What to wear for your maternity photo session
Pssst! I’m about to share with you the secret to ensuring a memorable and gorgeous maternity photo shoot… Ready? Then here it is:
Comfort.
Seriously. If you are comfortable with your photographer (especially if they’ll be your birth photographer too!), the location that you choose and what you are wearing, then your pregnancy photos are sure to be amazing!
I find that the latter plays an especially important role during a maternity photo session. As women, we are so beautifully unique. Not only our styles and tastes, but our bodies too - especially during pregnancy! Instead of conforming to a “Pinterest-esque” box of beauty, we should celebrate our own. Don’t get me wrong - Pinterest is an excellent place to start window shopping for ideas of what to wear! But after pinning those outfit ideas, look them over again and ask yourself: “Will this make me feel beautiful and comfortable?”. Put even simpler: “Is this me?”
With that simple truth in mind, here are a few tips for putting together the perfect outfit for your maternity session:
Most often, soft and flowy win the day. A maxi dress is flattering to any figure. The real magic behind this style is the empire waist, where it tucks in just below the bust - this not only shows off your beautiful baby bump (the star of the show, after all!), but also makes your bosom look fantastic (yup, I said it!) and elongates your legs. A soft, full dress will look gorgeous blowing in the breeze, especially for back-lit photos where the glow of the sun will dance through the material.
If a dress just isn’t your style, try a pretty blouse or tunic with that same empire waistline, paired with jeans or leggings. Avoid a mad mix of colours - large-print florals or solids work best. Don’t be scared of bright colours that compliment your skin tone!
If you have a naturally lean and slender figure, you can’t go wrong with a stretchy, figure-hugging dress or top to show off your curves. Make sure to wear your best undies (or spanks!) to avoid unseemly lines.
Finally, for the really brave, where something to show off your bare baby bump. Whether it’s in the boudoir or on the beach, the raw, natural beauty of a pregnant belly is truly something to behold! Prior to your shoot, remember to wear something loose-fitting and free of any tight elastic or buttons to prevent any unsightly marks on your skin!
What should you partner wear for your maternity photo session:
Well…
The secret to ensuring a memorable and gorgeous maternity photo shoot for women - comfort - is not necessarily the same for our guys… If we applied only this same rule to them, they might end up wearing their too-tight Nirvana T-shirt and that old, stinky cargo pants with the dodgy stain that you swear you chucked out two years ago…
But, you also don’t want him dressed like James Bond, with a face like sour grapes.
So, the secret to ensuring a memorable and gorgeous maternity photo shoot for the men in our lives is a comfort-class combo: Yes to a comfortable fit and material, a resounding NO to anything that you wouldn’t want him to wear in front of your mother.
Darker bottoms work best - jeans, khakis or even neat shorts work. Soft (not starched), plain coloured shirts. White is especially chic! Cotton and linen are both great choices.
Unless it’s particularly important to you, and well within your normal style choice, I would avoid matching outfits down to a tee. This immediately makes your photos feel less natural. Dress as the individuals you are - complimenting your different skin tones and styles - and rather focus on whether the colours and fabrics used look good together.
Props and accessories for your maternity shoot:
The important idea behind props and accessories is not to take away from the intention to capture this moment of your family, but to add some charm and fun to your maternity session. Throwing on a jacket, shawl or some jewellery is also a really quick and easy way to change up an outfit.
Some props worth thinking about:
Ultrasound picture
Balloons
Flower crown
Baby shoes
Word board
Name blocks
Teddy for the baby
Picnic blanket
If there is one thing to keep in mind through all of this (apart from comfort, comfort, comfort), is that it is supposed to be fun! Experiment with different ideas and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Just make sure to hide those stained cargo pants…!
Wondering about the WHEN, WHERE and WHO of your maternity session? Check out this insightful blog post!
