Double the Joy with Newborn Twins
Newborn photography is always a special experience, but when it comes to capturing newborn twins, the challenge—and the reward—doubles. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph a beautiful set of twin girls in Davis County, Utah. While photographing twins can be more difficult and time-consuming than working with a single newborn, the results were well worth the extra effort. Every moment of the session was filled with sweetness, patience, and a bit of problem-solving.
The Unique Challenges of Photographing Twins
At the start of any newborn session, the goal is to capture the peaceful, sleepy moments that every parent treasures—tiny hands, sweet faces, and those first few days of life that seem to slip away so quickly. However, with newborn twins, that goal can sometimes feel elusive. During this particular session, there was one challenge I hadn’t anticipated: when one baby would fall asleep, the other would inevitably wake up and start crying. As you can imagine, this didn’t make for a very peaceful or easy shoot.
This back-and-forth of sleeping and waking wasn’t just a minor inconvenience—it was a puzzle I had to solve. If one baby woke up and cried, it would often disturb the sleeping twin. Sometimes, it felt like we were getting nowhere, but we all kept our calm and reminded ourselves that patience and persistence would pay off.
Discovering What Helped Each Baby Sleep
As a newborn photographer, I’ve learned that each baby is different, and often, the key to a successful session is understanding and catering to those unique needs. It didn’t take long for me to notice the differences between the two girls, which gave us the insight we needed to manage the session.
The first baby was a little more high-maintenance when it came to getting comfortable. She really craved being held and rocked, so once she started fussing, we would pick her up, gently rock her side to side, and calm her down. Once she was relaxed, we’d place her back in the prop or blanket setup, carefully placing her pacifier in her mouth to help her drift back to sleep. This routine worked for a while, and she would settle for a bit, allowing us to capture those precious sleeping shots.
The second baby, however, was a bit different. She was naturally sleepier and didn’t need as much attention to settle. Instead, her key to comfort was her pacifier, along with a Lulla Vibe Pad that we placed under her. The soothing vibration from the Lulla Vibe Pad worked wonders, and she would quickly fall asleep once it was activated. After a few tries, we found the perfect rhythm, and both girls were content enough to let us photograph them for a little while.
A Longer Session with Twice the Reward
This twin session definitely took longer than a typical newborn shoot. Usually, a newborn photography session lasts about 2-2.5 hours, but with twins, we ended up stretching the time to nearly 3.5 hours. Between comforting the babies, finding the right positions, and making sure each twin was settled, the session was more demanding, but the extra time allowed for some beautiful moments.
I’ve learned that newborn photography, especially with twins, requires flexibility and a lot of patience. You can’t rush these moments, and sometimes, you just have to let things unfold naturally. The challenge of balancing the needs of both babies was tough, but it was incredibly rewarding when we finally got both girls settled and were able to get the shots we needed.
Newborn twin sessions may take extra time and patience, but the outcome is always worth the effort. This particular session in Davis County, Utah, was a beautiful reminder of the unique challenges and joys of photographing twins. From working out the best ways to soothe each baby to capturing those precious, fleeting moments of peace, every part of the process felt like a labor of love.
Whether it’s the sweet bond between siblings, the love of a family, or the tiny details of newborn features, every image tells a story. And for me, there’s nothing more rewarding than being the one to preserve those stories for families to cherish for years to come.
If you're considering a newborn session for twins, just know that it will be an experience you won’t forget—one filled with patience, love, and, ultimately, unforgettable memories.