What to Wear for Maternity Photos

Wardrobe plays such an important role in maternity photography. It can help create so much movement and drama, plus it gives me as your photographer so much inspiration to draw from! If what to wear is stressing you out, I’m here to help!

You may feel nervous stepping in front of the camera, especially when your body is changing so drastically. I am here to tell you that there is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman and your body is amazing….you are growing a new life after all! How amazing is that? I want you to celebrate your body, embrace that bump and show it off! I do understand that everyone has differing degrees of comfort. The single most important thing is that you wear something that you feel comfortable in and that makes you feel beautiful. If that means wearing jeans, that is OKAY! With that said, below are some of the suggestions that I am personally drawn to. The decision is up to you and we will work together to find something that makes you feel beautiful!

Dresses and gowns are my personal favorite to photograph for maternity. A flowy maxi dress can be the perfect way to show off that baby bump and create movement at the same time. Another great option would be a fitted stretchy dress that really accentuates that bump. Dresses that have a slit will help show off your legs, which can create shape and help you feel sexy. 

If you are open to showing off that bare belly, two-piece flowy dresses and kimonos are a great option! A flowy two-piece dress is a dream to photograph because we can get some photos with full coverage, and then if comfortable, you can pull the skirt down under your bump to get a whole new look and lots of variety. Open front kimonos are a great option for someone who is comfortable embracing the bare baby bump, but wants a little bit more coverage elsewhere. Remember to think about undergarments if you choose this option or if you have a more sheer dress. Nude underwear, a strapless bra or a lace bralette are great options for underneath. Aerie, Free People and Target usually have good options for these.

Some of my favorite places to buy maternity or bump friendly dresses are:
Chicaboo
Reclamation Design Company
The Boho Shed
Zebu Be You
Free People
Poshmark (affordable)
Amazon
Etsy (unique)
Baltic Born

Dress Rentals:
The Kindred Soul
Don’t Stress the Dress

When thinking about the fabrics of whatever you choose to wear, textures can be a great way to add interest and dimension without being too distracting. Think beautiful lace, fringe details or even ruffles. Another way to add beauty is choosing a fabric that is lighter and maybe even slightly see through. Imagine the sun shining through and catching the silhouette of your bump or the wind catching a light and flowy skirt to help create beautiful movement.

Stick with earthy tones. I have found that earth tones look best and photograph best. You will want to avoid wearing loud colors and loud patterns. Instead choose muted and chalky versions of the colors. This will not distract from what is most important in the photos and that is your beautiful belly. The colors shown below are great options that will photograph beautifully.

If you can, I recommend pampering yourself before the session. Whether that means getting your hair and makeup done or just treating yourself to a self manicure at home, you have done a lot of work and you deserve to treat yourself! Make sure your nails are clean (for that close-up of your hands on your bump) and make sure you avoid loud colors on your nails. Treat yourself to a pre-shoot nap and make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before (I know that can be hard)!

When bringing other family members into the photos, you will want to make sure everyone is wearing something to help make a complimentary and cohesive look without being too matchy matchy. It’s good to coordinate with a few colors, including several neutral colors. You can incorporate some patterns and textures to add interest, but you should avoid too many statement pieces, extremely bold patterns, competing patterns or all of the same patterns. It is best to lay out all of your outfits together to make sure everything is cohesive and that the colors look good together.

I hope these tips help you feel more confident in choosing your wardrobe for maternity photos. When in doubt, send me photos of what you find along the way and I’m happy to give my input!