What to Wear for Newborn Photos in Indianapolis
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If you’re expecting a lovely new baby, capture these precious moments with stunning photos of your newborn. But picking out outfits for the entire family can be overwhelming. How do you ensure you have a perfect look for your little one? Don’t worry; as a professional newborn photographer, I’m here to help! Here are some tips on what to wear to ensure your amazing newborn photos are timeless keepsakes for you to cherish.
How to Choose a Newborn Photographer
When selecting a newborn photographer, finding one that reflects your vision is essential. Look for samples of their images to see their editing style. Do their newborn photos have the style you’re looking for? I consistently edit light and vibrant skin tones with true-to-life skin tones since that’s how you want to remember your brand new baby.
Furthermore, check what type of experience and perks they offer to book with them. Do they offer a wardrobe? Then, check online reviews to ensure they are reliable and provide a good client experience. Choosing the right newborn photographer can result in photographs that beautifully document this moment of your baby’s life.
How to Dress a Baby for Newborn Photos
For newborn babies, keep their outfits as simple as possible. Simple clothing will let them be the show’s star instead of competing with a busy pattern or distracting colors.
Try to stick with solid colors or delicate patterns with white, cream, neutrals, light blue, or light pink. These colors won’t take away from your little one’s cuteness. To add a touch of color, consider adding a bow or headband in a complementary hue.
Also, a simple newborn wrap or newborn knit is a timeless option. With my newborn photo sessions, I have everything to style babies, including swaddles, clothing, and headbands.


How to Dress Parents for Photos
I always include all immediate family members in newborn photography sessions. When choosing what to wear, it’s essential to dress mom and dad in a way that complements the newborn without distracting them.
After giving birth, women look great in long midi or maxi dresses. Solid colors with texture or delicate floral patterns look good in photos. This blog post shares my favorite newborn picture outfits for mom. My newborn sessions include free borrows from my studio’s wardrobe, a collection of flattering dresses for postpartum moms.
If shopping on your own, I recommend this maxi dress from Free People, this flowy maxi dress in multiple colors, or a lace dress. Feeling comfortable and confident is key for the newborn photoshoot. You want to focus on your beautiful baby in these amazing photos!

What Colors are Best for Newborn Portraits?
Choosing the right colors enhances the images. I like soft, neutral colors like creams, tans, light pinks, light blues, and sage greens to enhance newborn photos. These colors create a sense of tenderness and calm that pairs perfectly with newborns. Avoid bright and bold colors because they distract from the baby in the picture.


Accessories that Can Enhance Newborn Photography
Accessories are a great way to make an outfit stand out without going overboard on patterns or colors. For newborns, popular accessories include:
- Simple headbands for girls.
- Hats for boys.
- A newborn Moses basket or changing table.
For mom, I always recommend simple, timeless jewelry. Also, don’t forget to get a manicure or clean, neutral nails. Remember not to overdo it; too many accessories can become distracting in photos instead of enhancing them.

Book a Newborn Session
Choosing outfits for a newborn photo shoot can seem daunting at first. With these tips, you can pick the perfect wardrobe to complement your photographs. So go ahead, have fun with it and enjoy this special time with your new baby.
And don’t forget, styling newborns and family is one of the best perks of working with me! My client closet is full of dresses for moms, headbands, and swaddles for newborns. Contact me today to receive a stunning photo gallery of your newborn!
- Top 8 Dresses for Newborn Photos Recommended by a Photographer
- When to Take Baby Photos with a Westfield Newborn Photographer
- Coxhall Gardens Photos: The 5 Top Spots for Pictures
Don’t forget to check out Courtney’s post about the importance of printing family photos. She’s sharing all about why you should print your family photos today!
Till next time!


Whites and creams are such timeless colors for newborn photos. Absolutely love your work!
Thank you so much! I completely agree whites and creams are never going out of style!
These newborn portraits are so gorgeous!
Thank you so much!
I totally agree that simplicity is key when considering what to wear for photos, especially newborn portraits. And you can never go wrong with a neutral color palette!
YES! I love neutrals too and they photograph so well 🙂
These images are stunning! I love Mom’s lace dress! Such great tips about what to wear for newborn photos. Thank you for sharing.
Aww thank you! I hope the tips helped 🙂
These images are so gorgeous! I love your advice on sticking to light, neutral colors. You never want bright or bold colors to add a color cast to that delicate newborn skin!
Yes! Newborn skin can so easily get a color cast – thanks for commenting!
Ok….mama’s dress in the first image is STUNNING. I’m going to need more info on that stat. haha. Gorgeous work!
Yes! I love to incorporate lace dresses into my client closet!
Oh my goodness, these photos are absolutely precious!! I’m obsessed with mama’s dress and would LOVE to know where it’s from if you don’t mind sharing!! 🙂
Aww thank you so much! Of course, here is the link to the dress! https://rstyle.me/+tnp6W9qhrgJf7jQI8RpZVQ
Such beautiful images sharing what to wear for a newborn session. Love baby’s headband.
Like the other comments mention, keeping the outfits simple so the focus can be on baby is a great takeaway! Thank you for the great post about planning for a newborn photo session.