As a newborn photographer in Utah, one of the most common questions I receive is:
What should we wear for our newborn session?

And it’s such a good question because wardrobe plays a huge role in how your photos look and feel. When you’re holding your baby in your arms and the soft morning light is shining into the room, your clothing becomes part of the story we’re telling. It should feel like you, natural, cozy, timeless and most importantly, effortless.

Whether you’re preparing for an in-home newborn session or a soft studio session in natural light, this guide will help you feel confident and calm about what to wear. I’ve also included links to some of my favorite online shops, and details about the swaddles, dresses, and heirloom pieces I provide when you book with me.

My Full Service Styling Approach

When you book a session with me, I help you through every step, including what to wear. I bring a carefully curated collection of dresses for moms, wraps and swaddles for baby, and neutral pieces that photograph beautifully in soft, natural light.

You’ll never be left guessing what looks best or scrambling to order outfits last minute. This is a full-service experience, designed to feel peaceful and simple for growing families.

What to Wear for Moms

Soft, breathable fabrics in light tones are always a beautiful choice. I love flowy dresses in cream, white, blush, taupe, and muted earth tones. These photograph well in any setting and flatter all body types, especially postpartum.

I bring several dress options with me to every session, and you’re welcome to try on and choose what feels best for you. Most are bump and breastfeeding-friendly, and all are chosen to feel comfortable and elegant.

For this session, Mom already had a beautiful dress in mind, it was her own. I brought a few options from client wardrobe as usual, but she truly loved how her dress looked and felt in it. And honestly, it was perfect. We decided to go with her choice, and it photographed beautifully.

So if you have a favorite dress at home that you feel confident and comfortable in, you’re always welcome to wear it. But if you’re not sure or just don’t want to worry about what to wear, I’ve got you covered with my curated wardrobe. You can choose what works best for you on the day of your session — no pressure either way.

She truly looked absolutely gorgeous. I loved the dress she chose, it fit the light, airy feel of her nursery perfectly. She was happy and glowing.

Want to shop your own? Here are some of my favorite dress brands for moms:
    •    Nothing Fits But (https://nothingfitsbut.com) – beautiful for postpartum and breastfeeding
    •    Baltic Born (https://balticborn.com) – flowy dresses in neutral tones
    •    Ivy City Co (https://ivycityco.com/https://ivycityco.com/? – beautiful styles and romantic textures and based in Utah

Quick tips for moms:
    •    Avoid dark or bold patterns
    •    Choose movement over structure (no stiff fabrics)
    •    Light colors always reflect beautifully on skin

What to Wear for Dads

Simple, neutral, and clean. Dads photograph best in light, natural colors like ivory, tan, soft gray, olive, or light blue. A short sleeved button down, henley, or a plain T-shirt paired with chinos or soft pants is perfect.

Best to avoid:
    •    Dark shirts (black/navy can look harsh)
    •    Logos or busy prints
    •    Athletic wear or shorts

This doesn’t need to feel like a big dress-up moment, just soft and cohesive with the rest of the family.

What to Wear for Siblings

Including siblings in your newborn session is always encouraged, and their outfits help create a cohesive, timeless look. I gently guide older brothers and sisters so they feel included and comfortable throughout the session.

For girls:
    •    Soft dresses in blush, cream, or floral
    •    Hair bows or braids

•    For boys:
    •    Knit rompers, button-down shirts, or simple tees in neutrals
    •    No shoes needed indoors
    •    Overalls or soft pants for texture

If you’re unsure where to begin, I’m always happy to help style siblings or send links based on your color palette. What makes me proud of the experience I offer is the personal support I provide before your session even begins. I’m not the kind of photographer you book and don’t hear from again until the day of the session. I work closely with you from the very beginning, offering styling support and ongoing email communication to help ease the mental load of planning.

As a mom myself, I know what it’s like to feel unsure especially as a new parent. Sometimes all you receive is a basic PDF with outfit suggestions, but no real guidance on whether those pieces will work with your home or your nursery colors. That’s why I encourage you to send photos of your space beforehand. I take the time to review them and offer styling advice tailored to your home and session. With my experience photographing many families in a wide variety of homes, I can help guide you toward wardrobe choices that will feel cohesive, timeless, and true to you.

These thoughtful touches are part of the full experience I offer, one that goes beyond simply showing up with a camera. I care deeply about creating sessions that feel meaningful, personal, and beautiful. If you ever have questions or need reassurance, my inbox is always open.

What I Bring to Every Newborn Session

You don’t need to buy anything for your baby unless you have something meaningful you’d like to include. I bring a full collection of beautiful newborn essentials:

🧺 Swaddles & Wraps in soft shades like cream, blush, blue, sage, and oatmeal
👶 Simple bonnets, blankets, and layering pieces to add soft texture
🛏️ Minimal props, a posing pillow or beanbag, textured wraps, mosses basket and soft linens
🧼 All items are washed, sanitized, and ready for your baby’s delicate skin

This keeps things beautifully simple and ensures your baby is the true focus of the image.

Albums, Prints, and Custom Wall Art

After your session, I help you preserve your memories in a way that feels intentional and lasting. All full sessions include the option to create:

Heirloom Albums – handcrafted with thick pages, soft linen or leather covers, and lay-flat designs perfect for coffee tables and gift giving
Framed Prints – custom-matted and ready to display in your home
Fine Art Prints – true-to-color, archival-quality prints

Your gallery is not just something to scroll through, it’s a visual love letter to your growing family. And I’m here to help you turn it into something tangible.

Final Styling Tips

✔️ Stick to soft, neutral colors (cream, ivory, taupe, dusty blue, sage, blush)
✔️ Avoid black, neon, bright red, or busy patterns
✔️ Coordinate — but don’t match exactly
✔️ Less is more — simple outfits keep the focus on your connection
✔️ Trust the process — I’ll guide you every step of the way

A few more tips before your session: if you prefer to do your own hair and makeup, that’s absolutely fine! Light makeup is encouraged, it photographs beautifully and elevates the look of your images, especially since I often take close-up portraits of mom and baby. If you’re doing your own hair, I recommend blow-drying or styling it the night before so the morning of your session feels less rushed.

For nails, I suggest a fresh manicure or simply clean, clear nails. If you’d like polish, neutral or soft tones that coordinate with your session’s color palette are best — nothing too bold or bright, like orange or neon, which can be distracting. Feel free to email me if you’re unsure about a nail color; I’m always happy to help. I also gently remind moms that I often photograph barefoot, especially in the comfort of your home, so a simple pedicure is a nice touch if you’d like.

If you’d rather not worry about hair and makeup at all, I offer professional hair and makeup services either in your home or at the studio. My trusted artists will arrive about an hour to an hour and a half before your session to get you fully ready — it’s a wonderful way to feel pampered and look your best without the stress of getting ready on your own.

My goal is to help you feel relaxed, prepared, and absolutely beautiful for your session. I also send you a simple prep guide a few days beforehand to help you get your home ready. Everything I provide from wardrobe to styling support and optional hair and makeup — is designed to make your experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

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Let’s Plan Your Session Together

If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in Utah who provides a calm, full-service experience from wardrobe to wall art, I’d love to connect with you.

I serve families throughout South Jordan, Salt Lake City, Draper, Park City, and Utah County both in-home and in natural light studio settings.

✨ View My Portfolio
✨ Contact Me to Book Your Session
✨ Shop My Favorite Dresses

If you’ve been dreaming of becoming a mom whether this little one arrived sooner than expected or after a long road, I see you. Your love and preparation show in every corner of the nursery, every tiny outfit, every soft blanket waiting for baby. I include these details in every session because they matter. This is your story, and it deserves to be remembered with tenderness.

With love, Iris