What to wear for Maternity photos; Central Florida Photographer

There are so many options for what to wear for your maternity photos, and it can oftentimes feel overwhelming when planning for your session. I am here to help make that process as easy as possible, and am here to help every step of the way. I want you to feel beautiful, and truly love your photos!

Choose a Flattering dress for Your Maternity Photos

• I'm putting this first because it's the most important aspect. If you stop reading after this tip, at least you'll get this crucial advice! You should select a dress that provides the most flattering silhouette for your maternity photos. Consider the following:

  • Choose a dress or top that is fitted at the top, meaning it should be snug just above the belly.

  • Pick a dress or skirt that starts to flare out just above the belly. It shouldn’t be tight below the belly. While many dresses fit this description, and this might be a personal preference, I favor a flowy skirt that allows for plenty of movement. It generally looks more flattering and also offers something to play with or swish around.

  • The length should reach the floor. It shouldn’t be much longer to avoid tripping (unless you're planning an epic, long dress for a small portion of the session). It's fine if it's midi-length if you want to highlight your shoes. However, a floor-length dress usually appears more romantic and flowing.

  When I mention these suggestions, I'm referring to your main dress. You can certainly bring another outfit that's completely different, but for the main part of the session, this is my preferred choice.

  resses like that, and maybe this is a personal preference, but I love a flowy skirt that allows lots of movement. I think it looks more flattering and it also gives you something to play with/swish around.

• Length should be to the floor. Not too much longer than that because you don’t want to trip on it (unless you plan an epic, long dress for just a small portion of the session). And it’s okay if it’s midi-length if you want to show off your shoes. But typically a floor length dress looks more romantic and flowy.

When I say these recommendations, I’m talking about your main dress. You can definitely bring another outfit that is completely different, but for the main part of the session, this is what I love best.

What Color Should You Wear?

You're scheduling this maternity photo session to highlight your lovely bump, so choose colors that accentuate it. Avoid wearing black, navy, or any other very dark shades, as they conceal the bump, which is not your goal. However, steer clear of bright neon colors as well. Light to medium tones will look the best. I always offer help with color selections for your session as well, so you'll never feel alone when choosing!

What fabric should you wear for maternity photos?

This is something that I think gets overlooked when moms are planning for their maternity photos. Fabric makes a huge difference!!

Fabrics to avoid for maternity photos

First, let’s talk about fabrics to avoid. Don’t wear stiff cotton because it doesn’t flow nicely and it can be super wrinkly. It’s just not my favorite. The second fabric I would avoid is that super stretchy fabric. You may think it will be good, and there are tons of maternity dresses made from this, but it’s a mistake. It shows every little bump, so if you have a bra on, you can see all the bumps on your back and side. It also can cling awkwardly to your legs while you walk. Here is an example of a dress using this fabric and you should definitely not get it!

Best fabrics for maternity photos?

Now onto fabrics that I would recommend! I love texture so gauze or crepe fabrics are amazing like this one from Jen’s Pirate Booty. I also love the texture in this soft cotton Free People dress and the swiss dot fabric looks awesome. Polyester has a great flow. Rayon also photographs really well like this Free People dress. Basically, anything that has a nice flow when you swish it! I also love lace.

What patterns are best for maternity portraits?

Solid colors are always a safe choice, and dresses with texture, such as lace or crepe fabrics, work well. However, patterns can also be a wonderful option for maternity photos! The key is choosing the right one. Patterns that are too small can appear busy and distracting, particularly if they feature two contrasting colors like black and white. On the other hand, overly large patterns may not be very flattering. Aim for medium-sized patterns. Additionally, ensure the contrast between the pattern's colors and the dress color isn't too stark. For instance, a dark navy pattern on a white dress would create too much contrast, while a cream pattern on a dusty rose dress would be subtle and beautiful.

What should your partner or kids wear for your session?

When choosing your partner's outfit, aim for coordination without matching exactly. If your colors are identical, you'll blend together, making it difficult to distinguish between you. This applies to anyone in your family; we want everyone to stand out. Dress your partner and/or kids in complementary colors. You can look up complementary colors on Pinterest for inspiration. I also provide a what to wear guide that I send out before your session! Feel free to message me for assistance if you've booked a maternity session with me! 🙂

Bringing an Extra Maternity Outfit

Bringing an additional outfit to your maternity session is a wonderful idea and offers some diversity. Sometimes, the extra outfit could be a lacy cardigan over underwear to highlight your beautiful belly. Or perhaps you prefer some casual photos in your overalls or a crop top with jeans. Maybe you just want two different dresses. Whatever your preference, just let me know in advance so we can determine the best time to wear it, either at the beginning or the end of the session. I can assist you with brainstorming, and I might have something that you would love to use!

Where to Shop for Maternity Dresses

There are so many places that you can shop for dresses, but my favorites are Joyfolie, Free people, Baltic Born, Jen's Pirate Booty, Wren & Ivory, & Pink Blush. Amazon can also have beautiful dresses, but keep an eye out for sizing, and size up if it's not a maternity specific dress!

Looking for a maternity photographer?

Are you in search of a maternity photographer? I'm open for sessions anywhere (I travel!) but my base is in Central Florida, and I frequently capture photos throughout the state. Please reach out to me for local or travel sessions, and together we'll create stunning images that highlight your beautiful bump amidst breathtaking scenery.