As a 10 year (and counting) veteran Boston newborn photographer, one of the biggest hurdles my clients struggle with is how to dress their families for their Boston newborn photos. The answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all. Below are the tips and steps I guide my clients through in my styling email.

Planning for Boston Newborn Photos Tip One: What Does My Home Decor Look Like?

Step one is to think about your home as a whole, and more specifically, the rooms you’re planning on using for your newborn photos. Boston homes tend to be on the smaller and darker side, so thinking strategically about this is important! While I bring lighting equipment to every single session, the more natural light we have to work with, the better. Most clients use their living rooms, nursery spaces, and primary bedrooms. If your nursery has a super cool feature wallpaper that is primarily green, you don’t want to dress your family in greens. If your whole home is shades of neutrals, I’d recommend incorporating some pattern and color into your family outfit.

Tip #2 When Planning for an At- Home Boston Newborn Photoshoot: Style Choices for Moms

The next tip is to think carefully about what type of vibe you’d like your images to have. Maxi dresses and skirts are always a flattering choice and make a post-partum mama feel put together (whether or not she feels that way amidst the newborn chaos!) but if you’re not a dress or skirt person, it doesn’t make sense to wear one! Maybe you are a jeans and sweater or a leggings and tunic kind of person. Wear what makes you feel comfortable, and most of all, like YOU. If you are choosing a structured pant with a waistband, ensure that you feel comfortable sitting, bending and laying! If you’re looking to purchase something new, I recommend checking Anthropologie, Baltic Born, Target, Old Navy, Gap, Madewell and any other favorite store you might have.

Tip #3: What should a dad wear for a newborn photoshoot?

Comfort and looking like themselves is the name of the game for Boston dads involved in in-home newborn sessions too. In my opinion, there is nothing that kills the snuggly newborn session vibes more than a dad in a button down shirt. Men tend to look very “buttoned up/going to the office” in button down shirts and it’s hard to sit (or lay down) without the fabric between the buttons buckling open. I recommend jeans or joggers or even sweatpants with a simple crew neck tee, or henley, or sweater.

Now, if you’re a button down kind of guy and the thought of foregoing one makes you feel weak in the knees, consider the wide variety of button downs available. Skip the one you’d tuck in with a belt and wear under a suit jacket and think more casual fabrics and fits, something you’d wear to a casual outdoor BBQ versus an interview.

Final Tip: What should my BABY wear for their Boston newborn photography session?

You’ve chosen your outfit, your partner’s outfit, and any siblings…now it’s time for baby! Trust me when I say that your baby is actually the easiest to dress. Here are some simple rules to follow to ensure that you pick the perfect outfit. First and foremost, you want to make sure the outfit *truly* fits. Please don’t try to use a 0-3M outfit for your newborn unless they are an 11-12lb newborn! When something is too lose, it looks terrible on camera. We want to highlight that cute, tiny little baby, not have them swimming in too much fabric! You also want to avoid words, large overwhelming patterns, and any bright colors in the red, yellow, orange, pink family. These shades bring out those splotchy tones in newborn skin that I try to tone down. Other than that, the options are endless.You could go with just a diaper (my favorite), a diaper with a pretty swaddling wrap, a newborn gown, or a simple onesie or romper.