Congratulations, mommy-to-be! You’ve announced your pregnancy to your loved ones and now you’re ready to commemorate this exciting time in your life by scheduling a maternity photo shoot. These are photos you’re going to admire for the rest of your life and even enjoy with your baby when they’re grown up some day.
Like any other special occasion, you’re probably already thinking about what you’re going to wear. What can you choose that’s both cute and comfortable? What makes sense for the location you’ve chosen? What are some timeless pieces you can choose that won’t make you cringe when you look back at your outfit 20 years from now?
Many moms-to-be choose a similar look for their maternity photo shoot: long maternity dresses, sensible shoes, and something that showcases their gorgeous bump. Whether you choose this traditional route or want to go above and beyond for your maternity shoot, the world is your oyster. Your pregnancy is a special journey that deserves to be commemorated in a way that feels most authentic to you, whether that’s an all-natural photo shoot in your home or a fun, themed shoot at your favorite location.
Keep in mind that the location you choose may help determine your ideal outfit – for example, studio maternity shoots may work best with neutral tones. Regardless, if you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are some top recommendations for what to wear to your maternity photo shoot:
1. Finding The Perfect Dress
If a beautiful new dress is calling your name, there are a few things to keep in mind before you swipe your card.
First, choose the fabric of the dress carefully. More than likely, you’ll want to find something that flows nicely and won’t be uncomfortable. Try to avoid stiff cotton or heavy linen. You may also want to avoid anything that’s too stretchy – while this is clearly a comfortable option, super-stretchy fabric has a tendency to show everything, which isn’t ideal if you’ll be wearing a bra or anything else underneath your dress.
Fabrics like gauze, crepe, lace, or polyester are great options for a maternity dress.
Next, consider the length and color. Keep in mind that super dark colors won’t show off your bump as well as light to medium colors will. You may also want to avoid super bright colors, like neon.
Ultimately, the perfect dress is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable and shows off your baby bump as the star of the show. For some moms, that could be an extravagant, over-the-top gown. Others may prefer a delicate lace dress or a simple, monochrome silhouette. Find what feels true to you and run with that.
2. Sometimes, Less Is More
Dresses are far from your only option when it comes to styling your maternity photo shoot! Another popular choice is a delicate lingerie set that beautifully shows off your bump (without digging into your skin too tightly or making you feel uncomfortable). Maybe you’d feel best in a small, lacy teddy that opens in the front with a pair of lace boyshorts, or perhaps a silk nightie that beautifully outlines the shape of your belly.
Sheer clothing is another popular option if you want to be only somewhat covered up. Many dresses and lingerie sets are designed with a sheer layer that highlights a certain part of the body, so opt for something that will make your beautiful belly stand out.
Keep in mind that most maternity shoots are scheduled at around 30 weeks when the belly is biggest, so you’ll most definitely want to prioritize comfort.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Accessorize
A maternity photo shoot can be as flashy or classy as you’d like it to be! No matter what you end up wearing or where you have the photos taken, don’t be afraid to play with props or accessories. Now is the perfect time to put yourself front and center and celebrate yourself in a way that feels most authentic to you. Whether that’s a set of props or something extra special, like a tiara, don’t be afraid to be yourself!
4. Go For a Theme or Unique Setting
If big and bold is your usual style, why not play around with and come up with a fun themed maternity shoot or a shoot in an unconventional setting?
Maybe you love being in the water and want to incorporate underwater elements, or perhaps you’re extremely proud of your family’s heritage and want to lean into traditional outfits and decorations for your maternity shoot. Some people have even dressed up as their favorite families from cartoons or movies and recreated their looks for a silly, memorable maternity photo shoot. Take some time to think about your favorite hobbies and interests and what’s most important to you.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that there’s no “wrong” way to plan a maternity photo shoot and no “wrong” thing to wear – ultimately, your photo shoot is yours to plan exactly the way you’d like.