Photographing Multiples

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Julie Laszczak is here on TPW’s blog today sharing her ideas about photographing multiples.  As a mom of twins, Julie has lot of experience in this arena and tons of insight to share.  Thanks, Julie!

You get the email inquiry for a family with twin toddlers. You’ve photographed toddlers before, but twins? It’s hard to get one toddler to look at the camera, let alone two! What do you do next? As the Mom to toddler twins, I’m here to tell you it’s going to be ok. You can in fact master this. Multiples are a unique opportunity to photograph a connection that most of us have never experienced first hand.

Capture the Connection:

Multiples are an amazing chance to really photograph those candid moments. The way twins interact is really unique. Take a moment to capture the hand holding, or the whisper in the ear, the looks while playing. Some of my favorite photographs of my twins are not of them looking at the camera, but their connection.

Give each kid a voice:

Chances are, these kids have been referred to as the LastName Twins or Triplets for their whole lives. While it’s important to capture the connection between multiples, it’s also important to capture their individuality. Twin A loves soccer, while Twin B loves football., make sure you get individual shots of each kid doing what makes them unique.

Incorporate Older and Younger Siblings:

Take pictures of the siblings with the twin set and with each individual twin. Watch the connection between them. Some older siblings have such a protective role; it’s great to capture that in pictures. Give as much attention to the sibling as you would to each individual multiple. That kid has probably heard “You are LastName Twin’s sibling” often. Allow them to show their individuality as well.

Family Pictures:

I know it’s going to be hard. I know that while Twin A is running one way, Twin B will be running the other. I live this day in and day out. I always appreciate when a photographer takes the time to really allow us to work with our kids to get them to sit and look. You may have to head swap, or do a silly dance to get two toddlers to look. I can promise you though, to that Twin Mom, it will be worth it. Also make sure to get a picture of the parents with each child individually. They will look back and treasure those pictures because it’s them alone, with their parents. Something that doesn’t always happen that often.

Maternity/Newborns:

Multiple Moms get large and uncomfortable faster than singleton Moms. While you may do a maternity shoot in the later third trimester, a multiple Mom may be more comfortable in the earlier third/later second. If your multiple Mom goes on bedrest early, don’t stress. You can still do beautiful maternity pictures while she stays firmly seated. Focus on the connection between her and her partner, and her belly. She can stay in bed, and still get amazing pictures. Preterm birth is common in multiple pregnancies. If babies spend time in the NICU, you can still get great sleepy newborn pics when they get home. We did my newborn pictures when they were 6 weeks old, and they look just like brand new babies.

Photographing multiples doesn’t have to be stressful. Sit back, capture the connection and have fun!!

Julie Laszczak

Julie Laszczak is the owner of Julie Laz Photography and Mom to toddler twins. She’s a lover of coffee, sun flare, fall and all things Boston Sports. This New England girl is based out of Southern Maine and Southern Massachusetts.

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Categorized in: Families & Children, Guest Bloggers, Tips & Tricks