Jane Atter Photography

NEWBORN PHOTO SESSION — dressing the dad

Getting dads ready for a newborn photoshoot or a maternity photo session

I often get asked the the new mums what shall my partner to wear for our baby session? So decided to put together a few pointers for the dads. I know that dads usually are very nervous before a photo session, not only they will have to pose in front of the camera (which most men are not too excited about), but also they are very protective about their new baby, a little sleep deprived or even a little unsure about handling their newborn baby. I am here to help making preparation for a newborn photo session much easier.

Not too warm.

Since your baby I going to be photographed in warm conditions (usually around 28 degrees C) so the baby feels warm, comfortable and sleepy during our studio newborn photoshoot, Dad’s and mum’s clothes needs to be light, no jumpers or cardigans are needed.

Two is better than one

Two pieces of outfit is always advisable. Why? Not only because babies can do their business on a new dad( fun fun fun), so dad would need a change of close to go home in, but also because we may choose to a light family portrait (on a high key blown out white background) as well as on a dark background, so appropriate colour clothes is going to be needed.

Simple Black & White

I recommend dads to wear a simple plane white, light blue, light pink or light grey shirt with rolled up sleeves. Alternatively a simple white t-shirt will also look lovely and very masculine on a new dad. Babies look particularly cute in daddy’s strong hands.

 And for the dark family portrait during your newborn photo session, I recommend also bringing a dark t-shirt in Black, Brown or Navy. This will beautiful and match mummy’s black dress that she may also want to wear for her portrait with a baby and avoid too contrast images.

For the dark portraits (low key family portrait ) I would recommend a t-shirt rather than a shirt as we would want to reveal more details such as exposed strong dad’s hands would look particularly masculin.

Keep it tidy

Please be sure all the clothes are ironed and fits well on the dad (not too baggy or too tight) as these things won’t be fixable in post-production.

No large prints

Please avoid and patterns (any large signs, emblems, pictures, funny sayings, across body stripes or any other type of pattern or writing) as not only any pattern will really distract from the baby, ultra-fashionable patterns or sayings on clothes may lose its chick and relevance in few year time (and as you remember we are looking to create timeless family portrait)

Another reason (and here I am being entirely selfish), it is much harder to me to do a head swap. Often during our newborn photo session especially when we take family photos with toddlers involved, young children can wriggle and fidget so in order to create a perfect family portrait for you, I would have to swap face from one photo to another if I need to where I have to match not just the face and lighting, at this point I would rather not also match pattern on the clothes.

Bottom Half

Beige or grey chinos would look really nice. Try to avoid black trousers where possible as they look too dark on the photos especially on those with the light top.

Should the dad wish to take his shirt off for the newborn photo with his baby, please bring a pair of jeans as this looks particularly attractive on a shirtless torso.

Accessories

Should we take full body photos, I will ask you to remove the socks off — bare feet are always the winner. Alternatively, bring a pair of proper shoes and matching socks, Please bring these shoes as spare pair and no the one you are wearing for travel to the studio as I ask to take outdoor shoes off inside the studio in order to keep it clean and sterile for your baby.

Wrist watch — although I find hand watch very sexy on men’s wrist and won’t mind it for maternity photos, for baby photos I would ask you to remove it as it might scratch soft baby’s skin.

Why not to check out out Facebook page and Instagram page for more updates and useful tips? Contact us to enquire about your photo session. Happy to answer any questions!