What to wear to a Maternity or Newborn Photoshoot - Answering those burning questions to help you pick the perfect outfits for all the family
Deciding what to wear for a maternity or newborn shoot can be daunting. The pressure to find the perfect outfit for the whole family is tough, but you've got this!
Having had a newborn session for our 3rd baby, I know that this can be an emotive decision. Our bodies change so much during pregnancy, that those go-to outfits just don’t feel like they work anymore. Believe me when I say, you are not alone in feeling this way. As a photographer with six years of experience working with incredible people just like you, I'm here to help you out! I’ve compiled this helpful guide to make planning the perfect session wardrobe for parents, babies and siblings simple and straightforward. Are you ready?
What should I wear for my newborn photoshoot?
This is where it all starts from, find the perfect outfit that makes you feel amazing (because you are) and then tie the family in with you.
Keep it simple with solid colours.
Solid colours paired with flow and texture look spectacular. What these colours are is really based on you and your personality. I always advise my clients to look around their home and take note of their personal style. This is often a very clear way to identify the colours you are drawn too.
For Spring/Summer sessions great colour choices can be made from neutral and or pastel colours. Off-white, grey, cream, pastel blue, soft greens or pink.
For Spring/Summer sessions great colour choices can be made from neutral and pastel colours. Off-white, grey, cream, pastel blue, soft greens or pink, work beautifully. These are also a great choice if you find your home is decorated in soft and neutral tones.
For autumn/winter sessions, you can’t go wrong with a warm palette of creams, off white, muted oranges and mustards or even a deep green.
Avoid small print, patterns and lots of white.
Small, tight prints and stripes do not photograph well. The camera reads them and creates it’s own unique pattern called “moire” and it isn’t desirable. Lots of pure white is also best to avoid. Pure white is difficult to expose for and can distract from the people in the image.
Flow and Texture
I recommend finding clothing with a lot of visual interest. Look for tops with lots of texture, layers, and ruffles. Pair these textures and layers with something simple on the bottom. Chunky knits bring the most delicious textures to an image, but a ruffled collared dress or shirt/blouse brings a classic feminine feel. Layers create depth in photographs, so a simple solid coloured top with a complimentary coloured cardigan is a great way to go.
A flowy nursing dress is a super flattering option to invite flow into your images (and convenient for the nursing breaks, if needed). When choosing your perfect postnatal dress, ensure it’s not too loose. It’s one of those big wardrobe misconceptions, as although it feels like it may hide what you may not be so keen on showing, too much extra room can create an unpleasing ambiguity.
Minimize Accessories
If you want yourself, your family and your clothing choices to be the focus of your photos, keep accessories to a minimum. Too many will take away the spotlight from your outfit. If you have an accessory that makes a statement, minimising your other accessories, as well as keeping your clothing patterns simple, will allow it to stand out.
Remember, to pay close attention to your nails. Connection an image is so very often driven by focus on your hands. Consider treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure, or convince your partner to help spruce up your fingers and toes so that they look picture perfect! If colour isn't your thing, simple , clean and trim nails are just perfect too.
What should I wear for my maternity photo shoot?
Consider how you feel about varying levels of undress in your photographs, and the final look that you want in your pictures. From family maternity to boudoir maternity; having a good understanding of this will definitely guide you in choosing your perfect outfit/s.
Here are a few items you might consider purchasing/ collecting for your session.
❊ lace knickers or boy shorts - black and/or nude
❊ pretty bra or simple but nice crop top
❊ pre-pregnancy jeans or regular jeans (not maternity)
❊ close-fitting tank top
❊ loose/men's shirt
❊ loose chunky knit
❊ fitted dress. Close fit or fitted top (above bump) and flowing bottom
❊ maternity or below bump skirt
❊ your favourite maternity outfit. I want you to feel really good about yourself!
Something to keep in mind, during your maternity shoot, choose clothes that provide a visible separation between boobs and bump. You want that visual break! This can be achieved with your hand placements (which I will gladly help with during our session) and with your clothing choices.
What should I dress baby in for the photoshoot?
Newborns are pretty perfect in every way, so I love to celebrate this by keeping their clothing as simple as possible. A plain (no patterns/logos/characters), footless onesie, works brilliantly. Having those little toes out means we can capture them in all their glory! When selecting a neutral grow why not explore the options of plain cotton or knit. The texture of a knit onesie delivers an adorable softness to newborn images.
Babies are teeny tiny and most clothing (even newborn/0-3 months size) is still too big right after birth. When choosing an outfit, to document your baby in, please make sure it fits! I suggest shopping in the newborn section, and trying the clothes on your baby before the session. If nothing fits, we can do a little tucking during the session.
Alternatively, never underestimate the beauty of a baby that is swaddled. Large plain square cotton swaddles from companies like Aden and Anais and The Swaddle Company can be a great addition to your session and beyond (honestly, you can use them for everything!)
What should my partner wear for the photo session?
Now with you and your baby sorted, it’s time to think about everyone else’s clothing choices!
For men joining the session, you just can’t go wrong with a solid coloured shirt. Dress it down with an open neck and rolled sleeves, for a relaxed feel to your images. Shirts aren’t your/his thing? A solid colour polo or plain t-shirt works brilliantly. Either of these options can team up with a comfortable pair of chinos or jeans to round off the perfect partner outfit.
For women joining the session, much of what is mentioned at the start of the guide will lead you towards the ultimate session outfit. There is no need to match up with your partner, but subtle coordination between you will bring a well-rounded finish to your images.
What should siblings wear for maternity and newborn family photos?
Do you want to know the secret to dressing your older children for a newborn session? Well, it’s really quite simple - keep them COMFORTABLE! Seriously, comfort is key for these little ones. Itchy labels, tight trousers or overly ruffled dresses just aren’t going to cut it and they’ll let us know that one way or another. Choose items that are representative of their little personalities. Hey why not let them have a say - a little ownership over the photoshoot.
With that said, keep in mind these guiding tips;
❊ where possible choose solid colours over patterns;
❊ opt for plain pieces discounting any clothing with large writing or pictures; and
❊ make sure they fit (as a parent, I too know how quickly that perfect outfit suddenly hugs the belly button or ankle!)
Should we coordinate our outfits?
Cheesy matching family members smiling at the camera is just not my jam! So no, there is no need for matching outfits - you are all individuals, so let’s let that shine through. However, I do recommend choosing a maximum of 3 colours as a palette to base everyone’s clothing choices around. In doing this, you will bring subtle coordination and harmony to your images. Once selected play with tones and hues to bring about individuality in addition to connectivity.
Where to buy that perfect photoshoot outfit?
You may already have your go-to stores, for your ultimate session wardrobe. However, for those wanting a little guidance, below are my clothing shop suggestions, where you are guaranteed to find the perfect outfit for all members of your family.
Final Tip - Plan ahead
Make sure you have given yourself enough time to think about all of the details of your session.
Plan ahead so that;
1) you can truly think about your photos and everything you want out of the session,
2) you aren’t rushing and stressing out right before your session, and
3) if you have decided to go for a new look for your session or someone gets a bad haircut, you still have time to fix things if you need to.
A little gift from me to you!
Why not strut into your session, with the ultimate clothing confidence, knowing you have planned your wardrobe to perfection.
Grab a copy of my free session wardrobe planner to begin planning your flawless session outfits!
