How Should I Dress My Baby for a Newborn Photo Shoot

Black and white image of dad holding baby boy during newborn photography session

Now that you’ve booked your newborn photography session, you may be wondering how to dress baby. Here are some of my top ideas for baby’s outfit.

A plain colored sleeper:

If you want to keep it simple, a plain colored sleeper is perfect. These are great for the colder months as baby will stay warm and comfortable. I adore Bonsie Baby. They have a great range of colors and the front opening makes them fantastic for skin to skin. I used these for my youngest baby and highly recommend them for every day wear as well as for your newborn session. Colors that photograph well include oat, peony, fog, and avocado.

A plain colored onesie:

For your summer babies, you may want to dress them in a plain onesie. You can pick these up almost anywhere. Pinks, greys, light blues, and creams are all beautiful options for newborn pictures.

If you want something a little more fancy:

I absolutely love the clothes from Jamie Kay. They have the cutest little bloomers and onesies, as well as knit overalls and cardigans. If you are doing an outfit like this for your newborn photos, it’s really important to make sure it fits your baby well and isn’t oversized. When outfits are too big, they can take swallow the baby. We still want your beautiful baby to be the focus during your photography session.

You should have a swaddle on hand for your baby’s session

I personally love the quilts from Brixton Phoenix. The are larger than a typical swaddle and there are many beautiful prints.

Keep your home colors in mind while dressing baby:

If you’re going to display your photos fro m your newborn session (and you should), you’ll want to keep your home’s decor in mind. This is why neutrals are so great.

The most important thing is to keep in simple. You baby is so beautiful, more beautiful than any outfit so let’s focus on that sweet face, rather than what they’re wearing.

Baby asleep in dad's arms during newborn photography session
Newborn boy asleep while mom holds him during newborn photo session in Seattle
Dad holding a sleeping baby during Everett newborn photo session
Newborn asleep on mom's lap during baby photography session in Bellevue

Welcoming Baby Number Three {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I adore Fresh 48 sessions. There is no time quite like the first couple of days of your new baby’s life. Baby is still squishy and new, flakey feet, umbilical cord stump and all, and time seems to stop still while everything and everyone is focused on you and your new little being. Items that are only used for two short days such as the hospital blanket and hat, as well as the bracelets around the ankles should be photographed so you never forget the newness of them. I realized that I never blogged my own baby’s Fresh 48 session so I’m doing it now. Here’s my third little boy at the very start of his time with us.

Seattle newborn photography newborn being held in dad’s arms in hospital
Seattle Newborn Photography baby in hospital bassinet by window
Lifestyle newborn photographer baby in hospital bassinet by window
Seattle newborn photography baby in hospital blanket lying in bassinet
Newborn Photographer Seattle baby in hospital bassinet by window
Seattle newborn photography baby lying in hospital bassinet is kissed by two older brothers
Everett Newborn Photographer big brothers meet baby in hospital
Everett newborn photography baby is held by dad in hospital
Lifestyle newborn photographer baby feet in hospital with hospital bracelets on ankles
Seattle newborn photography baby held by dad in hospital