What To Wear For Your Maternity Session

Being well prepared for your maternity photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous photos. Ultimately, deciding what to wear for your maternity session is your decision, but I am here to help you with every step of the process. Follow these easy styling tips on what to wear and what to avoid and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. 

Style 

Your outfit will play a significant factor in the vibe/theme of your maternity shoot. When choosing outfits, think about the style of portraits you want to display in your home, whether they are cozy and whimsical, fun and cute, classic, romantic, or edgy.

Pick Two Outfits

I suggest having two looks prepared for your maternity session, such as a casual outfit and a dressy outfit. This will not only give you options when choosing which photos to use for announcements or gifts but also giving you variety in your photos when picking what you want to hang in your home as well. You will be grateful when you have maternity photos in varying outfits, especially if it turns out you don’t feel one of the outfits was as flattering as you thought it to be.

Another option for your second outfit is just a lacy cardigan over underwear so we can really emphasize your beautiful belly.  If you decide to pose in partially nude images, then try lacy undergarments that might give a sexy look to your images.

Choosing Colors Based On Season & Location

Make sure your clothing matches the season and location at the time of your session. If it’s going to be hot out, pick a more breathable fabric. If it’s going to be cold, look for a long-sleeved dress, or bring a chunky knit cardigan to go over the top.

For all seasons, solid colors will help focus the attention on your tummy’s shape and glowing expression. Stick with neutral colors and jewel tones that will look great with any background and any skin tone.  Super dark colors like black or navy tend to hide the bump and make it hard to see in photos.

For more in-depth color choices based on the season your maternity session is scheduled, softer hues look amazing in spring/summer. Colors like white/ivory, blush pink, and baby blues compliment the warmer weather. For cooler months, you can opt for more fall/winter colors such as red wine, mustard yellow, and emerald green. Picking your colors based on the season will help create a beautiful contrast with the landscape.

Being Careful With Patterns

Busy patterns and words or logos are distracting and will take the focus away from the image. If you or your partner is wearing a pattern, go for a bigger pattern as small patterns can make photos look too busy. If one person is wearing a pattern, I suggest the other wears a solid color that compliments the pattern. Try to avoid loud bright colors or bold prints that will date the image. After all, it always nice when you look back 20 years from now on these images and it looks like you might have taken it a year ago.

Textured Clothing

As a great alternative to a print or patterns, textured clothes are the perfect way to create more interest and add dimension to your maternity photos. You can never go wrong with adding layers to your outfit, you can pair a knit cardigan with a dress or slimming dark jeans as a wonderful option for off your shoulders poses. Wearing a lace dress, or an embroidered top creates stunning and feminine photographs.

Fitted Dress Versus Flowy Dress

Fitted Dress

Remember that this session is all about your midsection. Wearing form-fitting clothing with a little stretch will compliment your figure as well as really defining your bump in a great way.  Choose empire-waist blouses, button-up shirts, or tight fitted tops that accentuate the belly. Maxi dresses are my favorite option to create an elegant and timeless look. When choosing flowy dresses and long skirts use a silky or cotton material because they drape beautifully around your round belly. Both dress types make for stunning photos! Maybe bring one of each.

Flowy Dress

Accessories & Jewelry

Accessories can enhance and personalize your style. Add a decorative scarf, sun hat, or a small waist belt to accentuate the belly. Special jewelry is a nice accessory to the photographs, even chunky jewelry can add fun splashes of color. If it's colder weather you can add a pair of tights and heeled boots. Silky or lace shirts, paired with a cardigan or hat create a fun cozy vibe. 

Coordinating Outfits

Choosing to have your partner (and if you have other children) join you at the photo session adds to the excitement and emotions you and your partner are feeling for your unborn baby while capturing the moments of your beautiful round belly in the final days of your pregnancy. 

Keeping in mind a color palette that will complement the style of your home, you’ll want to pick a color scheme for your partner that compliments your attire without being overly matchy-matchy. I recommend searching on Pinterest for clothing color palettes to find well-coordinated outfits that use similar colors and styles, that way the focus is still on the baby bump rather than the clothing.

Once you’ve selected everything, lay everything out on the bed together, and think of it as one outfit. You’ll want the colors and tones to go well together. Remember not to have too many conflicting patterns in there. Add a few accessories to make it interesting and just have fun with it!

If you made it this far in this post you are well on your way to feeling confident and beautiful for your upcoming maternity photo session.

Need more visual inspiration? Visit the Ariel Dawn Photography Pinterest Page for some great visual ideas on what to wear!

What outfits did you wear to your maternity session?

Let me know in the comments below.

Are you located in Oregon searching for a Maternity or Newborn photographer? Feel free to contact me to discuss or book your pregnancy photo session. Maternity and pregnancy photo sessions take place in a beautiful Central Oregon location.