The question I get asked most in the weeks before a maternity session is some version of what to wear for maternity photos. It sounds simple but it feels overwhelming.
You’re dressing a body that’s in the middle of changing, you probably don’t want to buy something you’ll wear once, and most of the guidance online is vague or doesn’t translate to an actual studio session. This post covers what photographs well for maternity photos in Connecticut, what to skip, and how to handle everyone else in the frame. There’s also a note at the end about the studio wardrobe, which answers a lot of these questions before you even have to ask them.
What Silhouettes Work Best for Maternity Photos
The goal is to show the bump clearly. That sounds obvious, but it rules out a surprising number of outfits.
Flowing maxi gowns are the most reliable choice. They work in studio and outdoor settings, they’re comfortable at 30-something weeks, and the movement looks good on camera. A fitted bodice with a flared or A-line skirt is the formula that works for most body types. It shows your shape where you want it to and gives you room where you don’t.
Form-fitting dresses also work well, especially for studio sessions. Stretch jersey and matte knit photograph cleanly and move the way you need them to. Skip anything stiff or structured. Fabrics that don’t have any give to them tend to pull awkwardly and wrinkle in ways that aren’t fixable in editing.
What doesn’t work: boxy or oversized clothing. It hides the bump instead of showing it, which is the whole point of the session.
What Colors Look Best for Maternity Photos
Neutrals are your safest choice. Cream, ivory, sage, blush, soft gray, warm white. These photograph cleanly, hold up when you print them, and work with any background or season.
Very dark solids are a common mistake. Black and navy read flat on camera and tend to hide the bump. Even if dark colors are your entire wardrobe right now (you’re 32 weeks pregnant, it happens), skip them as your primary outfit for the session.
Busy patterns and high-contrast prints pull attention away from your face and bump. Large florals, bold stripes, and graphic prints also date quickly. Simple and neutral is almost always the right call, and it’s what holds up best when these images are on your wall three years from now.
Fabric Matters More Than You’d Think
This is the detail that many people don’t consider until they’re in the studio.
Fabrics that photograph well: gauze, chiffon, jersey, crepe, lace. Anything that drapes and moves naturally. These translate softly on camera and don’t wrinkle badly under lights.
Fabrics to avoid: stiff cotton wrinkles immediately under studio lights and doesn’t move. Super-stretchy synthetic blends tend to cling in unflattering places and often read shiny on camera. Anything with a loud texture can become visual noise in photos, pulling attention away from your face and bump.
If you’re borrowing from the studio wardrobe, this question is already answered. The gowns are chosen specifically for how they photograph.
Studio vs. Outdoor Sessions: What Changes
The setting changes what works.
For studio sessions, you have more flexibility. Structured gowns, fitted dresses, and more revealing choices photograph nicely against a clean backdrop. You also don’t have to account for wind or weather (a bigger practical consideration than it sounds at 34 weeks).
For outdoor sessions in Connecticut, lean toward something flowy. Movement looks good in natural light, especially in spring and fall. A gauze or chiffon maxi in a neutral or earthy tone is nearly impossible to get wrong outdoors. If you’re planning an outdoor session and want to talk through wardrobe before you start pulling things together, reach out.
Bring two outfits if you can, one more structured and one more relaxed. It gives your gallery variety and takes the pressure off committing to a single look.
What Your Partner and Kids Should Wear
The goal is a consistent palette, not matching outfits. Identical clothing tends to look dated in photos, and no one wants that.
For partners: simple and understated. Neutral pants, a solid top or button-down, nothing with a logo or large graphic. The point is to fit into the frame without drawing attention away from you.
For kids: stay in the neutral palette. Cream, soft white, sage, tan. Avoid bright colors that pull focus. If getting everyone coordinated feels like more of a project than you have bandwidth for right now (completely reasonable), reach out and I can point you in the right direction.
You Don’t Have to Buy Anything New
The studio has a full wardrobe of maternity gowns that clients can borrow at no extra charge. If you want the look of a flowing studio gown without buying something you’ll wear once, that’s exactly what it’s there for.
When you book a maternity photography session in Farmington, CT, I’ll send you the wardrobe gallery ahead of time so you can browse and make a selection before you arrive. Most clients use at least one studio piece. Some use the wardrobe exclusively.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you’re self-conscious about an outfit, it tends to show on camera. Pick something that feels good, shows the bump, and matches the look you’re going for.
Ready to book? Explore maternity photography sessions in Connecticut, or read what to expect at your maternity session if you’re still in the planning stage.
Shopping Links and Outfit Ideas
If bringing your own clothing is more your speed, I offer a ShopMy storefront with curated outfit inspiration for every type of photo session, including maternity sessions, updated seasonally with pieces that photograph well and align with my studio’s neutral, timeless style. Clients can shop my recommendations directly or simply use the collection for inspiration. You can also find outfit ideas organized by palette and style on my Pinterest.
This section may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share items and brands that align with my style and that I would confidently recommend to my own clients.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Flowing dresses in neutral tones are the most reliable choice. A fitted bodice with a flared or A-line skirt works for most body types, and fabrics like gauze, jersey, and chiffon photograph best because they drape and move naturally. Cream, blush, sage, and soft gray are all solid color options. If you’d rather not buy something new, the studio has a wardrobe of maternity gowns you can borrow at no extra charge.
Neutrals photograph the most cleanly and hold up best in print: cream, ivory, blush, sage, soft gray, warm white. They work with any background, any season, and age well when these images are on your wall years from now. Avoid solid black and navy as your primary outfit. They tend to hide the bump and read flat on camera, which works against the whole point of the session.
No. The studio has a wardrobe of maternity gowns available to borrow at no extra charge. After you book, you can schedule a complimentary wardrobe consultation so you can browse ahead of time, try things on, and have a selection ready before you arrive. Most clients use at least one studio piece. Some use the wardrobe exclusively and don’t bring anything of their own. If you do want to wear something personal, that’s completely fine too.
Simple and neutral is the goal. Chinos or dark jeans, a solid Henley or button-down, a fitted crewneck. Nothing with logos, large graphics, or heavy patterns. Layers photograph well if your partner wants to add some visual interest without going too formal. The main thing is to coordinate with your color palette without pulling attention away from you and the bump.
Most people shoot between 30 and 34 weeks. By that point the bump is full and visible, but you’re typically still comfortable enough to move around and try different poses. Earlier than 28 weeks and the bump may not be as prominent on camera as it looks in person. Later than 36 weeks and comfort becomes a real factor. Everyone’s different, but 32 weeks is usually the sweet spot. Book earlier than you think you need to, especially if you’re interested in a first-year membership that starts with the maternity session.
