Guest post from Seattle maternity, newborn + family photographer (and founder of Om Mama Co.) Meredith McKee Ruth!
Maternity fashion has come a long way & I love all of the variety I see in what my mamas-to-be are choosing to wear for their maternity sessions! There are several different shapes & options you can consider when deciding what to wear, so I’ve compiled some of my top tips & suggestions!
Flowing
Maxi dresses are perfect for maternity sessions. They add great movement and help you feel extra feminine. I love how they drape over the bump! They are almost like a prop in itself – giving you something to hold & move!
Tight
I LOVE a dress that shows off your baby bump! With a tight dress, we won’t need to use your hands as much to accentuate the bump, because it will show itself. If you like the idea of a tight dress but want a little more coverage, you can consider wearing a kimono over the top as Kelly did (pictured below) If I could choose what to wear, I would suggest one flowy outfit & one tight.
Bold
There are so many fun, bold, patterned dresses out there! Kim was absolutely glowing at golden hour, and this yellow dress was the perfect representation of her sunny personality!
You can see the difference dress color can make between this photo above featuring a bright red dress and the one directly below at the top of the “Neutral” category. Similar fitted dress, same location, different vibe!
Neutral
White & light neutrals are always my favorite color pallets for shoots. They feel bright, fresh & let you & the background be the main focus! I always recommend light neutrals for newborn sessions as well. This was Krista’s wedding rehearsal dress! I loved that she got to repurpose a dress she loved and that it added that extra special sentiment!
For maternity sessions, I don’t usually recommend black. The dark color hides shadows around your bump so we have to be more intentional about posing to show it off. Rachel (pictured below) actually made a hilarious little video of herself turning straight on & sideways joking “pregnant” vs “not pregnant” based on the angle of her body. (Busy patterns can also have a similar effect). That all being said, Rachel looked absolutely STUNNING for their shoot. The black was a perfect contrast for the bright white snow. She looked so elegant! So while I may not recommend something, this is a perfect example of just going with what you feel good in!
Fancy
Life is going to look a bit different when baby arrives, so why not embrace your fancy side for your maternity photos!?
Casual
If you want to go a bit more casual either for your entire session or for one look, pants & a top or leggings and a tunic work great! Similar thoughts on flowy vs. fitted apply here – I recommend mixing it up!
Bring a second outfit!
If you’re booking a full maternity session, you are also welcome to change halfway through & put on a separate look. Rachel wore a more casual leggings & tunic outfit for the second half and I loved that as well. Wearing two different outfits for your maternity session gives you lots of variety in your final gallery!
Bring a prop!
Hats, scarves, kimonos, sweaters etc. can also add a lot of fun & variety to an outfit. Also consider if you want to bring along any baby-related props like letter-boards, baby shoes, stuffed animals, etc. I loved this baby blue hexagon letter-board, and it matched their outfits perfectly!
Favorite Maternity Clothing Shops
and… Old Navy & Amazon!
BONUS tip!
Picking out a fun outfit for your maternity session can also double as an outfit for your baby shower or other special occasion! AND If you are wanting to feel more fashionable throughout your pregnancy (and after!), but don’t want to buy clothes for your changing shape, consider renting your clothes through local Seattle company, Armoire! They have a fabulous selection of chic maternity wear, especially great for the office, as well as special occasions like showers, weddings, photo shoots and more! They ship (designer brands, and take care of dry cleaning!) nationally!
Mood Board Inspiration
I hope this inspires you to show off your baby bump at your maternity session! Looking for more tips on color, pattern & coordination? Check out these posts I wrote on What to Wear: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter
