Tips for Choosing the Perfect Baby Photo Outfit

Is it time for you to take your bundle of joy to their first photo session? Maybe you get photos all the time and you need to plan for the next one. Regardless, what on earth are they going to wear?

All clothes look cute on your baby, so how can you possibly choose the right baby photo outfit? Do you want to go for something chic and fashionable? What about something elegant?

Don’t stress over finding the perfect baby photo outfit. Your baby is going to look great regardless of what you choose, but we’ve compiled a few simple tips and pieces of practical advice for choosing your baby’s photo ensemble.

Keep reading to learn how to choose what your baby is going to wear for their next photoshoot (and a few tips for parents as well).

Keep Your Baby Comfortable

You need to consider your baby’s comfort when you’re choosing their outfit.

Remember that your baby isn’t yet old enough to understand why they’re in fancy clothes. While older children can tolerate itchy fabrics and pinchy shoes for the few moments that it takes to take a photo, babies aren’t as tolerant.

You want to make sure that your baby is in an outfit that’s soft, not too tight, and not too warm for the situation. This is especially true if you want photos of your baby sleeping.

If you want your baby to sit still and smile, try testing outfits first before committing to them to make sure that they’re not uncomfortable.

Consider Your Baby’s Age

The age of your baby is a factor when you’re trying to figure out what you want them to wear.

For newborns, you have fewer choices. With that in mind, those choices are more significant. This is the first photo session that you’ll have with your baby, so make it count.

Newborns do well in tight swaddles. They keep the baby comfortable and can help your baby stay asleep for sleeping photos. This is a plain, but iconic, look.

Many people choose to add large bows to their newborns for a bit of added flair.

For older babies and toddlers, it’s harder to narrow down the perfect outfit. It’s a good idea to pick something that shows off their personality while also being comfortable enough for them to move around in.

Dress for the Occasion

If you’re taking these photos for a specific purpose, don’t be afraid to dress for it.

Are you taking photos for holiday cards or newsletters? Consider dressing your baby in their cutest winter outfit. Make sure that they’re not too warm during the session.

Photos for springtime pair well with sundresses, overalls, and even bathing suits if you have one for your child. White and pastels are perfect for a photo in a field of spring flowers.

Consider a Color Scheme

Color schemes are tricky. You don’t want the photo to lean too heavily on any one color, but the cohesion from a good color scheme can make a photo pop.

Talk to your photographer if you have a certain color scheme in mind. If you don’t have the entire color scheme in your child’s outfit, they may have an idea for how to incorporate the colors into the setting of the photo.

There are plenty of popular color schemes to choose from if you want a traditional look. Red and green are popular around the winter holidays, while red, white, and blue fit right into any summer photoshoot.

You can also create your own color scheme if you learn a bit about color theory. Use a color wheel tool to pick the base color that you want to use and then find color scheme relationships. This allows you to easily find colors that work together.

Match, But Not Too Much

If there are multiple babies in the photo, or if you’re in the photo with the baby, it’s tempting to match your outfits.

While matching makes a photo cohesive, you don’t want to overdo it if you want a natural look to the photo. Too much matching has the risk of looking gaudy.

This isn’t to say that you can’t match at all.

Pick a theme or a color scheme that all outfits have to follow. Color schemes are the easiest. Everyone can be in an outfit that suits them without looking out of place.

Avoid Loud Prints

If your baby is in the photo alone, you can use loud prints. Sometimes these prints can make your baby the star of the photo. Dots, hearts, and stripes look great in baby photos.

If there are several people in the photo, though, loud prints can make it confusing. You don’t want to draw attention away from the baby.

Stick with flat colors and small bursts of patterns.

Ask the Photographer

If you’re like many new parents, this is too much to think about. You’ve been pulling everything out of your baby’s closet trying to choose the perfect outfit.

Let your photographer help you figure out how to choose.

If you’re in doubt, there’s nothing wrong with consulting with the photographer about what they think is best. They’ve done many baby photoshoots in the past, so they know what works and what gives the best final results.

Pick the Perfect Baby Photo Outfit

Picking the right baby photo outfit is stressful, but regardless of what you choose, you know that you’re going to have adorable results.

When you’re done with your photo session and you get your photos back, you’ll wonder why you ever worried in the first place.

Is it time for your baby to have their time in front of the camera? Let’s connect! Get in touch with us to schedule an appointment for your photo shoot.