What to Wear for your Newborn Photography Session

If you are the one who gave birth to your baby, this one is for you.

I get it. You just had a baby and if you are anything like me, things just weren’t fitting well. Those maternity didn’t quite fit the same, but neither did the pre-pregnancy clothes. If there was ever a line of postpartum clothing, this would be a gold mine. But for now…

Comfort Over Everything

• The most important element in deciding what to wear is comfort. I want you to feel comfortable during your session.

• A flowy dress or top can work well as it’s a little more forgiving. But it can also sometimes fall in a way that makes you look larger than you are. Wear what feels good and we will go from there on best angles for you.

Simple is Best

• Try to stay away from busy patterns if possible to keep focus on the baby.

• Avoid shirts with words on them. Our eyes tend to go straight to the words. Small logos such as those often on men’s shirts are ok, but try to avoid large logos or ones with a words. “Big Brother/Big Sister” shirts are cute but I would use these for the sibling photos and not for the family photos if you’d like to bring that for a wardrobe change.

• Neutral or light colors and/or pastels work very well for a soft and airy look for your family photos.

Colors

This is totally a matter of preference. If you like the light and airy look, then go for neutral or very soft colors as this will soften the photos. If you like bright and contrasted photos, then go for those colors. Think about the look of your house. If you plan on displaying the photos in your home, then you can go with the color palette in your home. This said, neutral will stand the test of time and any changing color palettes so if you’re on the fence, go neutral. Whites, creams, beiges, greys or very pale shades all work well.

Make is Easy On Yourself

• Amazon is a great place to find something for quick delivery with easy returns if you need something in a pinch.  Doing a search for “long flowy dress” can give you some good options. Or below are some ideas to get you going on your search (I have no affiliation with any of these):

  • Square Neck 3/4 Puff Sleeve Flowy Midi Dress

  • Square Neck Dot Ruffle Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

  • Square Neck Short Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

  • Cross Neck Sleeveless Tiered Maxi Dress

  • Wrap Maxi Dress Deep V Neck Short Sleeve Ruffle Hem

  • Wrap V Neck Short Sleeve Belted Ruffle Floral Dress

• Start with the pickiest dresser in the family first and work your way around that outfit.

• Be mindful of low cut dresses/shirts and the tugging and natural shifting of the outfit that occurs when holding your child.

• Don’t worry about shoes! Unless you specifically request it, I usually don’t do full body length photos. You can wear heels if your spouse is a lot taller and you want the extra few inches, but they won’t show. If we are doing sibling photos, I do photos on a fake bed and have the sibling barefoot. One less thing for you to worry about!

• We will do family photos first to make sure your hair, makeup and clothes are fresh. There is a bathroom in the studio, so feel free to bring a change of clothes if you would like to change when you arrive. This is a good option if you are wearing something that wrinkles or something you don’t want spit up or other baby liquids on you. The studio is also warm for the baby so if you want a change of clothes that is cooler, that is a good idea too.