How To Choose the Perfect Maternity Outfits for Photoshoot

Sep 12, 2024

maternity outfits for photoshoot

Booking a maternity photoshoot allows you to highlight your changing body and the special moments before you welcome a precious child into the world. If you want to capture your glowing excitement, turn to Eliza Jane Photography, a highly-rated maternity photographer in Charlotte, NC. Find the perfect maternity outfits for photoshoots using this guide as your inspiration.

Why Outfits Matter in Maternity Photoshoots

During any professional photography session, you want to look and feel your best. Expectant mothers, in particular, have the added stress of dressing a body that’s undergone serious changes over the past few months. Your maternity photos will not only show the excitement you and your partner share over welcoming a baby but also the beautiful gift of being pregnant.

These photos will be a snapshot of an unforgettable moment in time, so you don’t want to choose an outfit that you’d wear in your everyday life. Plan to choose something special for your photoshoot, like ethereal maternity dresses with flowing fabric.

Tips for Selecting Maternity Outfits for Photoshoot Sessions

Preparing for a professional maternity photoshoot requires some planning ahead, especially when it comes to your outfit. How can you find the right clothes for the occasion? Use the tips below for coordinating an outfit based on stunning maternity photo ideas.

Make a Maxi Dress Your Main Outfit

Countless mothers choose to don a long, flowing maxi dress for their maternity shoots. You want to show off your bump during your third trimester but the idea of form-fitting dresses doesn’t sound too appealing. The best thing about maxi dresses is that they’re comfortable maternity wear that you can choose for any special occasion.

If possible, select a dress with a cinched bust that starts to flow right above your belly. This will give you a flattering silhouette in all of the poses your photographer suggests.

Many photographers recommend having multiple maternity outfits for photoshoots. Women often wear a maxi dress for their formal pictures but can show off their bare bump in casual wear, such as a light cardigan or poncho over a bra and underwear. You’ll be happy having more than one outfit for your photo session and the beauty that each one brings to a photograph.

Dress for the Location and Season

Taking your maternity photos outdoors allows your photographer to not only capture exquisite scenery but also experiment with natural lighting that adds to your glow. Your photos will surely come out wonderful with a skilled photographer behind the camera, but dressing inappropriately can take away from the magic. Make sure that your maternity outfits for photoshoots match the location you select.

Popular settings that couples choose for maternity shoots include:

  • Beaches
  • Fields or meadows
  • Woodsy environments

Take the season into consideration as well. For example, if you’re due in October but take maternity photos in July, you won’t need to bundle up given the hot outdoor temperatures. However, you can acknowledge your baby’s birth season by choosing garments with autumnal colors like burnt orange or burgundy.

Layer Appropriately

You might think that fall and winter photoshoots are the only times when you can add layers to your outfit. However, layers are welcome during maternity shoots in any season. Add a furry shawl or oversized scarf to your cold-weather shoot or supplement a light summer dress with a lacy cardigan.

Don’t Forget About Undergarments

Many moms focus on their maternity outfits for photoshoots but fail to recognize undergarments play a key role in dressing for the photo session. Pair your dress or other clothing items with well-fitting bras and underwear that don’t show lines or sag. Remember that comfort is paramount so don’t stick with any undergarments that feel too tight.

Coordinate Colors With Others

Maternity outfits for photoshoots should stand out rather than blend into the background. If you and your partner are taking photos together, make sure you both select outfits with complementary colors instead of the same shade. This goes for anyone else you’ll be taking photos with, such as proud grandparents or an excited soon-to-be big brother or sister.

Say you choose a blush dress for your photoshoot. Your partner can wear a cream-colored shirt with khaki pants to keep with the same color palette without drowning you out.

Consider Renting Outfits

Are you sick of buying maternity clothes to fit your changing body? You might not want to spend money on a special outfit you only plan to wear for your photoshoot. Use the tips above when you explore online rental retailers to find the perfect maternity outfits that you can rent and then send back after the photoshoot.

Knowing how to plan maternity outfits for photoshoots will make your photographs even more special. If you’re eager to capture the last stages of your pregnancy as well as your bundle of joy, turn to Eliza Jane Photography. Work with a skilled photographer on your maternity shoot and then let her provide you with even more keepsakes with a newborn photography session.

To schedule a consultation and learn more, contact Eliza Jane Photography at (678) 524-4116.