I was like a kid in a sweet shop when I visited the Malton’s in Newbury for their cosy newborn photo shoot at home. They had completely renovated a 300 year old house to perfection. Around every corner was another stylish surprise and place to pop a baby.

We started the session with an Alexa dance party in the playroom. Their two-year-old, Albert was in his element and such a sweet and polite little boy. He needed some gentle ‘warming up’ having not met many people this year. So I took the time to play and watch him and how the family dynamic was before. That way I could best decide how to photograph them as a family.

I have a few ‘go to’ activities when photographing toddler siblings on a newborn photo shoot. However, invariably I have to adapt and change these as I go along as one approach does not fit every child.

Children are not machines we can program what to do. But we can play and create relaxed enviroments for them to connect.

Tom and Rose were incredibly attentive and playful with the children. During the few hours I was there they let me take the lead with where was best for the light. Albert was not quite ready in his own self to hold his little brother, he was still so young himself. This is very common with toddler siblings, especially in the first few weeks. Unfazed, I kept watching and setting up different play scenes and scenarios, waiting for the right moment. Thankfully in this session magic happened. I was prepped and ready to press pause for the Malton’s

Whilst creating some portraits of baby Wilf alone in his cot I knew there was an opportunity for connection. We invited Albert into the room and at the very least, the idea was to have Albert pop his hands through the cot bars to tickle his brother.  Albert did this and then started to talk about it being his bed so I suggested he get in too! I’m so pleased I took the next leap (literally!) to whisk Albert into the cot with baby Wilf.

I had about 60 seconds to achieve a few photographs of them together and the results were wonderful and heartfelt. A little storyboard of Albert reaching in, then looking at Wilf apprehensively and ending with closer giggles and a kiss. Absolute gold.

If you’d love a newborn photo shoot at home, these are best booked months in advance due to my busy diary. Even if you have missed out on the newborn baby stage the 3-6 months mark is wonderful to photograph. Let me know if you’d like to book in using the contact page and have a browse of some other newborn photo shoots at home on the blog.