How should I dress my 9 month old daughter for a photo portrait?

[SallyTraffic]

We are being treated to a photo session (Saturday) by our wedding photographers for recommending them. I'm not intending on being in the pics, or dh, just my dd & little dog

What should she wear? She's crawling so wears comfy clothes that don't get in the way of playing when at home. Haven't put her in a dress since she's been on the move- (she has one pair of shorts worn with tights)

I love her in dungarees but wonder is it to boy-ish? Also I'm keen on bare feet for the pic but do have a cute pair of red baby shoes (inch blue type)

Do you have any ideas on things that will look really cute, comfy, not date and fit well sitting or standing (so I don't need to be rearranging her constantly!) Sweet- but not sickly & no cartoon characters or pink! (well pink is ok if very tasteful )

Thanks in advance

too

I would dress her in whatever you feel suits her best and what will remind you best of her at this age in years to come. If you love her in dungarees, but those on her! I'm sure you could have some photos with shoes on and some with bare feet too.

White is always good for not dating. I'd have some done with bare feet and some with shoes.

Is it possible to find out in advance what colour the background will be? We have had some photos in the past and if your DD is wearing white against a white background it may not look as good as a contrast would.

If it will be black and white dress her in white. It looks lovely. Bare feet look sweet.

Yes I guess I should phone the photographers and ask about backgrounds and if I need to take any toys etc.

Good idea thank you

Have done lots of this and my top tips are...

...nothing too hot - they will be under lights, assuming its in a studio and hot babies aren't nice babies!

• comfortable and not so new that they spend the whole time fiddling with buttons or ribbons on it
• take a toy - squeaky one is handy for attracting attention but also one that you don't mind being in the photo's because they always want to keep them!
• props, even something simple like an apple is a lovely thing to get their attention and quite funny pic if they try and eat

-feet are lovely for close ups but you could always whip socks or tights off half way thru. -take a drink and for you, its knackering chasing them about under the lights! But if you are in the photos, wear something simple so that it doesn't stand out too much in the pics like a white t-shirt or black polo etc.

have fun!

I read that a tiny piece of sellotape on a palm of a child's hand results in an entranced, still, concentrating child < Disclaimer..I have not tried this. > But might be worth a try out at home first.

Wear something that won't date as you will be looking at the picture for years to come!.A pretty dress with smocking etc. won't date and white or cream will look timeless.Bare feet are cute in baby photos.Don't wear dungarees as they will bunch up in photos[i have a baby picture of my boyish eldest dd -now 11 in lilac dungarees sitting down with a massive roll of fabric round her middle].If the photos are active venture-type photos then an all-in-one would be more appropiate.Have fun!.

We had family portraits done and photographer said black and white photos, with subjects wearing all black, or dark denim on the bottom and a white top and bare feet (especially gorgeous baby ones!) make the most classic, timeless photos.

Know some friends had photos done when their DD was about 6 months, they're in colour with a brightly coloured outfit on - even 8 years later they look so dated.

Really Holly? That sounds totally late 90s to me

What can I say? Not a pro myself but the guy has a 3 month waiting list and makes a small fortune so somebody must be pleased with the results!

I like bright colours but also think about the room the photo is going to be in.
I have a venture 9 square picture of my girls all dressed in pink which if I'm honest doesn't "go" with any of the decor so it's in the hall way.

Thanks for all of your ideas. I will avoid the dungarees teta - I had been concerned about too much bunching of fabrics on her - she's at an awkward between sizes stage - busting out of 6-9 month but swamped by 9-12.

I'm going to go & have a scoot around the shops in the morning for some timeless White bits that will do for spring / summer too.

The photographer said take a couple of outfits - he will use a black background so the b&w shots should look good.

Thanks for the great tips felicity10- I'm going to get some bubbles, take a few toys and i'llget a new dog toy so she can play with the pooch! Our baby loves having her pic taken & showing off for the camera so fingers crossed we will get a couple of decent snaps. (alternatively I will break out the duck Sellotape thanks trumpton!)

That's a good point mamatomany. We don't have many bright colours in the house really...

Maybe I should just put her in her cutest cloth nappy & nothing else!!!

We had some done for my Mum's birthday with my DTDs (they were about 10 months at the time) and my nieces (19 months and 3 yrs) They all wore jeans (what they tended to wear anyway), bare feet and coloured stripey tops. We were very pleased with the results. My sister took some bubble mix with us and blew bubbles into the air above them, so we have some sweet photos of them all looking up (apparently into the camera) DH and I also have two sets of the twins aged 6 months and 12 months where they're just in their favourite (at the time) clothes, and we have another set of all 4 girls taken in our house by a pro photographer where they're dressed in dressing up clothes. They're lovely because they will remind us of the things they enjoyed doing/wearing. I'm not a fan of "dressing a child up" for photos, and TBH, am not a fan of the black/white thing for pics either.

I have professional photos of my DD and DS at 9 months and they looked really lovely in just a plain white body suit. I was told a disposable nappy underneath was better than cloth because cloth tends to make them look too bulky.