What to Wear for Your In-Home Newborn Photos | New Jersey Lifestyle Newborn Photographer
You’re in love, exhausted, and absolutely over the moon. You booked your in‑home newborn session months ago, but now that baby’s here, your wardrobe plans might feel like a million miles away. Don’t worry—that’s totally normal.
Here are 5 simple and stress‑free styling tips (plus some bonus ideas) to help your newborn session feel relaxed, genuine, and beautifully you:
1. Keep Your Cool (It’s All About Connection)
Your in-home newborn session isn’t about looking perfect—it’s about capturing this new chapter in your family’s story. What truly makes these photos meaningful (and beautiful) is connection. The way you instinctively touch your baby’s cheek. How your partner gently wraps their arms around both of you. The sleepy snuggles, forehead kisses, belly laughs from big siblings—those are the moments that shine.
Yes, we’ll make sure you look great, but I promise: what you’re feeling matters more than what you’re wearing. When you relax into each other, hold your baby close, and just be, the love and emotion naturally come through. That’s what makes your photos powerful—because they feel like you.
So don’t worry about perfection. You just brought a new life into your home—now let’s document all the messy, magical, love-soaked moments that make this time so special.
2. Comfort Is Key
You just welcomed a baby—your body is doing all kinds of amazing things. So skip anything itchy or too tight. Go for soft sweaters with leggings, flowy dresses, or even chic loungewear. Stay true to your style and avoid added stress.
And here’s the thing: if you absolutely HATE sweaters, don’t wear one. Maybe you saw a gorgeous session online and loved how their sweater looked—but if sweaters make you itchy, you’ll be distracted and uncomfortable the entire time. You don’t want to be fidgeting or counting down the minutes until you can change.
Bottom line? Stay true to you :)
Which brings me to Tip #3...
Check out dad’s fun socks for a touch of whimsy :)
3. Be You (Just a Bit Elevated)
Your photos should feel like you—just a slightly more polished version. If your go-to look is cozy joggers or a simple dress, build from that - go for a comfy pair of linen pants instead or that beautiful flowy boho dress that you have been eyeing. But also, don’t force yourself into something that feels off just because you saw it online. The goal is to look and feel like your best self—not someone else.
A touch of personality—a favorite necklace, a sentimental ring, or your partner’s signature quirky socks—can bring warmth and meaning to your session. These little details help tell your family’s story.
When you feel like you, the connection shows. And that’s what really makes the photos shine.
Speaking of shining—let’s talk colors...
Beautiful, classic, neutral palette.
4. Stick with Neutrals… Unless Color Is Your Thing
Neutrals always photograph beautifully—soft whites, creams, tans, greys, and muted earth tones create a timeless look that keeps the focus on your connection and emotion. They reflect light well, flatter skin tones, and work seamlessly with the cozy, natural vibe of an in-home newborn session.
But! If you’re someone who lives in color and it brings you joy—go for it. The most important thing is that your wardrobe feels like you. A sage green dress, a dusty blue top, or a muted floral pattern can add lovely visual interest while still keeping the look cohesive. If you ever need help with your styling, I am always here to help!
A few things to steer clear of: neons (they cast color on skin and walls), bold reds and oranges (they tend to dominate the image), and having everyone in solid white or the exact same color. Touches of white are beautiful, but too much can flatten the photo and make it hard to distinguish between people—especially on light bedding or walls.
Instead, aim for variation in texture and subtle pattern within a similar color palette. Think textured knits, gauze, soft stripes, or florals. This gives dimension without visual clutter and brings everything together in a beautifully effortless way.
The perfect example of styles that compliment without matching. Big sis’ dress compliments the green in baby girl’s adorable floral romper and mom and dad’s neutral palette doesn’t overpower their outfits.
5. Dress Baby for Cuteness and Comfort
Skip the tiny plaid outfits that come with matching pants and socks that overwhelm newborns. They literally will cover your sweet babies face during the session. Instead, choose a simple cotton knotted gown, a cute onesie, or a cozy swaddle. Tiny bows can be darling—just make sure they’re small and gentle on your baby’s face
Keeping baby’s wardrobe simple will keep the focus on them and all their adorable squishiness! As far as bows on a newborn. Keep them simple and small like this one. Anything bigger will overwhelm their face.
Bonus Tips for a Picture‑Perfect Session:
Add texture. Think chunky knit sweaters, vintage crochet blankets, gauzy wraps, or fuzzy linens. These photograph beautifully and add depth without distraction.
Floral accent blankets or sheets make a beautiful backdrop. A soft, floral quilt or bed sheet can add just the right touch of pattern and color to highlight your baby—like the photos below.
Coordinate—but don’t match. Mix tones and styles within the same palette. Patterns—like soft florals for siblings or a subtle bow tie for big brothers—add charm without falling into the “matchy-matchy” trap.
Go timeless. Neutral color palettes and classic, well-loved pieces will help your photos stay beautiful and relevant for years to come.
Keep things cozy! Warm the house before your session. A snug baby is a happy baby—and warmth helps avoid tense shoulders, red noses, or those tiny “I’m cold!” wrinkles.
Feed baby right before I arrive. A full belly means a sleepy, content baby—perfect for those sweet, snuggly newborn shots we’re aiming for.
-Keep it simple and timeless. Again this will help keep the focus on you and your families love and connection. Below are a couple of examples of a simple yet beautiful timeless style.
I’m happy to help with a style board or personal suggestions—just ask! I also offer a styling service that many moms love for effortless coordination. Click here to take you to that service. Use code ALSJSTYLE to access it. Check out this video to help guide you through using this service. It’s a fun service to play around with!
Also check out a few links below to some fave wardrobe sites :)
Favorite Shops for Newborn & Mom:
LOU LOU AND COMPANY (FAVE)
SUSUKOSHI (GORGEOUS KNOTTED GOWNS, TEXTURED BLANKETS, PJ’S AND MORE)
COLORED ORGANICS (ADORABLE KNOTTED GOWNS)
MILKBARN (FUN AND UNIQUE SWADDLES)
MAMA KNITS (BEAUTIFUL HAND KNIT ACCESSORIES)
GAP (FOR MORE LOUNGY LOOKS)
AERIE (CUTE LOUNGEWEAR!)
I am also always happy to put together a style board for you! Just ask :)
