A Louisville Newborn Photographer’s Styling Guide
As a Louisville newborn photographer, one of the most common questions I’m asked before an in-home session is, “What should we wear?” It makes sense. You’ve just welcomed a baby. You’re settling into a new rhythm. The idea of coordinating outfits can feel overwhelming. The good news is that in-home newborn sessions are meant to feel relaxed, natural, and true to this season of life — and your clothing should reflect that.
Understanding In-Home Lighting
In-home newborn sessions are photographed almost entirely using natural window light. That light is softer and more directional than studio lighting. It creates gentle shadows, warmth, and depth that feel intimate and honest. Because natural light is more nuanced than bright studio light, what you wear matters.
Highly saturated colors and bold patterns can pull attention away from your baby in this type of lighting. Neutral tones photograph beautifully in natural light because they reflect softly and keep the focus on connection. Cream, soft white, warm beige, light taupe, muted sage, and dusty blue all work especially well in Louisville homes where natural light filters through windows and adds warmth to a space.
Let Your Home Set the Tone
During an in-home session, your bedroom, nursery, and living spaces become part of the story. The tones of your walls, flooring, bedding, and furniture influence the overall feel of your images. If your home has warm wood tones, warm neutrals will feel cohesive and natural. If your space is light and airy, soft whites and creams will glow beautifully in photographs.
The goal is to look like you belong in your space. You don’t need to be overly formal, but this is also not the moment for loud prints or busy graphics. Think elevated but comfortable. A soft knit dress, a flowy midi, or a lightweight sweater paired with neutral trousers photographs beautifully in natural window light. These pieces feel intentional without feeling stiff.
For dads, simple and well-fitted clothing works best. A neutral henley, a soft button-down, or a lightweight sweater paired with chinos keeps everything cohesive and timeless. Comfort matters because you’ll be sitting on the bed, cuddling on the couch, and holding your baby close throughout the session.
Why Newborn Babies in Gowns Photograph So Beautifully
One of my favorite styling choices for in-home sessions is newborn babies in gowns. Soft, neutral newborn gowns are timeless and incredibly flattering in natural light. The length allows the fabric to gather gently around baby, creating movement and texture without distraction.
Unlike structured outfits, gowns feel delicate and classic. They highlight your baby’s tiny features — curled fingers, wrinkled toes, sleepy stretches — while pairing effortlessly with neutral bedding and window light. Cream, ivory, and muted tones create heirloom-quality images that will still feel beautiful decades from now.
There is something especially sweet about the softness of a newborn gown against the warmth of your home. It feels simple, intentional, and completely centered on your baby.
Keeping Baby’s Outfit Simple
If you choose not to use a gown, simplicity is still key. A neutral onesie, a soft swaddle, or even bare baby wrapped in a textured blanket photographs beautifully. The focus should always be on your newborn, not the outfit.
Newborn skin, flaky details, tiny hands, and the way they naturally curl are what make these images meaningful. Simple clothing allows those details to shine.
Coordinating the Whole Family
When coordinating outfits for the entire family, think in terms of a shared color story rather than exact matching. If baby is in a cream gown, mom might wear soft beige or white while dad wears muted gray or another warm neutral. Siblings can wear complementary tones that blend naturally into the palette.
Texture photographs beautifully in natural light. Linen, gauze, knits, and ribbed cotton add depth without overwhelming the image. These materials help create warmth and softness, especially in Louisville homes where natural light brings out subtle tones in fabric.
The Overall Feel
In-home newborn sessions are about connection. The quiet moments on your bed. The way your toddler leans in gently. The way you look at your baby in those first days. Clothing should support that feeling, not compete with it.
Soft. Simple. Slightly elevated. Comfortable enough to breathe.
