What to Wear for Lifestyle Newborn Photos at Home in Bend, Oregon
Learn what to wear for cozy, storytelling newborn photos at home with natural, timeless style.
Styling is one of the most searched questions when it comes to setting up a Bend lifestyle newborn photography session. After photographing Bend families for more than seven years, I’ve found that the most timeless newborn photos come from outfits that feel comfortable and authentic rather than overly styled.
The good news is that lifestyle newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your home, so there’s a lot of flexibility surrounding what to wear. Read on for my tried-and-true tips about how to plan your family’s outfits for those perfectly imperfect and oh, so sweet newborn memories.
Because lifestyle newborn photography is really about documenting your family’s connection during this season of life, your outfits should feel comfortable, natural, and true to who you are right now.
Colors and color palettes that work well for your newborn photos.
Before diving into more details about what items to choose for each family member during a newborn photoshoot, it’s important to consider what colors do (and do not) work well for in-home photos.
Pro Tip: Newborn babies can have strong pigment undertones to their skin - yellow, pink, red, or even purple - so you want to be careful to not overload the session with very bright colors.
Stick within light colors or tones for the majority of your outfit pieces, and fill in with neutrals where needed (i.e. pants, sweaters, etc.). These softer, earthy tones also photograph beautifully in the natural light common in Bend, Oregon homes.
How to use pops of color in a newborn session.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use bold or bright colors in your wardrobe - rather, think of those as accessory colors or pops of color. For example, if you’re a mama that loves red, go for red nails, red lipstick, and/or an outfit that has some red in a pattern (like a thin stripe or small red flowers). Do not wear an entirely red dress - that is simply too much color for your sweet babe’s skin in photos.
Pro tip: If you want to use black in your newborn session, choose one article of clothing with a big pattern that breaks up the black - and limit your whole family to just one black item.
Looking for newborn and family photo outfit inspiration? I’ve collected color palettes by tonal groupings on my Pinterest account.
Choose the main outfit to anchor the family’s wardrobe together.
If a mama is part of the family, then she gets to choose her clothing first. Baby may be the star of the show - but mama deserves to pick what makes her feel beautiful. (And, honestly, this rule follows for future Bend family photo sessions as the kids grow up.)
H3: Clothing tips for new mamas.
Mamas, think about comfort and practicality first when deciding on your outfit. Look for clothing that has stretch or give with extra fabric, particularly in the chest and waist areas. I’ve had two babies myself, and I can tell you I didn’t want to wear anything restricting after birth.
If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, you also want to ensure your outfit has easy access during your session. This doesn’t mean you have to wear clothing specifically made for breastfeeding - functional buttons and stretchy fabric that can be pulled down works wonderfully well for this purpose. After all, the best newborn and motherhood photos happen when you feel comfortable enough to simply settle into the moment with your baby.
If a mama is not part of the family, then choose the baby’s outfit first.
If you’re wondering why this little nugget of information is included in the post - it’s because families come in all shapes, sizes, and stories. I’ve been photographing families for over seven years, and can tell you that no two families are exactly the same. No matter how your family looks, celebrating a new baby is a joyful event to document with newborn photos.
If you’re looking for a Central Oregon family photographer that is welcoming to all family stories, then I’d love to hear from you.
What baby should (and shouldn’t) wear for newborn photos.
You want the details of your precious newborn baby to be remembered in these photos, so you need to keep that in mind when selecting outfits. A onesie or romper with open hands and feet is an excellent choice for capturing details of the baby’s fingers, toes, and little limbs. If you’re worried about the baby feeling cold, one of my prep tips for getting your house ready is to warm your house up a few degrees for the session.
If you’re planning a relaxed newborn session in Bend, you may also love reading my full guide to preparing your home for newborn photos.
Also have on hand a swaddle blanket that you would like photographed in case your baby gets fussy. Your swaddle can have a pattern or a fun color - this is an area to let your personality shine for your little one.
My personal favorite swaddles for newborn photo sessions are from LouLou and Company. They are soft and stretchy, warm without being too warm, and have lots of colors and patterns options.
As cute as the knotted gowns are, I do not recommend them for newborn photography shoots. Knotted gowns do not photograph well in a lifestyle setting, and they hide your baby’s body. Similarly, avoid sleepers that cover hands and feet or very bulky items as they hide the very details of your baby that you want photographed.
Coordinate everyone else around the key outfit for a cohesive look in your newborn photos.
Once you’ve picked the main outfit, it is so much easier to find items to coordinate the whole family. I recommend hanging them next to each other or laying them on a bed next to each other to best see how they all fit together. If something looks out of place, pieces of clothing can be swapped in or out.
Remember too much of a good thing - is too much of a good thing for the camera, too.
Skip the outfits that match exactly. Don’t give everyone the same accessory. To add visual interest to your photos, it’s a good idea to mix and match with textures of fabrics and patterns. If you’re not sure how much is too much, check out your tips for family outfit styling for the details.
Go barefoot for the cozy, in-home feel in your pictures that is special to lifestyle photoshoots.
Nothing quite says “this is home” like everyone's toes out in the open. (Seriously, no socks and no shoes in these photos.) Don’t overthink going barefoot. Anyone who looks at these pictures will be obsessing over the precious, tiny little newborn toes in the photos. Parents having their piggies out simply signifies comfort and a relaxed atmosphere - and your feet aren’t the focus of the pictures. I promise. You know what catches attention right away, though? Everyone is barefoot except you. (ahem, looking at you, dads).
Pro Tip: Look in your own closets first, and then shop around for a few new pieces (if needed).
It can be overwhelming to try to find new outfits for everyone all at once - especially on top of getting ready for a new baby - so shop your own closets first for basic pieces. Think pants, shorts, overalls, or even dresses for kids - there are likely things that you already have on hand which will fit into your chosen color palette for the session.
Got an older sibling participating in the photoshoot? Roll with it.
Perfectly coordinated outfits matter far less than genuine connection. So, if on the day of the session your new big brother or sister wants to wear or hold something that wasn’t part of the plan - roll with it. I’ve photographed families with little girls dressed up in tutus, little boys playing with their tool sets, and even my own son refused to take his pretend camera off his neck during my own newborn photoshoot.
It’s okay - because you just want them to be part of the photos. That’s the important thing.
Have a spare outfit for every member of your family. (Yes, everyone.)
If you’re thinking, “why would I need an extra outfit for everyone?” Well, my friend, let me tell you something about babies and kids - especially when it comes to an important event, like photographs - they make messes. Big messes. Diaper blow outs. Wayward urine. Spit up (lots and lots of spit up). I’ve had this happen during more than one lifestyle newborn photoshoot - and it wasn’t just the baby that got messy.
Think outside of the box for your lifestyle newborn photoshoot.
You do not need to look Pinterest-perfect for meaningful newborn photos.
You do not need to wear a flowing maxi dresses for photoshoots. Your baby doesn’t need a custom sweater with their name stitched into it. Your toddler doesn’t have to wear an itchy, uncomfortable outfit just because it’s cute. And though I provide tips for coordinating outfits, everyone doesn’t have to be picture perfect. You know what really matters? The story of your family - and how it is growing with this new baby.
Think about what your family values. Do you all enjoy cozy weekend mornings with jammies and pancakes? Well, then maybe you should just chill in some cute patterned pajamas. Do you feel most comfortable in a pair of jeans and a tee? Then go for that vibe. Don’t try to fit your family into a box that doesn’t actually fit. Remember to be yourselves.
Newborn days are beautifully messy, fleeting, and impossible to recreate exactly as they are right now. Whether your family feels most at home in cozy pajamas or carefully chosen outfits, the most meaningful photographs are the ones that reflect your real connection. If you’re looking for a Bend, Oregon family photographer to document this season with a relaxed, storytelling approach, I’d love to help you preserve it.
Hello, I’m Elise
I’d love to preserve your memories in photographs -
I’m a Bend, Oregon family and newborn photographer specializing in documentary-inspired storytelling for families who want honest, connection-focused photographs of everyday life with the people they love most. If you’re looking for someone to help you plan and style your session - not solely show up with a camera - then you’ve got the right human here.