Welcoming a new little one into a family is so exciting! Some families wish to include grandparents into the newborn session, and we absolutely love it. There is something so sweet about bringing family like grandparents into a session and watching everyone dote on the new baby! Here are a few tips to ensure beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. 

1. When including grandparents in the newborn session, communicate your family members’ wishes

Welcoming a newborn into a family is an amazing feeling. While some families choose to have a photography session that only features the baby, most parents want to add a family session to document this special time in their lives. And something that makes the family sessions extra special is when parents include extended family in their session. Including grandparents in the photos is a great way to celebrate the arrival of the newest family member and create memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some tips for including extended family members in your newborn photo session! 

Talk with your family members and find out what shots they’d love to get at the session. Their ideas may be different than yours, and we can make sure to get the shots that make everyone thrilled with their photos. If you’ve settled on colors or a theme, share some ideas of outfits or the general look you’re going for. Feel free to share photos from other family sessions we’ve done so everyone knows what to expect. 

2. Consider family mementos when including grandparents in the newborn session

Including grandparents in the newborn session is a great way to remember this time. Not only will your children grow up and look back on how tiny they were as newborns, but they will also be able to see how family members looked. And how cherished they were by all those family members! Ask the extended family members if there are any special items that might make the session even more personal. We’ve seen cultural items brought in, handmade blankets, and small items like baby rattles and small stuffed animals. In the photo below, the ivory baby blanket was hand-knit and passed down through family members and now to baby Aabir!

3. Take their lead

Be sure to ask extended family members what poses they would like, and consider their comfort level. Some grandparents might love a few photos alone with the new baby, and others may not. Just let us know  their preferences and we can stick to the poses that make everyone the most comfortable, as well as ensuring that each person gets the photos they want most. You can also ask them where they might display the printed photos. Do they have a few frames they’s like to update? Knowing this might help them decide what they’d most like to display. And of course, think about the shots you’d love to have for your baby to look back after he’s grown. 

Including grandparents and extended family members in your photo session can be really special. The memories created will be something your child can look back on for years to come! Just let us know if this is something you’d like to incorporate in your session, and we can help you along the way! Enjoy the rest of the photos from Aabir’s session below. And if you’d like to see another newborn studio session with grandparents, click here!