Dressing Baby for Picture Day -- Ten Tips

by Shannon Sizemore - visit us at QualityEliteBoutique on eBay

Ever wonder how people get those darling photos of babies who look like they are smiling and cooing right into the camera, completely entranced?  Yes?  I did too until I had babies, and photography officianado that I am, started doing our own little photo shoots at home.  There's more to it than just a good nap and a good photographer.  Picking the right outfit is a great place to start.  This guide gives you ten tips for what to do and what not to do dressing baby for picture day.

Instinct doesn't always lead in the right direction when it comes to outfits for a photograph.  That darling pink, purple, yellow and blue floral print easter dress with the gingham border and lovely matching bonnet, may not be the best choice for baby's photos.  Disappointing, but true.  There are several reasons for this.  1)  Lost in a sea of competing colors and patterns, baby's beautiful smile must compete for attention.  In most cases, baby should be the focus of the photograph.  2)  Dressy outfits and the bow ties, belts, ribbons, bows, tights and patent shoes that go along with them, have a tendency to be less than comfortable.  (Imagine if you had to wear a prom dress to work every day.)  Combine this with baby's already short attention span and it's a recipe for impending doom.  Many of the frowning baby pictures you see can be explained by this.  3)  The stress of assembling the outfit, dressing baby, transporting baby and maintaining said extravagant outfit in perfect condition is often an exhausting experience, tiring baby out completely before he/she even reaches the photographer. 

So, what do we do?  The ten tips below provide a quick reference you can print out and keep handy for picture days.

Ten Tips -- Dressing Baby for Picture Day

1.  Pick a few photographs you like and notice the outfits and poses.  These should be photographs of children about the same age as your child.  (Photos from catalogs are usually not the best to work with because they are designed to highlight the clothes rather than the child.)

2.  Discuss the photographs you have selected with your photographer.  Your photographer may have specific insight for you regarding outfit selection and length of portrait sitting required based on your photo selection.

3.  Pick several (at least three) outfits to take with you.  This helps avoid the stress of a complete do-over if the picture outfit gets mussed or dirty.

4.  Consider solid color outfits.  Outfits of a single color, especially black, white, cream or beige, emphasize your child's facial features and expression. 

5.  If plain solid colors, seem too boring, consider outfits with texture.  A cream fisherman's knit sweater or a light pink fuzzy sweater may be right for you.

6.  Avoid jewelry, watches and hair decorations.  They usually detract from rather than add to the impact of the photo.

7.  Comfort is key.  If baby is uncomfortable, that is likely to show in the photo.  Choose outfits that are comfortable.  Find ways to make uncomfortable outfits more comfortable.  For example, why wear shoes and tights if they're not in the picture?  Would the picture be even cuter if the bow tie was undone?

8.  Pack a picture bag.  Pack a small case or backpack that includes the photos you selected, the outfits, a couple of favorite toys, a comfort item such as a bear or blanket, and essential supplies such as bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, snacks for Mom/Dad, and your cell phone.  These items will help make the unfamiliar and often dark photo studio seem a bit more comfortable.

9.  If you want to feature a special outfit, such as an Easter dress, consider a simple background.  A white backdrop or calm outdoor setting can help emphasize the outfit.  While this type of photo will take some focus away from the face, it can be especially effective to memorialize a special occasion.

10.  Dress baby at the photo studio if possible.  Minimize the time you spend worrying about what might happen to that outfit you picked for picture day.

Bonus Tip! 

11.  Be flexible.  The best photographs in portraiture, art and journalism come from a combination of planning and seizing the moment.  The best shot you get may be when baby breaks a contrived pose and cracks up laughing or points at the photographer and calls him "Silly Face."  All in all, enjoy the event.  The photos that result will provide you memories to treasure for a lifetime.