So many options
Sometimes, parents have a strong sense of what they want their baby to be dressed in for our newborn photo session - and that's great! Other times, parents ask me what I recommend - also good 😊 I am happy to give guidance based on my experience and photographic style, but your newborn photo shoot is your own and wardrobe choices are also yours to make. There aren't any rules or hard guidelines here.
For those that ask for my input, my answer is always the same - keep it simple. In my opinion, the simplest choice is often the best for photography - let me tell you why.
Keeping it simple - where the magic really lives
My favourite choice, every single time, is a plain onesie or an all-in-one suit in a soft, muted or neutral colour.
Think creamy whites, warm beiges, soft greys, dusty pastels. Colours that feel calm and gentle. Colours that don’t shout for attention, but instead allow your baby to be the focus.
Because that’s really what we’re here for.
Your baby’s tiny fingers curled into a fist. The softness of their cheeks. The way their lips rest when they’re completely relaxed. The little stretch they do when they wake. These are the details that matter. These are the moments that tell the story.
When clothing is simple, your baby becomes the centre of everything. Nothing competes. Nothing distracts.
It’s quiet. It’s honest. It’s enough.
Let your baby shine
One small detail that makes a big difference - I always recommend choosing something where we can see your baby’s feet.
Those impossibly tiny toes deserve to be remembered.
They change so quickly, and in the blur of those early weeks, it’s easy to forget just how small they once were. Being able to capture their feet, along with all the other beautiful details, adds so much depth and feeling to your gallery.
If you have a onesie that covers the feet, that’s absolutely okay. We can gently roll it up or take it off for part of the session. Nothing needs to be perfect or fixed. We simply work with what feels natural in the moment.
Why less really is more
It can be tempting to dress your baby in something a little more elaborate. Something with frills or layers or lots of detail, cute patterns. They are super cute, and it feels like a photoshoot needs something a bit special, something extra.
And I understand that instinct completely.
But the camera sees things somewhat differently and, in photographs - especially in newborn photography - those extra details can sometimes pull focus away from what matters most. Frills can bunch or shift. Layers can feel bulky on such a tiny body. Certain fabrics can wrinkle or sit awkwardly. Patterns can sometimes draw the eye in an unwelcome way.
Sometimes they even get in the way of movement or make it harder for your baby to settle comfortably.
Simple clothing allows your baby to move freely. To curl up naturally. To be held close without anything feeling stiff or restrictive.
And visually, it creates a softness that holds your attention in the most gentle way.
Add meaning with small, personal touches
While I love starting with a simple base outfit, there is always space to bring in meaningful details.
These are the pieces that tell your story.
Maybe it’s the little cardigan your mum knitted while she was waiting for your baby to arrive. The one she made with so much love, imagining who they would be.
Maybe it’s a pair of tiny knitted booties gifted by a friend and featured in your maternity photo shoot. Or a soft bonnet you found and couldn’t resist.
Maybe it’s the tiny teddy bear your great auntie sent from overseas. A small, thoughtful parcel that carries connection across distance.
These items don’t need to be worn for the entire session. Often, they’re perfect to bring in for a few images. A layer added gently over a simple outfit. A detail placed nearby. A quiet nod to the people and stories surrounding your baby.
It’s not about styling every image. It’s about weaving in meaning, softly.
What we have available in the studio
If you’re coming into the studio for your baby photoshoot, I want you to know that you don’t need to arrive with everything figured out.
I have a small, carefully chosen collection of handknits and muslin wraps available for you to use.
These pieces are intentionally simple. Soft textures. Neutral tones. Nothing overly styled or complicated.
They’re there to support the natural feel of the session, not to take it over.
Sometimes, a baby wrapped gently in a soft muslin, held close in your arms, is all we need. There is a quiet intimacy in that simplicity that photographs so beautifully.
If you fall in love with something in the studio, you’re very welcome to use it. If you prefer to bring your own pieces, that’s just as lovely.
There is no right or wrong here. Just options.
Dressing your baby for comfort, not performance
Your baby doesn’t need to “look perfect” for their session.
They don’t need to perform. They don’t need to wear something elaborate or carefully coordinated.
They just need to be comfortable.
A well-fitting onesie. A soft fabric against their skin. Something that allows them to be held, fed, soothed, and loved without interruption.
That comfort shows up in your images.
A settled baby. A relaxed parent. A moment that unfolds naturally rather than being arranged.
This is where the beauty is.
A gentle note for parents
If you’re feeling unsure about what to choose, you’re not alone.
Many parents feel this way, especially in those early weeks when everything feels new and a little overwhelming.
Part of my role as your photographer is to guide you through this. To help you simplify decisions. To reassure you that you don’t need to have it all sorted before you arrive.
If you’d like to send me photos of what you’re considering, I’m always happy to gently guide you. Sometimes it’s just a small adjustment that makes all the difference.
You don’t have to carry this on your own.
Creating something timeless
When we look back at photographs years from now, what we’re really drawn to isn’t the outfit.
It’s the feeling.
The way your baby fit so perfectly in your arms. The softness of those early days. The connection between you.
Simple, neutral clothing helps create images that feel timeless. Images that won’t feel dated or tied to a particular trend.
Images that still feel just as meaningful years down the track.
For families in Canberra considering a session
If you’re based in Canberra and thinking about newborn photography, I want you to know that these sessions are designed to feel easy and supportive.
Your baby photoshoot isn’t about getting everything “just right”. It’s about showing up as you are, with your baby, and allowing the moments to unfold.
I’ll guide you gently through the process - from what to wear, to how the session flows, to creating images that feel true to your family.
You don’t need to bring perfection. You don’t need a long checklist.
Just yourselves.
A soft place to land
In the end, choosing what to dress your baby in comes back to one simple idea.
Keep it gentle. Keep it comfortable. Keep it true to you.
A soft onesie. Tiny feet peeking out. Maybe a treasured piece layered in for a moment.
That’s more than enough.
If you’re feeling ready to capture this season, or even just quietly considering it, you’re always welcome to reach out. I’m here to help you navigate it all - with care, with calm, and with an understanding of just how tender this time can be.
