I get asked this almost every week. And I completely understand why. You’ve just had a baby, nothing fits the way it used to, you’re exhausted, and now someone wants to photograph you. The pressure to look nice on top of all of that is genuinely a lot.
So let me make this as simple as possible.
First, let’s talk about you
The most important thing I want you to know is this: you don’t need to look perfect. You need to look like yourself. The families I photograph who look the most beautiful in their images are almost always the ones who wore something they felt comfortable in, not the ones who squeezed into something they thought they should wear.
That said, a few things do genuinely help.
Neutrals tend to work really well. Soft creams, warm taupes, dusty pinks, sage greens, warm greys. These tones sit naturally within my studio palette and mean the focus stays where it belongs, on your baby and the connection between you.
Try to avoid pure white or pure black if you can. White can blow out under studio lighting and pull the eye away from everything else in the frame. Black can do the opposite and create a harsh contrast that’s harder to balance in editing. I say this gently though, because I absolutely get it. I spent the first few years after having my boys living in black because it was the only thing that made me feel vaguely like a human being. Seven years later I’m still at it. So if black is what makes you feel good and confident, wear it. A confident mum in black will always photograph better than an uncomfortable one in beige.
Avoid bold logos, busy patterns and anything with writing on it. These date quickly and tend to compete with everything else in the image. You want something timeless, something that in fifteen years won’t immediately place the photo in a specific era.
Layers are your friend. My studio is warm, which is intentional because babies need it, but it does mean you’ll want to dress in loose, comfortable layers you can peel back as needed. Think flowing fabrics, soft jersey, anything that doesn’t pull or pinch.
One last thing that catches people out every time: your nails. For the Heirloom session especially, we do close-up macro shots of baby’s tiny hands in yours. Chipped polish shows up beautifully in detail shots, and not in a good way. Clean and simple, or a fresh coat of something neutral, makes a real difference.
What about siblings?
Smart casual works brilliantly. Coordinate rather than match, you want everyone to feel cohesive without looking like a catalogue. The same rules apply: avoid logos, keep it tonal, let their personalities come through. A child in a dress they love will always look better than one in an outfit they hate.
What about baby?
Honestly? Baby’s wardrobe is entirely sorted. I have a full collection of handmade outfits, fine wool wraps, cotton, bonnets and props across a whole range of colours and textures, all chosen specifically to work together. You don’t need to bring a thing unless you have something sentimental you’d like to include, a hand-knitted blanket, a special hat, something with family history.
The one practical tip that genuinely makes a difference: on the morning of your session, dress baby in a front-opening sleepsuit with no vest underneath. This means I can undress them during the shoot without disturbing them by pulling layers over their head. Pop an extra blanket on top instead of a vest. It sounds like a tiny detail but it makes settling them so much easier.
One final thought
You are going to be photographed holding your brand new baby. That image is going to hang on your wall and be passed down through your family. The most important thing in that image is not what you’re wearing. It’s the look on your face. And in my experience, that look takes care of itself.
If you’re preparing for your session and you’d like any specific guidance on colours that work well with your chosen package setup, just drop me a message. I’m always happy to chat it through before you arrive.