What to Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot: Feeling Good Is the First Step
5/01/2025
When it comes to maternity photography, one of the most common questions I get asked is: What should I wear? And my answer is always the same—wear what makes you feel good. That’s the most important piece of advice I can offer. If you don’t feel good in what you’re wearing, it will show. But when you feel beautiful, grounded, and comfortable? That confidence and peace radiates through every image.
I always start by asking my pregnant mamas to show up in something that they feel good in—emotionally and physically. From there, we consider colors and how the pieces will photograph. If it’s just Mama in the session, it’s usually pretty easy. Anything but black tends to work well, since black can hide some of the depth and softness that we want in maternity images.
If partners or children are going to be in the photos, there’s a little more strategy involved. We want to think about harmony in the color palette and also about who we want to pop in the photos. The Mama is the focal point, so we choose tones and textures that support that—soft neutrals, earthy tones, or gentle pastels that allow her glow to take center stage.
One of the things I love most about maternity sessions is that they’re never just about the clothes. Often, the pieces we choose to photograph carry deep personal meaning.
After taking some photos in what you arrived in, we often begin to layer in more intimate or creative wardrobe options. Over the years, I’ve curated a client closet full of dresses, shawls, wraps, and textures that photograph beautifully and give us room to play.
Recently, one of my clients brought something incredibly special—a beautiful textile from India that her mother had given her. It had never been used before. It was too large to be a scarf and too elegant to be a blanket. So we got creative. We wrapped it around her like a cloak. The fabric framed her in such a regal, timeless way. We knew this would add emotional depth and cultural significance to the session, not just for her, but for her mother too.
And then something truly beautiful happened. A few weeks later, when I was present at her birth session, she brought it back out. We wrapped her in that same fabric, this time with her three babies nestled around her. The story came full circle. That single piece of cloth became a thread that tied together her pregnancy, her heritage, her motherhood—and her love.
Your maternity photos aren’t just about documenting a bump. They’re about celebrating who you are in this sacred, fleeting season. They’re about honoring your body, your journey, and the powerful transition into motherhood. Whether you show up in jeans and a tee, a flowing gown, or a piece handed down through generations, what matters most is that your story is authentically told.
If you’re unsure what to wear or how to prepare, know that you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to guide you every step of the way—with encouragement, styling support, and an eye for the moments that matter.
Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or your third, let’s create something beautiful together—something that celebrates who you are and what you’re becoming.
Reach out today to book your maternity session, and let’s start planning something truly meaningful.
comments