First Things First — Wear What Makes You Feel Good
If there’s one rule for dressing for maternity photos, it’s this: comfort and confidence come first. Whether you’re 30 weeks or nearly full term, your maternity session is about capturing this season authentically — so your outfit should reflect you.
That might be a flowy dress from my client closet, a cozy knit sweater at home, or even a dressy jumpsuit you already own. There’s no “right” look — just the one that helps you feel beautiful and at ease.
Consider Your Setting
The location of your session can help guide your outfit choices:
What’s In My Client Closet?
If you’re not sure what to wear, you’re welcome to borrow from my curated client closet. It’s full of bump-friendly dresses in sizes XS–2XL (and growing!), including:
You’re always welcome to try things on or mix-and-match with pieces from your own wardrobe.
Think about what’s underneath, too. If your outfit is sheer, wear skin-toned underwear. If a gown is tight, wear shorts or shapewear under it. Skin-toned undergarments are the safest choice, but always ask your photographer what they prefer.
A Few Things to Avoid
To keep the focus on you and your family’s connection, and not distractions in photos, I generally recommend avoiding:
Dressing the Whole Family
Whether you’re including a partner, kids, or even pets — I’ll help style everyone so the whole group looks cohesive. That doesn’t mean matching outfits — it means complementary colors, layers, and textures that feel like your family, not a catalog. Unless we’re shooting like it’s a JCPenny shoot, I’ll help you to not copy and paste each person.
Neutrals, earthy tones, and soft colors photograph beautifully. If you’re not sure where to start, shoot me a message! I’ll send personalized outfit ideas based on your location and color preferences.
When Should You Schedule Your Maternity Session?
This is a whole topic of its own, but the short answer: I typically recommend scheduling your maternity session between 30 and 36 weeks. You’ll have a noticeable bump, but (hopefully) still feel mobile and comfortable enough to enjoy the session. At the end of the day, your comfort is key.
More on timing, weather and location here → When Should I Do Maternity Photos?
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be “photo ready.” You don’t need the perfect dress. You just need to show up as you are — growing a whole human — and let me take care of the rest.
If you’re not sure what to wear, I’ve got you. Between my client closet, personalized styling, and experience with all kinds of locations and family dynamics, I’ll help make it easy.
Ready to book your maternity session?
Let’s plan something that feels true to you — wardrobe and all.