One of the questions I get most often from families leading up to their session is some version of “I have no idea what to wear — help!” It’s completely understandable. You’re a few days postpartum, your toddler has strong opinions about clothing, and the last thing you want is to spend your session worrying about whether everyone looks right.
The good news is that getting this part right is simpler than you might think. Here’s everything you need to know about dressing your family for a newborn session.
What to Wear for a Newborn Session:
A Simple Guide from an Orange County Newborn Photographer
Start with a Feeling, Not a Color
Before you open anyone’s closet, think about how you want these photos to feel when you look back at them in ten years. Bright, trendy colors and busy patterns tend to date quickly. Soft, simple, neutral tones feel timeless. They let the real stars of the photos (your baby, your toddler, your family)take center stage without distraction.
When families come to me for newborn sessions in Orange County, the images that tend to resonate most over time share one thing in common. The clothing is quiet. The emotion is loud.
The Power of Soft Neutrals
Soft neutrals are my go-to recommendation for every member of the family. Think creams, whites, warm beiges, soft taupes, dusty mauves, and muted sage greens. These tones work beautifully together without having to match perfectly. They complement the soft lighting of a newborn session and photograph especially well against the wraps and backdrops I use in the studio.
If you’d like to see specific examples, here’s the link to my pinterest board.
A few combinations that always look beautiful together:
- Cream and warm white with a touch of dusty blush
- Soft taupe with ivory and sage
- Warm beige tones head to toe with varying textures
Avoiding bright white is a good idea too. Pure white can blow out under studio lighting and draw the eye away from faces. Warm white and cream are much more flattering and photograph more softly.
What Mom Should Wear
This is where most of my clients need the most guidance, and understandably so. You’ve just had a baby. Your body has changed. Comfort matters as much as how things look.
My best advice is to choose something flowy and soft rather than anything fitted or structured. Flowy fabrics drape beautifully in photos and are forgiving and comfortable to wear during the session. Neutral tones work especially well for mom since she’s often the visual anchor of the image.
To make this easier, I keep a small selection of dresses available for moms to borrow during their session. These are carefully chosen with newborn photography in mind — soft fabrics, flattering silhouettes, and neutral tones that photograph beautifully. If you’d like to use one of my dresses, just let me know when you book and we can talk through the options.
What Dad Should Wear
Dads are actually the easiest to dress for a newborn session. A few simple guidelines go a long way.
Stick to neutral tones — a soft grey, warm white, cream, or light tan works well. A simple linen shirt or soft cotton button-down is always a great choice. Avoid loud patterns, graphics, or anything with large logos. Dark denim or neutral trousers pair well with almost any top.
The goal is for dad to complement mom and the baby without standing out. Simple almost always wins.
What to Put Your Toddler In
Toddlers have opinions. We all know this. My advice is to pick their outfit first, since they’re the wildcard, and build the rest of the family around them.
For a toddler boy, soft neutral tones work just as well as they do for adults. A cream or light beige linen set, a simple white or grey shirt with neutral trousers, or even a soft knit romper in a warm tone all photograph beautifully. Avoid anything too stiff or uncomfortable. A toddler who is physically uncomfortable will let you know about it, and it will show in the photos.
For a toddler girl, soft florals in muted tones, simple smocked dresses in cream or blush, or a flowy neutral dress are all lovely options. The key is keeping it soft and simple rather than overly fussy.
Whatever you choose, make sure your toddler has worn the outfit at least once before the session. The last thing you want is a tag scratching them or shoes they refuse to keep on. Comfort is everything when you’re trying to get a three-year-old to cooperate.
What About the Baby?
Here’s the best part. You don’t need to worry about the baby at all. Newborns are almost always photographed in wraps, swaddles, and soft accessories that I provide as part of every session. My collection includes a range of beautiful wraps in soft neutral and blush tones, headbands, bows, and little props that complement whatever your family is wearing.
For a session featuring a newborn baby girl, I love pairing a soft blush or dusty rose wrap with a delicate bow. It photographs beautifully alongside a toddler brother in cream or warm neutral tones. The contrast is sweet without being overdone.
A Few Final Tips
Avoid matching too perfectly. Coordinating is better than matching. When everyone is in identical outfits it can feel a little stiff. Varying textures and tones within the same color family looks much more natural and relaxed in photos.
Keep accessories minimal. A simple necklace for mom is lovely. Beyond that, less is more. Busy jewelry, large earrings, and statement pieces tend to distract from faces in close-up shots.
Bring a backup outfit for your toddler. Toddlers are wonderful and unpredictable in equal measure. Having a second option on hand is always a good idea, just in case.
Most importantly, don’t stress about getting it perfect. My job is to make everyone look and feel their best. If you show up in soft, comfortable, neutral tones, you are already most of the way there.
Ready to Book Your Orange County Newborn Session?
If you’re expecting and starting to think about your newborn session, I’d love to help. Sessions book up quickly, especially in spring and summer, so reaching out during your second trimester is always a good idea. Click here to check availability and get in touch.