If your reading this blog post, you’ve either just booked your maternity photographer, or your prepping before you do! A question that is asked often by expecting mamas, besides ‘when to take maternity photos?’ is ‘what should I wear for maternity photos?’. My biggest tip is whatever you ultimately choose you want to feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable. If you’re miserable and despise what you chose to wear it will show throughout your session, and we don’t want that to be what you remember! You want your maternity session to be about cherishing the moments you grew your baby.

In this guide, I’m sharing all my go-to tips on what to wear for maternity photos, from flattering silhouettes to dreamy color palettes. I’ll also let you in on a little secret—my client closet is full of gorgeous dress options available for you to borrow if you choose me to be your maternity photographer! Whether your style is boho or classic, I’ve got you covered!

Why Outfit Choice Matters for Maternity Photos

Your maternity session is all about celebrating and remembering that our bodies are so incredible! You should feel as beautiful as you look! What you wear plays a big part in how you feel during the session and how your images turn out. The right outfit will flatter your bump and photograph beautifully.

What to Wear for Maternity Photos: My Top Tips

1. Choose a Dress with Movement

A dress that flows adds so much dimension to a photograph. They create beautiful movement, soften your silhouette, and draw attention to your bump in the best way. Maxi dresses with long skirts, ruffles, or lace add texture and depth especially when we’re shooting outdoors in natural light. Best part is the dresses that allow for movement are usually super comfy and flattering during pregnancy.

2. Pick colors that you feel confident and beautiful in

Soft pastels, warm neutrals, and earthy colors always photograph beautifully. Think cream, beige, dusty rose, sage, terracotta, or muted blues. These tones let your natural glow shine and help keep the focus on you—not your clothes. My editing does amazing with bold colors as well like reds and rusts.

Bright neons or bold patterns can be distracting, so I usually recommend steering clear of those unless they truly match your vibe.

3. Highlight That Bump

Empire waists, wrap dresses, and form-fitting knits all do a great job of showing off your bump. If you love the boho look, you’ll absolutely love options from We Are Reclamation on Etsy. Their dresses are handmade, ethereal, and completely swoon-worthy for maternity photos. We Are Reclamation fits many body types and sizes with one dress. That is why most my maternity clothing options in my client closet are designed by We Are Reclamation.

Here are a few of my current faves:

• The Chiffon Delight Dress – Maternity dress
• Prairie Hearts Dress
• Mystical Wonders Double Layer Chiffon and Floral Mesh (I have this one in my client closet)

Don’t Want to Buy a Dress? I’ve Got You Covered

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about choosing an outfit, don’t worry—I offer a curated client closet full of stunning maternity-friendly dresses available to borrow for your session. These pieces truly photograph beautifully! Not only will these dresses make your photos look magazine worthy, you also don’t have to have the added financial burden of buying or renting a dress for you session! This is a perfect option when you’d rather spend that money on photos to remember this journey or on items for your new baby instead! Let’s be honest, babies are so expensive!

More Places to Shop for Boutique-Style Maternity Dresses

If you don’t see a style you love and you’d like to shop for your own dress, here are some places to find a dress that you love:

• Baltic Born – Elegant and affordable dresses that flatter every stage of pregnancy.
• PinkBlush Maternity – Trendy, feminine, and made specifically for growing bumps.
• Other Etsy Shops: Seila Art Dresses Shop, Lace Boho Dresses, or ZebubuYou

Or opt to rent a maternity dress at Bella Bello Bump or at Salt Gowns!

What About Partners and Kids?

If your partner or little ones are joining the session, choose outfits that coordinate with your look without being too matchy-matchy. Think complementary colors, soft tones, and simple textures. See my ultimate guide on what to wear for your family session here.

Still feeling stuck? Don’t worry, after booking your maternity photos with me you’ll receive a full prep guide with color palettes once your session is booked! I’ll also be happy to help style your family as a complementary service for being a client of mine!

Let’s Make You Feel Amazing

Whether you borrow from my client closet or fall in love with a dress from Etsy, the goal is to feel like the most radiant version of yourself. You deserve to feel beautiful, celebrated, and confident during your maternity session and I’m here to help make that happen every step of the way!

Ready to book your maternity session in Colorado Springs? Let’s chat and plan something beautiful!