Well, I understand it can be overwhelming to plan photos for your family, but it’s worth it to put the time into planning so you LOVE your photos.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Some mums want a very soft, feminine look with a long maternity gown. Others feel much more like themselves in jeans and a shirt, a fitted dress, a bodysuit, or lingerie.
We can create a combination of looks during your session, from elegant and timeless to more relaxed and intimate.
I usually suggest keeping the styling fairly simple. The simpler the outfit is, the more attention stays on you, your shape and your bump.
If you book your maternity session with me, you’ll also have access to my Maternity Dress Collection, available to use during your session free of charge, so you don’t necessarily need to buy something just for your photos. Once your session is booked, I’ll send you the collection to browse before your session.
Colours that photograph beautifully
Neutral and earthy tones work particularly well: White • Cream • Ivory • Beige • Taupe • Brown • Olive • Dusty Rose • Soft Blue • Dark Blue • Black
White and lighter neutrals create a soft, airy look. Black creates a beautiful, dramatic silhouette and works especially well for simple studio portraits.
Try to avoid:
• large logos
• very bright neon colours
• tiny busy patterns
• strong stripes
• clothing with distracting writing or graphics
A FEW OUTFIT IDEAS
Fitted dress
This is one of the easiest options and it works really well. A fitted dress shows the shape of your bump beautifully without needing much styling around it.
Maternity gown
If you love something a little softer or more romantic, a flowing gown is a lovely option. Long fabric also gives us movement to work with, which can look gorgeous in photos.
Bodysuit
A simple bodysuit gives a much more modern, minimal look. It works particularly well for studio portraits.
Jeans
Want a very simple look? Jeans worn open under the bump with a bra, bodysuit, tank or white/black shirt. It feels relaxed and natural and gives a completely different look from a maternity gown.
Lingerie
If you’re comfortable with it, simple lingerie can look incredibly elegant in maternity portraits. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. In fact, plain pieces usually work better than anything very detailed or heavily patterned.
WHAT TO WEAR UNDERNEATH
This is one of those little things that can make changing between outfits much easier.
I recommend bringing:
• nude seamless underwear
• black seamless underwear if we’re doing darker looks
• a nude strapless bra if you have one
• nipple covers
For anything fitted, seamless underwear is definitely the best option.
And one small tip for the day of your session: try not to wear anything very tight for a while before you come in. Tight bras, socks, leggings, and underwear can leave marks on the skin, especially around your waist, shoulders, and ankles.
Loose clothes on the way to the studio are perfect.
HAIR & MAKEUP
Professional hair and makeup are completely optional.
If you love having your hair and makeup done, maternity photos are a lovely excuse for it. But you absolutely don’t need professional makeup to look good in your photos.
If you’re doing it yourself, I’d simply do a slightly polished version of how you normally like to look.
The same goes for hair. Soft waves, a blow-dry, straight hair, your natural curls — all of these work.
I would rather you look like yourself than feel as though you’ve been styled into someone completely different.
SKIN
There’s no need to suddenly change your skincare routine before your photoshoot.
Actually, I would avoid trying any new facial, peel, tan or strong skincare product right before the session.
Moisturiser is a good idea, especially if we’ll be showing your shoulders, arms, legs, or bare bump.
If you use fake tan, use one you already know works well for you and give it enough time to settle evenly.
NAILS&HANDS
Your hands tend to feature quite a lot in maternity photos because we naturally use them around your bump.
So just have a quick look at your nails beforehand. They don’t need to be professionally done. Natural nails, a nude colour or a simple French manicure are all perfect.
It’s also a good idea to moisturise your hands before the session, especially if your skin tends to be dry. Feel free to bring a small hand cream with you as well so you can reapply it if needed.
If we’re planning barefoot photos, check your toes as well.
WHAT SHOULD MY PARTNER WEAR?
Don’t try to match each other exactly. You just want the outfits to feel like they belong together.
Simple pieces usually work best. Choose colors according to your own outfit selection.
• plain white/cream/khaki/black shirt or T-shirt
• neutral knit
• linen shirt
• beige, tan or neutral trousers/chino pants
• simple jeans if you are doing a jeans look as well
Large logos, bold graphics and very busy patterns are best avoided.
I normally suggest choosing your outfit first, then working your partner’s outfit around it. It’s much easier that way.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
The same rule applies — simple is better.
Soft neutrals and muted colours work well with most maternity looks: cream, white, beige, light brown, dusty pink, soft blue, olive and other natural tones.
Try to avoid cartoon characters, large logos and anything very busy.
But comfort matters too, especially with little ones. If your toddler looks beautiful but absolutely hates what they’re wearing, we’re going to know about it very quickly.
Choose something they can actually move and cuddle you in.
Please plan your outfits in advance and make sure they fit and are comfortable (aren’t itchy or too tight/big).
JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES
You really don’t need much. Your wedding rings, small earrings, a delicate necklace or something meaningful to you can be lovely.
Before we start, it’s also worth checking your wrists. Hair ties, fitness watches and elastic bands have a strange habit of staying there until the first photo.
WHAT TO BRING
• your outfits
• nudeunderwear
• black underwear if we need it
• strapless bra or nipple covers
• jewellery you’d like to wear
• hairbrush or comb
• lipstick or lip gloss for touch-ups
• water
If your partner or children are joining us, it’s a good idea to bring their session outfits separately rather than having them wear everything on the way. Much less chance of spills, wrinkles or sticky toddler fingers before we’ve even started.
THE DAY BEFORE
Try to get your outfits ready the day before rather than doing it five minutes before leaving the house.
Steam anything that needs steaming.
Check how your underwear sits.
Take the tags off anything new.
No shoes needed for a studio session. But if you’d like to use shoes for some photos, please bring new or really clean shoes (properly cleaned, not just wiped) in a bag.
Put your jewellery, shoes and small accessories together so nothing gets forgotten.
ON THE DAY
Please eat before your session and bring some water.
Maternity sessions involve more standing, sitting, changing and moving around than people sometimes expect, so there is absolutely no benefit in arriving hungry.
Wear loose clothes to the studio if you can.
I’ll guide you throughout the session, right down to small things like where your hand sits, which way your shoulders turn and how we position your legs. If something feels awkward, tell me. We’ll change it.
The whole point is to create beautiful photographs without you having to spend the session wondering whether you’re “doing it right”.
ONE LAST THING
A lot of women arrive at their maternity session feeling a little unsure about their changing body.
That’s very normal.
You might love being pregnant. You might be counting the days until it’s over. You might feel amazing one day and completely unlike yourself the next.
You do not have to arrive feeling incredibly confident for your photos to be beautiful.
Come as you are.
I’ll take care of the posing, the angles, the light and all those little details.
Your only job is to be there and enjoy having a little bit of time to celebrate you and the baby you’re about to meet.
Enter your due date to find your ideal Maternity Session dates.
Planning your maternity session?
If you’re expecting and would love to capture this stage before your little one arrives, you can find all the details about my maternity sessions, including pricing, what’s included, and available options, below.