As you prepare to welcome your baby, the last thing you want to think about is what you’re going to wear for your newborn photo session.
There’s many other things to think about like packing for the hospital, making sure baby has everything she or he needs and the list goes on.
Here, you’ll find the best newborn photoshoot outfits for moms, so it’s one less thing you have to research.
Hopefully, this post inspires you with plenty of ideas to answer what to wear for a newborn photoshoot!
Newborn Photoshoot Outfits for Moms
Before we dive into the different outfits you can wear for your newborn shoot, let’s talk about the colors and textures.
Colors to Wear
Ideally, you want each family member to wear a different color. However, they should look cohesive and be a similar color palette so they photograph well together.
It’s best to stick to neutral colors that flow well with the scenery. If you’re doing your newborn session in the comfort of your home, your clothing should match the color scheme of the rooms you’ll be photographed in.
Your clothing should also be solid colors. If you’re incorporating a pattern, have one person wear the pattern, while the other family members wear solids. That way, it doesn’t look too busy.
If you’re doing your newborn photo shoot outside in the fall, dark colors like burgundy or olive green look beautiful against the backdrop of the fall trees.
For spring and newborn family photos, lighter colors like creams, soft taupes, light blue or light pink are beautiful for the warmer months of the year.
Incorporate Texture
If your baby’s newborn photo outfit is similar in color to someone else’s outfit in the picture, that’s okay. Just make sure they’re slightly different textures, so the clothing doesn’t blend together.
For example, the baby’s outfit could be made of crepe fabrics while dad’s shirt is cotton. So though they’re similar in color, they’ll still look different in the photograph because of the different textures.
RELATED: 40+ of the Cutest Maternity Outfits for a Maternity Photoshoot
Avoid Wearing these Things for Lifestyle Newborn Photography Session
To get the most out of your photography session, you should avoid wearing black. It shows every single piece of lint that might sneak onto the dress or shirt, and will then show up in photos.
Big logos should also be avoided on clothing. It takes away from the point of the photos, which is to show the connection and love between your family.
Bold colors are also not great choices most of the time when it comes to photography. The simplest, solid colors or a subtle pattern photograph best.
A-Line Dresses
For the newborn photoshoot we had when my daughter was born, I actually had two dresses.
I wasn’t sure what would fit, or what I would be most comfortable in, and since we did a newborn lifestyle photoshoot at home, it was easy to do a quick outfit change!
An A-line dress is an ideal newborn photoshoot outfit for new moms. You don’t want anything clingy since you are postpartum and want the most comfortable clothing as possible.
If you’re looking for an A-line dress, look for dresses that are the most form-fitting at the top and slowly flare out towards the bottom.
The white dress above has beautiful smocking at the top and changes in texture at the bottom, which gives the photo more depth and dimension.
If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, purchase a dress that is easy to nurse in without having to change mid-shoot.
A wrap dress like the one below is a perfect example. It’s easy to nurse in, cinches the waist and flares out around the tummy area.
Feel free to go barefoot if you’re newborn photographer is shooting at your house. They look more natural, especially if you’re sitting in your newborn baby’s nursery.
Shop A-Line Dresses
Flowy Maxi Dresses
Flowy maxi dresses that are nursing-friendly are where it’s at when it comes to newborn photoshoot outfits for moms.
They’re comfortable, beautiful and won’t cling to your body.
I wore this bump-friendly dress from Pink Blush Maternity for our newborn shoot out home when we welcomed our second baby.
This dress comes in 11 colors and offers sizes S to XL. It would also be excellent as a baby shower outfit idea and is quite similar to the dress I wore for my tea party baby shower.
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Floral Dresses
If you’re going for a pop of print in your newborn photoshoot, choose one person to wear the print.
This new mom is wearing a floral mini-dress in a dark tone. It fits the same color scheme as the other outfits that Dad and the sweet newborn baby are wearing and works well with this backdrop.
Florals give the overall look a feminine touch and add more depth and personality.
The contrast of the dark tone of her dress against the lighter colors brings balance to the photo too.
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PRO TIP: Ask the newborn photographer if they have different outfits for a new baby to wear. If they do, that’s one less thing for you to pack.
All White Outfits for Newborn Photos
The color white photographs well, so choosing that color for each family member is an easy choice.
As I mentioned earlier, to differentiate between the clothing of each person, try to choose different textures. You can also wear varying shades of light colors – like creams and blush pink.
A baby’s skin is so angelic and just plain adorable. So if everyone is wearing white, opt for the baby’s skin to show to break up the white in the photo.
All-white photographs turn out so beautiful and are timeless and classic.
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Flowy Top with Jeans
If your personal style leans more towards denim jeans and a top, then by all means do that! The most important thing for a family photo shoot is to feel comfortable and reflect your personality.
I know sometimes when postpartum moms hear the word jeans, they think uncomfortable. But you can still wear your maternity jeans as you heal.
For a more casual look, you can put the baby in a white onesie and accessorize with a hat or bow.
If you’re shooting in the fall, you may like these fall baby photoshoot ideas.
Shop Denim Jeans and Tops
Deep Fall Colors
Whether you’re photographing your newborn baby pictures outside or inside, you can wear fall-like colors during the autumn months.
Fall colors like burgundy, burnt orange, mustard and olive green all look beautiful against the backdrop of the changing leaves, and makes great newborn photoshoot outfits for moms.
If you’re using these colors for an indoor photoshoot, be sure your decor matches these deeper hues.
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Quick Tips for a Family Newborn Photoshoot
From a mom who has done newborn photos twice, I have a few other tips for prepping for a newborn family photoshoot.
- Dress yourself first. That way, you have that checked off the list and can focus on getting the baby ready and the other children if this isn’t your first baby.
- Bring a change of clothes for yourself. Babies can be messy so a backup outfit is always a good idea!
- Bring snacks for you, your partner and big brother/big sister. No one likes to be hangry when you’re trying to take photos.
- Bring activities for big brother or big sister to do while they’re waiting for their turn to take pictures.
- Incorporate special family member mementos into the photos.
- If you’re doing your newborn shoot at home, ask the photographer if they have newborn photography props you can use.
If you don’t feel like buying anything new, ask family members if they have something you can wear. The most important thing about newborn photos is capturing the purest love there is between you, your newborn baby and the rest of your family members.
Newborn Photoshoot Outfit Shop
What type of dress/outfit will you wear for your newborn photoshoot? Let me know in the comments below!
