Congratulations! You are here because you are carrying a precious baby inside you, and you want this exceptional moment in your life to be captured beautifully! Maternity photos are extremely meaningful to me, and I absolutely love capturing this fleeting moment!
If you’re looking for a detailed guide on how to style your entire family, don’t forget to scroll through this What to wear blog post as well!
What should I wear for a maternity photo shoot?
Embrace the miracle your body is capable of! Show off that baby bump!
A dress should enhance your belly beautifully. It’s super important that you don’t wear a baggy, shapeless, or loose dress. You want your breasts to be clearly defined from your belly and to embrace those curves. You can go with a dress that has a flowy bottom but a tighter top, or you can pick a dress that hugs your whole body and embraces its current shape, don’t forget though that you undergarment must be well thought because super stretchy dresses tend to show EVERYTHING. Make sure your bra straps don’t show!
You can find lots of maternity dresses at PinkBlush, or even better, rent a couple of maternity outfits at Nuuly.com. That way, you can pick a few and bring your two favorites to the session.
Pants, a jumpsuit, unbuttoned jeans, or a skirt. Get creative, and don’t be afraid to show some skin! Finish your look with a crop top, swim top, or bralette with an unbuttoned shirt or a lacy cardigan to make you feel comfortable and add movement.
Consider the season and location, too! A skirt with a cropped sweater looks amazing in fall and winter. Don’t forget that you can also have intimate maternity photos taken at home!
Don’ts:
Don’t try to cover up your belly or make it look smaller.
Don’t wear black, navy blue, or other dark colors. Yes, we might feel great in black day to day, but these colors don’t always photograph as well.
What should my partner & children wear for my maternity photo session?
Mama chooses first—that’s the general rule for any session. And now, let’s look at the rest of your family!
The most important thing is that everyone complements your outfit, rather than overpowering it or matching it exactly. Outfits should coordinate with both your maternity gown and your casual outfit.
Khaki pants paired with a light-colored button-up shirt, either long- or short-sleeved depending on the season, are always a great choice for your partner. Children should wear solid colors that complement the color palette of your dress.
For more details, read my blog post about what to wear for the whole family!
What should I avoid wearing for my maternity photoshoot?
Unflattering fabrics: Avoid overly stretchy, tight materials that don’t photograph well, as well as fabrics like pure cotton that wrinkle easily.
Black and navy blue: These darker colors may not create the soft, light look you’re going for.
Large patterns: They can be distracting and take attention away from you and your beautiful bump.
Baggy outfits: Avoid clothing that hides your belly instead of highlighting it.
High heels: Especially if you have other children joining the session, you’ll want to be able to move around and play with them comfortably. This is particularly important if your session takes place on the beach or in a field, which is often the case!
What colors look best in photos?
Have you ever asked AI which clothing colors look best on you? Upload a photo of your face with minimal makeup and ask it to analyze your coloring. The results might surprise you! :)
For your maternity session, choose colors that complement the season and lean toward neutral tones. Avoid neon-bright colors and very dark tones to maintain a soft, timeless look.
Where should I shop for maternity clothes for photos?
Among my favorites online stores are Nully, Free people, Pinkblush, Everlane for button up tops or Quince.
