What to Wear for Your Newborn Session: A Simple Guide for Parents
Welcoming a newborn into the world is a special and fleeting moment that parents cherish for a lifetime. Newborn photography is a beautiful way to capture these first days, preserving that tiny innocence forever. As a photographer, my goal is to ensure that the focus remains on the baby—capturing their delicate features, the warmth of family connection, and the love that radiates from these early moments. One of the key elements to making your newborn session a success is the wardrobe, especially for parents. While it may seem like a small detail, what you wear plays a big role in the overall look and feel of the photos.
To help guide you through this, I’ve put together some simple and effective tips to dress for your newborn session. My approach is timeless and minimalist, with the main focus on your baby and the connection you share. Let’s dive into some wardrobe recommendations to ensure your photos look stunning!
1. Keep It Classic: The Power of White
One of my favorite setups for newborn sessions is the classic white background with parents dressed in plain white shirts. This clean and timeless look draws all attention to the baby and creates a soft, serene environment. White is neutral, simple, and allows your baby to be the star of the session.
Here’s why white works so well:
- Timeless Appeal: White never goes out of style. It creates a clean, airy aesthetic that’s perfect for highlighting the beauty of your baby.
- Minimal Distractions: By wearing a plain white shirt, you ensure that nothing detracts from your little one. The photos remain focused on the emotions and moments that matter.
- Soft and Elegant: The purity of white brings a sense of calm and simplicity, complementing the delicate nature of your newborn.
For parents, I recommend wearing fitted but comfortable white tops—whether it’s a button-up shirt, a T-shirt, or a soft blouse. The key is to keep it plain and without logos or patterns. As for the bottom half, don’t worry about shoes or fancy footwear. Since I typically photograph from the waist up, blue jeans or leggings will work perfectly for these shots.
2. Black Backdrop: A Bold, Timeless Alternative
While the white-on-white aesthetic is a favorite for many newborn sessions, another classic option is the black backdrop. For this setup, I recommend parents wear plain black shirts, creating a sharp, bold contrast that makes your baby pop even more in the photos. The black background exudes elegance and drama, allowing for powerful images that still feel intimate and personal.
Here’s why the black-on-black setup works:
- Striking Contrast: Black creates a strong, dramatic look that isolates your baby in the frame, making them the undeniable focus.
- Sophistication: The black backdrop adds a refined, timeless quality to your photos, creating images that will feel modern and classic for years to come.
- Highlighting Features: With darker tones, the soft, light tones of your baby’s skin stand out beautifully, highlighting their delicate features in an artistic way.
Just like with the white setup, keep your attire simple—no patterns or logos. It’s all about focusing on your baby, so less is more when it comes to what you wear.
3. Comfort Is Key
It’s important to feel comfortable and relaxed during your newborn session, and this extends to your wardrobe. The session is meant to capture natural, candid moments between you and your baby, so the last thing you want is to feel restricted by what you’re wearing. Stick to soft, breathable fabrics that allow you to move easily as you cuddle and pose with your baby.
Moms, you might want to opt for something with a bit of stretch, as you’ll likely be holding your baby in various positions during the shoot. Dads, a simple, well-fitted shirt is all you need. Again, we’re going for clean lines and comfort here—nothing stiff or overly formal.
4. No Need to Worry About Shoes
Since I focus on photographing from the waist up, there’s no need to stress about shoes for the session. Whether you’re wearing your favorite sneakers, slippers, or nothing at all, it won’t be seen in the final photos. This is one less thing to worry about, allowing you to focus on the more important aspects of the session—like connecting with your baby.
5. Coordinate Without Matching
While I recommend keeping it simple with white or black shirts, there’s no need for everyone to wear identical outfits. Coordinating your colors is key. For example, if you’re using a white backdrop, everyone can wear different shades of white, cream, or light gray. This creates visual harmony without the appearance of being too “matchy-matchy.”
If you’re going for the black backdrop, stick with deep, neutral tones. Charcoal, navy, and other dark colors work well alongside black and keep the photos cohesive.
6. What About Accessories?
In keeping with the minimalist theme, I suggest limiting accessories during your newborn session. Large jewelry, watches, or anything that draws attention away from your baby should be avoided. The goal is to keep the focus entirely on the connection between you and your newborn. If you’re wearing your wedding rings, that’s perfect—rings often add a subtle touch of sentimentality to the photos without overwhelming the scene.
7. The Focus Is Always on Baby
While wardrobe choices for parents are important, the baby is always the star of the show. To ensure that your newborn looks perfect for the session, I recommend keeping their outfit simple as well. A neutral-colored onesie, a swaddle, or even just a diaper (if you’re comfortable) works best. We want to capture your baby’s natural beauty, and simple clothing keeps the focus on their tiny hands, soft skin, and adorable expressions.
In conclusion, the best approach to dressing for your newborn session is to keep it simple, timeless, and comfortable. Whether you opt for the classic white backdrop or the bold black alternative, sticking to neutral tones and minimal distractions will ensure your photos feel elegant and focused on what truly matters—your baby. These are moments you’ll cherish forever, and a minimalist wardrobe will help create photos that stand the test of time.
If you’re preparing for your newborn session and have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help you every step of the way!