Studio Portrait Photographer of the Year, British Institute of Professional Photography - Yorkshire Region -
It’s always a pleasure to be contacted by a local family who’s keen to book a twin photoshoot with me. Twin newborn photography is definitely one of my favourite things!
I’ve photographed many sets of twins over the years, so I know that a twin photoshoot is an opportunity to have twice the cuddles and twice the fun!
What I love most about photographing twins is that I get to meet two gorgeous new, sometimes identical, babies!
Since there’s just one multiple birth for every 65 pregnancies in the UK (source: The Twins Trust), a twin pregnancy is pretty rare which makes it all the more special.
And, no matter how many sets of twins I’ve worked with, I always find myself marvelling at how incredibly clever the human body is. Mums of multiples, you truly are amazing to have created two (or more) babies at once!
In some respects, a newborn twins photoshoot is different to a regular newborn photoshoot because photographing twins brings unique challenges.
For example, so that I can create the sleeping baby style photos that many parents love, I need to handle and settle each newborn into position and get them ready to be photographed without disturbing the other.
As all twin parents will know, this is no mean feat!
That said, since twins (or triplets) were tightly packed in their mum’s tummy for the duration of the pregnancy, I do often find that twin babies do generally settle well together. When they are close up and touching each other, they seem most comfortable.
Aside from this though, a newborn twins photoshoot is identical to how I run my regular newborn shoots.
This is enough time for me to able to capture a good variety of baby portraits and to settle the babies into position using several different props and backdrops
As well as the twin baby photos, I’ll also take the time to capture each baby individually as well as each parent with each twin. We’ll also take portraits of the parents together with both babies – these family shots are lovely to look back on!
The one thing that is different is that during a typical newborn photoshoot with twins, parents are involved slightly more than they would be during a single baby photoshoot. That’s simply because, obviously, there are two babies to look after!
Both parents therefore need to attend and be prepared to play an active role. I emphasise this to my clients in advance of their shoot so that both mum and dad understand how much their involvement helps.
All parents love being involved though, and I find that dads like feeling useful rather than being sat on the sidelines, unsure of what to do.
During a twin newborn photography session, that third pair of hands proves invaluable for holding, carrying and comforting one of the babies in between setups.
Related reading: Newborn photography and baby safety: Essential reading for new parents
I will work carefully with your twins to capture their newness, their tiny features and their special relationship between each other. We will capture them in a natural relaxed way whether they are being held by mum or dad, or whether they are lying together in a basket.
Most portraits are taken with the babies undressed and revealing their beautifully delicate soft skin but with their modesty protected with wraps and blankets.
If the parents wish me to, I also use accessories such as delicate baby headbands on baby girls and hats on baby boys as I would in my regular newborn photoshoots.
When it comes to colours and props, I’ll always discuss your preferences with you in advance of the shoot and again on the day. That way, I can ensure that I’m always working towards creating portraits that I know you’ll both love.
If you’re a family who are expecting twins and are based in Leeds, York, Harrogate or surrounding areas then do give me a call or get in touch via the website.
We can arrange a no-obligation chat and, if you’d like to book a twin photoshoot, you can secure your place in my diary in the weeks after your twins are due.
Twin newborn photography is best done around 2-3 weeks after your babies are born, but if it proves difficult to get to me in those first weeks, then you can still come to me later on.
Please don’t worry that you might have missed out if you, or the babies, spend longer than expected in hospital after the birth. Nothing is set in stone.
While I can never predict how a newborn twins photoshoot will go, every single one I have done to date has been a success and the parents have loved the twin portraits I’ve created for them.
With experience, I’ve developed techniques and ways of working that help to ensure my twin photoshoots go smoothly. In fact, twin parents often comment on how confidently I handle both their babies and make it all work – I’ll take that as a massive compliment!
I would love to meet your baby twins sometime soon and to help you capture their first weeks of life in beautiful photographs.
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Andrea
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