Your beautiful new baby has arrived, you just returned back home and your newborn session is booked. You’re excited to have professional pictures taken of your growing family but when you look in your closet, you realize you have no idea what to wear for your newborn session. You are not alone, what to wear is the question I get asked most often by new moms when planning their portraits. Here are my tips to help you select clothing for everyone in your family!

Neutrals are best

Solid tops in creams, tans, grays or white are always the best options. Darker colors such as navy and black are fine as well. They keep your images looking timeless while not taking attention away from your baby. We want your baby to be the star of your photos.

If you love color and prefer to include other tones in your photos add some light pink or light blue.

Plan moms outfit first

I know you just had a baby and it can be challenging to find an outfit that you love. The most important thing to consider is finding something that feels comfortable and flattering. Tank tops and long sleeve shirts work well with jeans or leggings. Flowy dresses can be really pretty as well.

What about Dad?

I typically suggest that dad wear either a button down shirt (white or something with a light pattern), a polo shirt or a nice solid t-shirt, if dad prefers to be more casual. Usually pairing these shirts with jeans or khaki pants will work really well. Remember we will raise the temperature in your home prior to the start of your session, so make sure it’s something dad will be comfortable in.

Think about your home as you plan your outfits

One of the reason I suggest neutral colors is that it will work well with any décor in your home. If you end up choosing to wear colors that are not neutral try to select shades that go with the color scheme in your home (living room, your bedroom and nursery). This way, any images you decide to hang on your walls will complement your style.

Dressing Siblings

Similar to the adults, it’s best to dress sibling in neutral colors. Most importantly please remember to avoid all pictures or writing on clothing.  Make sure if you have multiple older children that their clothing is coordinated. They shouldn’t match but the colors you choose should work well together.

Light patterns such as a plaid shirt can also be very cute on little kids. Minimize the number of patterns your including in your family’s wardrobe. It’s best to have no more than one person wearing a simple pattern so the image doesn’t get to busy and the patterns don’t work against each other.

 

What about the baby?

I will bring everything we need for your baby. You do not need to provide any clothing for your newborn. If you have something special you’d like your baby photographed in, I’d be happy to capture that for you as well.

Final Tips

Make sure your nails look nice, they will show in some of the photos. Clear or neutral nail polish photographs very well and won’t distract from you baby.

Don’t worry about shoes! Kids can be barefoot and socks for adults are fine.

Still Not Sure?

If you’re still unsure of what to wear, please reach out to me! I’m happy to help you before the session or even when I first arrive in your home. One of the many benefits to having an in home session is that we can always look through your clothing options together! I also have a pinterest board with some additional ideas about how to plan your wardrobe for all kinds of portrait sessions.

Thinking about booking a newborn session? It’s never too early! I suggest booking your newborn session in your second trimester to guarantee that I can photograph your family. When possible, I will try to accommodate later bookings as well. I only book a certain number of sessions per month, to ensure that I have availability around each due date. Newborn sessions are best when scheduled 5 – 14 days after the birth of the baby. We understand that this is not always possible and are happy to schedule babies at any age.

If you are expecting and want to find out more about how our in home sessions work, please contact me!