Why I Love When Grandparents Are Present at Your Newborn Session | new jersey newborn photographer

Welcoming a new baby into the world is such a beautiful and emotional time—and it’s often made even more special when grandparents are there to share in those first sweet days. As a lifestyle newborn photographer here in New Jersey, I absolutely love when grandparents are present during sessions. Not only does it make for meaningful moments, but it adds an extra layer of connection and love that’s impossible to replicate.

Here’s why I always encourage you to include them:

They’re Already There to Help—and That’s Beautiful

In many families, grandparents come to visit shortly after a baby is born—not just to meet their new grandbaby, but to help parents adjust to their new role. They’re folding laundry, preparing meals, or simply offering emotional support. Including them in your newborn session is a natural extension of that love and presence.

Let’s Get Them in the Frame

When grandparents are visiting, I love to include them in a few portraits—so please let them know to be camera-ready! These aren’t stiff or posed photos; they’re natural moments of connection. Whether they’re cuddling their grandchild or laughing with an older sibling, these images often become some of the most cherished from the entire session.

In a recent session I photographed, the grandparents had traveled all the way from India to meet their new grandbaby. Including them in the images was so special—not just for the parents, but for the baby who will one day look back and see just how loved they were from the very beginning.

A Legacy of Love, Captured

I don’t have my grandparents anymore, but some of my favorite childhood photos are of them holding me when I was little. There’s something incredibly powerful about preserving those early multigenerational bonds in photographs. Your baby might not remember being held by their grandparents as a newborn—but they’ll see it, and feel it, through the images we create together.

A Helping Hand (or Two!) Goes a Long Way

If you have older children, grandparents can be a lifesaver during your newborn session. If your toddler needs a snack break or some time to regroup, grandparents can step in so we can focus on quiet moments with just mom, dad, and baby. And before the session even begins, they’re often there helping tidy up, offering reassurance, and keeping the mood light.

Their presence makes everything more relaxed and natural—which is exactly the kind of energy I love to capture in your session.

Don’t Miss the Chance to Include Them

So if your parents or in-laws will be in town for your session, consider it a bonus! Let them know they’re welcome (and encouraged!) to be part of the experience. Whether they’ve traveled across the globe or just down the street, having them there turns your session into something even more meaningful.

These images won’t just be for you—they’ll be treasured by your children and your entire family for generations to come.

Planning your lifestyle newborn session in Maplewood, South Orange, or Westfield?
Reach out today to reserve your spot—and don’t forget to tell Grandma and Grandpa to pack a nice shirt. 😊