The number one question I get asked as a newborn photographer is what should we wear for our session? I’m going to break it down for you today! So let’s chat about the perfect outfits for your newborn session.
Choosing the right outfits is so important for your photo session- a lot of times people don’t like photos of themselves and don’t know why, and the reason can often be tied to the wardrobe choices.
When someone schedules a session with me, I generally assume that they love the photos I’ve shared in my portfolio, website, and instagram… so when I make a big deal about wardrobe its because I want to make sure the photos they get are going to be consistent with that.
The reason I recommend neutral, simple colors and tones is because the focus should be on the people in the photos and not what they are wearing. Fad clothing, bright or saturated colors and patterns, and dark jeans will completely change the look of your image.
Wardrobe plays a huge role in making your photos look beautiful and timeless. Helping you plan what to wear is one of my favorite things to do, and I’m always happy to help. I offer a client wardrobe with dresses for moms and items for children to borrow and love making style boards to style your whole family.
I know It can be overwhelming finding the perfect outfit for yourself let alone the whole family. Then making sure everything coordinates and will look good in photos is enough to drive a person crazy. Don’t stress, I’ve been doing this for years and can guide you along the way. With all my sessions I send a wardrobe guide that gives you visual examples of what to shop for.
Tips for Dressing the Family
DO’S
- Choose mom’s outfit first and let that influence the other family members outfits.
- Focus on a neutrals (white, cream, light grey) or pastels (mauve, faded blue, peach) as a color palette for the whole family.
- Mix in a variety of textures- a knit cardigan or eyelet dress photograph beautifully.
DON’TS
- Wear anything with words or graphics on it.
- Wear neon, or bright garish colors.
- All wear the same color- variation creates visual interest in the photos.
- Wear dark jeans/leggings ESPECIALLY for indoor sessions. For men think khakis/ light colored chinos!
- Wear your smart/Apple watch. It’s possible that could be the pager on the belt of our generation 🙂
Outfit Ideas for Mom
My women’s wardrobe options that are available to borrow are flowy dresses for a reason: they are incredibly flattering and photogenic. Dresses are the easiest and most forgiving option, and allow you to relax and enjoy your family as much as possible, without worrying about the angles of your legs/hips/etc. They’re certainly not a requirement, but they are beautiful and freeing!
Especially postpartum- I’ve found that long dresses that are nursing friendly, are often the most flattering during this season of motherhood.
Some of my favorite places to shop for mom’s dresses:
- Doen
- Nothing Fits But
- Christy Dawn
- Few Moda
- Reformation
- Faithfull the Brand
- Worth Collective
- Free People
- Auguste the Label
- Anthropologie
- My Amazon shop (LINK)
Outfit Ideas for Dad
Dad’s have it easy! I like to keep men simple in a light colored t-shirt or button down and chinos.
Some favorite places to shop:
- J. Crew
- Banana Republic
- H&M
- Abercrombie
- Zara
Outfit Ideas for Baby
For most of my newborn sessions, simple is truly best. I often prefer baby naked and swaddled in one of the swaddles I bring, or in a white onesie.
I love Zara for baby clothes- a simple knit outfit is wonderful especially for fall or winter babies.
- Zara
- Quincy Mae
- Jamie Kay
- Little Cotton Clothes
- Nothing Fits But
- Amazon (view my selections at https://www.amazon.com/shop/brittanyooooo)
Outfit Ideas for Siblings
For big siblings I suggest outfits that mirror mom’s color and style choice.
- Zara
- Quincy Mae/Rylee and Cru
- NoraLee
- H&M
- Jamie Kay
- Little Cotton Clothes
- Nothing Fits But
- Amazon (view my selections at https://www.amazon.com/shop/brittanyooooo)
The Perfect Outfits for Your Newborn Session
I always want to take any stress of your plate when planning your session- so you can always reach out to me if you’d like some help planning wardrobe.
If you’re ready to plan your newborn session, or want to ask any questions about wardrobe, I’m all ears!
If you are a client of mine, you will get a wardrobe guide that has even more tips, advice and suggestions on places to shop!
Are you expecting and ready to book your newborn photo session? I would love to chat!
