What To Wear For Newborn Photos: 5 Simple Steps

Newborn photography

If you’re searching what to wear for newborn photos, I’m going to guess a few things are true right now.

You’re tired.
You love this baby more than you thought was possible.
And making one more decision feels… like a lot.

So let me take this off your plate.

The best newborn photo outfits are simple, soft, and comfortable. Not trendy. Not complicated. Not something you’ll regret five years from now.

The goal isn’t to look styled.
The goal is to look like you holding your baby in this tiny, fleeting season.

The best outfits for newborn photos are soft neutral colors, comfortable fabrics like cotton or knit, and simple timeless clothing without logos or busy patterns. Most families coordinate 2–4 colors across outfits rather than matching exactly.

This keeps the focus on connection, emotion, and your baby, which is what makes newborn photos feel timeless years later.

Why Outfit Choice Matters in Newborn Photography
The 5 Outfit Rules That Always Work
Best Colors for Newborn Photos
What Mom Should Wear for Newborn Photos
What Dad or Partners Should Wear
What Siblings Should Wear
What Baby Should Wear for Newborn Photos
What NOT to Wear for Newborn Photos

Mom laying on bed with neutral colored dress for newborn session.

Why Outfit Choice Matters in Newborn Photography

Outfit choices affect:
• How skin tones photograph in natural light
• How timeless your images feel
• How cohesive your photos look in albums and wall galleries
• How comfortable and relaxed you feel during your session

In lifestyle newborn photography, softer tones and textures almost always photograph the most beautifully.

The 5 Outfit Rules That Always Work for Newborn Photos

1. Start With Mom’s Outfit First

When mom feels comfortable and confident, everything else falls into place. Build everyone else around mom’s outfit to create natural coordination without stress.

2. Choose Soft, Muted Colors

The most reliable color palette for newborn photos includes:

Cream
Oatmeal
Warm white
Soft sage
Dusty blue
Taupe
Muted blush

These tones photograph softly and don’t reflect strong color onto baby’s skin.

3. Texture Photographs Better Than Pattern

Instead of busy prints, choose soft textures like:

Knit
Linen
Gauze
Ribbed fabric
Waffle texture

Texture adds visual depth without distracting from connection.

4. Comfort Matters More Than Trends

When you feel physically comfortable, you look more relaxed in photos.

Great fabric choices:
Cotton
Bamboo
Muslin
Soft knits
Stretch blends

5. Coordinate…Don’t Match

Choose 2–4 colors across the family rather than putting everyone in the same color. This creates visual interest while still feeling cohesive and timeless.

Family of four loving on newborn baby at in home newborn session. Mom doting on newborn son naturally lit by window in blog about what to wear for newborn photos. Mom leaning into crib caring for her newborn son.

Best Colors for Newborn Photos

If you want a safe, timeless starting point, choose from:

Neutrals → cream, warm white, oatmeal
Earth tones → sage, olive, taupe, clay
Soft tones → dusty blue, muted blush

Avoid neon or very saturated colors because they can cast color onto skin in natural light.

Mom holding newborn son in front of mantle at home. Couple holding newborn son in natural light in blog about what to wear for newborn photos. Mother kissing newborn on head while sitting on bed.

What Mom Should Wear for Newborn Photos

You do not need to buy something new. You need something that feels soft, forgiving, and like you.

Beautiful, easy options:
Flowy midi or maxi dress
Soft knit lounge set
High-rise jeans + neutral drapey top
Button-front shirt dress (great for nursing)

If you’re postpartum, consider:
Soft waistlines
Draped fabrics
Longer hemlines
Sleeves if that feels comfortable

You deserve to feel good in these photos exactly as you are.

What Dad or Partners Should Wear

Partners look best when they look natural and comfortable.

Great options:
Neutral t-shirt + overshirt
Henley + jeans
Soft button down + chinos
Neutral sweater + dark denim

Avoid large logos, neon colors, and busy prints.

Keep kids looking like themselves, just simplified.

Great choices:
Simple dresses
Neutral rompers
Henley shirts
Soft sweaters
Leggings or joggers

If one child wears a pattern, keep others in solids.

What Baby Should Wear for Newborn Photos

Simple is best.

Most timeless newborn outfit options:
Neutral onesie
Knotted gown
Simple swaddle
Or diaper + swaddle

Have a backup outfit. Always.

Stick to simplicity and avoid overly elaborate outfits, for newborn photos, simplicity is key. Opt for uncomplicated prints like florals or subtle stripes. Neutral-colored onesies or rompers are a favorite, and having two outfits along with a few neutral-colored swaddles is recommended. Additionally, a naked baby in just a diaper is charmingly simple. It allows for capturing the precious details: the delicate skin, tiny toes and fingers, belly button, and adorable little wrinkles. Last, make sure the outfit fits! A lot of newborns still need time to fit into their clothing. Opt for something smaller than larger, so they aren’t swimming in their outfit.

Mom laying next to her newborn baby, wearing a burnt soft orange swaddle. The blog covers what to wear for newborn photos. Black and white image of a newborn laying on bed in blog about what to wear for newborn photos. Baby being changed in crib with mountain sheets.

Newborn sleeping on soft pink blanket in a blog for what to wear for newborn photos. Baby laying on her side in light pink swaddle. Close up detail photo of newborn babies hand.

Bright-eyed newborn curiously looking at camera while laying on striped neutral colored blanket. Black and white image of newborn baby in swaddle for blog about what to wear for newborn photos. Awake newborn laying on white sheet looking at camera in a burnt orange romper.