Dec 6, 20213 min read

What to Wear for Your Maternity Photo Session (with REAL examples!)

Many of us dream of the day we can have beautiful maternity photos taken of our growing baby bump, but sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to make such a big decision. After all, these photos will be your cherished memories for years to come, so it’s important to put thought into the aesthetic you’d like to achieve with your outfit while also selecting something that will help you to feel confident, beautiful, and relaxed.

That’s where I come in! I’ve been photographing maternity sessions for over 10 years and I’m here to lend my expertise and share real examples of things to consider when choosing your outfits so you leave your maternity session in love with the photo memories you’ve created. Let’s dive in!

Things to consider when dressing for your maternity photoshoot

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Session Location:

Whether you will be outdoors or in the studio for your maternity session is going to be an important factor for what you choose to wear for several reasons.

Being outdoors, you’ll want to consider the weather during your session. Is it snowing? Is it raining? Is it 98 degrees outside? Is it windy? All of these will play a part in how comfortable and relaxed you are during your photography session.
Whether indoors or outdoors, it’s best to think about your backdrop. If you’re planning a snowy maternity session, it might not be best to wear all white because that’ll cause you to fade into the backdrop. Consider wearing a flattering, contrasting color from your backdrop so you stand out. (You’ll want to avoid bold patterns, but we will get into that more later!)
If your session will be taking place outdoors, you might want to consider bringing a spare pair of comfortable shoes in case any walking to the location is required.

Participants:

It can be incredibly special to include your partner, other children, pets, and/or additional family members in your maternity session. Below are a few things you may want to think about when planning family outfits.

Consider coordinating your outfits with other family members for the best aesthetic and to avoid drawing attention away from you and your baby bump. You’ll want to think about:

Coordinating your color palette
Avoiding bold patterns
Your backdrop
What the weather will be like (if outdoors)
Coordinating by gender (if that matches your aesthetic)

How to emphasize your baby bump:

While emphasizing your bump is not required for a maternity session, it is a great way to really showcase the reason for your photography session and will create a beautiful silhouette in your photos. There are a few ways you can easily emphasize your baby bump with minimal effort.

Choose a form-fitting or open-front gown
If your desired dress is loose-fitting, add a belt above your bump to show it off
If you choose a more casual look for your photos, form-fitting shirts or sweaters are a great way to emphasize your bump
Hand placement and posing are another great way to show off your baby bump

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Think ‘Timeless’:

Your maternity photos will be a beloved memory you look back on for years to come, and will likely become family heirlooms one day. Consider keeping your aesthetic as timeless as possible rather than jumping on trends. This will ensure you will always look back at these memories with happiness!