Planning a maternity session comes with one deceptively difficult question: what will you wear? You’re dressing a body that changes by the week, trying to predict how something will photograph, and possibly coordinating a husband and older children at the same time. Add several hundred nearly identical maternity dresses online, and what should be the fun part of planning your session can quickly become another decision you would rather not make.
The good news is that deciding what to wear for maternity photos doesn’t require finding one universally perfect maternity dress. The right wardrobe depends on the photographs you want to create. A fitted black dress in a studio creates an entirely different result from a flowing ivory gown in a field, yet either style can work beautifully indoors or outdoors when chosen intentionally.
As an Atlanta maternity photographer, I help my clients decide what to wear while considering the setting, season, color palette, silhouette, and eventual artwork. Clients also have access to my collection of maternity and bump-friendly dresses, making it easy to create a special look without purchasing something new.
In this guide, we’ll look at the maternity outfits that photograph especially well, how to coordinate the rest of your family, and how to choose something that feels like you while keeping the focus exactly where it belongs: on this remarkable season and the family you’re growing.
Start With the Look You Want to Create
Before choosing a dress—or deciding whether you want to wear a dress at all—think about how you want your finished maternity photos to look and feel.
Do you picture something soft and romantic, simple and timeless, or more dramatic and editorial? Your wardrobe helps establish that direction, but the dress itself is only one part of the finished result. The setting, lighting, posing, and styling can make the same dress look entirely different. Deciding on the overall direction first can also help us determine whether one look will accomplish everything you want or whether we should plan several.
It can also help to consider what you eventually want to do with the finished photographs. Knowing whether you envision an album, wall art for one or more rooms, or both can help guide the colors and overall style of your wardrobe, as well as how many different looks you may want to plan.
Fitted or Flowing: Do You Have to Choose?
Advice about what to wear for maternity photos often presents fitted and flowing dresses as two completely different options. In practice, the distinction is not always that simple, and you don’t necessarily have to choose between a defined silhouette and beautiful movement.
A fitted gown naturally follows the shape of your body, keeping the focus on your belly and creating a clean silhouette. Depending on the color, fabric, setting, and styling, it can feel simple and timeless or bold and dramatic.
Flowing gowns bring softness, texture, and movement to an image, but that doesn’t mean your shape has to disappear beneath the fabric. Thoughtful posing and careful placement of the dress can define your belly while still allowing the skirt or sleeves to move around you.
In the same way, a fitted gown can also be given movement through styling. For example, we can add coordinating fabric that catches the air while the dress itself continues to define your shape. The result has the drama and movement associated with a flowing gown without sacrificing the clean silhouette of a fitted one.
Rather than thinking of fitted and flowing as opposing choices, consider what you like about each. With thoughtful wardrobe planning and styling, we may be able to incorporate both qualities into one look—or use multiple looks to create something entirely different.
What Colors Work Best for Maternity Photos?
There isn’t one color palette that works best for every maternity session. The right choice depends on the setting, the mood you want to create, your coloring, and how you plan to enjoy the finished photographs.
White, ivory, cream, and other light neutrals create a soft, classic look. Earth tones and muted colors complement natural surroundings, while deeper shades such as black, navy, burgundy, or emerald can create a richer, more dramatic result.
Some mothers choose pink or blue as an easy visual cue that they are expecting a girl or boy. That certainly isn’t a rule. Boy moms can wear pink, and blue can be beautiful for a mother expecting a girl. Flowers, accessories, or another thoughtfully selected element can communicate the baby’s gender without relying on the color of your dress. You can also incorporate both colors or keep the palette neutral, whether you are sharing the baby’s gender or keeping it a surprise.
Your wardrobe doesn’t need to match the location or your home exactly, but the colors should work comfortably alongside them. Considering the entire plan for the session will help us create a palette that feels cohesive without being overly coordinated.
What to Wear for Studio vs. Outdoor Maternity Photos
Your location can influence what you wear, but most maternity dresses are not limited to either studio or outdoor photos. The same gown can look polished and dramatic against a simple studio backdrop, then feel soft and romantic when photographed in a field. Lighting, posing, movement, and the surrounding environment can completely change the way it photographs.
A studio gives us more control over temperature, lighting, and movement. This makes it easier to use delicate fabrics, longer trains, additional fabric, or more dramatic styling without worrying about wind, uneven ground, or changing weather. For a closer look at what an indoor setting makes possible, explore this article: Studio Maternity Photos as a Creative Alternative to Outdoor Sessions in Marietta.
For an outdoor maternity session, comfort and mobility require a little more consideration. You may need to walk across grass or uneven ground, and Atlanta’s summer heat and humidity can make heavy fabrics or multiple layers uncomfortable. Flowing fabrics often move beautifully outdoors, but fitted dresses can be equally striking against a natural setting.
How much skin you would like to show can also influence the best setting for each look. An open-front tulle robe, draped fabric, or another outfit designed for bare-belly portraits may feel more practical in a studio or another private location. But these looks are certainly not limited to the studio. If you are considering this style, you can find more ideas and inspiration for bare-belly maternity photos in this guide.
What If You Don’t Want to Wear a Dress?
Maternity photos do not require a gown. If dresses do not feel like you, there are plenty of other options that can still highlight your belly and create a polished portrait.
A fitted bodysuit, simple knit top, jeans worn with a bra or cropped top, or a skirt paired with a fitted shirt can all photograph beautifully. An oversized button-down shirt or soft sweater can create a more relaxed look while still allowing us to emphasize your shape through posing and styling. For something more editorial, a tailored suit or structured jacket can provide clean lines and a completely different approach to maternity portraits.
You can also combine a casual or structured outfit with a dress during the same session. The goal is not to make you look like someone else’s idea of a pregnant mother. It is to choose clothing that feels comfortable and recognizable to you while creating the kind of photographs you want to keep.
How to Coordinate Your Partner and Children
When your partner or older children will be included in your maternity photos, begin with your outfit and build the rest of the wardrobe around it. Your clothing will usually establish both the color palette and the level of formality for everyone else.
The goal is to coordinate rather than match. Choose colors that complement one another, then create variety through different shades, fabrics, and textures. If you are wearing a flowing ivory dress, for example, your family might wear warm neutrals, soft earth tones, or muted colors instead of everyone wearing the same shade of white.
Everyone should also be dressed to a similar level. A formal maternity gown will feel disconnected from a T-shirt, athletic shorts, or heavily distressed jeans. Logos, baseball caps, Crocs, light-up sneakers, and other noticeably casual items can quickly distract from an otherwise polished wardrobe. Even when you want the photographs to feel relaxed, the clothing should still look thoughtfully chosen and put together.
Children’s clothing should fit properly and be appropriate for both the season and the actual temperature on the day of your session. Atlanta does not always provide sweater weather simply because the calendar says November. Clothing that is too tight, shoes that pinch, sleeves that swallow little hands, or heavy layers on a warm day can create genuine discomfort, and that discomfort will show in the photographs. Have children try everything on before the session so there is still time to replace anything they have outgrown.
Clothing is only one part of preparing children for the experience. For more guidance, read my tips for including older siblings in your family maternity session.
Small Details Make a Big Difference
The smallest wardrobe details are often the easiest to overlook, but they can have a noticeable effect on the finished photographs. Maternity posing naturally draws attention to your belly and hands, so everything from visible undergarments to chipped nail polish may be more prominent than you expect.
Try on each outfit with the undergarments you plan to wear before your session. Check for visible straps, seams, lines, and colors showing through the fabric. Nude, seamless undergarments are often the safest choice. You may also need to consider shapewear or a strapless bra. (A good strapless bra is worth its weight in gold, whether you’re pregnant or not.) A regular bra with the straps pulled down may work in a pinch, but it will not provide the same shape and support beneath your clothing as the correct undergarments. If you are planning an open-front robe, draped or sheer fabric, or another bare-belly look, we can discuss what will provide the right amount of coverage without distracting from the outfit.
Your hands will appear in many of your maternity portraits, but that does not mean you need an elaborate manicure. Clean, neatly shaped nails or simple polish are enough. Remove chipped polish, hair ties from your wrist, and any watch or fitness tracker you do not want featured prominently. Jewelry should also feel intentional. A meaningful piece or simple earrings can complete a look, while too many competing accessories may pull attention away from you.
Shoes may not appear in every photograph, particularly with the big flowing gowns, but they should still coordinate with the overall wardrobe. For an outdoor session, you can bring comfortable shoes for walking and change into your chosen pair once we reach the photography location. Bare feet can also work beautifully for certain studio or outdoor looks when the setting allows.
Finally, steam or press all clothing before the session, remove visible tags, and check each outfit for lint, pet hair, loose threads, or missing buttons. These details may feel minor while you are getting dressed, but taking care of them beforehand helps the entire wardrobe look more polished.
Do You Need to Buy a Maternity Photoshoot Dress?
You do not necessarily need to purchase something new for your maternity photos. My clients have access to a collection of maternity and bump-friendly dresses in a variety of sizes and styles. During the planning process, I can help you choose options that support the look we want to create and coordinate with anyone else being photographed.
You are also welcome to wear something you already own. A favorite dress, fitted bodysuit, meaningful piece of jewelry, or another item that feels particularly like you can make the photographs more personal. Clothing does not have to carry a maternity label to work well. Stretch, adjustable waists, wrap styles, and generous skirts can make many standard pieces bump-friendly.
If you would like to purchase something specifically for your session, these retailers are good places to begin:
- Pink Blush Maternity offers maternity dresses in casual, fitted, flowing, and more formal styles.
- ASOS Maternity carries a broad selection of maternity dresses at varied price points.
- Baltic Born offers a wide variety of bump-friendly dresses for all occasions.
- Zebu BeYou dresses are primarily one-size-fits-most, and almost all of them are maternity-friendly. I get many of my client closet dresses here.
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Amazon can also be a useful place to look, but shop carefully. Some listings use photographs copied from the original designer rather than images of the item actually being sold. Product photos that repeatedly crop out the model’s head can be one warning sign. Large, flowing gowns require a considerable amount of fabric to create, and the price will usually reflect that. A dramatically inexpensive version may arrive with thinner material, less volume, or noticeably different construction than the photographs suggest.
That said, I have found several beautiful pieces for my client closet on Amazon, so there are hidden gems available. Always read the reviews and prioritize listings that include photographs from real customers. You can also browse my curated Amazon list of outfits that photograph well, which includes options for maternity sessions as well as clothing for women, men, and children.
Order early enough to try everything on with the proper undergarments and shoes. Check the retailer’s return policy before purchasing, particularly if you are ordering several sizes or styles. A dress can look very different on your changing body than it does in an online product photograph, so leave enough time to exchange it or choose another option if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Photo Outfits
How many outfits should I plan for my maternity session?
One thoughtfully chosen outfit can create plenty of variety, but multiple looks may be useful if you want noticeably different styles or plan to include both casual and formal portraits. We’ll decide how many outfits make sense based on your goals and the time available.
When should I choose what to wear?
Begin planning your wardrobe soon after reserving your session. This gives us time to coordinate your family, explore the client closet, and order or exchange anything you need. Most maternity photos are taken between 28 and 34 weeks, but you can read more about when to schedule maternity photos in Atlanta here.
Should I bring backup options?
Yes. Even when we have selected the primary wardrobe in advance, bringing an additional dress, undergarments, or accessories can be helpful. Your body continues to change throughout pregnancy, and an option that fit perfectly several weeks earlier may feel different by the session date.
Can I wear more than one color or style?
Absolutely. You might choose one soft, flowing look and one fitted or more dramatic option, but the outfits do not need to be complete opposites. Each look should contribute something useful to the overall collection rather than being added simply for the sake of changing clothes.
Ready to Plan Your Atlanta Maternity Photos?
If you’re expecting and would like help creating a maternity session that feels thoughtfully styled without having to figure out every detail alone, I’d love to hear from you. Complete the form below to tell me a little about your family, due date, and what you envision for your photographs. We’ll plan the setting, wardrobe, and finished artwork together, with access to my client closet included.
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Hi, I'm Christian!
(Michelle is my middle name) I’m a Marietta photographer serving families throughout the Atlanta area. I create beautifully polished portraits through a thoughtfully planned, fully guided experience—from the first conversation to finished artwork made for your home.
If you’re looking for beautiful family photography and an experienced photographer to guide you through the entire process, I’d love to hear from you.
