What if My Child Doesn't Seem Happy to Meet The New Baby During Photos?

I had the honor of photographing this beautiful family in welcoming their sweet baby, in a session at the hospital, within hours of the birth.  I call these sessions "Brand New Newborns", but they're often called "Fresh 48".  It was really a richly meaningful experience, and I was so glad I got to be there.  They were all so loving and gentle, but the older sister didn't always seem super excited to meet her new sister.  

I loved how the parents reacted to their older daughter's reactions.  She was having feelings.  It was a complex day for her.  And her parents didn't get frustrated with her, or push her.  They just let her be who she is, and to hopefully come around to her sister when she's ready.

We all want our kids to be madly in love with each other from the jump, but the reality is that it's not always so simple for an older sibling.  They've been "left out" of the birth most of the time, and they're likely feeling a bit unsettled with the massive change in the family dynamics.  It took my son the better part of a year to start to think of our baby as really part of our family.  He still felt for months and months that she was interfering with our time with him.

It feels respectful to our older children to recognize that this experience -- the first meeting -- is a little wrought.  It's not simple.  It can be layered and emotional for a few different reasons.  But the first moments of that meeting are still worth capturing.  Still worth remembering.  To see the evolution.  To honor the way our babe entered the family, and the work our kids did and do to engage with the ever-changing landscape of love and family.