What to Wear for Newborn Photos

Wondering what to wear for newborn photos? Here is a comprehensive guide to help you get ready for your newborn photo session. Includes tips for each parent, baby, and older siblings, with lots of photo examples of each!

As a documentary-style photographer, this guide is geared towards families who want relaxed and natural photos with their newborn so they can remember this moment in time.

Download my FREE guide The Newborn Photography Checklist For Parents for everything you need to know about having a newborn photo session!

Overall Style

Here are the three main things I suggest when it comes to choosing what to wear for newborn photos:

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it you.
3. Keep it comfortable.

There’s no need to purchase new outfits for your session. Select something from your closet that you’d throw on if you had some people over. Solid colors work great, especially when paired with varying textures or layers.

If you’re a jeans and a t-shirt kind of gal, perfect! If you’re into the flowy dresses or skirts look, then go with that. Wear whatever is going to feel comfortable in your postpartum body.

Make sure you can move around, sit on the the ground, lay in bed, and feed your baby in your outfit. Avoid anything that’s too restrictive or that might make you feel body-conscious. (I remember wearing my maternity jeans for our newborn session and that felt perfect!)

As for the rest of the family, let them take the lead from you. If you’re in a dress, perhaps your partner can wear a button-up. If you’re in jeans and a t-shirt, your partner can wear a cozier top that easily allows them to hold the baby and wrap you both in a hug.

If you have an older child, look for something that matches your level of casualness or dressiness, and make sure they can jump and play in their clothes. In fact, I would suggest pre-selecting 3 outfits for them and letting them pick their favorite. Give them some control so they remain happy and engaged during the photoshoot. Having a new sibling is a big transition for a kid! Letting them dress themselves is an easy way to make them feel involved and important. For more on getting your child ready for photos, check out my article Preparing Your Child For A Photo Session.

Color Palette

When thinking about what to wear for newborn photos, color can play a big role. A great starting point is looking at your home decor. Do you have neutral and pastel colors, or bright and punchy ones? Have the outfits reflect the style and brightness of your interior design.

Select outfits that work well with the colors you already have in your home to create a cohesive aesthetic in your photos.

Even the crib sheet you want to feature is worth thinking about. If you have a patterned one you love, your baby might need to be in a white onesie. If you have a solid pink or light green sheet, maybe a colored or patterned onesie will look best. (More on outfit ideas for baby below!)

If you’re unsure, go neutral. It’s hard to go wrong with solid colors, especially neutral ones such as off-white, beige, and gray.

Remember: the idea of the photos is to highlight YOU! Your family and the love and connection you share. The outfits are there to support that, not to shine on their own.

Some Do’s and Don’ts of What to Wear for Newborn Photos

The one thing you want to AVOID is for your outfit to become a distraction in your photos. That’s why it’s important to consider the overall look of your home decor and the outfit each person will wear. Here are some quick Do’s on Don’ts for what to wear for newborn photos.

Do’s

• Pick outfits that feel like you
• Make sure you’re comfortable 
• Create a cohesive look for all family members
• Consider the decor of your home so everything works together

Don’ts

• Wear all back or all white
• Show distinct or recognizable logos
• Wear bold and colorful patterns
• Wear clothes with large text

What should mom wear for newborn photos?

If you birthed your baby, selecting an outfit when you’re newly postpartum can feel like a tricky task! Your body will have just gone through a dramatic change in a very short period of time. With that in mind, I cannot overstate the importance of picking an outfit that is comfortable.

Whether that looks like jeans and a t-shirt or a long, flowy dress, pick something that will make you feel good in your body. I wore my maternity jeans for my newborn photos and that felt great! You might revisit an outfit you wore in your second trimester that made you feel radiant. Feeling good is as important as looking good.

Solid colors with texture work great, as do simple patterns, like stripes or florals.

Remember to choose an outfit that allows you to comfortably sit on the ground, lay in bed, and feed your baby.

If you want breastfeeding photos, make sure your outfit allows for that, or that you are comfortable being photographed in a nursing bra.

Finally, have a backup outfit picked out in case of fun surprises like spit up or leaky poops!

What should dad wear for newborn photos?

The key is for everyone to match in terms of how casual or dressy the outfits are. If mom (or parent A) is in jeans and a t-shirt, then dad (or parent B) should wear something similar. Alternatively, if mom is in a flowy dress, then dad might be in a button-up and slacks.

Layers work great to make simple shirts a little more dynamic. Button-ups can work well as long as the fabric is not too stiff.

Again, make sure dad is wearing something comfortable that won’t restrict his movements. He might be asked to sit on the ground, lie in bed, feed the baby, and hug the family.

What should newborns wear for newborn photos?

Your newborn is the star of the show and the only one who will have lots of solo photos. The idea is to strike a balance between making them pop but also have their outfit work with the bigger picture. This is why I typically recommend 2-3 different outfits for your baby during a newborn session.

You can expect your photographer to take photos of your baby in these three spots:

1. Over a simple background, such as a comforter on your bed or bedroom rug
2. In their crib
3. In your arms

Those 3 sets of images might require a wardrobe change for your little one!

Ergo, these are the outfits I recommend for a newborn:

• Simple white onesie
• That cute outfit you’ve been waiting to show off
• A swaddle with colors that work with their nursery and/or your home decor

If you’re not up for changing your baby during the session, I’d suggest going with the white onesie to keep things simple.

What should siblings wear for newborn photos?

I personally love photographing toddlers getting dressed! If that’s something you and your photographer are open to, then make it part of your photo session.

As for outfits for older siblings, it’s important to match the tone so there is consistency between family members. If mom is in a casual outfit, then so should everyone else. If mom is in a flowy dress, then your toddlers can wear something a little more dressy.

Most older sibling go through a challenging transition upon the arrival of a new baby. I would suggest pre-selecting 3 outfits for them and letting them pick their favorite. Give them some control so they remain happy and engaged during the photoshoot. Letting them dress themselves is an easy way to make them feel involved and important, so it’s not all about the new baby.

For more on getting your child ready for photos, check out my article Preparing Your Child For A Photo Session.

Additional Tips and Reminders

• Be mentally prepared for your baby to get their adorable outfit soiled. I’ve seen it happen more than once! Whether it’s milk, spit-up, or poop, newborns have a real knack for getting their clothes dirty.
• Make sure you have a clean, wrinkle-free crib sheet ready to go.
• Pick out a comforter for your bed that is neutral and simple. We will likely take family photos on your bed, as well as solo baby pics.
• Be prepared to change them a couple of times during our session. Especially if you want down-to-the-diaper photos, which I always recommend. 
• For more information on a Newborn Photo Session with me, check out my website!

At what age should we schedule newborn photos?

Newborn photos can be taken during the first 12 weeks postpartum. The decision will vary from person to person. But here are some things to consider:

• After giving birth, you’ll have an adrenaline high for about 4 days. That makes day 3 or 4 post-delivery a great time for a session!
• The remnants of the umbilical cord will fall off your baby’s belly button about 5-14 days after birth. If seeing it in photos bothers you, then it’s safest to schedule a session around 2 weeks postpartum or later.   
• If you have older children, they might need some time to adjust to life with a new baby. Some kiddos take a little longer to fall in love with their new sibling, so give them time to acclimate to this huge change.
• Visit my Newborn Page for more info!

Still looking for a Los Angeles Newborn Photographer?

I would love to help you capture your growing family! Visit my website to learn more about what it would be like to work together. Or simply reach out to schedule a free, no-commitment 10-minute call so we can chat directly.

Not ready? Follow me on Instagram for my latest work or Pinterest for more free resources!

What to Wear For Newborn Photos

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Marjorie Cohen is a Los Angeles Newborn Photographer offering at-home documentary sessions to families in LA County. Marjorie works with parents who want relaxed and natural photos with their newborn. Follow along in Instagram for her latest work!