What Should You Wear for Newborn Family Photos?
Choosing what to wear for newborn family photos can feel surprisingly difficult. You have just welcomed a new baby, you are probably running on very little sleep, and suddenly you need to find outfits for the whole family too.
The good news is that it doesn’t need to be complicated.
For newborn photographs, I always recommend keeping clothing simple, soft and timeless. Your baby and the connection between your family should be the focus of the photographs — not what everyone is wearing.
Neutral Colours Work Beautifully for Newborn Family Photos
When deciding what to wear for newborn family photos, start with a soft, neutral colour palette.
White, cream, beige, oatmeal, soft grey and other warm neutral shades photograph beautifully alongside a newborn baby.
They also work particularly well with the soft colours, wraps and props typically used during newborn sessions.
Neutral doesn’t have to mean that everyone wears exactly the same colour. In fact, photographs often look more natural when you mix a few complementary shades.
Think cream with beige, white with soft grey, or warm neutral tones together.
What Should Mum Wear for Newborn Photos?
For mums, comfort is incredibly important.
You have recently had a baby, so this is not the time to put pressure on yourself to fit into a particular outfit or wear something that doesn’t feel comfortable.
A simple dress, soft blouse, knit or neutral top can photograph beautifully.
Flowing fabrics and subtle textures can also add interest without distracting from your baby.
Try to avoid very bold patterns, large logos or clothing with prominent writing. These can quickly draw attention away from faces and make photographs feel dated.
Most importantly, choose something that makes you feel like yourself.
If you prefer more natural family images and don’t necessarily want everyone looking directly at the camera, you may also like my guide to family newborn photos without showing your face.
Keep Dad's Outfit Simple
Dad’s outfit doesn’t need to be complicated either.
A plain white, cream, beige, grey or other neutral shirt or T-shirt usually works perfectly for newborn family photographs.
Simple clothing keeps the attention on your baby’s tiny size when they are being held.
Try to avoid large logos, very bright colours and busy patterns.
If Mum is wearing cream, for example, Dad doesn’t necessarily need to wear cream too. A white or light neutral top can coordinate beautifully without looking overly matched.
Coordinate Your Outfits – You Don't Have to Match
One of the biggest misconceptions about newborn family photos is that everybody needs to wear exactly the same thing.
You don’t.
Instead of matching outfits, think about coordinating colours.
Choose two or three shades that work beautifully together and use them throughout the family’s clothing.
For example:
cream + beige + white
white + soft grey + oatmeal
warm beige + ivory + muted brown
This creates a connection between everyone’s outfits while still allowing each person to look like themselves.
What Should Siblings Wear for Newborn Family Photos?
For older brothers and sisters, the same principle applies: keep it simple.
Plain shirts, dresses, knitted clothing and subtle textures work particularly well.
White and cream are always beautiful choices, but siblings can also wear soft neutral or muted colours that complement what the parents are wearing.
Avoid clothing with cartoon characters, large slogans or very strong patterns if possible. They naturally attract the eye and can become the first thing you notice in a photograph.
The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s simply to create a photograph where everyone looks like they belongs together without the clothing overpowering the people in it.
Avoid Very Bright Colours and Busy Patterns
There are no strict rules about what you can and can’t wear.
However, if you want photographs that feel soft and timeless, I generally recommend avoiding:
very bright neon colours, large logos, heavy patterns, prominent writing and clothing with large characters or graphics.
These elements can distract from your baby’s face and the natural interaction between your family.
This doesn’t mean your photographs need to be completely colourless.
Soft pinks, muted blues, sage, dusty pastels and other gentle shades can work beautifully when coordinated with the rest of the family.
Think About Texture Rather Than Pattern
If neutral clothing feels a little too simple, texture is a beautiful way to add visual interest.
Knitted fabrics, linen, subtle embroidery and soft natural-looking materials photograph particularly well during newborn sessions.
Texture gives an outfit depth without competing with your baby’s features.
This can be especially effective when several family members are wearing similar neutral colours.
You Don't Need to Buy a Completely New Wardrobe
Please don’t feel that booking newborn photographs means you suddenly need to go shopping for an entirely new wardrobe.
Often, the simplest pieces already hanging in your wardrobe are the ones that photograph best.
A plain white shirt. A cream dress. A simple neutral top.
Start there.
If you’re unsure between a few options, you can prepare more than one and decide which works best with the rest of the family’s clothing.
Your Baby's Comfort Comes First
Clothing is only one small part of your newborn session.
Your baby’s comfort and safety will always be more important than creating a particular photograph or following a styling plan.
For reliable information about caring for a new baby and safer sleep, parents can also visit The Lullaby Trust.
If you are planning outfits for the whole family, you may also find my newborn session preparation guide helpful.