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

Should I have a fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session?

Now that photographers are allowed back into hospitals, you may be wondering whether you should have a Fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session. Both options have benefits. Here is what I love about each option:

Fresh 48 Sessions

Fresh 48 sessions take place in the hospital, in the first day or two after baby’s arrival.

  1. Little details you’ll find only in the hospital can be captured such as, the hospital bracelets, the plastic bassinet, the little hat.

  2. There are so many little things that only a tiny baby has that can be photographed like the umbilical cord stump and flakey feet.

  3. You don’t need to do anything special for your session, no cleaning up, no special outfits. I’ll photograph you exactly how you are.

  4. Fresh 48 sessions are quick. With all that is going on in the hospital, I can be in and out with all the necessary images in no more than thirty minutes.

  5. The time spent in the hospital is so special but fleeting. A photo session is the perfect way to remember what life was like those first few hours of babies life.

Newborn baby boy sleeping in hospital bassinet

In home newborn session:

Newborn lifestyle sessions can take place at your home any time in the first month of baby’s life:

  1. By waiting a week or two after baby’s birth, mothers often feel more put together and ready for photos.

  2. We can incorporate spaces you’ve put so much time and energy into, such as the nursery.

  3. Baby’s are still tiny and will often sleep for the majority of the session so you can still get sleepy images (most of the time), just like a Fresh 48 session.

  4. If there are siblings, they can be involved. Pets are also welcome!

  5. Everyone is relaxed and comfortable in their own home.

Dad holding newborn baby boy

Still can’t decide? How about both! A Fresh 48 + newborn bundle is $1,275.00. A $350 retainer is required to book with the remainder being split into two payments due at the time of the sessions. Any questions? Send me a message.

When is the Best Time for a Sleepy Newborn Photography Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Tips for a Sleepy Newborn

If you’re about to welcome a new little baby into your lives, you may be wondering when the best time to have your newborn session is. I believe that newborns of any age deserve a newborn session, in fact, I often photograph three or four month old babies, the exact same way I photograph week old babies. There is however a golden spot if you’re wanting images of your baby sleeping. I will never guarantee a baby will sleep but we can increase the chances of it by photographing baby in the first two weeks of life. In my 11 years or so of photographing newborns, I have noticed that babies aged between 6-8 days almost always sleep throughout their whole session.

Book your session for as early as possible:

I’m never going to guarantee a sleeping baby. I’m not a posed newborn photographer and an awake baby is just as beautiful as a sleeping baby, however, the earlier your session, the sleepier the baby normally is.

Keep your house nice and warm

Don’t worry, you can turn the heat down once I leave!

Swaddle your baby

I have a magic little swaddle that works wonders and can be used underneath your own blankets. It’s pretty amazing at getting babies off to dreamland quickly.

Make sure baby has a nice, full belly

Whether your breast or bottle feeding. you’ll want to try to get baby’s belly nice and full. Don’t worry, we will take plenty of feeding breaks if baby needs them.

Change diapers, clothes etc before baby drifts off to sleep

If baby falls asleep before they’re in the outfit you want them in for their session, we may end up waking them too soon. Try to have them in their outfit before the feeding and swaddling begin.

If you’re ready to schedule your newborn session, please get in touch. I would love to photograph your family!

Family of three snuggling newborn in living room
Dad holding sleeping newborn baby boy
Birds eye view of baby sleeping while mom holds him
Mom and dad holding newborn baby in nursery
Sleeping newborn baby in parents arms
Newborn baby yawning
Baby sleeping on bed while parents are on either side of him
Mom holding sleeping newborn baby
Newborn baby lips
Family with newborn sitting by fireplace in living room

How to Celebrate the Whole Family During a Newborn Photography Session {Newborn Photographer Kirkland}

I love photographing all family members during a newborn photography session. While the main focus is always on the newborn baby, I strongly believe that when a baby arrives, all family members have a new role to play and those new roles should be celebrated. A former mom of two becomes a new mom of three. Same goes for the dad. An older sister now has two new little siblings. And the former youngest sibling is now a big sibling for the first time.

Some of my favorite images to take at newborn sessions include:

The big siblings looking at their newborn baby in the crib

This is one of my favorite ways to photograph sibling pictures. This works especially well for older siblings who aren’t quite old enough to hold the baby.

Each parent with all their kids

It’s a huge deal to become a parent of multiple children. Capturing each parent with all their kids, whether it’s two kids or six kids, is a beautiful way to celebrate them and their children.

Siblings all on the main bed together

This is another great image that works particularly well for siblings that aren’t old enough to hold the baby.

Parents together with baby

Whole family images are so important but I always think it’s nice to get one or two images with the parents with just the new baby.

Each parent alone with the new baby

They probably have a ton of images with their oldest alone so this new baby should get that too!

If siblings are old enough, images holding the baby

If there is a bigger age gap and the parents are happy for the siblings to hold the baby, then I love to photograph the newborn in the arms of the parents.

Older siblings holding newborn baby
Family of five with newborn on main bed by Amy Louise Photography
Siblings lying on bed with newborn baby between them
parents looking down at newborn baby boy
Mom holding newborn baby while big siblings look on
Newborn baby boy sleeping in mom's hands
Mom looking down at baby boy in mirror
Newborn baby sleeping in crib while siblings look at him
Big brother holding newborn baby in nursery
Dad holding newborn baby boy
Newborn baby sleeping in mom's arms

A Beautiful New Family of Three {Edmonds Newborn Photographer}

I am so, so happy we were able to make this session happen at the last minute. This sweet first time mama, contacted me on a Thursday. Baby Luca had already arrived and she wanted a session as soon as possible so that she could have him photographed while he was still tiny and squishy. It’s always a good idea to book your session while you’re still pregnant so that I can guarantee you a spot, but if baby has already arrived, I will try my best to squeeze you in. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest and I know how devastating that can be. I’d hate for anyone to miss out on the opportunity to capture this special time. Anyway, like I was saying, she reached out to me on the Thursday and thankfully, I had Saturday afternoon open. I’m so pleased it worked out. Little Luca is adorable and he’s surrounded by so much love. Thank you guys for allowing me to photograph your very beautiful love story.

Sleeping newborn in parents' arms
Dad kissing mom on cheek while she holds newborn
Parents cradling newborn baby
Newborn baby asleep on master bed
Newborn baby asleep in dad's arms
Mom and dad holding baby in the mirror
birds eye view image of mom holding baby
Mom and dad holding newborn baby
Newborn baby asleep on bench seat
Newborn baby sleeping
Mom, dad and baby sitting on window seat
Close up of newborn's face
Mom and dad looking down at baby in nursery

Welcoming a Sweet Baby Boy

Welcome to the world little Sebastian. It was an honor to take your newborn photos!

Black and white image of dad holding newborn baby boy
Mom and dad on couch holding newborn baby
Baby boy held in mom's arms
Sleeping newborn baby in mom's arms
Newborn baby sleeping on couch while dog sleeps on floor
Newborn baby boy asleep in dad's arms
Newborn baby asleep on couch

Welcoming A New Baby Girl {Everett Newborn Photographer}

This sweet baby girl joined her family in February and as always, it was such an honor to be asked to capture them as they transition to a family of four.

Mom holding newborn baby girl
Family sitting on bed looking at newborn baby
Close up of big sister holding newborn's hand
Big sister looks at newborn baby on bed
newborn baby feet
birds eye view of newborn in parents arms
dad holding newborn baby girl
mom holding newborn baby in arms
Newborn baby asleep in crib
big sister looks at newborn in the crib
family lying on bed with newborn
sleeping newborn baby
mom lying on bed with newborn

Before & After {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

A fun little “before and after” image share of my own little one. The first photo is from when he was a newborn, and the second is from his first birthday. Have you ever tried to recreate a newborn photo?

Dad holding newborn baby in arms
Dad holding one year old in arms