If you’re pregnant and parenting at the same time, you’ve probably wondered how to include siblings in your maternity session without things feeling stressful or overwhelming.
Is it even realistic to include my other kids in a maternity session?
Short answer: yes — and it can be absolutely beautiful.
Longer answer: it doesn’t have to be perfectly posed, calm, or quiet to be meaningful. In fact, some of the most emotional and timeless maternity images happen because siblings are involved — wiggles, giggles, chaos and all.
And, according to the American Pregnancy Association, involving older siblings during pregnancy can help them feel connected and included as your family grows.
Here’s how we make sibling-inclusive maternity sessions feel relaxed, natural, and actually enjoyable.
1. Let Go of “Perfect” (Before You Even Arrive)
First things first:
Your children do not need to behave a certain way for your session to be successful.
They don’t need to:
- Smile on command
- Sit still
- Be thrilled about photos
- Fully understand what’s happening
They just need to be themselves.
Some kids are curious. Some are shy. Some are loud. Some need a few minutes (or more) to warm up. All of that is normal — and expected.
When parents release the pressure, kids feel it immediately. And that’s when the real magic starts.
2. Start With Connection, Not Posing
When siblings are included, sessions work best when we focus on interaction rather than perfection.
Instead of stiff poses, we gently guide moments like:
- Hands resting on mom’s belly
- A sibling whispering or talking to the baby
- Hugs, leaning, or snuggling close
- Sitting together on the floor or couch
These moments create images that feel honest and emotional, not forced.
If your child only participates for a few minutes? That’s okay. We work in short, natural bursts and follow their lead.
3. Plan for Simple, Comfortable Outfits
Outfits can make or break how kids feel during a session.
My recommendation:
- Neutral, soft tones
- Comfortable fabrics
- Nothing itchy, stiff, or restrictive
When kids feel comfortable, they’re more relaxed — and it shows.
Bonus: neutral palettes photograph beautifully and keep the focus on connection, not clothing.
4. Embrace Movement (and Breaks)
You don’t need your child to stay in one spot the entire time.
In fact, we expect:
- Movement
- Breaks
- Snacks
- Curiosity
- The occasional “I’m done” moment
Sessions are designed to flow with your family’s energy, not fight against it.
Sometimes the sweetest images happen right after a break — when kids feel safe, seen, and unhurried.
5. Remember: This Is Their Story Too
Including siblings isn’t just about getting a “complete” photo.
It’s about:
- Documenting this season before everything changes
- Capturing the bond forming before baby arrives
- Preserving the way your family looked and felt right now
These images often become the ones your children treasure most later — because they remember being part of it.
6. Chaos Is Beautiful (Really)
Life with kids is rarely quiet or orderly.
Pregnancy while parenting is a lot.
And this season? It’s fleeting.
A maternity session with siblings isn’t about creating a picture-perfect moment — it’s about honoring the beauty of a growing family exactly as it is.
Messy, loud, tender, emotional, and real.
And that’s always worth remembering.
Thinking how to include siblings in your maternity session?
If you’re expecting and wondering whether a sibling-inclusive maternity session is right for your family, I’d love to help you decide — no pressure, no expectations.
You don’t need perfect behavior.
You don’t need quiet kids.
You just need to show up as you are.
That’s where the beauty lives.
If you’re expecting and looking for an Akron, Ohio maternity photographer who welcomes real life, real kids, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with it, I’d love to help you plan a session that feels like you.
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