What to Wear for Your Newborn Session – Birmingham Alabama Newborn Photographer

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Simple Wardrobe Tips

More times than not, if you don’t love your newborn photography session, it’s because you don’t love your wardrobe. Maybe your choices didn’t blend well together or with the background, lay right, or weren’t the right shape for your body type. That’s where I come in. Years of experience photographing families with new babies has taught me what works best.

Coordination That Works

Choose 2-4 colors that coordinate well together and with your chosen location. Think white and tan for Spring, along with light pastel or dusty blues, greens and pinks
Dress for comfort. Think long, flowy dresses and untucked shirts.
Add dainty prints / simple patterns and textures
All full sessions, with me, have access to wardrobe for use during your sessions. Women’s wardrobe can be found here. Try on appointments can be made to try on dresses. Those appointments should be made at least a month before your session so you have time to order something if you don’t find something you like.

What to Skip

Neon and other bright colors (they can cast odd skin tones)
Dark colors (these don’t photograph well with the light and airy style I offer)
Logos and big graphics
Multiple patterns. It’s hard to combine patterns and do it well. I suggest choosing 1 pattern for 1 person or matching patterns for a couple people and sticking with solids for the rest. You can always add textures and accessories to add a little flair
waffled, plaid and small checkered/striped patterns (these can produce a moire effect in digital images)
Shirts with text
Outfits that feel stiff
Watches – I’m sure your watch is beautiful but watches tend to stand out and distract from baby.

Accessories That Add Flair

Simple jewelry that won’t distract
Small hair bows that won’t fall out. I don’t suggest headbands. These fall off, often.
Scarves add color and texture in cooler months
Remember to plan outfits at least a month before your session. This gives you time to make sure everything fits and looks good together. When you all feel good, your photos will catch those real smiles!

Baby

My best tips for your newborn:

Comfortable and neutral colored is best (think white, light blue, creams and tans.)
Make sure the baby’s outfit is well-fitted. Most newborns wear premie sizes during their photo session.
If you want the baby to wear an heirloom-type outfit, I suggest adding a white onesie underneath for extra warmth.
Go for footless outfits so we can capture those little tosies
Bonnets are a great addition. Knit bonnets are best. Heirloom bonnets are great in small doses as they tend to move around and come untied often.
Keep in mind most newborns are more comfortable when swaddled.

Where to shop:

Feltman Brothers (heirloom and knits)
Zara (knits)
H&M (muslin and knits)

Girls

My best tips for girls:

Comfortable rompers, sets and dresses are great for girls
Bloomers are necessary when wearing dresses. Many gorgeous images have been ruined by diapers/undies showing.
Headbands are cute but they fall off frequently. Consider a clear rubber band to secure the hair and add a small, clip-on bow
Sweater knits, linens, woven cottons and muslins photograph well

Boys

My best tips for boys:

Choose shirts that don’t need to stay tucked in. You’ll waste precious session time re-tucking ever time they move
Skip the generic polo. Choose an cute outfit, romper, untucked button up, henley, sweater, or simple/quality t-shirt. All of these photograph well.
Light colored chinos will look great with everything.
Don’t overthink it. Simple and solid is best for a clean look that will stand the test of time.
Don’t feel like you have to have a pattern. Patterns can be distracting if not done well. Texture, however, is a great way to add character.
Solids photograph better than large/closely spaced stripes, checks and plaids. Dainty stripes that aren’t really close together are ok. Feel free to reach out if you’re concerned.

Women

My best tips for women:

Flowy mid length or longer dresses photograph best
Choose neutrals like white and off white or pastels like light blue and pink (make sure these are the lightest of colors to avoid casting unwanted color on to your baby)
Dainty florals add character to your wardrobe without drawing all of the attention to you.
Long, flowy dresses that are fitted just under the chest are great for after baby. These will make your bump less noticeable
Look for dresses with stretch. These will allow you to wear them longer
Cover what you are self-conscious about.

Click images below to shop.

Men

Do:

Choose solids (leave the patterns for the girls and women)
Choose untucked button ups or henleys over tucked in shirts or polos. These allow for more movement and keep belts from taking over. If you go with a tucked in shirt choose a belt that blends well with your pants and doesn’t stand out.
Choose neutrals or very light pastels thought I find white and cream photograph best during newborn sessions and allow mom to choose color or pattern or both for more variety.
Choose pants over shorts (light colored pants and khakis work best.)

Don’t: