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What to Wear for Outdoor Maternity Photos
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. Next, you’ll see a list of my outfit ideas with examples, and a few other things to think about!
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 up to 2 outfits for outdoor sessions. Just note not all locations have a good changing option, so keep that in mind!
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 outfits that make you feel beautiful and confident in your motherhood journey.
For outdoor sessions, we can show some skin, but we can’t do a full boudoir shoot – there simply isn’t a good way to do this outside. If you’re interested in the completely sheer outfits, or something that shows off a little more, it’s best to come to my studio for that.
Outdoor maternity photo outfit ideas
- Long, flowy dress
- Form-fitted dress
- Button down white shirt and jeans
- Sweater and jeans
- Sweater dress
- Two-piece outfit
- Off-the-shoulder dress
- Sleeveless dress
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.
Button down shirt with jeans
Simple and classic.
Sweater + jeans
It goes without saying, this is a super comfy choice. It’s especially perfect for fall sessions!
Sweater dress
Soft knits are super comfy and cute. Go for comfort and pick neutral tone to make sure your bump is still the main focus.
Two piece outfits
A great way to really show off your beautiful bump! (This outfit in particular is in the client closet)
Off-the-shoulder dress
Another classic silhouette that works well for maternity photos. (The lace one to the left is in the client closet).
Sleeveless dresses
There are so many cute options – like this Nothing Fits But dress with an adorable tie.
What about shoes?
Keep in mind comfort when choosing your maternity shoes, especially if you chose a location where we’ll be walking around. You can always bring an extra pair of shoes to walk in, then slip into your shoes for the outfit once we get to the location. In general, I recommend avoiding narrow heels (unless you’re still feeling super comfortable in them). Instead, opt for sandals, flats, wedges, or thicker heels for comfort and stability.
Should I add 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
- Stylish coat if it’s going to be cold
Will my partner or family members be in photos?
Absolutely! If you want your partner or other children in your photos, we can definitely do that. If you prefer to be the star of the show and shoot by yourself, that’s fine too. Just note these are for immediate family only (you + your partner + kids).
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.
Have more questions? My clients enjoy custom styling services so they don’t have to stress. Reach out here if you’re interested in maternity photos in the Northern Virginia, DC & Maryland area!
About the Photographer
Hello, I’m Emily! I’m a maternity 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 for my families.
