Plan with the end in mind

Before you start planning outfit options, consider what your end goal is for your images.  If you plan to hang them on the wall, which we highly recommend doing, think about your home décor.  Which rooms will you most likely be displaying these images in, and what colors would complement the style of that space? If you think your home will undergo a few upgrades in the future, what colors would still look beautiful despite a style change.  If you plan to keep your photos in an album instead of on your wall, go with a timeless look!  Albums are heirloom products meant to be handed down to all future generations.  Choose classic colors and styles that will always be beautiful.  Don't overthink it, keep it simple!

Keep the focus on your sweet new baby

Even in the family portion of a newborn session, the baby is still the primary focus of the image.  What we are capturing is the love and connection of the family as you welcome the newest member.  We don't want to include anything in the image that might draw attention away from that feeling and connection.  For that reason, I recommend avoiding bright, vibrant colors, graphics/words, and heavy patterns.  Some pattern is fine if it isn't too distracting, but try to keep it simple and minimal and limit the pattern to one or two people while keeping everyone else in solid color items. 

Choose a color scheme

I always recommend lighter neutral colors, (i.e. cream, beige, gray, etc.) as a great starting point and add one or two complimenting colors.  Choose colors that are muted in tone rather than vibrant and bright and avoid pure black and pure white.  When I plan newborn sessions, I typically stick to neutrals with one or two colors throughout the setup to create a cohesive gallery so the images will all look amazing in an album together or in a wall display. If you'd like a specific color used cohesively for the newborn images, consider using those colors in your family wardrobe as well. 

Dress for comfort

The studio is heated to very warm temperatures during the newborn session!  If the baby is sleeping really well when you arrive, it's best to start with just baby images and wait until the end of the session for the family portion.  There is a lot that might happen to your outfit while we wait.  Especially during one of baby's snack and snuggle breaks!  I recommend wearing comfortable clothing to the studio and bringing your photo clothing to change into when we are ready for family images!