What to Wear for Maternity Pictures: A Guide to Looking and Feeling Beautiful in Your Photos
You have a session booked, you’re excited, and then you open your closet and just... stare. Most expectant moms I work with arrive at this exact moment - somewhere in their second trimester, trying to picture what they should wear and coming up mostly blank. If that is where you are right now, this post is for you. By the time you finish reading, you will have real, concrete ideas for two to three outfits that will photograph beautifully and, more importantly, make you feel like yourself.
Most Moms Start as a Blank Canvas and That Is Completely Fine
When I meet with clients who are getting ready to book their maternity pictures, many of them are starting from scratch. Not just with outfit ideas, but with the overall look and feel they want for their session. That makes sense. You’re busy. You’re likely juggling work, preparing your home, and managing all the things that come with expecting a baby. Figuring out what to wear for a photo session is one more thing on a long list.
My job is to take that guesswork off your plate.
What I want for every expectant mom I photograph is simple: to feel comfortable, look gorgeous, and be able to look back on her maternity portraits with real happiness. The outfits you choose play a bigger role in that than most people realize - not because you need to look "perfect," but because the right clothing choices let you come through in the images.
What Actually Photographs Well During Pregnancy
Here is the honest guidance I give every client, whether we are shooting in-studio or outdoors here in the Detroit, Michigan area.
Prioritize Fit Over Size
The most flattering maternity photos come from clothing that fits your body as it is right now, not what fit six months ago and not the oversized option you grabbed for comfort. You want fabric that skims and supports your bump, not hides it. Your bump is the whole point. Let it be seen.
Fabrics and Silhouettes That Work
Flowy, draped fabrics - chiffon, jersey, and soft knits photograph beautifully because they move naturally and do not add visual bulk
Form-fitting gowns or bodysuits - these celebrate the shape of your pregnancy in a way that loose clothing simply cannot
Wrap styles - universally flattering and adjustable, which matters when comfort is a priority
Fitted dresses that hit below the knee - elegant, timeless, and easy to move in
Colors and Patterns to Keep in Mind
Soft, muted tones tend to feel timeless in maternity portraits - think dusty rose, warm cream, sage green, soft terracotta
Rich, deep tones like burgundy or navy can also be stunning, especially for fall or winter sessions
Solid colors almost always photograph better than busy prints, which can pull focus away from you and your bump
If you love pattern, a subtle texture or soft floral can work beautifully when it is not competing with the background
Plan for Two to Three Outfits for In-studio
I always encourage clients to think in layers: one look that feels a little more dressed up or editorial, one that feels soft and intimate, and possibly one that incorporates something personal like a partner's shirt, a piece of meaningful jewelry, a wrap that has texture and warmth. Two to three outfits gives your gallery real variety without the session feeling rushed or overwhelming.
Indoor Studio vs. Outdoor Sessions - Does It Change Things?
Yes, a little. Here is what I keep in mind for each.
In-Studio Maternity Sessions
Studio sessions tend to have more control over light and background, which means your outfits do the heavy lifting in terms of color and texture. This is a great place to use a beautiful gown, a draped wrap, or something a little more elevated. Because the backdrop is often neutral, your clothing can be bolder in color or more textured without competing with the environment. I always recommend 2-3 outfits for in-studio maternity sessions.
Outdoor Maternity Sessions in Detroit, Michigan
For outdoor sessions, I usually suggest thinking about the season and the setting. Earthy, natural tones connect beautifully with outdoor backdrops. Flowing fabrics move well in open air and create that effortless, editorial feel many moms are drawn to. If you are shooting in a field, near water, or in an urban setting around Detroit, the environment becomes part of the story - your outfit should complement it, not fight it. I usually recommend one outfit for outdoor sessions, or two at most.
My Detroit-Area Client Closet: You Do Not Have to Shop for This
This is one of my favorite things to tell my clients: you do not have to go out and buy anything.
I have a maternity Client Closet available for clients who are local to Detroit, Michigan or who are willing to travel, and I also travel to clients when that works better for your season of life. The closet includes gowns, wraps, and pieces specifically chosen to photograph beautifully and fit a range of pregnant bodies. You can borrow pieces for your session at no extra cost.
This matters because finding a gown that fits a pregnancy bump, photographs well, and feels comfortable is not always easy to do on your own in a short window of time. The Client Closet takes that pressure off completely.
Of course if you want to use your own pieces you can. If you want to borrow from the closet, we can plan that together when we connect before your session at your Consultation at my studio downtown Utica, Michigan. Most clients end up doing a combination of both. Below are just a few pieces from the Client Closet.
What Matters Most
Outfits matter, but they are not the whole picture. What I have seen over and over again is that the images clients treasure most are the ones where they felt calm, supported, and like themselves, not the ones where every detail was perfectly curated.
Please don’t let outfit planning become another source of stress. That is exactly why I am here to help guide you through it.
When we work together, we talk through all of this before your session so you arrive feeling prepared and at ease. You bring yourself. I will take care of the rest.
Ready to Start Planning Your Maternity Session?
If you are expecting and starting to think about your maternity portraits in the Detroit, Michigan area, I would love to connect. We can talk through timing, location, outfit ideas, and whether the Client Closet might be a good fit for you.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That is what our time together before the session is for.
Contact me here to start the conversation.
I’m already looking forward to talking to you and planning the most gorgeous maternity session together.
Talk soon,
Chelsie