Let's Prepare for your Maternity Photos
Studio Wardrobe & Styling Guide
Your maternity session is designed to highlight connection, emotion, and the beauty of this season in your life. To help you feel confident and fully supported, I offer a curated studio wardrobe featuring flowing gowns and timeless pieces chosen specifically to flatter the pregnant form.
Each dress photographed on this page is available in my studio collection. I’ll help you select the perfect pieces during your session, and styling support is always included!
PATTERNS
What to look for & What to Avoid
Patterns can be tricky, but when done right, they add just the right amount of personality and visual interest to your images.
Florals:
Whether small and delicate or bold and oversized, florals are beautiful when paired in the right setting.
Stripes:
Stripes are a big no no. We want to maximum your baby bump and stripes don't typically work well. That being said...we can always create a dynamic images to emphasize your baby belly with a striped outfit.
Subtle Shapes & Prints:
Repeating prints - Yes or No? Look for small patterns such as poke a dot or small florals.
Lace, Sheer & Birthday Suits
If you’d like to include images in lace, sheer, or semi-transparent gowns, wearing nude or skin-toned undergarments is strongly recommended. These allow the focus to stay on your beautiful shape and help create clean, seamless images without distractions.
A nude bra or strapless bra works best when possible. For bottoms, nude underwear is ideal—and if you happen to forget, don’t worry at all. The studio has brand-new nude thongs available, provided for your comfort and peace of mind. They are yours to keep.
These options are completely optional and only for clients who choose to include this style of imagery. Your comfort always comes first, and we’ll only photograph what you feel confident and happy wearing.
Partners & Children
Neutral Tones - Perfect for All Year Round and My personal fav!
When partners or children are included in your maternity session, wardrobe choices play an important role in creating timeless, cohesive images.
Neutral tones photograph best and help keep the focus on connection rather than clothing. Soft whites, creams, beiges, greys, soft browns, muted blues or pinks, and gentle earth tones all work beautifully in the studio.
Patterns to Avoid
High-contrast patterns: A white shirt with large black flowers? It draws attention away from your faces and can make the body look wider due to the strong contrast.
Tight stripes or plaid: These can create a weird optical illusion (called moiré) in your images and on screens.
Plaid (with a disclaimer!): Okay, I’ll be honest—plaid can sometimes work. If you really love it, just keep it simple and pair it on top of a solid toned dress or shirt...or bare belly. Your partner is welcome to wear plaid but best for outdoor sessions. **Have only one person wear it, and choose less contrasting tones. I recommend staying away from the large plaid print.
** There are exceptions - Rules are meant to be broken. Have an outfit in mind or have seen an inspiration image...Let's add it to your vision board!
Striples or tight lined patterns can create a distortion called "moire" when captured on camera. It's not something that can be fixed in photoshop!
The most important thing?
Choose outfits that make you feel good. When you're confident and comfortable, it shows—and that’s what truly makes a photo beautiful. I’m always here to help and give feedback and put together a wardrobe that provides you with a beautiful collection of images to remember this time in your life.
Hair and Make-up
Professional hair and makeup is always recommended when possible. It not only helps you feel pampered and confident, but it also photographs beautifully and saves time and stress on the day of your session.
For hair, wearing it down with soft, loose curls tends to be the most flattering and timeless option for maternity portraits. That said, the most important thing is that you feel like you. If you’d like to make small adjustments once you arrive, hair styling tools are available in the studio for touch-ups.
Makeup should be slightly more polished than your everyday look, as cameras and studio lighting can soften details. Neutral tones with defined eyes and a soft glow work especially well for maternity imagery.
One detail that’s easy to forget—your nails. Hands are featured often in maternity sessions, so clean, well-groomed nails in neutral or soft tones photograph best.
