What to Wear for Your Newborn Photos: Simple Tips for Timeless Images

HELLO! I’m Jessica, a Perth-based newborn and family photographer, and I am so glad you’re here. Let me walk you through a topic that comes up in nearly every consultation I have with newborn clients: what to wear for your photos.

Imagine you’ve just welcomed your little one into the world. Life feels beautifully chaotic, and you’re soaking up every cuddle, every sigh, every detail. You’ve scheduled your newborn session, and as the day approaches, that one nagging worry pops up: “But what should we wear?!”

I’ve been where you are – and I’ve helped so many beautiful families through this exact question. The good news? Dressing for a calm, gorgeous, and timeless newborn session doesn’t have to be hard. With just a few thoughtful choices, your wardrobe can elevate the overall look and feel of your photographs in a way that honours this fleeting season of life.

Why Wardrobe Choice Matters in Newborn Photography

Newborn skin is soft, delicate, and pale – and what you wear can either enhance that gentle beauty or unintentionally take attention away from it. I’ve seen time and again how clothing colours and textures can affect your final images.

One session I’ll never forget featured a family wearing very dark tracksuits. While the sentiment and love were there, the final photos felt heavy, shadowed, and didn’t reflect the tender warmth we were all feeling in the room. On the flip side, my absolute favourite results come from families dressed in gentle, neutral tones that soften the light and complement baby’s natural glow beautifully.

So, what works best? Let’s explore what to wear (and what to avoid), so that your newborn photos reflect the love, calm, and connection that fills your home during those precious early days.

1. Choose Pale and Neutral Pastel Colours

These are my go-to suggestions for a reason. Light tones soften and brighten the overall look of your photos and create a calming, dreamy mood that works so beautifully with newborn skin.

• Think whites, creams, soft beiges, oatmeal, slate grey, palest pink, dusty blue, light sage
• Avoid bright, bold, or saturated colours as they can distract or cast unflattering tones on baby
• Stay away from dark colours that appear harsh and overemphasise contrast next to a newborn baby – think blacks, dark greys, navy, and deep greens

Whether we’re photographing in your home or in my studio, neutral tones always blend beautifully with the surrounding space. They’re the foundation to making sure the focus stays where it belongs: on your family’s love and connection.

2. Keep it Casual, But Elevated

I sometimes find families leaning toward overly formal outfits for newborn sessions. While polished is great, formality can sometimes create the wrong tone for an intimate, in-home or studio cuddle session.

• For mums: I always love a soft, flowy dress for added variety and movement. But a lovely blouse with relaxed pants works just as well.
• For dads: Clean, well-fitting pieces like a plain T-shirt with chinos or light denim look fantastic. Save the tucked-in, button-down shirts for another day.
• Bare feet are beautiful. No shoes, no socks – these are quiet, snuggly moments spent curled up together.

The best approach is to wear something you already feel good in – like what you might wear if your favourite guests were visiting your home.

3. Stick to Natural Fibres and Simple Textures

Comfortable clothing that moves with you always photographs better. Natural fibres like cotton, linen, or very soft knits are perfect.

• Opt for minimal patterns or solid fabrics
• Avoid large logos or loud graphics
• Subtle textures, like a knit jumper or a soft woven wrap, can add beautiful depth

These small details make a big difference. They help bring warmth and dimension to your images without stealing the spotlight.

4. Consider the Whole Colour Story

When planning outfits, think of your family’s clothing as one cohesive palette. You don’t need to match exactly, but coordination makes everything so much more visually soothing.

• Choose two or three base tones and build around them
• If someone is wearing a pale blue top, another could wear a soft oatmeal or cream
• Balance is key – if mum wears a dress, dad might pair a plain tee with relaxed pants

Think about your home, too. These photos may one day live on your walls, so it’s lovely when the colour story fits naturally into the space you already love.

5. Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Simple

Your newborn doesn’t need much. In fact, less is more.

• A soft onesie, wrap or just a nappy and a snuggly blanket is perfect
• If starting in a onesie, make sure it is on the smaller side so that your baby doesn’t get lost in fabric
• Avoid clothes with loud prints or stiff materials
• I’ll gently guide any styling or swaddling on the day, so no need to overthink baby’s wardrobe

We want to see tiny fingers, toes, and beautiful expressions – clothing should never compete with that.

Your Clothes Should Fade Into the Background – So Your Love Can Shine

At the heart of every newborn session is this one simple truth: we are capturing love. Connection. The quiet beginning of an entirely new chapter.

Every choice we make around clothing, colour, and texture supports that story. I’m not here to photograph fashion – I’m here to witness the wonder of new life and the relationships it deepens.

When your wardrobe choices reflect your home, your style, and your heart, your photos become more than beautiful images – they become heirlooms.

Ready to Begin Your Story?

If you’re expecting or have recently welcomed a little love into your family, I would be honoured to help you preserve this incredible season.

You can learn more about my gentle, relaxed approach to Perth newborn photography over on my site, or get in touch directly to book your session.

I’ll guide you through every detail – from wardrobe tips like these, to choosing a location, to designing albums or wall art you’ll treasure for decades. Let’s tell your story, beautifully.

With love,
Jessica
Your Perth newborn photographer