Updated at: 02-12-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

The leaves are falling, the air is getting crisp, and you can feel the pregnancy showing. How about you tell me, what do you wear to your maternity pictures? That which should not be worn How about a particular fashion? Do you know if we can utilize any props this year?

It’s high time we talked about these issues, anyway. Check out this post for some helpful advice on what to wear for your outdoor pregnancy photo shoot. We’ll also talk about what kinds of props and styling techniques could improve your photographs.

The Best Clothes To Wear For an Outdoor Maternity Photo Shoot

One of the most time-consuming aspects of getting ready for a pregnancy photo shoot is deciding what to wear.

Even though you and your beautiful pregnancy belly will be the focal point of the photos, the mood and tone of the pictures will be affected by the clothes you wear. Go for something too formless, and your bump can get “buried” in the fabric. Similarly, if there is an abundance of pattern, it may detract from the images’ subjects.

What To Wear For Maternity Photos | Ideas For Partners & Kids

What you wear should go with the outdoorsy vibe of the session, as well as the clothes your partner and/or kids are wearing if they are joining you. Your photos will have a more polished, professional look and feel as a result of this.

I’ll be discussing how to choose classic, complementary clothing for your outdoor pregnancy photos and why that’s important. Here are the main points:

  1. Pick for a style that highlights your growing bump.
  2. Get everyone dressed appropriately for the season.
  3. Make use of contrasting hues.
  4. In case the weather changes, you’ll be ready.

Choose clothing that shows off the shape of your bump

You want your maternity photos to be a beautiful memento of this special time in your life, so it’s crucial to wear something that does your growing belly justice. The camera has a tendency to magnify excess fabric, so wearing something too loose can make your bump appear ‘lost. Pick up an article of clothing that will literally embrace your growing baby belly.

Here are some examples of typical attire that causes this:

  • Dresses that fit snugly at the bust and loosely over the rest of you are the best option for maternity wear.
  • Dresses with a restrictive fit for the body.
  • Wear a pair of skinny jeans and a bodysuit.

Make sure everyone is dressed for the same weather and occasion

Make sure you, your spouse, and your kids are all appropriately attired for the weather and event as you assemble your ensemble.

One person will stand out from the crowd if they wear a bulky cardigan or coat when everyone else is dressed in short sleeved tops with shorts or skirts.

Similarly, if everyone else is dressed formally, the one person wearing shorts and a t-shirt will stick out like a sore thumb. If you want to look like a unified unit, make sure everyone is wearing appropriate clothing for the weather and event.

Choose complementary colours

Choosing complementing colors can help pull a photo together, and it’s vital to do so so that we focus on the people rather than their attire.

No one is saying that every person in the photo must be wearing the exact same thing or that they must all be donning the same set of colors. The point is coordination, not exact uniformity.

Limit your color plan for the house to no more than two or three primary hues.

To get started on your color scheme, consider the one piece of clothing you know you want to incorporate. Then, choose three or four colors and tones that complement that piece. Your color scheme might be based on a single piece of clothing with a pattern (like your dress or your partner’s shirt), or you could pick a mood based on a combination of colors.

You should think about the colors of your surroundings as you select a color scheme for your shoot.

A gentler color palette is provided by nature during the spring and summer, such as the lovely flowers and tall grasses. The colors brown, gold, and orange tend to predominate in the fall and winter months.

In light of this, gentle neutral colors are usually a safe bet for use throughout the year. It’s best to avoid using dark, dramatic colors in the spring and summer, but they can be perfect for the fall and winter.

Colours to avoid

A few people just don’t look well in family photos taken outside, no matter the season.

Because they stand in such stark contrast to the more muted tones that nature gives, dark and neon colors, as well as highly bright ones, tend to not perform well in outdoor photographs. In my opinion, you should stay far away from them.

Be Prepared For All Temperatures

It would be disappointing to arrange everyone’s clothing for the day, only to discover that everyone will need to wear coats over their dresses or remove their cardigans and jumpers because it is too cold outside. Think of what everyone will wear in both instances so that you have a plan B you’re happy with.

During the colder months, having lots of layers and textures in your clothing might minimize the need for coats totally, which does create a cleaner look. Instead of a bulky coat, consider layering with warm cardigans, gilets, scarves, and jackets.

7 Simple Suggestions For What To Wear To Your Maternity Shoot

1. The Maxi Dress

There are many reasons why a maxi dress is ideal for pregnancy portraits. 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 a pregnant woman to wear. You can pull it against your belly to hide any unwanted bulges or wear it loosely to hide your gorgeous baby bump. You can add even more drama to your photo shoot by wearing a long, flowing garment. Amazing movement may be captured in a still photograph of the billowing fabric as it blows in the wind. A maxi dress is an excellent choice for your photo shoot.

2. A Belt

You should definitely put on a belt to show off that flat stomach. Wear the belt at the top of your belly button, just below your bosom. If you wear it, it will define your waist and draw in any excess fabric around your midsection. Whether you’re wearing a loose or fitted shirt or dress, a belt is a must-have accessory. It’s also a terrific way to bring in a cute accessory without worrying too much about it or being too overbearing in the photo

3. Solid Colors

You want your growing baby bulge to be the star of your pregnancy photos, so avoid busy patterns and prints. To draw the most attention to your bump, stick to wearing solid colors. Have your husband put on a patterned shirt instead of a solid one if you want to add some visual interest to the photo shoot. Do you find wearing solid colors boring? If so, spice things up with some interesting, bright, and bold accessories, such necklaces and scarves.

4. Tight Clothing

Choose a beautiful tight bodycon dress if you feel confident wearing such attire and don’t mind flaunting your pregnant curves. They look amazing on pregnant women since they highlight their beautiful bodies. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and what a woman’s body does when pregnant is astounding. The best way to celebrate your pregnancy is to flaunt it. Feel confident in your lovely curves.

5. Go Timeless

You don’t want to look back on your pregnancy photos in 20 years and feel bad about the clothes you wore. You should never ask yourself, “What the heck was I thinking?” Keep it from happening by opting for a classic, understated style. A fantastic choice for this would be some jeans, a simple top and a pair of adorable boots. There’s nothing wrong with going a little more simplistic. Jewelry is an easy way to add a little pizzazz to an outfit.

What To Wear For Maternity Photos | Ideas For Partners & Kids

6. Textured Clothing

Wearing textured clothing will give your photographs an incredible aesthetic quality. 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. Clothing with interesting texture will add visual appeal to your photographs. It looks wonderful as an 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 with not only a wider selection of photographs from which to choose when deciding which to display in your home, but also a greater degree of photographic variety. During your maternity session, just let the photographer know that you’d like to change into a different attire. Most people are friendly and happy to pose for a wide range of photographs.

Where to Shop for Maternity Dresses

Though you are welcome to borrow a dress from my client closet, I recommend purchasing your own.

I’m here to simplify your quest for the perfect outfit for your pregnancy portraits. Here are some of my favorite gowns from Amazon to wear during my pregnancy photos. They also come in a wider range of colors than what is displayed here. One useful hint is to peruse customer reviews to determine what size to purchase. 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. Make sure the dress is long enough to accommodate your growing belly by paying attention to whether or not it is lined.

In particular, I love Joyfolie dresses. You can see mum wearing the Dawn dress in one of my sessions:

There are more Joyfolie designs, including the Gia Dress and the Aniya Dress, that I believe would be beautiful for a maternity photoshoot. As I am the proud owner of each of these items, I can attest to their usefulness during pregnancy.

I also enjoy shopping at:

  • Baltic Born
  • Free People
  • Jen’s Pirate Booty
  • Wren & Ivory
  • Piper and Scoot
  • Pink Blush

Finishing Touches

There will be shots where your hands are front and center, so you should inspect your fingernails for damage.

Summary: What To Wear For Your Outdoor Maternity Photo Shoot

It is my sincere wish that this post has been helpful to you as you consider what to wear for your upcoming maternity photo shoot in an outside setting.

If you want to look put together, it’s important to remember that displaying off your bump is the ultimate goal.

FAQs

What Color Should You Wear?

If you’ve scheduled a maternity photo shoot, it’s probably so that you may flaunt your growing baby belly. That’s right, stay away from the blacks and navys and other extremely dark hues. It does the opposite of what you want and makes the hump less noticeable. You shouldn’t wear black, but you also shouldn’t wear bright neon colors. The most aesthetically pleasing color palettes include mostly light or medium tones.

What should dad wear in maternity pictures?

Always choose your outfit first, and then have your partner’s or children’s clothes chosen to complement it, if you plan to include them in your pregnancy photos. The best option is to stick with neutral, plain hues. However, if you want everyone in the photo to look like they belong together, a splash of color from an accessory can do the trick.

What should I wear for a week pregnancy photos?

Wearing clothes that fit nicely makes the belly profile more visible in pregnancy photos since there is no additional fabric to obscure it. Pick for an easy-to-move-in top, like a tee, cami, or dress, to wear during your pregnancy.

Is 36 weeks too late for maternity pictures?

While 28–36 weeks is ideal for maternity photos, shoots can be enjoyed by any pregnant woman who isn’t too close to her due date and is still physically able to do so while carrying her developing baby bump.

Is 32 weeks too early for maternity photos?

Third trimester, between 26 and 34 weeks is when most women look and feel their most beautiful, making it the best time to book your maternity photo session (around the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy). When you’re in your third trimester of pregnancy, your belly begins to expand and take on a more rounded appearance. However, your body’s natural rhythms may affect this time.

Is it worth getting maternity photos?

Since your pregnancy will end sooner than you think and time will pass more quickly than you can imagine, it is crucial that you record every precious minute of it. Having photographs taken during your pregnancy will serve as a constant reminder of the miraculous moment when your unborn child was developing inside of you.

What should my husband wear for maternity pictures?

Any dark bottoms, such as jeans or khakis, are recommended for the men. Shirts should be white and supple (not starched). Fabrics crafted from either cotton or linen will serve you well. Additionally, please provide a standard, crew-neck, white and/or black t-shirt.

What fabric should you wear for maternity photos?

When organizing their maternity shoots, I think many mothers forget about this! What a difference a fabric makes!!

First lets talk about fabrics to avoid. Don’t bother with wearing cotton because it doesn’t move well and often gets wrinkled. It’s just not my fave. Next, that extremely stretchy cloth should be avoided at all costs. Though many women have made the mistake of buying maternity clothes manufactured from this material, they are all in error. If you wear a bra, the lumps and bumps on your back and sides will be on full display. It also has the annoying tendency of sticking to your legs as you walk. Here is an example of a dress utilizing this fabric and you should definitely not get it!

Now onto fabrics that I would recommend! Textured fabrics, such as this one from Jen’s Pirate Booty, are my absolute favorite. The swiss dot fabric and the soft cotton of this Free People dress are both features I adore (pictured below). The drape of polyester is excellent. Dresses made of rayon, such as this one from Free People, also look great in images. And this dress from Baltic Born is lined with chiffon, which is one of my favorite combinations. Anything that looks and feels good when swished! Like you, I adore lace.

Be Careful With Patterns

Dresses in simple colors or with subtle texture are always safe bets (like maybe some lace or crepe fabrics). It’s true that patterns are attractive. You should pick the proper one, of course. To the contrary, a pattern that is too little to be noticed may be a major distraction. You can choose designs that are too little, which is flattering, or you can choose patterns that are too large, which isn’t. The goal here is to create designs of medium size. In addition, watch out for a clash of colors between the design and the dress itself. A pattern in navy on a white dress, for instance, would be too striking. However, a dusty rose-colored dress with a design in soft white colors would be stunning.

Dress for the Season

What you wear for your maternity pictures should take the weather into account. Select a more breathable fabric if the weather forecast predicts high temperatures. 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 not only looks wonderful but also keeps you toasty warm in between shots.

Avoid Matching Your Partner/Family

Coordinating but not matching is key when choosing outfits for a spouse. Your uniformity in color will make it difficult to tell you apart. We don’t want anyone in your family to blend in, and that includes you. Pinterest is a great place to look for color combinations and inspiration. If you need any fashion advice, you may check out my website where I have a detailed what to wear guide, or you can send me a message.

Bring an Extra Maternity Outfit

It’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes to your maternity photo shoot. Since I can carry my own changing tent with me to the event, getting changed there will be a breeze. You may only need a lace cardigan and some underwear as an additional wardrobe so that we may draw attention to your lovely midsection. Perhaps you’d want some relaxed shots of you wearing overalls. It’s possible that you merely need more than one dress. Please let me know in advance what you plan to wear so that we can coordinate the appropriate time of day (either the beginning or the end of the session) to do so. I may even have something in my client closet that you would love to utilize, and I can assist you come up with ideas!

I hope this has given you some ideas for your maternity photos, but if not, please know that I am available to assist you in any way I can. If you arrange a session with me, I’ll let you browse my client closet and give you styling suggestions, so feel free to ask me anything!

What to wear for maternity photos?

Dress in loose, at ease garments. Practice making flattering poses in your outfit in the mirror before your photo shoot. If you’re going to be taking photos in a place without any trees, for example, you might want to rethink wearing a short skirt.

Be mindful of your surroundings when making clothing selections; you wouldn’t want your skirt or pants to get caught on the rocks and vegetation. Keep these rules in mind whether you want to have your maternity session at a studio or in the comfort of your own home.

What shoes should I wear to take maternity photos?

Although boots are indispensable in many situations, they can be challenging to navigate, particularly when traversing rocky terrain.

Even while you probably don’t want your feet to hurt by the conclusion of your workout, it’s still crucial to choose shoes that give you adequate support throughout pregnancy.

Below are some examples of footwear options based on season and location:

  • shoes that are both strong and elegant (winter)
  • flip-flops, sandals, or backstrap sandals (spring & summer)
  • sandals, flip-flops, or shoes with very low heels (fall & winter).

What states do not have maternity leave?

The United States Department of Labor reports that only Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Hampshire do not have maternity leave laws.

However, women in these locations face unique challenges when it comes to family planning, as they may be required to return to work immediately following childbirth, with little or no time off. In addition, if they take time off, there’s no assurance that their job will still be there when they return.

Limits on paid and unpaid leave for mothers vary by state, but even with those in place, some families struggle to make ends meet, and others might be forced to give up their careers altogether if moms took too much time off.

It’s disheartening to think that many people, even in the face of all these challenges, would prefer a small margin of financial failure due to making too much money.

What is the max maternity leave?

In the case of a significant medical condition that prevents you from doing your job, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows you to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year.

You are eligible for FMLA leave if you are the primary caregiver for an immediate family member who has a significant health condition or if you require assistance caring for a new child.

Outdoor Maternity Photos in Every Season | Yvonne Leon Photography

If you need to take reduced or intermittent leave due to a health condition, your employer may ask for a doctor’s note stating the necessity of this arrangement (i.e., via email).

If you need time off for childbirth or general self-care, you may want to inquire with your company’s human resources department about paid sick days.

Do I get paid during maternity leave?

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), an employer is required to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to any employee who has worked for the company for at least a year, regardless of whether the employee works full- or part-time. This time off will be granted on an as-needed basis, and no more frequently than once each calendar year.

A mother-to-be is not permitted to work during this time, although she is guaranteed to return to her previous position upon completion of her leave. While short-term disability plans may help with medical expenditures and lost income while you’re unable to work after giving birth, they often don’t pay for other costs connected with becoming a parent, such as childcare or travel to see family.

In the event that neither of these options is applicable or provides adequate coverage, you may want to look into critical sickness insurance, which can help with the expenditures associated with giving birth as well as provide some income replacement if you are unable to work.

What states offer paid maternity leave?

Laws mandating paid maternity leave are becoming more commonplace. Eighteen states provide temporary disability insurance (TDI) programs to cover some percentage of prenatal care and/or birthing expenditures while another six states provide partial income replacement for new mothers in the workplace.

In the other 38, workers are not entitled to any kind of financial compensation from their employers while they are on maternity or family leave.

Which states have the best maternity leave?

Companies in the United States are not required by law to provide paid maternity leave, making it the only developed country that does not. In spite of widespread desire for reform, several states are moving through with plans to strengthen existing legislation by expanding access to protections like paid sick leave and paid family leave.