What to Wear

Newborn Sessions

Upon booking a newborn session, I’ll send you a guide that includes suggestions on what everyone should wear.

Family Sessions

As much as I’d like to tell you it’s not a big deal, I completely stress out when it’s time for my family to have photos taken. So I know how difficult this can be. Here are my top tips for pulling together a cohesive but not matchy-matchy look.

  1. Pick one favorite piece with a print, pattern, and/or multiple colors (something that makes Mom feel great, perhaps?!) and build from there.

  2. Have some fun and mix and match your colors, patterns, and solids – both between family members and with tops and bottoms.

  3. Have fun with layers! Vests, scarves, and pretty necklaces or other accessories are all great choices.

  4. When choosing a color palette, consider where in your home you want to display your images and what would look best there.

  5. Avoid big logos or anything else that would draw too much attention to any one item or individual. The best clothing shows off the person wearing it.

  6. Keep comfort in mind. If you have to keep pulling, tugging, re-arranging, or putting a bow/headband/hat back on, it might not be the best choice. The better everyone feels, the better they’ll look in your pictures!

  7. Consider the details – clean shoes, Dad’s socks, a buttoned-sleeve. These things could all be in your pictures. I’ll do my best to pay attention and help with details that need to be fixed. But if Dad wore white socks instead of black I won’t know that isn’t just his style. 😉

  8. In addition to the basics like Old Navy, Gap, Target, etc, here are a few online sites I always check when shopping: H&M, Zara, Asos, ModCloth.

For general inspiration, I always love searching Pinterest. Here’s a board of some of my favorite looks. Using search terms like “What to Wear Family Photos” will give all kinds of great options too. If you’re looking for general color combinations, I also recommend looking at the boards created by Design Seeds. Although the results are not clothing specific I always find the images and color palettes so inspiring!

If you’d like, I’m always happy to provide more assistance so just shoot me an e-mail and even send me links/pictures of what you’re considering and we’ll come up with something great!

Baby Milestones

For baby milestones, especially in studio, I think simple is often best. We want to focus on your sweet baby and where he/she is, not the clothes. I have simple wraps, diaper covers, outfits, headbands, and bonnets your baby is able to use during your studio session. I’d love to style some or all of the session for you!

If you’d prefer to bring your own outfits, consider how he/she will be posed (tummy, sitting up, standing) and how clothes will lay when doing so. Some cardigans, sweaters, or dresses will naturally bunch up towards the face and so may not be the best choice. Fit can also be a major factor. I know it can be hard to get clothing sizes just right for a baby but shopping close to the session might be best to ensure everything stays in place!

Maternity

My suggestions for what to wear to outdoor or lifestyle maternity sessions are generally the same as for family sessions. In studio, I’d suggest sticking to a simpler, more neutral color scheme. We want to show off that bump so things that are fitted or drape nicely across it will always be lovely. If you are interested, I have a few maternity dresses you are welcome to use during your studio or outdoor session.