For a lot of families, wardrobe is the biggest hurdle in the portrait planning process, and I’ve only seen that be amplified for expecting mothers. So much so, they want to skip the maternity session altogether. It’s one of the many reasons I have worked so hard to curate a client wardrobe that serves moms in all seasons of motherhood starting with pregnancy.
Figuring out what to wear for your maternity session doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it can be fun and empowering!
Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Maternity Session Outfit
With over 300 dresses for moms, 100s of options for kids up to age 10, and shirts for dads, we are confident that we’ll be able to not only help you find something you feel beautiful and confident in, but also help you style your family for your maternity session. We have more than any boutique can offer, along with personalized styling to help you pull together a cohesive look.
Goodbye fitting rooms (who wants to do that pregnant? not me!) and forgotten returns from online shopping, and hello ease!
1 – Factor in Your Own Personal Maternity Style
While you may not wear a dress every day, we want you to still feel like yourself and have many options in various styles. Classic, boho, fitted, flowy, various lengths and sleeve styles- we have it all.
2 – Multiple Looks for Your Maternity Session
Having multiple looks during your maternity session can add variety and capture different aspects of your pregnancy. It’s also a great way to take advantage of trends or working in intimate portraits you may not have done otherwise, while also ensuring we get those more traditional, classic portraits. We’re able to accommodate this much easier in the studio, which is one of the many reasons we love studio maternity sessions!
3 – Think About A Color Scheme
When we think about a color scheme, we recommend not just thinking about your maternity session, but the sessions to follow as well. You want to coordinate without being too matchy-matchy. For example, you may choose a solid blue dress for your maternity session and then for your newborn a white with a blue floral print (or vice-versa).
We’ll also factor in what you plan to do with your photos to determine if we need to consider the colors and style in your home.
4- Consider The Location and Time of Year
Our recommendations for what to wear for your maternity session will differ slightly from the studio to an outdoor location. Most of our maternity sessions do take place in the studio, giving you more flexibility with what you choose what to wear regardless of the season.
If you’re doing an outdoor maternity session, we’ll want to not only consider the weather but the location itself. At the park we tend to avoid a lot of green and the beach we tend to stay away from pinks.
5- Be Confident!
As a mom of two, I can tell you that I always felt the most vulnerable during pregnancy. My body was changing, I didn’t feel like myself, and I most certainly didn’t know how to style myself. I can also tell you that I had never been more proud of my body, I just didn’t know it yet.
That’s what I want for women. I want you to feel confident now and let that shine through in your maternity session. This is a season that you’re going to want to look back on and share with your baby. And while it’s not about what you’re wearing, if you are physically comfortable with what you’re wearing (especially when pregnant), it’s going to show in your photos.
3 Things to Avoid When Planning Your Maternity Session Outfit
Remember, the focus of your maternity session is to celebrate your pregnancy and documenting this special time in your life. There are a few things we will want to avoid when choosing what to wear for your maternity session, whether that’s using the client wardrobe or pieces oyu may already own.
1- Tight or Uncomfortable Clothing
Avoid outfits that are too tight or restrictive, as they may make you feel uncomfortable and limit your mobility. Choose clothing that allows you to move freely and comfortably throughout the photoshoot. And if you have other children, factor in being able to move about and play with them.
2- Loud or Busy Patterns
While patterns can add visual interest to an outfit and be fun to wear, avoid loud or busy patterns that can distract from the main focus of the photos, which is you and your baby bump. Opt for more subtle or minimal floral patterns, eyelet details, or lace.
3- Ill-Fitting Clothes
Wearing ill-fitting clothes can make you appear less comfortable and may not showcase your baby bump in the most flattering way. I recommend longer dresses (midi or maxi length) with an empire waist or fabric that drapes well over your bump!
My Favorite Example Maternity Outfits
I love photographing maternity sessions so much and this season of motherhood for women that it’s hard to choose favorites. We have options for every style: classic, glam, patterns we recommend, intimate, casual, etc. Here a few of my favorites highlighting different styles you can wear for your maternity session!
Shopping Resources for Your Maternity Session
I know, I said no more dressing rooms or online shopping! But, we have found that dads usually prefer their own pants. We also have you get your own shoes. But not to worry, once we have selected what mom is going to wear, we’re style the rest of the family.
However, if you’re curious what some of our favorite places are, here are a few:
- Lululemon – by far my favorite place for pants. I love the Commission and ABC pants, and recommend the Silverstone, Silverdrop, Asphalt Grey, or Indigo Blue.
- UNTUCKit – this has become a favorite recently for more casual tees and henley’s for dads. They are very well made, super comfortable and photography great.
- Darien Sports Shop – if you’re local, then you know this place! They carry several different clothing brands and shoes.
I also really like Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, and Banana Republic for mens pants, button-up shirts, and shoes. For shoes, you can’t go wrong at Nordstrom, and it’s usually a one-stop-shop for the entire family! I also really like these shoes for men and they come in several colors.
Ready to Book Your Maternity Session?
Whether this is your first baby or your last, I want to help you celebrate your pregnancy! Contact me so we can start planning your maternity session, along with what to wear, so that all you have to do is focus on creating memories with your family!
