What to wear: How to dress for your Maternity Photos
A maternity photo shoot is the best way to capture this major milestone in your life and the life of your family. It allows you to reflect on the life you have built with your partner and capture the essence of your relationship on the cusp of such a life changing event! These photos will make a wonderful keepsake to look back on with your child as they grow, giving them a glimpse of their parent’s life before they came along!
While you may not always feel your best during pregnancy, a maternity photo shoot has the ability to make you feel confident and beautiful! Your body is doing something magical after all and getting dressed up with some makeup on to take some gorgeous photos is the best way to celebrate you and your superpower! So, if you’re stressing about what to wear for your upcoming shoot, check out my tips below for some ideas!
How to Dress for Your Maternity Shoot
Before we talk styling, let’s talk about location. Deciding on the location of your photo shoot is important. Outdoor shoots can be epic no matter what time of the year. Your wardrobe will obviously be dependent on the season and the weather in your area at the time of the shoot. Just imagine a beautiful snowy scene with you and the bump or in a gorgeous meadow on a summer evening during golden hour! Another option is to have an in-home maternity session. Dressing down, exposing your bump in a tasteful and intimate setting is just as beautiful! Once you’ve decided on the setting, use these tips to decide on what to wear!
Fitted or Flowy for maternity photos… that is the question!
There are lots of differing opinions when it comes to deciding if a fitted or flowy dress is best. Ultimately, this decision comes down to personal preference.
Choosing a form fitting dress makes for a stunning silhouette. Form fitting is great for accentuating your curves and most importantly your bump! Maternity shoots are all about celebrating your pregnant body and all it’s curves so don’t be afraid to go for something form fitting even if it’s not something you’d choose for yourself normally.
There is something etherial about a flowy dress on a pregnant woman. When the loose fabric catches the wind it can add wonderful movement to your photos. The flowy fabric is flattering on all shapes and sizes. It hugs your body in all the right places and you’ll be able to accentuate your bump just as easily for beautiful photos!
Also, don’t feel limited to just dresses. An in-home session could have you in a beautiful intimate set with or without an oversize shirt over top or a gorgeous bra with some unbuttoned comfortable jeans. Wear a beautiful sweater and jeans for a fall or winter outdoor shoot. What you choose to wear for your maternity shoot depends on what you want the look and feel of your shoot to be.
Choose Head to Toe Comfort!
It is recommended to have your maternity photos taken in months 7 or 8 so that your baby bump will be fully on display. This late in pregnancy can bring a lot of discomfort so it’s important to choose outfits that are comfortable from head to toe! Your body is going through a lot of changes so don’t torture yourself with uncomfortable clothes or shoes. Wearing something comfortable that you feel good in will make your shoot more enjoyable allowing for your true joy and excitement to shine through in your photos.
Something That Makes Your Feel Beautiful!
In the age of the Insta-mom who makes pregnancy look like some flawless walk in the park, it’s hard not to compare yourself when your hair is up in a messy bun, your back is aching, you haven’t seen your toes in weeks, and you’re in sweat pants that you’ve worn for 2 days in a row.
But your maternity shoot is all about you babe. You deserve to be celebrated…you’re growing a whole entire human after all and that is badass! You deserve to feel beautiful even if you’re not quite feeling like yourself with all the changes your body is going through. It’s your time to shine. So be sure to choose something that makes you feel like the gorgeous goddess you are!
Here are a few ways you can level up your look:
A Pop of Color
Adding a pop of color can really bring personality to your photos. Try adding color with a pretty pattern that’s not super busy, a pop of color with an accessory or going for it with an all over solid bold color!
Accessories
Accessories can add so much to an outfit and can really personalize it. You can choose something sentimental like a beautiful necklace or pair of earrings. Depending on the style of your shoot maybe you want a flower crown. Add a belt to help accentuate your bump even more!
Professional Hair and Make-up
Having your hair and make-up professionally done will not only level up your look but it is something extra special to do for yourself on the day of your shoot! You’ll be looking and feeling your best which is exactly the vibe we want for your maternity shoot!
Pamper Session
Why not go get a mani-pedi in preparation for your shoot too? Get relaxed and enjoy yourself!
Texture
Texture adds dimension to photos. There are so many ways to add texture. Try a lacy feminine dress or intimate set. Pair a ribbed fitted dress with a cool leather jacket or beautifully knitted sweater. Whatever texture you choose, it is sure to add interest to your photos!
Your maternity shoot should be a fun and enjoyable experience, not one that you need to stress over. You already have so much on your plate with the upcoming arrival of your bundle of joy and deciding what to wear for your shoot should not be something to agonize over. When it comes to deciding on fitted or flowy, choose what you’re most comfortable with. Both are great options for accentuating your bump! Comfort is QUEEN so make sure that you prioritize that for your shoot. And lastly, choose something that will make you feel beautiful! What your body is doing is an incredibly beautiful thing so choose something that will make you feel your best and be proud to show off that gorgeous bump!
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