What to Wear for Maternity Photos

You've scheduled your maternity session.

You're excited.

And then you open your closet.

Suddenly you hate everything you own.

Welcome to one of the most common maternity-photo problems. 😂

Choosing what to wear can feel especially difficult during pregnancy because your body is changing so quickly. Something that fit beautifully three weeks ago may suddenly have completely different plans.

The good news is that maternity photography actually gives us some wonderful wardrobe options.

Start With Your Belly

For maternity photos, we generally don't want clothing that completely hides your shape.

Your belly is part of the story.

Dresses that define the area directly above the bump and then fall around your body can photograph beautifully.

Depending on the look you're going for, fitted dresses can also create a gorgeous silhouette and really emphasize your pregnancy.

Neither option is automatically better.

It's about how you want to feel in your photographs.

Long Dresses Photograph Beautifully

Flowing maxi dresses are one of my favorite choices for outdoor maternity sessions.

They create movement when you walk and give us beautiful shapes to work with when there's even a little Arizona breeze.

They can also make an outdoor maternity session feel romantic without becoming overly formal.

Think About Color

Earth tones and softer colors work beautifully with many Arizona locations.

Think about shades like:

creamrustterracottaolivecamelsoft brownmuted bluedusty rose

That doesn't mean you have to wear neutrals.

If you absolutely love a rich jewel tone or another stronger color, we can build the session around it.

The goal is for your clothing to complement the environment rather than fight with it.

Avoid Clothing That Distracts From You

In most cases, I'd avoid extremely busy patterns, large logos and anything that immediately pulls your eye away from your face and belly.

We want someone looking at these photographs twenty years from now to notice you first, not the giant pattern on your dress.

Texture, however, can be beautiful.

Lace, knits, subtle embroidery and flowing fabrics can add interest without overwhelming the photograph.

What Should Your Partner Wear?

Please don't feel like everyone needs to match.

In fact, coordinating usually photographs much better than matching.

If you're wearing a cream dress, for example, your partner might wear tan, brown, olive or another complementary neutral.

We want you to look like you belong together without looking like everyone was issued the same uniform.

What About Older Children?

The same rule applies.

Choose a small family color palette and pull different shades and textures from it.

If Mom is wearing the strongest or most visually important piece, everyone else's clothing can support it.

And comfort matters—especially for little kids.

An uncomfortable toddler wearing an adorable outfit is still an uncomfortable toddler.

Don't Forget Undergarments

This is one of those little details nobody thinks about until the day of the session.

Try your entire outfit on beforehand with the bra and undergarments you plan to wear.

Check it from the front, side and back.

Make sure straps aren't showing where you don't want them, nothing is creating lines you dislike and you can comfortably move and sit.

Most Importantly, You Should Still Look Like YOU

Pinterest can be wonderful for inspiration.

But you don't have to transform yourself into somebody else's version of maternity photography.

If you never wear elaborate gowns and the thought of putting one on makes you feel ridiculous, we don't have to do that.

If you've dreamed about wearing a dramatic maternity gown since the day you found out you were pregnant, then let's lean into it.

These photographs are supposed to preserve your pregnancy, not recreate someone else's.

Choose something that makes you feel beautiful, comfortable and like yourself.

Then let me take care of the rest.

Next Up: Arizona Changes the Rules a Little

Once we've figured out what you're wearing, there's another decision that makes an enormous difference:

When should we actually photograph your session?

Arizona light can be gorgeous.

Arizona heat can be… Arizona heat.

So next we'll talk about how I choose the best time of day for maternity photography here in the desert.

Next: The Best Time of Day for Maternity Photos in Arizona

TAQ Photography photographs maternity, newborn and family sessions for families in Buckeye, Verrado, Goodyear and throughout the West Valley of Arizona.