What to Wear for Your In-Home Newborn Session | Northern NJ Lifestyle Photographer
When planning your newborn photo session, one of the most common questions I get is: What should we wear?
The short answer: wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. But there are definitely a few wardrobe tips that can help your photos look their very best.
Keep It Soft, Neutral, and Classic
My number one rule? Avoid bright, saturated colors. Your clothing often acts as the backdrop for your baby—especially in those sweet shots where you're cradling them close. Bold reds, yellows, and neons can cast color onto your baby's skin, which can be distracting and tough to correct later.
Instead, opt for soft, muted tones. Some of my favorites include:
Sage or hunter green
Navy or slate blue
Terracotta or dusty rose
Light neutrals like cream, taupe, soft grey, and white are always a great choice—they give your photos a timeless, bright, and airy feel. But if you're drawn to a more moody or dramatic look, darker tones can work beautifully too. When parents wear black or Navy and the room has darker walls, your baby’s skin naturally becomes the focal point of the image, offering a striking contrast.
Think about your overall aesthetic and what feels most like you.
Here is an example of Newborn photos where the parents wore darker clothing. It’s a gorgeous, yet much more striking and moody vibe:
And here are some examples of sessions where parents wore lighter clothing which gave the photos a softer feel:
Outfit Ideas for Parents
For the non-birth parent, a simple and relaxed outfit works best. Think:
Jeans and a solid tee or henley
A button-up shirt in a soft color
Bare feet or cozy socks to keep things casual and at-home
For moms, you can go casual or dress it up—whatever you feel good in. Some moms choose soft, flowy tops and jeans, while others wear long, loose dresses that add a soft, romantic feel to the images. One of my favorite looks to date was a cozy cream-colored sweater set—stylish and comfortable.
If you're nursing, I recommend dresses that are both flattering and feeding-friendly. A few great places to shop:
here is some outfit inspiration from my past sessions!
Need more inspiration? Check out my curated Pinterest board full of outfit suggestions for both mom and baby:
👉 View Outfit Ideas
What Should Baby Wear?
For baby, less is more. I love keeping it simple with:
A plain onesie
A soft, knotted gown
A neutral swaddle (don’t worry—I bring a few with me!)
Avoid bulky bows or ruffled outfits, as they can easily shift and cover your baby’s face. Simple, stretchy fabrics in neutral tones help keep the focus on their features and keep your images clean and timeless.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the best outfits are the ones that make you feel relaxed and like yourself. Whether you love light, dreamy tones or prefer a moody, dramatic vibe—I'm here to help guide you so that your wardrobe enhances your session, not distracts from it.
As a lifestyle newborn photographer serving Maplewood, South Orange, Westfield, and the surrounding areas of Northern New Jersey, I want your session to feel like a natural extension of your home and your family’s style.
and If none of this feels like you, and you have skull and cross bones wallpaper and rock and roll photos all over your home, you do you. Throw my suggestions out the window and put the family in the matching guns and roses tee shirts if that’s what feels most honest to you. Also, we should probably be friends.
Still not sure what to wear? Send me a few options before your session—I’m happy to help you choose!