Incorporating Family and Pets in Maternity Photography Sessions
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By PAGE Editor
Want your maternity photos to mean even more?
Most people focus their maternity sessions on the bump. And while that is totally beautiful, the best maternity photos take it to the next level.
Adding your whole family adds meaning and emotion to your maternity photos.
Here's the deal:
Maternity photos with siblings and pets create authentic moments that will bring you so much joy in the future.
These photos capture all of the love and excitement you and your partner feel about your new baby. But more importantly, your family photos capture how your siblings and pets are feeling too.
Even better? 72% of clients report that emotional connection and authenticity in photos is more important to them than posing. Meaning, the candid, natural moments you capture with family members and pets are the most special part of these images.
Here's what's covered in this guide:
Why Family Should Be Included
Siblings in Maternity Sessions
Pets in Maternity Sessions
Additional Tips for Including Family
Why Family Should Be Included
Guess what most people don't realize about maternity photos?
They tell a story. A story about how you're waiting for the newest member of your family to arrive.
And what's this "family"? Aren't you just doing the session to feature the bump?
Not at all. Family members and pets are part of your family too. And that means they're part of this story.
Including family members and pets in your maternity photos creates a depth of emotion and connection that solo maternity photos can't match.
You get to document how excited siblings are about the new baby. You get to show off how loved you are by your significant other and your pets.
Consider this:
Decades from now, these photos will give your child a glimpse into how eagerly they were anticipated by their family. They will see their older sibling kissing your belly. They will see your dog lying protectively by your side.
These are the memories that make your heart melt.
And can you believe this? Photographers have found that 60% of the time, candid family interactions are the photos clients cherish most. Those unplanned giggles. The spontaneous hugs. The genuine excitement about the new arrival. This is what makes family maternity sessions truly special.
Siblings in Maternity Sessions
Let's talk about how to capture magical sibling photos in your maternity sessions…
Keep it real.
Toddlers are stubborn. No matter how hard you try to force them into a specific pose, it never works the way you expect it to. It's better to let your older children interact with your belly in the way that feels natural to them. Maybe your child is shy and will only let you take one photo of them gently talking to the baby. Maybe they want to whip out their favorite toy and show it off to the camera. This is just as beautiful as the next photo.
The most important step to creating amazing sibling photos is making your older child feel important. You need to give them time before the session to talk about what's going to happen. Tell them that you are going to make something "amazing" and that they are a key part of this. Bring little treats or rewards to keep them excited and motivated. A new toy or a snack can work like magic to keep them going when energy runs low.
Here are some ideas to use:
Let them kiss or hug your belly naturally
Get photos of them holding a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" sign
Bring their favorite stuffed animal and include it in your shots
Candid photos of them playing or fiddling around near you
Get them to help you with the nursery or prepare the baby's room
The point? Don't sweat the small stuff. The best sibling photos happen when the kids are being themselves, even if that means weird faces or throwing out oddball remarks.
It's these moments that show their personalities and the real excitement they have about becoming a sibling.
Pets in Maternity Sessions
Let me share a little secret with you…
97% of pet owners say they view their furry friends as family. So, why wouldn't you include them in your maternity photos?
Your pet is your "baby". They have been for years now. It's only fair that you let them play a starring role in these milestone moments.
Pets add interest and personality to maternity photos. Not to mention, it's important to have photos of your pregnancy before your family dynamic changes forever.
Here are some tips:
Pick a location where your pet is familiar and comfortable. Your home. Your backyard. A park they love. Anyplace that your pet feels safe will help you get better shots. This is because pets photograph well when they are relaxed and natural.
It's also important to schedule your shoot for a time when your pet is usually at their calmest. Your dog may be hyper in the mornings, so consider an afternoon shoot instead. Maybe your cat is always groggy after lunch. That is when you should be booking your time!
Bring high-value treats to keep your pet engaged and interested. Don't forget that patience is also key. Animals are not people. They won't sit still or follow directions in the way you need them to. It's important to give yourself plenty of time to capture the right shots.
You may also want to bring along a helper to manage your pet between photos. They can hold your animal, hand out treats, and help you position your pet in some cases. This leaves the photographer free to work on angles and timing.
Here are some ideas:
Photos of you and your partner with your pet between you
Include moments of your pet kissing or snuggling next to your bump
Walk around as a family, with your pet trotting alongside
Have your pet wear a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" bandana
Candid moments of your pet being protective of you
You are not trying to get your pet to pose a specific way. You just want to capture that it is part of your family.
Showing your connection and how you fit together is the perfect way to document your family story.
Additional Tips for Including Family
Here's the secret for stress-free family maternity sessions:
Expect the unexpected. Kids and pets don't do "posed" photos. You are not creating a perfectly-coordinated Instagram feed here. This is real life. So when your child decides to throw a tantrum in the middle of your shoot or your dog starts digging in the grass, you just need to roll with it.
Shoot when everyone is well-rested. Tired children and grumpy pets equal grumpy parents, which never leads to a fun photo session. Plan your family session for a time when the whole family is feeling good. Plan for when children are well-rested, pets are calm, and mom is well-fueled.
Dress well, but comfortably. Try to match without being too matchy-matchy. Colors that are complementary are better than looking like you are wearing identical outfits. Think about what makes everyone feel their best, and stick with that for the photos.
In addition, there are a few other steps you can take before your family session:
Pack snacks and drinks for everyone
Bring along favorite toys or other comfort items
Bring some backup outfits for everyone
Talk to older children before the shoot to tell them what to expect
Exercise your pet before the session
Also, make sure you let the photographer know if you have a shy toddler or if your dog is wary of strangers. It can make the session run so much smoother when your photographer knows the ins-and-outs of your family. This is important information to let them know in advance.
Stay relaxed and remember that it's supposed to be fun. If you are stressed, your whole family will pick up on it. There's nothing wrong with taking a break when needed. Play some games. Make this a fun experience and not something you all have to force yourself to enjoy.
It's okay to take some photos of just you. Or just you and your partner. Or you and your older children. It's totally fine to not have every single photo include your entire family.
It's your session. Do what you want!
Final Thoughts
Including your family in your maternity sessions adds an extra layer of emotion and meaning to your photos.
Maternity photos with siblings and pets create real moments you will absolutely cherish in years to come.
These photos are beautiful because they capture the whole story of your growing family. Not just your bump. But the love and excitement that surrounds it.
Your family is beautiful right now.
Capture it. Celebrate it. Include everyone who loves you.
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