Photo Tips

Photographing Newborn Twins plus a Toddler = Magic and Wonder

Me Ra Koh

The twins are also baby brothers.  Their big brother is a busy, independent toddler.  He wanted to be naked for the photos too–but of course, on his terms.  Giving up his binkie was a non-negotiable.  (I love it when this kind of energy up’s the challenge for me!!)

So I decided to stand on top of the dining room table and have Huddy (the toddler) come up on the table with me.  Being on top of the dining table is exciting for a toddler, right?!  🙂  We put a soft blanket underneath him and then positioned him so the warm afternoon light was illuminating his face.  Then we swaddled the twins, and put them next to him.  Without warning, this magical window of wonder unfolded.  Look at the amazing expressions, relational dynamics and raw emotions being communicated on all three brothers!

At first, Huddy isn’t really interested.  And yes, we tried to take their binkies out, but all three were set against that idea.  Again, you have to scrap your initial ideas and see what will unfold.

Me Ra Koh has a photo-recipe for photographing newborn twins and their toddler brother

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  1. Claudia Constantino says:

    ::: melting! :::

    so achingly sweet!

  2. Freida Hall says:

    Beautiful story via your photos – the last one got me… yep, I teared up.

  3. Kari at MamaBloo says:

    Freaking amazing! Laughed out loud and also got goosebumps! XXOO!

  4. Nick says:

    Oh wow, that last image is priceless.

  5. Pascaline says:

    so cute!I love the photos.The twins are so cute.Love the blog for to day:)
    the last image was so sweat:)Love the twins:)

  6. SO very adorable. I Love the final photo!

  7. I couldn’t have said it any better than Pascaline! Great work!

  8. Billie says:

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these images! Why must you make me cry everyday when I sit down to read your blog? LOL Thanks for sharing and pointing out how we need to forget about our story that we want to tell and focus on capturing their story. I think I struggle with that because I can’t prepare for it. I just have to show up with my camera and have faith! I’m shooting 12 mini sessions on Saturday. Maybe I should stop preparing in my mind how everything is going to turn out and just let it unfold in front me.

  9. Susan says:

    Those pictures are beautiful! I love your blog. I am a grandmom and my daughter is having her 3rd baby, so I have to get this book!
    Thank you again for all of your advice.

    Susan

  10. Me Ra says:

    Yes Billie!! That’s exactly what you should do! Remember, the most powerful part of your photography has yet to even be fully tapped into–it’s the fact that you can shoot like a woman! You can create in the moment, you can follow your deep sense of intuition. You are comfortable being in mystery, not having all the answers, b/c your deep sense of empathy will fill in the holes as you go–with each of the twelve families you meet. Before you start your Minis take a moment to feel the ground beneath you, feel it holding you up, to reflect on how you are born to create–and when there are no ideas–that may possibly be when your most powerful creations happen.

    xoxo,
    m

    p.s. Pascaline, you bless your mama’s heart more than you know. I’m so excited that you are enjoying the blog too. love you sweetie!

  11. Billie says:

    Thank you Mera! Very powerful words. I think I need to read those words before every session until it becomes my natural way of thinking. I get so wrapped up in preparing to ensure that everything turns out perfectly, which causes me to be stressed out and not completely enjoy this dream of mine. AND, more importantly, does not allow me to fully tell my clients story. I might create a beautiful image, but does it always tell us a part of their story??? You have such an incredible way with words. You say things, that I have heard a 100 times before from other people, in a way that I finally can put my mind around. In a way that I can apply it to myself. Thank you for that.

  12. Robin Fuehrer says:

    Stunning… both the pictures and the words… Thank you for continuing to share your passion. It’s time to lock myself in a quiet room and journal about this… somethings unlocking… clicking… more to learn about shooting like a woman:)

  13. Sukhi says:

    What a beautiful session and the oh so sweet cuddle in the last photo – heart-melting! What wonderful treasures you have created for this family. Just beautiful!

  14. Greer says:

    Me Ra…once again you made our family look so beautiful!! Just like you are saying, there is a story in each one of those photos and boy would I love to know what those twins are thinking. I can’t wait to see the boys grow up and experience how amazing this is going to be for Britt and I. I feel like a macho man, but these photos and your commentary gave me the goosebumps and made my tear ducts work a little bit. Words can’t explain how much you mean to Britt and I and our boys…this world is so luck to have you!!

  15. Krista says:

    Oh Lord that last shot. The look on big brothers face when the baby starts crying is PRICELESS… “Oh wow….didn’t mean for you to cry there guy…sorry” lol…..

  16. Pascaline says:

    toddler is so cute.Love photos.Great blog mom aka mera koh.

  17. Leslie says:

    This is so naturally beautiful. I’m not the first, obviously, but the last shot just takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes. Gorgeous.

  18. Erika says:

    Beautiful MeRa! That first shot is perfect in every way. I almost want to hang it up in my house even though they’re not my kids. LOL.

  19. andrea J says:

    Great post. Your wisdom and photos always inspire me. Absolutely precious.

  20. Me Ra- What do you think about including the lens you used in your photo-recipes? I had my 85mm on for a similar straight down shot, but it was too crowed with the 85. Did you use your 50? I’ve tried to love the 50mm on a full frame, but I just don’t yet.

  21. denise karis says:

    omg I love that pascaline is commenting!! That last one made my heart thump – adorable!