As a newborn photographer, parents are always asking me about dressing baby for newborn photos. If you have spent anytime looking at my newborn sessions, you know that I don’t pose babies with elaborate props of costumes. The light, bright and modern look of my photos is created by following a few simple tips when dressing baby for newborn photos.
6 Tips on Dressing Baby For Newborn Photos
Tip 1: Keep Things Simple
When dressing your baby for newborn photos, the most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. The good news about this approach is that you probably have everything you need in your closet. Stick with plain onesies, soft sleepers and plain diapers. Selecting simple clothing that newborns wear on a regular basis will keep the focus on your new baby and their unique little personality. It also gives your photos rich context and helps tell the story of your growing family.
Tip 2: Neutral Colours
Selecting neutral soft colours helps create timeless newborn photos that are light, bright and airy. I recommend sticking to soft creamy whites, light greys or muted colours. Light pastels like baby blue, light pink and oatmeal also photograph beautifully. Babies have such soft and beautiful skin and these light neutral colours keep the focus on what’s most important, your new baby. Select and neutral colour palette also ensures there are no vibrant colours reflected onto your baby’s skin.
Tip 3: Soft Fabrics
To highlight the restful and quiet feeling captured in my poses, I suggest selecting soft natural fabrics. In my experience, you can’t go wrong with cotton. Soft knits like cashmere and merino wool also photograph beautifully and add an element of texture. During my home based newborn sessions, there are lots of family snuggles while baby rests and sleeps. Selecting soft fabrics helps to communicate that your baby feels comfortable and at home in your arms.
Tip 4: Clothing that Fits
Taking a few photos of your baby wearing a favourite patterned sleeper adds some variety and colour to your newborn photos. Years from now, this will help you remember some of the early details of the early newborn days. When selecting a sleeper, choose one that fits your baby perfectly. Avoid clothing that is too big. Oversized clothing swallows up and overwhelms a tiny newborn. Even if an outfit is incredibly cute, if it doesn’t fit properly, it will look distracting.
Tip 5: Colourful Swaddles
In addition to being super useful, swaddle blankets make the perfect accessory for your newborn session. These simple blankets are one of the best ways to infuse a little colour and personality into your newborn session. You can tell so much about a mama’s style from the swaddle blanket she wraps her new baby in. From fun and whimsical to minimal and modern, a simple swaddle blanket helps tell your family’s story.
Tip 6: Family Momentos
To create photographs that tell the unique story of your family, I recommend incorporating family mementos and meaningful heirlooms into your newborn session. Blankets quilted by a favourite aunt or handmade items such hats, cardigans and blankets are a great addition to any newborn session. Both my children were photographed in a hand knit cream coloured sweater that my husband’s grandmother knit for him as a baby. Looking at photos of my husband and children in same special outfit always makes me tear up!
Want more tips for planning a newborn session that reflects your modern and stylish family? Check out my Newborn Session Information Page or download my exclusive magazine, Hello Baby. Hello Baby has tips for planning your modern newborn session and includes information on where to shop for stylish newborn and kids clothing.