What to Wear for Maternity Photos at the Studio
As you can imagine, there are many options for maternity photo outfits! It can often be hard to narrow down which look is perfect for you. You’ll find casual looks, formal looks with form-fitting dresses and everything in between.
As a Northern Virginia maternity photographer, I’m sharing some of my personal favorites with photo examples to hopefully help you narrow down your options. First, I’ll walk you through two common questions I get so you can think about what kind of outfit speaks to you. Second, you’ll see a list of my outfit ideas with examples.
Loose & flowy vs. form-fitted outfits
One of the most common questions I get is whether to wear something flowy or form-fitting for maternity photos. And honestly, it’s a great question!
In my style of maternity photography, my focus is always on capturing you and your beautiful connection with your baby bump. A form-fitting outfit can clearly define your curves and showcase your belly, making it easier to highlight baby. But that doesn’t mean loose, flowy styles can’t work too. With a little creativity and the right angles, we can absolutely make a flowing dress or fabric look just as stunning while showing off your bump.
Loose-fitting outfits can often be more comfortable, but they can also sometimes create the illusion of adding extra volume. On the other hand, tighter pieces naturally define your shape, making your bump more prominent.
So, what’s my simple answer? If you want to emphasize your baby bump, go for something form-fitting or a flowy dress that really highlights your bump. Or if you want a little bit of both, you’re welcome to do 2-3 outfits during a full maternity session at the studio. So why not choose both? I’m here to capture you beautifully, no matter what you choose to wear.
Should I show skin in my maternity photos?
This is the second most common question I get! It truly comes down to your comfort level and what you want to get out of your maternity photos. If you’ve always dreamed of an intimate maternity shoot that celebrates your beautiful bump, you may find showing your baby bump off is empowering. If you prefer to document this time in a more simple way that shows off your bump but doesn’t include skin, that’s also completely fine. There are so many options, and it’s most important you find one – or two, or three – outfits that make you feel beautiful and confident in your motherhood journey.
If you don’t want to show any skin, try these:
- Long, flowy dress (in the client closet)
- Long, form-fitted dress
- Silk dress
- Bodysuit (with sweater)
- Loungewear pants + top
- Sweater and jeans
Want to show some skin? Try these:
- Relaxed button down shirt with jeans or loosely draped off your shoulders
- Dress that can reveal part of your bump (in the client closet)
- Flowy robe (in the client closet)
- Oversized sweater
- A bathing suit cover up
If you want to show a lot of skin, try these:
- Draped fabric (in client closet)
- Flowy robes (in client closet)
- Bra + underwear
- Sheer dresses (in client closet)
Now that you have an idea of what sounds good to you, read about each option below!
Maternity Photo Outfit Ideas
- Long, flowy dress
- Form-fitted dress
- Silk dress
- Robes
- Bodysuits
- Button down white shirt and jeans
- White lace bralette and jeans
- Draping with fabric
- Oversized sweater
- Casual loungewear
- Bra + underwear
Long, flowy dress
Always classic and timeless. The client closet is filled with options! I have over 60+ dresses, with many being bump-friendly. Whether you want a sleek gown or a boho casual dress, you are sure to find something that works for you.
Some dresses also have a front slit so we can get some photos of just your bump showing. A great way to get the best of both worlds without feeling like too much skin is showing.
Form-fitted dress
Another classic for a reason. The form-fitted dress really shows off your bump and gives you a beautiful silhouette. The all-black dress has been really popular, or you can go with an all-white look too.
Silk dress
A silk dress shows off your bump in a simple, elegant way. The clean lines and luxurious material will also make you feel beautiful. Want to mix it up? Pair it with a draped sweater for a cozy feel.
Robes
Elegant and beautiful, robes add a little lace and fine art beauty to your photos. Depending on your preference, we can shoot them open, showing more of your bump – or we can tie it closed. Choose either a sheer fabric, or bring your own robe with a more opaque look.
I have a few robe options in the client closet, but be sure to bring your own white bras and undies to wear with it! I can send you some ideas if you don’t have any in your wardrobe.
Bodysuits
These give you a modern, luxurious look to your photos. They can be a little bit sexy, while at the same time not show much skin. They also show off your bump beautifully. You can also pair your bodysuit with a sweater or oversized shirt if you want to cover up a little bit more while still showing off the bump.
Button down shirt with jeans
I LOVE this look lately! Jeans might sound counterintuitive with pregnancy, but the beauty of these is you don’t have to button them. In fact, the unbutton, unbothered look is a beautiful way to get relaxed, casual maternity photos that feel oh so effortless.
I have one oversized white button shirt in the client closet, but you’re welcome to bring your own too. You might also already have jeans in your closet. Many clients choose a lighter shade of denim, but it’s up to you! Want an even more relaxed look? Opt for torn or distressed jeans.
Jeans with white lace bralette
Similar to the one above, this outfit simply takes away the button shirt and showcases your bump even more!
Draping with fabric
This look adds an elegant, ethereal look to your photos. I recommend wearing stickies / breast petals (like these) or a strapless bra.
We can show off as much or as little as you want – it’s up to you. Let me know ahead of time the look you’re going for so we can achieve it while making you feel super comfortable from start to finish.
Also, if you only want a few bump photos like this, we can also have you wear this at the very end for just a few photos!
Oversized sweater
It goes without saying, this is a super comfy choice. You can pair it with jeans, lounge pants, or wear an oversized sweater by itself. All of them will give you that relaxed, lived-in look that fits right in with pregnancy.
Casual loungewear
Soft knits are super comfy and cute. Go for comfort and pick neutral tone to make sure your bump is still the main focus. A few ideas:
Sports bra + boy shorts + long sweater
Lounge pants + lounge sweater
Lounge pants + sports bra or lace bra
Bra + underwear
While sometimes called maternity boudoir photos, I think of it more as intimate maternity photos. The experience allows you to embrace your changing body so you can feel confident and beautiful in your skin during this special time. It’s all about capturing that unique relationship between you and your bump.
As always, I aim to create timeless, intentional photos, and that is especially important when it comes to intimate maternity sessions.
A note on shoes
This comes down to personal preference! A barefoot look always works in the studio, giving you a more lifestyle, relaxed feel. And can be great since you’re pregnant and you don’t want to worry about shoes fitting or being comfortable.
If you want a more formal look, go ahead and wear those heels or dress sandals! I don’t mind clients wearing them on the backdrop. Popular ideas are heels, wedges, dress sandals. Undecided? Bring shoe options, and we can decide at your session just in case.
Get creative with accessories
A few fun ways to show off your personality and get unique photos:
- Jewelry – keep it simple unless you love a statement piece and want to show it off
- A hat
- Sunglasses
- Bouquet, floral stems, or flower crown
More common questions: Will my partner be in photos?
Absolutely! If you want your partner in your photos, we can definitely take photos of just you and the two of you together. If you prefer to be the star of the show and shoot by yourself, that’s fine too.
What should my partner wear?
I recommend keeping this simple and easy! The focus is on you and your bump, so your outfit will be the main focus. Have your partner wear something neutral that complements everything.
Ideas:
- Pant ideas: khaki or tan pants, navy or blue chinos, sage green pants, jeans
- Shirt ideas: button down shirt (choose linen or softer materials for a more relaxed, lifestyle look, or a dress shirt if you want a more formal look), henley long sleeve or short sleeve tees, waffle long sleeve shirts
- Shirt colors: neutrals like white, ivory, cream, light gray, beige, etc. will match most of the pant options.
- Pro tip: if you’re unsure, bring a few options for him to the studio. We can finalize his looks once we pick out your dresses.
What about other family members?
Of course! It can be so wonderful to get some family photos along with your maternity photos. We always take family photos first, then we’ll finish up your individual portraits while your partner and the kids go get lunch. Just note these are for immediate family only (you + your partner + kids).
What to bring to your studio maternity photo shoot
- Strapless bra or breast petals if you’re planning on wearing a client closet dress. There are many dress silhouettes, and you want to feel comfortable no matter which one you choose.
- Your own outfits if preferred
- Accessories
- Shoes (optional as mentioned above)
- Hair brush
- Makeup for touchups
- Hair product if you want to touch up flyaways before we start or throughout the shoot
- Avoid wearing anything that leaves a mark on your skin i.e. elastic hair ties on your wrist, socks that will leave elastic marks on your ankles / legs, or tight sports bras that you wear to the shoot, but won’t wear in any photos.
What backdrop options and props are at the studio?
Here’s a list of options to use during your session.
Backdrops:
- Neutral light gray hand-painted backdrop by Willow Canvas
- Blue hand-painted backdrop by Willow Canvas – please let me know if you want this one ahead of time since it’s not always set up
Props:
- Wooden stool
- Antique cushioned bench
- Futon (can be used as bed)
- Antique cushioned chair
If you have a unique idea that you haven’t seen here, I’m always open to being creative! Let me know while we’re planning your session so we can make your vision come to life.
About the Studio
Located in Sterling, Virginia, our natural light photography studio is ideal for clients in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. It’s a cozy, minimalist space designed to let your emotions shine. You’ll also find the client closet available for your session.
About the Photographer
Hello, I’m Emily! I’m an interior and portrait photographer specializing in timeless, true-to-life imagery. After more than 9 years in business, I love documenting your moments and providing an elevated, stress-free portrait experience.
