I’ve got a few simple tips for what to wear for maternity photos that I think can help make your pregnancy photos really standout from the rest.
I share this advice regularly with my clients while planning their maternity sessions. These tips reflect my experience as a professional maternity photographer in Rochester NY and they reflect what I find to be personally beautiful and visually appealing. There’s many styles that work well for maternity, not just the big eccentric gowns you’re used to seeing. Beauty and art are subjective, so I encourage you to take these tips into consideration while also thinking outside of the box! Take this advice as inspiration, rather than feeling confined to them.
- Choose colors wisely and consider how colors influence emotions and mood
- Be careful with very bright or very dark colors
- Choose fabrics that photograph well: flowy, textured, and/or fabric that catches light
- Consider wearing nude colored underwear and/or bringing pasties to your session.
- Think outside the box
Hiring a professional photographer in an investment in your family’s legacy. They’ll be on your walls for years and printed in albums that will last generations.
Read my tips below to help get you closer to the maternity photos that you’ve imagined in your mind. Photos that capture the natural beauty of your birthing body in a flattering way and reflect your personal story.
Tip #1: Choose colors wisely and consider how colors influence emotions and mood.
Color influences the overall look and feel of your maternity photos in two specific ways:
- Color Theory influences over how visually appealing the image is to certain people
- Color Phycology influences the overall feeling, often referred to as ‘the mood’ of images.
Color theory and color harmony are important considerations that can have a big impact on the overall look of your photos. But it’s not something that most people are thinking about when picking out what to wear for maternity photos. There are certain color combinations that are naturally more appealing to the eye, like purples and yellows, for example.
Like asters and goldenrod, a purple and a yellow flower that grow together in perfect color harmony.
Robin Wall Kimmerer writes about them in “Braiding Sweetgrass.” I love the words that she put to Nature’s brilliance as exemplified by asters and goldenrod:
“Alone, each is a botanical superlative. Together, the visual effect is stunning…
Growing together, both receive more pollinator visits than they would if they were growing alone. It’s a testable hypothesis; it’s a question of science, a question of art, and a question of beauty. “
– Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants”
A monochromatic color scheme (multiple shades of the same color) can be really beautiful, too.
I could give you just ONE TIP to take away, it’s to pick a color harmony and be consistent with it. And don’t forget to consider the location and the background in the overall color scheme.
Quick example: an outdoor maternity session at Highland Park during Summer in Rochester NY will have a backdrop full of the color green. In this case, I usually recommend a complimentary color palette for your wardrobe that would compliment the color green, like a pretty terracotta color. That’s if you want to stand out from the background in your photos rather than blend in, which I imagine you probably do!
This is especially important for maternity photos because we are trying to accentuate your bump. The more contrast the better. This is also why I recommend staying away from solid black for maternity photos (see next section below).
Here are some seasonal color palettes to give you some inspiration using the principles of color theory:
Color Phycology explains why some colors instantly make us feel a certain way, whether we recognize it or not. The basic principle is that warm colors and cool colors evoke different emotions. Cooler colors (blues, purples, and greens) are associated with serenity and warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) are thought to be stimulating.
But it can go deeper than that sometimes, like the color black being associated with power, red being associated with romance, and purple with royalty.
Color plays an important role in story being told through your maternity photos, and it’s an easy way for you to express a little more of your personality and preferences.
Tip #2: Be careful with very bright or very dark colors.
Bright colors, especially bright primary colors (pure red, blue, yellow), should be avoided because they can be jarring. I usually recommend light / soft / neutral / muted colors instead. Rich jewel tones also look great, especially in a studio environment or outdoors in Fall or Winter.
Early in my career as a maternity photographer, before I truly understood what works best for maternity, some clients would show up to their sessions wearing an all black. It’s understandable. I hadn’t advised them against it and black is a popular color choice because it’s usually slimming, it conceals, and is a versatile ‘neutral’ color. But I learned quickly that solid dark colors, especially black, actually conceals your baby bump in your photos. The color black absorbs highlights and conceals shadows, which is the exact opposite of what I’m trying to achieve in camera. Harsh highlights and shadows are central, in my opinion, to beautiful maternity pictures that accentuate your bump rather than hide it.
I would avoid dressing in all black or any very dark colors but there are a few exceptions. When you’re in a studio environment and it’s part of an intentional style & concept, pure black can work really well.
When in doubt, consult your photographer about wearing black and other dark colors (navy, gray, etc) and always feel free to ask for color recommendations, as well.
Tip #3: Choose fabrics that photograph well
The fabrics you wear will have an impact on the overall look of your photos, and your comfort level during your session.
My two suggestions are to add movement and add texture:
- Add movement by wearing long flowy dresses or floor length maxi skirts. This also gives you something to hold on to and something to do with your hands! I love how flowy fabrics immediately insert a mood of romance and whimsy, so if that’s what you’re after than flowy is the way to go. You’ll want to avoid stiff or very constricting fabrics that will make it difficult for you to pose and move around.
- Add texture with fabrics like lace, velvet, tulle, satin, chunky knits, ruffles, etc. Adding in layers and accessories, like a jean jacket or scarf, can help too. The texture and layers adds interest to the photos and helps you stand out from the background.
Bonus: Styles that Look Great for Maternity Photos
Empire Waist Dress
Dresses that cinch above the belly look great, in general. This ruffled pink gown is part of my maternity client closet and is available for any of my clients to wear during their sessions.
Crop Tops
Crops are my favorite for maternity. They show off that beautiful bump of yours in such a cute way and the options are endless. I have a collection of really cute crop tops in my maternity closet (mostly from Cleo and Kin who I mention below in “where to shop for maternity”)
Lingerie
’nuff said. It’s feminine, romantic, raw, and a beautiful way to celebrate your birthing body.
Simple Fabric Wraps
I have a collection of fabrics that photograph well available for any session, including satin and tulle. Pictured here is white satin.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
This is simply a beach cover up that is worn with simple bra and underwear. I love the texture, the tassles, and the flattering fit that shows off this Mama’s beautiful bump.
Tip #4: Wear nude colored underwear and/or pasties.
In general, your underwear and bra should be as close to a ‘nude’ color as possible so they won’t show under your cloths. You’ll also want both your bra and underwear to be seamless, especially your underwear. You don’t want to have lines showing underneath your dress. Shapewear is a good alternative if you feel more comfortable wearing that. Don’t mind going commando? By all means, skip the underwear all together!
I recommend wearing pasties instead of a bra if you’re planning to wear a dress. This will give you so much more flexibility in what you can wear AND I won’t have to photoshop out your bra straps in your final images 😉
Where to Shop for Maternity Clothes
If you’re a client of mine, you’ll have access to my maternity closet that has options ranging from formal gowns to casual options. We’ll go through my wardrobe options when we meet for your Style and Concept consultation about one month before your session. If you want to shop for your own maternity clothes, here’s some recommendations for where to look:
- If you’re local to Rochester New York, check out Rosy Glow Boutique where you can RENT a dress from their ‘Runway Collection’ — I especially love this mustard yellow boho dress from BalticBorn
- Also local to Rochester is Cleo and Kin, located in Pittsford. They have the cutest crop tops and I love their focus on sustainability, too.
- PinkBlush
- Baltic Born Clothing
- Free People
- Tiare Hawaii
- Etsy: go to Etsy and search ‘maternity dress’ and you’ll see SO many unique options!
Looking for a Maternity Photographer in Rochester NY?
I specialize in capturing the natural beauty of your pregnancy. I’m known for creating an easy-going and natural environment for you to feel empowered & beautiful in your birthing body. And by leading with genuine curiosity about you and your story throughout the process, I’m able to craft images that get to the heart of what’s most important to you.
I’d love to hear more about you and what you’re dreaming up when it comes to your maternity photos. Inquire here to start a conversation!
More Resources for Planning your Maternity Photos:
Best Locations for Photos in Rochester NY & The Finger Lakes
Are Maternity Photos Worth it?
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