Figuring out what to wear for maternity photos can feel like one of the trickiest parts of planning your session. When I had my own maternity photos taken back in 2014, I wore a simple maternity skirt and top, because styled maternity sessions weren’t nearly as common back then. I still treasure those photos, and today moms have so many more beautiful options to choose from. Helping moms sort through those options is one of my favorite parts of what I do. Whether you end up working with me or another photographer, this guide will help you choose an outfit you love, pull together the little details, and dress the rest of your family with confidence.
Your Two Options: A Client Closet Dress or Your Own
When deciding what to wear for maternity photos, it helps to know that you have two main paths. Many maternity photographers now offer a client closet, which is a collection of dresses you can borrow for your session. It’s a wonderful option if you’d love a stunning gown without buying one you may only wear once. Since these dresses are chosen with photos in mind, they also tend to photograph beautifully.
On the other hand, some moms would rather wear something that feels uniquely theirs. Maybe you already own a dress you love, or maybe you’d enjoy shopping for the perfect one. Either choice is completely valid. If you’re working with a photographer, ask whether they have a client closet before you start shopping. Then, if you decide to wear your own dress, send them a photo so they can help you plan everything else around it.
Choosing Your Maternity Dress
Whether you’re borrowing or buying, the style is completely up to you. Flowy dresses move beautifully in a breeze and give your photos a soft, romantic feel. Fitted dresses, meanwhile, hug your bump and show off the shape of this season in a way that feels a little more polished. Neither is better than the other, so choose the one you feel most like yourself in.
When it comes to color, there’s a lot of room to play. Neutrals, soft pastels, and pale tones feel timeless and gentle, while darker jewel tones add a richer, more dramatic look. The one thing I’d steer you away from is neon, since bright colors like that tend to overpower everything else in the frame and can even cast color onto your skin. It’s also worth thinking about your backdrop as you choose. A green dress, for example, can disappear into a park full of greenery, but that same dress can look stunning in a garden full of colorful blooms. The goal is a color that stands out from your surroundings while still feeling like it belongs there.
If you’re buying your own dress, look for plenty of stretch so it stays comfortable over your bump while you walk, sit, and pose. Since your bump keeps growing, try it on again a week or two before your session. For outdoor sessions, think about how easily you can move in it across grass or uneven ground. Finally, skip logos and busy patterns, because they pull attention away from you and the moment you’re celebrating.
The Details That Pull It All Together
Once you’ve chosen your dress, the smaller details of what to wear for maternity photos make your look feel finished.
Undergarments
The right undergarments depend entirely on your dress. Here are a couple of examples of how they come into play. With a fitted dress, you’ll want to think about panty lines. Off-the-shoulder sleeves call for a strapless bra, or you can slip your straps down and tuck them under the sleeves.
Shoes
If your dress covers your feet completely, wear whatever is comfortable to walk around in. However, if your feet will show, choose something cute you’ll love seeing in your photos. Sandal flats, ballet flats, or heels are all great options, so go with whatever feels most comfortable for you.
Jewelry and Hair
Some dresses call for subtle jewelry, while others can carry a statement piece. With an off-the-shoulder dress, for example, you might pair an updo with statement earrings or wear your hair down with a statement necklace. These choices are a fun way to make your look feel like you.
Nails
A neutral manicure is always a safe and polished choice. You don’t have to get your nails done professionally, but if you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself, this is a great one.
Hair and Makeup
Professional hair and makeup can make a big difference in how you feel on session day. Some photographers offer it as an add-on, so it’s worth asking about when you book.
What Should Your Partner and Kids Wear for Maternity Photos?
The easiest way to coordinate everyone is to start with your dress color and build a palette around it. With a palette in hand, you can pull pieces from closets you already have or shop knowing exactly which colors to look for. Whatever you choose, avoid logos and anything too loud or busy.
Please skip the shorts for partners, even in the summer. When you’re in a beautiful dress, shorts just don’t complete the look. Instead, think business casual at a minimum. Khakis are a great choice, and if jeans are a must, a nice pair of dark wash jeans dresses up best. For tops, a solid color button-up, a subtle plaid, a nice polo, or a soft sweater all work beautifully.
A little pattern can work for anyone in the family, as long as it’s subtle and coordinates with your palette. For kids, think a floral dress for big sister or a plaid button-up for big brother. You want them comfortable but still looking nice, and thankfully a lot of kids’ clothing today manages both. Apply the same thinking to their shoes, and leave character clothing at home for this one. If you have little ones in diapers or potty training, bring a backup outfit just in case.
Keeping Everyone Wrinkle Free
Wrinkles show up in photos more than you’d think. Before you head out the door, make sure everyone’s clothes are pressed or steamed. If your dress wrinkles easily, consider bringing it with you and changing once you arrive.
What to Wear for Maternity Photos in Cold or Warm Weather
Colder Months
Cold weather sessions are absolutely doable with a little planning. Bring a warm coat or wrap to throw on between shots, and plan to move quickly so no one gets too chilled. Most moms prefer to power through so we can finish fast, but your comfort should always come first. I keep a fur shrug and a white cloak in my client closet for exactly this reason, since they add a fun look and keep you warmer between poses.
One of my favorite winter sessions was a maternity session in the snow. My client wore a black dress with that fur shrug, and the contrast against the white snow, with the sun glowing behind her, was absolutely breathtaking. We were out there for maybe fifteen minutes before we were both freezing, but it was worth every second.
Warmer Months
Summer heat calls for plenty of water, both before and during your session. I also bring a small handheld fan and tissues to every warm-weather session. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way, after a mom started to sweat once her makeup was already done and we had to carefully dab her face between shots. Now I come prepared so everyone can try to stay cooler and more comfortable.
How My Client Closet Works
If you book a maternity session with me, you’ll have access to my client closet of about 40 dresses. Most are one size fits most with plenty of stretch, along with a few mediums and larges. The styles range from more casual all the way up to one showstopping couture gown. Still, most moms gravitate toward what I like to call medium fancy, which feels special without feeling over the top.
Once you book, one of my first emails includes a link to an online gallery of my photographed dresses. For newer dresses I haven’t photographed yet, I’ll email or text you pictures so you can see those too. If you’re still deciding whether to book, my maternity page is a great place to get a feel for what’s in the closet. My guide on when to schedule your maternity session can also help you plan the timing.
Your Dress Fitting
About one to three weeks before your session, usually on a weekday morning, I’ll bring the dresses you choose right to your home. Some moms pick two, while others pick ten. We’ll spend up to an hour together trying everything on. Most moms choose their favorite that day, while some have me snap photos so they can sleep on it. While we’re together, we’ll also talk through undergarments, shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup, and a color palette for the rest of your family.
The fitting is often where the confidence starts. A few years ago, I photographed a military spouse who had won a maternity session giveaway. After her dress fitting, she texted me about how gorgeous she already felt, before her session had even happened. That confidence came through in every image, and when I showed her a peek at the back of my camera, she got a little emotional seeing how beautiful she looked. Moments like that are exactly why I offer dress fittings. Instead of showing up to your session wondering whether you’ll look good in the dress you picked, you arrive already knowing you love it.
On Session Day
Before your session, I wrinkle release your dress and bring it with me, along with a pop-up tent so you can change right on location. Outdoor sessions include one outfit, which lets us make the most of your dress and the light. Studio sessions include a second look, like a cozy sweater and jeans or tasteful semi-nude portraits, and I’m happy to help you plan that look too. If you add professional hair and makeup, I’ll arrange for the artist to come to your home before your session. That way, all you have to do is relax and enjoy being pampered.
A Final Thought
Choosing what to wear for maternity photos doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Whether you borrow a dress from a client closet or wear one of your own, focus on something you love, pay attention to the little details, and let your family’s outfits follow your lead. When you feel beautiful in what you’re wearing, it shows in every single photo. If you’d love a photographer who helps with every piece of your styling, from your dress fitting to your family’s color palette, I’d love for you to reach out about booking your maternity session.
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Melissa Driggers is an award winning photographer in Northern Virginia. Her work has been featured in various magazines. She offers outdoor and studio maternity, lifestyle newborn, and family photography in her true to color, timeless style.
Melissa serves Fairfax, Springfield, Alexandria, Arlington, Manassas, Woodbridge and surrounding areas in Northern Virginia & Washington DC
