I send every client a prep guide before their session. Almost every time, the first reply I get is: "But what do we wear?"
It's a fair question. These photos will be on your wall. Your mum will share them with everyone she's ever met. You want to look good, but not like you tried too hard.
Good news: you already own everything you need.
Keep it simple
The baby is the star. Everything else is background. You want clothes that frame the baby, not compete with them.
Neutrals work beautifully. Cream, oatmeal, soft grey, muted beige, pale blush. These colours don't date, they don't distract, and they look incredible in natural light. Which is what I shoot in.
What to skip:
Logos and graphics. Anything with words, characters, or branding pulls the eye straight to the text instead of faces.
Bright patterns. Stripes, checks, and florals can look busy. A simple texture like knit, linen, or fine cotton gives more depth than a pattern ever does.
Pure white or pure black. White blows out in natural light. Black swallows detail. Soft cream and charcoal are much more flattering.
Matching outfits. Identical white shirts and jeans screams 2008 family portrait. Coordinated is better than matching. Same colour family, different textures and tones.
For mum
You've just had a baby. Be kind to yourself.
A soft knit jumper or a linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Flowy fabrics that drape nicely. A long-sleeve midi dress in a solid neutral. These all photograph beautifully.
Your hands will be in the shots, holding the baby, resting on your partner's shoulder. If you wear nail polish, neutral tones disappear less than bright colours. Bare nails are perfect though. No pressure.
Minimal jewellery. A simple necklace or your wedding ring is fine. Anything chunky or dangly will catch the baby's attention at the wrong moment.
For dad
A plain crew-neck jumper or a soft Oxford shirt with the sleeves pushed up. No logos, no loud patterns. Charcoal, oatmeal, navy, or soft sage green.
A fresh shave or neat stubble. Whatever's normal for you. The photos should look like you on a good day, not you at a wedding.
For siblings
Toddlers are chaos agents. Lean into it.
Put them in something comfortable they can move in. A simple cotton dress, a grandad-collar shirt, soft dungarees over a plain top. The photos where a toddler is laughing or being gently curious about the baby are the ones you'll love most. Stiff, forced poses never work with small children.
Don't worry if they won't sit still. Some of my favourite sibling shots have happened when the toddler wandered off and I just kept shooting. The unscripted stuff is gold.
For the baby
I bring swaddles, wraps, and a few simple outfits in neutral tones. You don't need to provide anything.
If you have a special blanket or a family heirloom you want in the shot, absolutely bring it. A grandmother's knitted shawl, a blanket from your own baby days. Those details make the photos yours.
Otherwise the baby spends most of the session in a swaddle or just a nappy with a wrap. They're warm, comfortable, and we can adjust quickly between setups.
The real advice
Don't buy new clothes for the photos. I mean it. The things you already feel comfortable in will look more natural on camera than anything with the tags still on.
Wear something that makes you feel like yourself. If you never wear dresses, don't wear a dress. If you live in jumpers, wear your favourite jumper. The aim isn't to look like a magazine spread. It's to look like your family, captured honestly.
And if you're really stuck, send me a photo of three outfit options and I'll tell you which one will work best. That's literally part of what I'm here for.
Book a newborn session and you'll get a full prep guide with all of this and more. But the short version: be comfortable, be yourself, and let the baby be the main character.