What to Wear for Your Maternity Session
Pick the vibe that feels like you (dressy and romantic, or casual and everyday). Then build the outfit in soft fabrics that work with the bump, in a coordinated color palette with your partner.
Wardrobe is the thing maternity clients overthink most. Let me make this easier.
Don’t want to think about? Check out my Motherhood Wardrobe
01 · Pick Your Vibe First
There are two directions that photograph beautifully for maternity, and both are great. The right one is whichever feels most like you.
Dressy and romantic. Flowing dresses, soft fabrics, more styled and editorial. This is the look people picture when they think "maternity photos." Great if you want to feel a little glam, or if these photos are going on the wall in a more formal frame.
Casual and everyday. A great-fitting pair of jeans and a soft top, or a comfortable dress that you'd actually wear on a real day. This is the look that ends up feeling the most like you years from now. Great if dresses aren't your usual or if you want photos that look like real life.
You can also mix. Plenty of clients bring one of each and switch mid-session. If you're not sure, just pick what you'd reach for if you had to leave the house in 20 minutes and wanted to feel good about it.
02 · Start with Color
Soft, neutral tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on you and the bump instead of what anyone is wearing. The palette to think in:
Creams, whites, ivories
Tans, oatmeal, camel
Muted blues, dusty greens, sage
Soft warm tones like blush, terracotta, warm gray
Deeper jewel tones can work too if you want something with more contrast (rich emerald, burgundy, navy)
Pick one main color family and build your outfit and your partner's outfit around it. The goal is coordination, not matching. You in cream, your partner in oatmeal or a soft warm tone is the right energy. Identical white shirts and khakis is not.
03 · Fabrics That Work With the Bump
A note on bodycon and tight-fitting dresses: they can be beautiful and they show the bump clearly, but they're not the style I lean into. If that's what you feel most beautiful in, bring it. The goal is for you to feel comfortable and confident. If you're open to either, I'd point you toward the flowy and soft side every time.
For partners: a fitted but not tight shirt or sweater in a complementary tone works best. Avoid stiff button-downs and anything overly structured.
Soft, flowing, draping fabrics are the look I love most for maternity. They move with you, photograph beautifully in natural light, and let the bump be the focal point in a way that feels gentle and feminine. Think soft, romantic, true-to-you.
What works:
Flowing dresses with empire waists or no defined waist
Soft knits, jersey, modal that drapes naturally
A well-fitting maternity top with stretch
Sheer or chiffon layering pieces, especially beautiful in outdoor light
Wraps, kimono-style robes, and tulle pieces
Anything in a soft, breathable fabric that moves when you do
What to avoid:
Anything boxy, oversized, or shapeless that hides the bump
Stiff materials that don't drape
Bulky sweaters and thick layers
Tight bands across the bump (pre-pregnancy waistbands)
04 · The Motherhood Wardrobe
If your session is part of a Signature or Premium package, you have access to the Motherhood Wardrobe. It's a curated collection of dresses I bring for you to try on. No buying, no returns, no last-minute outfit panic. A "show up and try things on" option that takes the wardrobe decision off your plate entirely.
If you're in an Essential package and want access, you can ask about upgrading at any point before your session.