How to photograph newborn twins…

Photographing Newborn Twins – Double the Love, Double the Magic!

Photographing twins, especially during the newborn stage, is actually so much fun! Many newborn photographers shy away from twin sessions, worrying it’ll be too tricky—but trust me, it’s not as hard as you think.

I remember feeling exactly like this when I booked my first twin session. I was overthinking everything—what if one baby was unsettled while the other was asleep? What if both cried at the same time? But then I realised… parents of twins already know it’s a challenge! They spend 24 hours a day juggling feeds, nappy changes, and sleepy snuggles. They get that working with two babies at once takes extra time and patience.

One baby might be happily fed and settled, while the other suddenly decides they need a feed or change. And that’s okay! The key is to stay calm, relaxed, and go with the flow. The more peaceful the environment, the better chance you have of settling both babies—and keeping parents reassured that you’ve got this.

Creating a soothing atmosphere for everyone—babies, parents, and yourself—sets the tone for a successful session. So take a deep breath, embrace the magic of working with twins, and enjoy every moment. You’ve got this!

Careful Planning & Flexibility Are Key

Careful planning is essential, but so is the flexibility to adapt and change your workflow as the babies’ needs change. Decide which key images you really need to get. You can do this by having a quick chat with the parents when they arrive for their session or by reaching out beforehand. Are family photos a must, or would they prefer the focus to be solely on the babies?

I always set expectations upfront and let parents know that when working with babies—especially twins—there are no guarantees! Just in case things don’t go quite as planned, I ask them to choose their top three must-have shots. Is it the babies together? Babies with parents? Wrapped-up snuggles or adorable outfits? This way, even if the session doesn’t go exactly as expected, we make sure to capture the most meaningful moments for them.

Having a plan while staying adaptable is the secret to a smooth, stress-free twin session—so relax, enjoy the process, and capture the magic!

Remember, while twins share a very special bond, they’re also two unique little individuals—and it’s so important to capture that! I always make sure to take solo photos of each baby, often creating “matching” shots or even mirroring their poses for a fun, symmetrical look.

But trust me, it’s so easy to mix them up—even if they’re not identical! The last thing you want is to deliver six gorgeous solo shots of one twin and only two of the other. My secret weapon? Post-it Notes! Yep, I’m serious. Before the session, I write each baby’s name on a sticky note and pop it into the shot for their individual portraits. It’s a simple little trick, and you can easily edit it out later—but it saves so much confusion when sorting through images later on!

Including Parents (Even When They’re Camera-Shy)

Parents of newborn twins—especially mums, who have just been through a twin pregnancy and possibly a difficult labour—often don’t feel like being in front of the camera. And I totally get it. I remember what it felt like to not feel my best after having a baby.

That’s why I always reassure parents that they don’t have to be in full-frame portraits if they don’t want to be. A beautiful way to include them in the session is by incorporating just their hands. Holding their babies’ tiny fingers, cradling their heads, or gently resting a hand on their backs—it’s such a simple but meaningful touch. It keeps parents present in the images without them feeling like they have to be centre stage. And trust me, years down the line, they’ll be so glad they were part of these first memories.

Having a plan while staying adaptable is the secret to a smooth, stress-free twin session—so relax, enjoy the process, and capture the magic

Learning to photograph twin newborns isn’t as tricky as you might think! Knowing your lighting, understanding your camera settings, and having a solid Flow Posing workflow will really help you capture the beautiful images parents will cherish. Practicing beforehand makes a huge difference, and that’s why I use a StandInBaby® to plan my sessions. (And yes, I have more than one—so I can work with twins and even triplets!) If you join one of my In-Person Workshops, you’ll get hands-on experience using a StandInBaby® to perfect your posing skills before working with real little ones.