Updated at: 01-12-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Any woman can attest to the stress and confusion that comes with trying to decide what to wear on any given day, let alone during pregnancy when hormones are already running wild. You care deeply about the aesthetic quality of your photographs, so it seems to reason that this choice would cause you some anxiety. You want to look and feel your best in your maternity photos since they have the potential to be some of the most precious and personal shots you’ll ever take. It’s not like there’s any kind of deadline or anything. Here are seven wardrobe suggestions that will make you and your growing baby bump appear absolutely radiant in your forthcoming maternity photos.

What To Wear For Maternity Photo Shoot

1. The Maxi Dress

A maxi dress is the ideal outfit for pregnant women to wear in photographs for several reasons. First of all, it provides unparalleled ease of use. It’s important to remain as relaxed as possible throughout pregnancy, and taking maternity photos might take up to an hour. It is also quite flattering, making it a great choice for the pregnant woman. It hides the parts of you that you don’t want people to see, but it can also be pulled against the belly to show off the cuteness of the baby bulge. Wearing a long dress or gown for a picture shoot can also make a big statement. Amazing movement may be captured in a still photograph of the billowing fabric as it blows in the wind. A maxi dress is a safe choice for any photo shoot.

2. A Belt

Wearing a belt is an excellent technique to draw attention to your flat stomach. Put the belt where your upper belly begins, just below your bust. It defines your waist and helps you feel more confident by pulling in any slacks you may be wearing. A belt is a chic addition to any outfit, whether it’s a loose-fitting shirt or a figure-hugging dress. It’s also a terrific way to add a charming prop to a picture without giving it too much attention or making it the focal point.

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3. Solid Colors

Don’t wear a busy pattern or design to your maternity session, since it will detract from the focus on your growing baby belly. If you want your bump to be noticed, you should dress in solid colors. Have your hubby wear a patterned shirt to provide some visual interest to the shot. Add some bold, vivid accessories like scarves and necklaces if you find wearing solid hues monotonous.

4. Tight Clothing

Choose a stunning bodycon dress if you are confident in your ability to wear tight clothing and don’t mind flaunting your pregnant curves. They look wonderful on pregnant women and highlight the beauty of the pregnant body. What a woman’s body accomplishes throughout pregnancy is nothing short of miraculous. Displaying that is a wonderful way to celebrate your pregnancy. Love and celebrate your lovely curves.

5. Go Timeless

You don’t want to look back on these maternity images in 20 years and feel bad about the clothes you wore. You should never ask yourself, “What the hell was I thinking?” Try embracing a more classic, understated style to avoid it. Some jeans, a plain top, and a lovely pair of boots would be perfect for this. There’s no harm in keeping things straightforward. Jewellery is an easy way to add a little pizzazz to an outfit.

6. Textured Clothing

Wearing textured clothing will give an extra dimension to your photographs, making them look even more stunning. Wear a lace dress with jeans, a bulky knit sweater with a pair of leather boots, or an embroidered top with a pair of skinny jeans. In either case, the visual appeal of your photographs will be enhanced by the added texture of the garments. It’s a terrific alternative to a print or pattern.

7. Have 2 Outfits

It’s a good idea to bring two different looks to your maternity photo shoot, one more casual and one more formal. This will provide you a wider selection of photographs from which to choose for your home’s walls. During your maternity session, just let the photographer know that you’d like to change into a different attire. Most are nice, and they’ll be thrilled with the assortment of hotos they receive.

8.Form Fitting Clothing

Pregnant women should feel proud of their bodies, and a bodycon dress is the perfect way to do just that. Wearing snug garments that highlight your growing bump is a terrific way to celebrate your pregnancy.

Have 2 Outfits

Have two outfits ready for your pregnancy session, one casual and one dressier, if you can’t decide what to wear. You’ll have more options for announcements, gifts, and cherished keepsakes to display in your house as a result.

Outfit Choices With Partner And Children

Always choose your attire first and then have your partner’s or children’s clothes chosen to complement it if you decide to include them in your maternity photos. The best option is to go with a neutral solid hue. Accessories that give a splash of color might help bring the entire group together in a photo.

Comfort Is Still Important

You want to appear your best in your images, but that doesn’t mean you have to subject yourself to unnecessary pain by wearing something that doesn’t fit or isn’t ideal for the weather. If you relax and enjoy yourself throughout the session, it will show in the final product.

Consider Clothing Color for Outside Locations

Select your garments with the time of year and geographical setting in mind. Colors with more subtle undertones look particularly lovely in the warmer months of spring and summer. Lighter and brighter shades of color, such as white, ivory, pink, and blue, are appropriate for the warmer months. Colors like red wine, mustard yellow, and emerald green are great choices for the cooler months. Seasonally appropriate color choices might help you achieve a stunning effect against the backdrop of the natural world.

My Tips on How To Dress For Your Maternity Photo Session

I know you could choose any number of outfits for your pregnancy photos, but please wear something that makes you feel and look beautiful. What you normally wear may not be the ideal choice for photos, so read on for my suggestions. There is a list of my preferred dress shops and online boutiques at the end.

Only things that I personally use and recommend will have affiliate links included in this post. If you decide to make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I will get compensated in the form of coffee or tea money, which I will use to fuel my creative process so that I can bring you even more helpful articles.

Choose a Flattering Silhouette for Your Maternity Photos

This is the first thing I’m including because it’s the most vital. Even if you don’t read another word, at least you’ll have seen this helpful hint! For your pregnancy photos, you want to make sure you’re wearing a dress that highlights your most attractive features. The indicators are as follows.

  • A garment or top that is fitted through the bust and upper abdomen.
  • An outwardly shirred garment that begins at or slightly above the waist. One thing you don’t want is for it to be too snug in that area. I’m aware that such dresses abound; call it a personal quirk, but I prefer the freedom of movement afforded by a skirt with a lot of fabric. In my opinion, it enhances your appearance and gives you an enjoyable accessory to twirl and play with.
  • The ideal length is floor length. Do not make it any longer than that, as you do not want to trip over it. And if you want to show off your shoes, a shorter length is OK. However, a long gown is the most flattering option.

Please note that when I give you these suggestions, I am referring to your most frequently worn outfit. You can bring something completely different if you like, but this is my favorite look for the bulk of the session.

Top Dress Ideas for Your Maternity Photoshoot

What Color Should You Wear?

If you’ve scheduled a maternity photo shoot, it’s likely so that you can flaunt your growing bulge, so consider dressing accordingly. That’s right, avoid donning any shades of black, navy, or dark gray. This is counterproductive because it makes the bump less noticeable. You shouldn’t wear dark hues, but neons are out, too. It’s advisable to stick to pastels or neutrals.

What fabric should you wear for maternity photos?

If you ask me, this is something that moms forget about when they are preparing for their maternity photos. The fabric makes a world of a difference!

Okay, so let’s start with some no-go materials. Not only does stiff cotton not move well, but it also tends to wrinkle quite easily. Simply said, it’s not my cup of tea. Another material to avoid is the ultra-stretchy one. It’s a common misconception that this will be a fantastic idea because there are so many maternity clothes created from it. If you wear a bra, the lumps and bumps on your back and sides will be highlighted. It also has the annoying tendency of sticking to your legs as you walk. Here is a dress made from this fabric that you should not buy.

Now, onto the fabrics I suggest. Fabrics with a crepe-like texture, like this one from Jen’s Pirate Booty, are a dream come true for me. The swiss dot fabric and the supple cotton of this Free People dress are both fantastic, but the texture is what really sells it for me (pictured below). The drape of polyester is excellent. This Free People outfit is made of rayon and is perfect for a picture shoot. This dress by Baltic Born is lined, and I like it in chiffon because of the extra airiness it provides. You can swish just about anything that has a beautiful flow! And lace is another one of my favorite fabrics.

Be Careful With Patterns

Dresses in simple colors and with subtle texture are always safe bets (like maybe some lace or crepe fabrics). Of course, patterns are awesome sometimes too! You need to pick the correct one, though. Patterns can be distracting if you choose one that is too small. However, it’s possible to choose unflatteringly large designs. This is the place to aim for patterns of a moderate scale. Make sure the design and dress color don’t have too much of a contrast with one another. A pattern in navy on a white dress, for instance, would be too striking. However, if you were to pair a dusty rose dress with a cream-colored pattern, the result would be stunning.

Dress for the Season

When planning what to wear for your pregnancy pictures, keep the weather in mind. Choose a lighter, more breathable fabric if the weather is expected to be warm. Look for a dress with long sleeves, or bring a chunky knit sweater to wear over it, if the weather forecast calls for chilly weather. Wearing a chunky knit off the shoulders is not only stylish, but also practical; you can snuggle up in it in between rounds to stay warm.

Avoid Matching Your Partner/Family

To look well together, you should coordinate your outfits without exactly matching your partner’s. It will be difficult to tell you apart if your uniform colors are the same. Everyone in your family needs to have their individuality, too; we don’t want anyone to disappear. Pinterest is a great place to look for color combinations and for inspiration. If you need help deciding what to dress, you can check out my website for suggestions.

Bring an Extra Maternity Outfit

Bringing a change of clothing to your pregnancy photo shoot is a wonderful idea. Changing on the spot is hassle-free because I can bring my changing tent with me. Sometimes the ‘extra outfit’ consists of nothing more than a lace cardigan worn over a bra and briefs in order to draw attention to your lovely tummy. Another option is to take some casual pictures while wearing your overalls. Maybe you simply need more than one garment in your closet. Just let me know in advance what works best for you in terms of attire, and we can schedule the session accordingly. I have a client closet full of goodies, and I just might have something you can use!

With any luck, you now have a better idea of what to wear for your maternity photos, but if not, just let me know and I’ll be happy to help! Please feel free to ask me anything you want to know about my personal style and the clothes in my client closet when we meet for a session.

Where to Shop for Maternity Dresses

You are welcome to borrow dresses from my client closet, but you may find it more convenient to purchase your own.

Choosing an outfit for your maternity photos shouldn’t be difficult, so I’m here to help! Here are some of my favorite gowns from Amazon to wear during my pregnancy photos. Additionally, they are available in a wide range of colors, not only the ones pictured here. Here’s a hint: before you buy, read the reviews to figure out what size to order. Unless you’re pregnant, you should order a size up from your regular dress size while shopping for non-maternity gowns.

Small, specialized web boutiques are another excellent source for pregnancy attire. An wonderful non-maternity garment has the added bonus of being wearable again after giving birth. Look for larger waistlines, elasticized waistbands, and stretchy fabrics. Also, check to see if the dress is fully lined; some are lined only at the bottom, making them too short to accommodate a growing belly.

More specifically, I adore outfits by Joyfolie. Here’s a photo shoot I did with mum wearing the Dawn dress:

The Gia Dress and the Aniya Dress are two more Joyfolie gowns that I think would be perfect for a pregnancy photo shoot. I can attest to their usefulness for pregnancy and delivery because I already own them all.

Other places I love to shop at:

Baltic Born

Free People

Jen’s Pirate Booty

Wren & Ivory

Piper and Scoot

Pink Blush

Make sure everyone is dressed for the same weather and occasion

Make sure you, your spouse, and/or your children are all appropriately attired for the weather and the event as you put together your ensemble.

For instance, if everyone else is wearing short-sleeved blouses with shorts or skirts and one person is wearing a bulky cardigan or coat, the bulky item will stand out and make the other person stand out even more.

Similarly, if everyone else is dressed formally, the one person wearing shorts and a t-shirt will stick out like a sore thumb. You’ll look more like a unit if everyone is dressed appropriately for the weather and event.

Choose complementary colours

Though it may seem excessive, carefully selecting complementary colors may greatly enhance a photograph’s overall aesthetic and help ensure that the subject, and not their clothing, is the focus.

To avoid having everyone in your photos look the same, you don’t need to have them all wear the same thing or even all the colors in your palette. Coordination, rather than matching, is the goal.

Only use two or three colors for your family’s overall color scheme.

If you’re having trouble coming up with a color scheme, it can help to start with an item of clothing that you know you want to include and then work backwards to find three or four other colors and tones that complement it. Choose a single item with a pattern to utilize as inspiration for your color scheme, such your dress or your partner’s shirt.

Think about the colors of your surroundings as you select a color palette for your photo shoot; they will have an impact on the final product.

Think of all the gorgeous spring flowers and tall summer grasses as examples of how nature gives a gentler color pallet during those seasons. Brown, gold, and orange might become more prevalent in the fall and winter months.

As a result, muted neutrals are a good choice for any season. Bold, dark colors are great for fall and winter, but they look out of place in the warmer months.

Colours to avoid

Some family members are never a good fit for outdoor family photos.

Extremely dark or neon colors, as well as those that are very brilliant, don’t work well in outdoor images since they are so at odds with the more subdued color pallet that nature gives. They should be totally avoided in my opinion.

Be Prepared For All Temperatures

You wouldn’t want to spend time getting everyone dressed just to discover they need to layer up or remove the cardigans and sweaters you had planned on wearing because it’s too cold outside. Prepare a satisfactory backup plan by considering what everyone will wear in both scenarios.

During the colder months, a coat isn’t necessary if you dress in layers and textures. Instead of one massive coat, consider several thinner layers, such as cardigans, gilets, scarves, and jackets.

Finishing Touches

Seeing as your hands will be in several of the shots, you may want to inspect your fingernails for any stragglers before the session.

FAQs

What should I wear for a winter maternity photo shoot?

Wear boots and warm socks so you can enjoy the winter scenery. As late Autumn and Winter tend to have extremely neutral backgrounds, it is recommended that you DO wear something with a color punch. If you feel the cold easily, you might want to invest in some hand warmers. Any warmth is appreciated.

What should my husband wear for maternity pics?

Men are encouraged to wear dark bottoms, such as jeans or khakis. White, non-starched shirts should be worn. You can’t go wrong with either cotton or linen. You should also include a standard, crew-neck, white and/or black t-shirt.

Which week is best for maternity photoshoot?

Even while the ideal time for a maternity photo shoot is between the 28th and 36th week of pregnancy, shoots can be enjoyed by expectant moms at any point in their pregnancies as long as they are not too near to their due dates and are still physically able to do so.

Do I need maternity photos?

Pregnancy is a fleeting time in your life, and you should make the most of it by taking lots of pictures and video. Having photographs taken during your pregnancy will always serve as a poignant memory of the miraculous moment when your unborn child was developing inside of you.

Is 24 weeks too early for maternity pictures?

Due to the likelihood that your due date will be sooner than average, you should book your maternity photo session earlier than if you were expecting a single child. Taking maternity images of an expecting mother of twins is ideally done during the 24-28 week mark.

When should you pack your hospital bag?

Between 32 and 35 weeks of pregnancy, you should have your hospital bag packed and ready to go in case your baby decides to make an early arrival. Around 28 weeks, or the beginning of the third trimester, is a good time to start getting things ready for baby’s arrival.

What To Wear For Maternity Photos - Becca Jean Photography

What is a maternity photo shoot?

In other words, what exactly is a Maternity Shoot? An expectant mother’s pregnancy is a perfect time for a picture shoot, or maybe a series of shoots. Maternity sessions capture the beauty of your developing baby bulge and praise the togetherness of mom and baby.

Summary: What To Wear For Your Outdoor Maternity Photo Shoot

If you’re planning an outdoor pregnancy photo shoot, I hope you found this post helpful in deciding what to wear.

With the goal in mind of drawing attention to your growing baby bulge, it is important to select clothing and accessories that both complement their surroundings and work well together.