It is, genuinely, the question I am asked most.

More than "how long does the session take?" More than "does baby need to be asleep?" More than almost anything else — new parents want to know what to wear for their newborn photoshoot. And I completely understand why.

You have just had a baby. You are probably not feeling entirely yourself yet. You are looking at your wardrobe thinking: nothing fits, nothing looks right, and I have no idea what I am doing.

So let me take this one completely off your plate.

Here is my complete style guide for newborn photoshoots — everything I have learned from hundreds of sessions in my Warlingham studio, distilled into one place.

Start with the colours

The colours you wear will either complement or compete with your baby — and your baby is the star of the show.

The palette I love most for newborn sessions: cream, beige, oat, warm brown, caramel, kaki and dark chocolate. These tones are timeless, they photograph beautifully in natural light, and they never date. In twenty years, your images will look exactly as beautiful as they do the day you receive them.

All black also works surprisingly well — I am particularly fond of it for maternity sessions but it can look stunning for newborn portraits too.

Please avoid bright colours, neon shades, bold patterns and large logos. These draw the eye away from your baby and can make images feel dated very quickly. And try not to go completely matchy-matchy — if everyone is in the same colour it tends to look a little corporate. Instead, aim to coordinate: choose tones that sit in the same warm palette and complement each other.

What mum should wear

You have just grown a human. Please be gentle with yourself when it comes to this.

Comfort matters as much as aesthetics in a newborn session — you will be holding, feeding, cuddling and moving around, and anything too tight, too structured or too unfamiliar will show in your face and your body language.

My top recommendations for mums :

A flowing wrap dress or maxi dress in a soft neutral — these are incredibly flattering at any postpartum stage because they move beautifully and photograph with a lovely softness.

A relaxed linen or knit set — wide leg trousers and a soft top in neutral tones look elegant and effortless.

A quality nursing bra with a flowing open shirt or wrap — particularly beautiful for breastfeeding portraits and offers easy access during the session.

And the accessories that make the biggest difference: a delicate gold necklace, a simple ring, a loose claw clip holding half your hair. These small details are the ones I find myself photographing most — and they are so easy to get right.

What dad should wear

Dads are wonderfully low-maintenance in a newborn session, which is both a blessing and occasionally a source of stress for mums who are doing all the styling work alone.

The basics: a soft neutral t-shirt or casual shirt, relaxed chinos or dark jeans. That is genuinely all that is needed.

Please avoid: business shirts and ties (this is not a formal portrait), branded sportswear, very dark navy or black if mum is wearing pale tones (the contrast can be jarring), and smart watches or fitness trackers (these are very visible in close-up shots).

I usually always ask you to remove your watch, unless it has a sentimental meaning to you.

What about siblings?

Older children are wonderful in newborn sessions and bring such natural energy to the images. For them I recommend the same palette as mum and dad — soft neutral tones, comfortable clothing they can move in, and shoes that can come off easily for the studio.

For little girls: a soft linen dress, a smocked top with simple trousers, or a knit set in cream or warm pink. A small bow or ribbon in the hair adds the most beautiful detail. I have a few ribbons and clips available to borrow in my studio.

For little boys: a simple linen shirt with shorts or trousers in oat, stone or warm brown. A knitted jumper is a good option too, for winter sessions. Braces can look lovely too.

What to avoid across the board

Hair ties on wrists — I take close-up shots of hands and wrists and these are always visible. Remove them before you arrive.

Bulky or colourful jewellery — delicate is always better.

Very freshly fake tanned skin — your baby's skin will be much paler and the contrast can be stark in photographs.

Heavy or dramatic eye makeup — your baby is as natural as natural can be, and your makeup should feel like it belongs in the same world.

What if I really cannot decide?

You do not have to figure this out alone. I have a full client wardrobe available in my studio for mums (sizes S to XL) and babies (newborn to 3 years old). You can borrow any of my outfits in the studio, during your session. For in-home sessions, I will send you a form to select which 2-3 outfits you would like me to bring.

I also send every client a detailed styling guide when they book — and I am always happy to look at outfit options if you want a second opinion before the day. Just send me a photo and I will tell you honestly what I think.

Because arriving at your session feeling confident about what you are wearing means you can focus entirely on what matters — meeting your brand new baby in a warm, beautiful studio, and letting me do the rest.