Baby Hayes & Big Brother | Orange County Family Newborn Photoshoot

When Erin reached out to me to schedule baby Hayes’s Orange County family newborn photoshoot with his big brother Miles, I could not wait!  As an Orange County newborn photographer, I love getting to document the full family story, especially when older siblings are part of the session.

Erin shared that she was unable to do newborn or first-year photos with her oldest son, Miles, because of medical complications. She was so excited to have the chance for a redo with her second baby, and she signed up for my First Year Collective membership so we could document Hayes’s entire first year together.

The Ash Family lives just around the corner from Jennifer Imus Photography, my bright and airy newborn photography studio in Old Town Tustin, California. My newborn photography studio serves families throughout Orange County.

Hayes came for his newborn photos at 9 days old. He was so sleepy! Big brother Miles was excited but also patient and gentle with Hayes, which made the sibling photos feel really easy and natural. This Orange County family newborn photoshoot felt calm from the start, especially with Miles being so gentle and excited to help.

Miles wanted to help with all kinds of tasks during the shoot, including soothing Hayes, picking up props, and helping me soothe his little baby brother.

For the individual portraits of Hayes, we kept things very simple and neutral. We started with Hayes in my traditional white swaddle and then eventually added in a deep blue swaddle and blue overalls. He was sleepy for most of our shoot, with a few smiles and only a few stops for snuggles.

We moved onto the soft dusty blue swaddle, which always photographs so beautifully against the clean white backdrop. I kept the wrap snug and smooth, with just a little bit of texture so it didn’t feel too flat. His hands were tucked right up under his chin, and that’s when he gave us the sweetest yawn.

We stayed there for a bit and let that moment play out. From there, I refined the wrap slightly, softening the edges around his shoulders and bringing his hands just a touch higher to frame his face. A tiny turn of his head toward the light completely changed the look without needing to move him much.

Once he settled back in, I worked through a few variations in that same blue wrap. I turned him slightly onto his side for a softer profile, then back to a more centered position for that clean, straight-on portrait.

The simplicity of that wrap keeps all the focus on his face, his expression, and those tiny features. I always move slowly here, adjusting one thing at a time so he stays comfortable and doesn’t wake!

After that, I transitioned him into a more minimal look with a simple white wrap. This one is a little lighter and more open, so it allows for a bit more movement. I loosened it just enough to let his arms shift naturally while still keeping that cozy, secure feel. We captured a few awake moments here, his eyes just barely open, which always adds such a beautiful contrast to the sleepier images.

I always make sure to get the detail shots while baby is calm. His tiny feet pressed together with his toes curled in. Then his hands, gently tucked near his face, and a close-up of his lips and cheeks. These are all done in the white wrap so everything feels cohesive and clean. They’re quick transitions, just small repositioning, but they add so much depth to the gallery.

We finished with a slightly more relaxed setup where I loosened the white wrap even more and let him stretch naturally. His arms came up, legs shifted, and we captured those in-between moments as he started to wake.

Family Photos with Mom, Dad, and Big Brother

The family portion of this Orange County family newborn photoshoot started with mom on the vintage armchair, which always gives such a soft, intimate feel right away. I had her sit slightly angled with baby tucked high against her chest, her hands gently supporting underneath. We began with those quiet, looking-down moments, letting her naturally settle in.

From there, I guided her to bring baby a little lower into her arms for a more open cradle hold, which gave us a beautiful mix of connection and clean portraits. I made small adjustments as we went. Softening her hands, turning baby’s face slightly into the light, having her tilt her chin just a touch.

Then we shifted into a few where she leaned in closer, brushing her cheek against baby’s head. Those in-between moments are always the ones that feel the most real.

From there, we moved her over to the sofa with big brother, which completely changes the dynamic in the best way. She sat with baby in her arms while big brother tucked in close beside her. I kept this part really relaxed and let him lead a bit. We started with everyone looking down at baby, then let him interact naturally. Leaning in, touching baby, looking up at mom.

I had her gently adjust baby higher and closer to her chest so we could keep that connection strong while still including him. There were moments where she looked at him, moments where she focused on baby, and those little shifts created so much variety. It never felt forced, just a natural flow of connection between all three of them.

What happens when baby arrives wide awake though? Take a peek at this wide awake newborn session with a cute baby girl!

For dad, we kept the flow simple and grounded. We started with him standing, holding baby out slightly in his hands for a clean, modern portrait, then brought baby back in close against his chest.

I guided his hands just enough to keep everything supported and natural, then had him shift his stance slightly to soften the frame. From there, we moved him onto the sofa for a more relaxed look. Baby rested across his arms, and we captured a mix of him looking down at baby and then up toward the camera.

For full family, we brought everyone together on the sofa to keep everything cohesive. Mom seated with baby, dad close beside her, and big brother tucked in. We started with a clean, straight-on portrait, everyone close and connected.

Then we let things loosen up. Big brother leaning in, parents glancing at each other, everyone settling into their own rhythm. I gave just a little direction, but mostly let the moments unfold.

My favorite family shot is the one where dad is lifting big brother Miles into the air while the family looks on!

For a family that missed out on these photos the first time around, you could tell how much this Orange County family newborn photoshoot meant to mom. I’m so happy I get to be the one to document this whole year for them!

A Soft Neutral Color Palette for This Newborn Session

This Orange County newborn session used a soft, neutral color palette with:

• White
• Cream
• Deep blue
• Light blue
• Sage green
• Khaki
• Soft neutrals

Mom chose one of my favorite white lace dresses from my client wardrobe from Reclamation Company, which coordinated perfectly with our theme of whites and neutrals.

We put big brother Miles in a light blue pullover, and dad wore a sage green button down with khakis.

With baby Hayes in his clean white swaddle, the family had such a beautifully cohesive style for their Orange County family newborn photoshoot.

Ready to Book your Orange County Family Newborn Photoshoot?

Jennifer Imus Photography is a luxury, full-service newborn photography studio in Old Town Tustin, serving families throughout Orange County. Recognized as the 2025 Best Photographer of Tustin by the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer creates a relaxed, baby-led newborn photography experience with professional hair and makeup, a curated wardrobe for moms, and every wrap, prop, and detail ready before you arrive. Orange County newborn photoshoot with siblings are my favorite!

If you’re looking for a relaxed and simplified studio experience, learn more about my my Orange County newborn photography experience.

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