby at all. I've been thinking perhaps sitting in a big chair with the baby on his legs and his arms around? Unfortunately I don't have any really photogenic chair props. Or perhaps he could stand behind a plain white bed the baby is lying on and kind of wrap his arms around the baby? Hmmm this is more difficult than I thought....

[nikki_kem]

I have been trying since i had Mollie 6 months ago to get a frameable picture of my 3 youngest, but have a few of Mollie with either Jack or Alyce that I like 1 that is close to frameable of the 3. I have been most comfortable with Mollie on the floor and encouraging a quick kiss, I have also had a session with them on the bed, once they had calmed down and stopped jumping I placed Mollie on and got my 1 near picture. Hope this helps i'll be interested to see what more experienced photogs reccommend.


IMG_2793 by nikki_kem, on Flickr


A tender moment. by nikki_kem, on Flickr


IMG_3616 by nikki_kem, on Flickr

[YBMC]

Use lots and lots of pillows with a three year old holding a newborn. A big comfie armchair is excellent for this. I like to have their faces super close together - cheek to cheek.

Place that chair close to a well-lit window/door with indirect light. If the upholstery is busy, drape the entire thing in a solid throw. And make it a tight shot like the three beautiful Nikki Kem images above.

Also have on hand "spotters" - grandparents are great - on either side of the chair if that's what you use. Take it slow. Try it only when the older sibling is ready and willing or you'll be frustrated and the baby will not be safe. I've watched many two and three year olds decide the session is over and if your spotters are not close at hand, big brother could just toss the baby aside.

Bribes are good. Keep the session brief and make it a happy experience. Oh, and before the entire process begins, make sure one voice is doing the encouragement - not a chorus of mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunt and uncle.

Good luck and congratulations. Can't wait to see how they turn out!!!

[wophotog]

Siblings are always hard to shoot with newborns. I had the best luck with one of my last sessions, where I stood above them, laying on the floor. It worked well and no real worries about trying to get a kid to hold the baby just right...

[LauraSB]

Watch for shooting up the nose. If you are going to do the laying down pose, get higher than them and shoot. Also I'm a fan of the more simple baby swaddled and then laying on sibling's arms pose. I also did one where I had the baby posed on a basket asleep and her brother came and gave her a kiss on her forehead. It was very quick and lucky I got it. Just keep it simple.