What to Wear for a Maternity Photoshoot
Picking an outfit for your maternity shoot can feel a lot higher stakes compared to making an ordinary wardrobe decision.
Understandably. You're choosing an outfit which you'll look back at in pictures twenty years from now that define this moment in time. It's worth getting right, and the selection process can be made quite simple once you know what to look for.
Here are the main factors you should consider before buying a photoshoot outfit and how these will vary based on location and stage of pregnancy.
What actually matters when selecting a dress:
- Fabric
- Fit
- Color
- Comfort
Fabric:
Matte fabrics are generally a safer option regardless of setting as they are less likely to catch studio lighting oddly and create hotspots in photos you can't easily edit out. This is even more important when shooting outside where the sun rays can create points of glare in your images.
Fit:
If the fit is too loose, the outfit photographs as shapeless and doesn't highlight the bump. Too tight and you'll spend the shoot pulling and adjusting the fabric instead of relaxing into poses.
Color:
This is definitely down to personal taste. But from a longevity perspective, solid colors are the way to go. They photograph more timelessly compared to busy patterns which can become dated in photos you'll keep for decades.
Comfort:
Most professional sessions can run from 45 minutes to 2 hours long. With location changes, posing and standing for long periods, wearing a heavy and stiff outfit can become uncomfortable and will show up in your photos.
Styling by location:
Studio Photoshoot:
Controlled lighting means your dress color and fabric will render close to true-to-life, which gives you more flexibility. However, for the best pictures picking a color the provides enough contrast to the backdrop color will ensure that you are the focus of the image.
(Duan here is wearing The Reese Dress in Ebony )
Outdoor Photoshoot:
Choose an outfit that works with the elements. With wind, movement is your best friend. A dress with soft, flowing fabric will catch the breeze and add life to the photos rather than looking static.
(Savannah wearing The Reese Dress in Bone)
'I was so impressed with this dress! From the fabric, to the fit, the details. It’s so hard finding dresses you can feel good in during pregnancy and this one checked off every box. Perfect for PP too!' - Savannah
A dress that works for more than one day:
It's a common misconception that dresses used in maternity shoots can only be used once.
Purchasing a well made maternity dress that is elegant enough to be captured in photos, but designed functionally for everyday life can extend the longevity of an outfit to beyond the photos being developed.
It's the same mindset we design our dresses based on. The Reese Dress brings a soft, chic silhouette that photographs beautifully against both a clean studio backdrop and natural outdoor lighting. Real moms are wearing these dresses beyond their photoshoots, from dinner dates to school drop-offs, these dresses are truly versatile.
Ready to find the dress for your shoot? Shop our curated Maternity Dress for Photoshoots Collection