Your baby is here!! Hooray!!!!

And… you’ve been home for a week, you can’t remember the last time you brushed your hair, let alone got to sleep… How on Earth are you going to be ready for newborn photos!!

Well, the answer is, you might not feel like a Goddess at your baby’s newborn session, and THAT IS OKAY. When you look at photos of your parents from when you were born, are you thinking about how your mom isn’t wearing mascara? Or that her shirt might be a bit wrinkled? You sure aren’t! You’re in awe of the photo. That photo of you when you were just a few days old, and that photo of your parents when they’re in the very same shoes you’re in now. So… is it ok if your shirt is wrinkled, or your hair doesn’t look perfect. Yes, it IS okay. 

The majority of the newborn session will focus on the baby. I love shooting babies as they are. This means they’ll mostly be in their diapers. I have a few scarves and blankets, but my style is very minimal. 

For the baby –  Bring a onesie or two that you really like or a wrap that you really like. Some of them have really fun patterns, and are just really pretty. I generally shoot the baby with a onesie, a wrap or two, and them in their diapers. 

And now for the hard part. What do YOU wear? Generally, I recommend solid neutral colors, gray, navy, cream, white, beige. Stay away from really bold stripes, bright colors, and patterns that are really busy. Loud, busy patterns tend to take over the image, and are very distracting. 

For dads – button shirt that doesn’t have a logo on it. Logos are distracting, and become the center of focus for the image instead of the baby, because your eye is automatically drawn to it. Jean, khakis or dress pants on the bottom are fine.

For moms – neutral, solid colored top/blouse. Jeans, khakis or a skirt on the bottom are fine. 

Colors don’t have to be matchy matchy. Keeping outfit colors complementary is always nice, because the colors will make sense together, but usually if you stick to neutrals, this happens anyway. 

And don’t worry about if your hair looks amazing, or if your make-up isn’t done. In 20 years, no one is going to care if you didn’t put on lipstick that day. They’re going to care that the photo happened, and that they have it to look back on. 

As always, if you need help with choosing an outfit, or if you want to show me what you’re planning to wear, I’d love to help! Email me at: erika@erikaparkerphotography.com

View my previous post: What If My Child Isn’t Cooperating? 
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