What to wear for in-home newborn photos
Getting ready for your photography session should be as enjoyable as the experience itself! The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want to feel comfortable and look like yourself. This is your moment to shine, so let your personality reflect through your outfit choices. Don’t stress too much about the perfect look; instead, focus on what makes you feel good. With that spirit in mind, let’s dive into some helpful suggestions to guide you on what to wear.
Focus on comfort
Select outfits that fit you well and allow for easy movement. If you can’t move freely, it will show in your photos. If you are recently postpartum, you may find that your body is not what you expected it to be for your photos.
The most common wardrobe malfunction that I encounter as a newborn photographer are tops that are too low cut. As your milk comes in you may find that outfits that were previously conservative are now a bit too revealing to be family friendly. Keep that in mind when outfit shopping ahead of your session date.
Comfort is important for your little one too. We want to ensure that their outfit fits them comfortably: not too big that they are lost in the fabric, but not too tight that they are uncomfortable. Also, avoid outfits with scratchy material (such as tulle) or zippers or velcro that may be agitating to their skin.
Details, details, details
Fabrics with texture or that flow beautifully can add depth and elegance to your images. Think soft linens, delicate lace, or gentle chiffon. Loose, flowing dresses are often a beautiful option for new mothers as they are comfortable, won’t constrict on C-Section incisions, and are often breastfeeding friendly. The flowing fabric just so happens to also photograph beautifully.
Decide in advance if you're okay with wearing items like Apple watches. If you want to include them, let’s make sure they complement the vibe of your outfit. No one wants a fluorescent orange watch band to be the main focus of your photos right? Other items such as socks, hair ties, and nail polish color are important to consider as well. We want you and your brand new family member to be the main attraction- not your lucky socks or chipped nails.
Speaking of distractions…
When choosing outfit tops, particularly for siblings and men, you want to lean away from items with large logos or graphics on them. These can take the eye away from your face and the emotions of the moment. Solid colors or subtle patterns work best to keep the focus on you. It’s also a good idea to avoid bright or neon colors. These can be distracting and may not photograph well. Instead, opt for softer, more muted shades that will keep the focus on you. UNLESS you are very intentionally selecting these colors because you feel like they are a reflection of you and your family. (See the image below for a great example of this.)
Take a breath
While it’s great to plan, don’t stress too much about the perfect outfit. Wearing something that feels like “you” is the best choice. I have had clients that have broken every single one of these rules and their sessions have still gone smoothly with beautiful images to show for it. Remember, these photos are for you to look back on 20, 30, even 50 years from now and remember who you are in this moment.
Still stressed?
We all know the power of google and Pinterest when it comes to research. But you’ve got enough on your plate. So I decided to make things easy. All of my clients receive access to Style and Select. This service is an interactive digital style guide for photo sessions. Coordinate your favorite outfits from the shoppable results. All you'll have to do is answer a few quick questions and you will be shown outfit suggestions for your entire family. Easy peasy. :)
