What Should My Baby Wear for a Photoshoot? Baby Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

“What should my baby wear for their photoshoot?”

It’s one of those questions that seems simple until you actually start looking through your baby’s wardrobe!

Should you choose something neutral? Something colourful? A special outfit you’ve bought for the occasion? And what about patterns, headbands and accessories?

The good news is that choosing an outfit for your baby photography session doesn’t need to be difficult.

After photographing babies in my Sydney studio for more than 15 years, I’ve learnt that the best outfits have one thing in common: they let your baby be the star of the photograph.

Here are a few things I recommend.

Keep Baby Photoshoot Outfits Simple

When it comes to baby photography, I generally think less is more.

Babies already give us so much to photograph — beautiful eyes, gorgeous expressions, tiny hands and feet and, as they get older, plenty of personality.

An outfit doesn’t need to compete with all of that.

Simple rompers, bloomers, knitted pieces and classic little dresses photograph beautifully. I generally avoid large logos, slogans, characters and very busy patterns because your eye tends to go straight to the clothing rather than your baby.

Texture, on the other hand, can be lovely. Knits, linen, lace and other subtle fabrics add interest without becoming the focus of the photograph.

Does My Baby Have to Wear Neutral Colours?

Definitely not!

Neutral colours are popular in baby photography for good reason. Cream, white, beige and soft earthy tones are timeless and work beautifully in photographs.

But I also love colour.

These photographs of this gorgeous little girl in yellow are a perfect example.

I love COLOURS as well as neutrals for baby photography! The yellow tones in this shot captured the beautiful brightness of this sweet baby girl perfectly. © Amy Tong Photography

The sunny yellow creates such a happy, joyful feeling and suited her little personality beautifully. The photographs are colourful without the colour overwhelming her — she is still very much the focus.

Soft pinks, blues, greens, yellows and other carefully chosen colours can all work beautifully.

So if you love colour, please don’t feel that your baby photos need to be beige!

Choose Colours That Suit Your Baby

Rather than choosing an outfit simply because it is fashionable, think about colours that look beautiful on your baby.

Some babies look gorgeous in warm earthy colours, while others suit cooler blues, pinks or greens.

Eye colour can also be lovely to pick up in an outfit or backdrop, particularly with older babies whose eyes are such a prominent feature in their portraits.

This is something I can help with when you're choosing outfits for your session.

I aim to capture your baby in several setups of different colours so you'll have a mixture of neutrals and colours in your final gallery.

Comfort Is More Important Than Fashion

This one is particularly important.

If an outfit is itchy, tight, difficult to move in or something your baby clearly hates wearing, it probably isn’t the best choice for their photoshoot.

A comfortable baby is much more likely to relax, play and give us those wonderful natural expressions.

This is especially true for my 3-month and Little Sitter sessions, where I want babies to be able to kick, roll, sit, grab their toes and generally be themselves.

The prettiest outfit in the world isn't worth it if your baby spends the entire session trying to escape from it!

Make Sure the Outfit Fits Now

Babies grow ridiculously quickly.

An outfit bought several weeks before a photoshoot can suddenly be too small — or sometimes still surprisingly enormous — by the time the session arrives.

For photographs, fit matters.

Very large clothing can swamp a little baby and hide their hands and feet. Clothing that is too small can bunch, pull and leave marks on their skin.

If you have an outfit you're hoping to use, try it on your baby a few days before your session.

What About Headbands and Accessories?

A beautiful, simple accessory can finish an outfit perfectly.

For baby girls, I have a collection of delicate headbands available in the studio. Small bows and simple hair accessories can also be lovely. For boys, I have some sweet little hats you're welcome to include in your baby's images.

My rule is generally that an accessory should complement your baby rather than become the first thing you notice.

If the bow enters the room before the baby does, it might be a little too big!

You Don't Need to Buy Special Clothes for Your Baby Photoshoot

This surprises quite a few parents.

I have a collection of beautiful baby outfits available for clients to use in my Balmain studio.

Over the years I’ve collected pieces specifically because I know they photograph well. This means you don't need to go shopping for an entire baby photoshoot wardrobe before your session.

We can look through the studio collection together and choose outfits and colours that suit your baby.

I also encourage parents to bring along a few things of their own to make their session unique to their family and their baby.

Bring Something Special

While simple outfits generally photograph best, photographs aren't only about creating something beautiful.

They're also about memories.

If Grandma knitted a cardigan, your baby has a special blanket, or there is an outfit or toy with particular meaning to your family, please bring it.

Years from now, the story behind that item may make the photograph even more special.

We can usually incorporate sentimental pieces while still keeping the photographs simple and timeless.

What Should Parents Wear for Baby Photos?

If parents and siblings are joining in — and I encourage you to! — you don't all need to wear identical colours.

In fact, I'd prefer you didn't.

Instead, think about coordinating rather than matching.

Choose a small palette of colours that work comfortably together. Simple clothing without prominent logos or very bold patterns tends to photograph particularly well.

I also provide families with guidance before their session, so if you're staring at your wardrobe wondering what on earth everyone should wear, don't worry.

What If I Can't Decide?

Bring options!

If you have two outfits you love and can't decide which will photograph better, bring both.

I’m very happy to help.

Sometimes the decision also depends on your baby on the day — their colouring, mood, what backgrounds we're using and even which outfits fit them best that particular week.

One of the advantages of coming to a specialist baby photography studio in Sydney is that you don't need to have everything worked out beforehand.

That’s my job.

Baby Photography in Balmain, Sydney

My baby photography studio is in Balmain in Sydney's Inner West, where I specialise in photographing babies from newborn through to their first birthday.

Sessions are relaxed and baby-led, with a range of outfits, backdrops and accessories available in the studio.

So please don't feel that preparing for your baby's photoshoot requires a shopping trip and a perfectly coordinated wardrobe.

Bring your baby.

I'll help with the rest.

If you'd like to book a baby photography session in Sydney, I'd love to hear from you.

Amy xx