For newborn photos, it's best to wear clear or neutral nail polish.
When preparing for your newborn photography session, your hands will likely be visible as you hold and interact with your baby. To ensure that the focus remains solely on your precious little one, photographers recommend keeping your nails simple and understated.
Why Simple Nails Are Best
The primary goal of newborn photography is to capture the innocence and beauty of your baby. Your hands will be supporting, cuddling, and soothing your baby throughout the shoot. Distracting elements like bright nail colors, intricate designs, or excessive length can draw the eye away from the main subject.
As recommended in photography tips: "Wear clear or neutral nail polish on the day of your shoot. Distracting jewelry should be removed; your baby should be the focus of the photos."
Recommended Nail Types
- Clear Polish: This provides a clean, polished look without adding any color. It's simple, timeless, and won't clash with any setup or baby outfit.
- Neutral Polish: Think soft shades like:
- Nude
- Pale Pink
- Light Beige
- Soft Gray
These colors are subtle and blend in beautifully, ensuring your hands look tidy without being noticeable.
- Natural Nails: If you prefer not to wear polish, ensure your nails are clean, neatly trimmed, and filed.
What to Avoid
To keep the focus on your baby, it's generally advisable to avoid:
- Bright or Neon Colors: Red, hot pink, electric blue, etc., can be very distracting.
- Dark Colors: Black, navy, deep purple can feel heavy and draw too much attention.
- Glitter or Shimmer: Shiny finishes can be visually busy.
- Elaborate Nail Art: French tips, patterns, stickers, or gems.
- Very Long Nails: While this is a personal preference, extremely long nails can sometimes look less delicate in photos when holding a tiny baby.
- Chipped Polish: Always check your nails right before the shoot and touch up or remove any chipped polish.
Practical Tips for Your Shoot
- Plan Ahead: Decide on your nail look a day or two before the session.
- Manicure: Consider a simple manicure focusing on clean cuticles and shape.
- Check for Chips: Inspect your nails on the morning of the shoot.
- Keep it Simple: Remember the goal is for your hands to look neat and natural, supporting the focus on your baby.
Here’s a quick summary:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Wear clear or neutral nail polish | Wear bright, dark, or neon colors |
| Have clean, neatly trimmed nails | Have chipped polish or untidy cuticles |
| Choose nude, pale pink, beige shades | Have elaborate nail art or glitter |
| Keep nails a natural or modest length | Have excessively long or distracting nails |
By keeping your nails simple and neutral, you help create timeless, beautiful images where your newborn is the undeniable star.
