What to Wear for Your Newborn Session
Soft, neutral tones in comfortable fabrics. Match the family palette, not each other's exact outfits. Skip logos, bold patterns, and anything stiff.
Wardrobe is the thing clients overthink most. Let me make this easier.
Don’t want to think about? Check out my Motherhood Wardrobe
01 · Start with Color
Soft, neutral tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your family instead of what anyone is wearing. The palette to think in:
Creams, whites, ivories
Tans, oatmeal, camel
Muted blues, dusty greens, sage
Soft warm tones — blush, terracotta, warm gray
Pick one main color family and build everyone's outfits around it. The goal is coordination, not matching. Mom in cream, dad in oatmeal, siblings in soft blue and dusty green — that's the right energy. Everyone in identical white shirts and khakis is not.
A good test: lay all the outfits out on the bed before the session. If they look like they belong in the same room, you're set.
02 · Fabrics Matter More Than You'd Think
Soft, flowy, body-skimming fabrics photograph well. Stiff, structured, scratchy fabrics don't.
What works:
Knits, soft cottons, linen, gauze, modal
Layering pieces — cardigans, light sweaters, kimono-style wraps
Flowy dresses and tops that move when you do
What to avoid:
Anything stiff, structured, or restrictive
Fabrics you can't sit, kneel, or lay on the floor in
Anything that wrinkles dramatically in 20 minutes
For mom especially: postpartum bodies are working hard. Wear something you actually feel comfortable in. Comfort photographs as confidence. Discomfort photographs as discomfort.
03 · What to Avoid
A short list, but worth being specific:
Logos and graphic prints — they pull the eye and date the photos
Bold patterns — small subtle prints can work, but anything busy competes with your family
Neon or highly saturated colors — they cast color onto skin and shift the warmth of the gallery
All-black or all-white — too much contrast, hard to balance in editing
Stripes or tight repeating patterns — these can create visual issues that show up as weird waves in photos
Anything you're not sure about — if you're hesitating, that hesitation will show up on the day
04 · Special Pieces and Meaningful Outfits
If there's an outfit that means something to you, bring it.
A coming-home outfit
A family heirloom (a christening gown, a knit blanket someone made)
A grandparent's gift
Something you bought specifically for this baby
A sibling's first outfit that you saved
We'll work it in. Sometimes these pieces become a standalone shot. Sometimes they're worn for part of the session and changed out. Bring them, and we'll figure out the best moment together.
A Note on the Baby
You don't need to dress your baby for the session. Most of the time, baby is in a wrap, a swaddle, or just a diaper — those quiet, simple images are usually the strongest. A simple white onesie or knit set is a great backup.
If you have a meaningful outfit you want included, bring it. Otherwise, you genuinely don't need to think about it.
The Motherhood Wardrobe
If your session is part of a Signature or Premium package, you have access to the Motherhood Wardrobe — a curated collection of dresses I bring for you to try on. No buying, no returns, no last-minute outfit panic. It's a "show up and try things on" option that takes the wardrobe decision off your plate entirely.
If you're in an Essential package and want access, you can ask about upgrading at any point before your session.