One of the questions I receive from my clients in Essex before almost every newborn session is:
"What should we wear for our family photographs?"
It's a great question because clothing has a much bigger impact on your photographs than many parents realise. I strongly believe it’s professional photographer’s role to guide clients with intention to create family portraits they will be proud of for many years to come.
The right outfits allow the focus to remain exactly where it should be — on the connection between you and your baby. They create a calm, timeless look that won't feel dated in years to come and help your photographs become artwork you'll be proud to display in your home.
As a mobile newborn photographer working with families across Essex, I photograph parents in their own homes every week. Over the years, I've seen first-hand which clothing choices work beautifully and which can unintentionally distract from the emotion of the photographs.
Fortunately, keeping it simple and timeless almost always produces the most elegant results.
Choose Soft, Neutral Colours
Neutral colours photograph beautifully because they create a calm and harmonious feel.
Some of my favourite colours include:
- White
- Ivory
- Cream
- Beige
- Oatmeal
- Soft grey
- Taupe
- Warm stone
- Soft blush
- Dusty blue
These colours reflect light gently, flatter every skin tone and keep the attention on your baby's tiny features and your family's connection. For darker skin tones I would advise not to select bright white colour but choose more warmer tones such as cream and beige. White colour often creates unwanted contrast and separation on darker skin which can create distraction.
Because I edit my photographs in a soft, timeless style, neutral clothing complements my work perfectly and helps create artwork that will still feel elegant decades from now.
Keep Everyone in Similar Tones
Your family doesn't need to wear identical outfits.
Instead, choose colours that naturally work together.
For example, if Mum wears a cream dress, Dad could wear a light beige or soft white shirt. Your baby's wrap can then complement both outfits without looking overly coordinated.
The goal is harmony rather than matching.
When colours flow naturally together, your family becomes the focus instead of the clothing. Family portrait from my recent newborn session beautifully demonstrates this.
Avoid Large Logos and Bold Patterns
One of the biggest distractions in family photographs is busy clothing. Large logos, bold graphics, bright slogans and heavy patterns immediately draw attention away from your baby's face. These details also date photographs surprisingly quickly. Recently I had families where dads have chosen to wear outfits with bold stripes and large logos, I had to gently encourage them to select alternative neutral colour classic outfits instead. As I was working within my clients’ homes, this clothing change was easily achieved.
Classic, plain clothing creates photographs that feel timeless rather than tied to current fashion trends.
Simple knitwear, linen, cotton and soft textured fabrics always photograph beautifully.
What Should Mum Wear?
Mums often worry most about choosing an outfit, especially during those early weeks after giving birth.
My advice is always the same.
Choose something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Many mothers have recently given birth by Caesarean section, while others simply aren't ready to wear fitted clothing. That's completely normal!
Flowing dresses, soft knitwear, lace sleeves and relaxed fabrics photograph beautifully because they move naturally and flatter every body shape. Great news is – I provide a beautiful collection of long white stretchy dresses for mums to use during their newborn sessions in Essex. It’s entirely optional but it takes an extra stress away from new mums.
The most beautiful photographs come when you're relaxed, comfortable and simply enjoying your baby.
There is no pressure to wear anything formal.
The love between you and your newborn will always be what people notice first.
What Should Dad Wear?
Dads sometimes tell me they don't know what to wear because newborn photography "isn't really their thing."
The good news is that keeping it simple works incredibly well.
A plain polo shirt, lightweight knit or linen shirt in white, cream, beige or light grey creates a timeless look.
Avoid sportswear, bright colours and large logos if possible.
Some of my favourite father portraits are the simplest ones — Dad holding his baby close with nothing distracting from the connection between them. I have photographed hundreds of fathers in Essex now and I never had a disappointed dad who has followed my advice in relation to choosing right clothing for his newborn session.
Including Your Dog in Newborn Family Photos
Many families ask whether their dog can be included.
The answer is often yes!
Pets are an important part of the family, and including them can create wonderfully personal photographs.
If your dog is calm and comfortable around your baby, we'll take our time to create safe, relaxed family portraits.
Every pet is different, so we always work at their pace and never force a photograph.
These images often become some of the most treasured in the gallery because they tell the complete story of your family at this special moment. It’s another great benefit of using a mobile newborn photographer.
Dressing Twins and Multiple Children
Families welcoming twins often wonder whether both babies should wear identical wraps.
Soft matching or coordinating colours usually work beautifully while still allowing each baby's individual personality to shine through.
For older siblings, simple neutral clothing helps keep the attention on the children rather than their outfits. Older siblings don't need special outfits to look beautiful in photographs. Soft dresses, knitted jumpers, plain shirts and neutral colours photograph wonderfully and help keep the attention on the relationship between your children. I usually recommend avoiding large cartoon characters, bright logos and busy patterns, as these can distract from the emotion of the image. Comfortable clothing also helps toddlers relax, making it much easier to capture genuine smiles and affectionate moments with their new baby brother or sister.
As a mobile photographer in Essex I photograph many families with older siblings and parents often ask me for guidance.
The same approach applies to grandparents when they join the session.
Keeping everyone within a similar colour palette creates a cohesive collection of photographs that feels elegant and timeless, and will look great on your walls.
What About Jewellery?
Simple jewellery is absolutely fine.
Wedding rings, engagement rings and delicate necklaces often add subtle personal meaning to your photographs.
Large statement jewellery, oversized watches or chunky bracelets can become distracting, so I usually recommend keeping accessories understated.
One of my favourite detail photographs is a tiny newborn hand or foot beside Mum and Dad's wedding rings, quietly symbolising the beginning of your family's next chapter.
Should You Wear Black?
Black certainly has its place in photography, but for my signature light and airy style, softer neutral colours usually produce the most flattering results.
Creams, whites, warm beiges and soft earthy tones reflect natural light beautifully, creating the bright, timeless look many families love.
Don't Worry About Perfection
Perhaps my most important piece of advice is this.
Please don't worry about having the perfect outfit. Your baby won't remember what you wore. They will one day see how you looked at them.
How gently you held them. How proudly Dad smiled. How safe they felt in your arms.
Those are the moments that become your family's legacy.
Clothing simply helps create a timeless frame around those memories.
A Personal Styling Guide Before Every Session
Every family receives guidance from me before their newborn session.
I'm always happy to help you choose outfits, answer questions or suggest colour combinations that work beautifully together. I provide 15 min phone consultation a week before your booked session with me during which I provide guidance and answer all your questions.
Because every session takes place in your own home, we can also consider your décor and the location where you plan to display your finished artwork, ensuring your photographs complement your home as naturally as they complement your family.
Beautiful newborn photography isn't about wearing expensive clothes.
It's about creating timeless artwork that tells your family's story with warmth, authenticity and love.
What My Clients Usually Choose
After photographing hundreds of newborn sessions across Essex, I've noticed that most families choose soft whites, creams and neutral earth tones. These colours photograph beautifully in every season, complement my editing style and create timeless artwork that still looks elegant many years later. While I always encourage families to wear something they feel comfortable in, this palette consistently produces the most refined and cohesive gallery
Planning Your Newborn Session in Essex
If you're expecting a baby and would like timeless newborn family photographs in the comfort of your own home, I'd love to help you prepare for your session. From choosing clothing to creating beautiful heirloom artwork, I'll guide you through every step, so you can simply relax and enjoy these precious first days with your new baby.
Enquire today to reserve your newborn session across Essex.
