My Job is to Help YOU Shine as a Mom

Scheduling maternity photos can be daunting. I know that having a baby bump as the focus of your session can feel a bit…. invasive. The questions running through your mind can quickly pile up: What to wear to your maternity photoshoot, how to flatter your maternity body, how to pose with family in a way that highlights Baby without seeming awkward, and what can one even expect from a Maternity session?!

Take a deep breath! I promise, Maternity sessions often feel more empowering than awkward and this guide will help you feel confident in deciding what to wear to your maternity photoshoot. I mean, with that beautiful bump, you will look like an absolute Goddess.

How I Can Help YOU Feel Embowered and Beautiful for Your Session

The maternal moments are unique. Tender yet proud. Feminine yet powerful. There’s a lot of emotion and beauty there to capture. To get the most from your session, there are few things that you can do to prepare yourself and your family in advance to help take some of that stress away and let you truly enjoy the celebration that your session is documenting.

Mothers often worry about how their body will look in maternity photos. As a mother, I know firsthand that the changes a body goes through are not always viewed positively. I’m here to tell you that ALL bodies can look absolutely breathtaking in maternity images. There are two things that will help to display your maternal body in the most flattering and beautiful way: style choice and posing!

Good news! As a photographer, I take care of the posing for you. I’ll let you know when to pop a knee, where to hold your belly, and where to look so that the beauty of motherhood shines through. And as for what to wear to your maternity photoshoot? This short guide will help you target exactly what can bring out your confidence and the beauty of motherhood.

What Should You Wear to Look Radiant For Your Maternity Session?

Create Shape with Silhouette

The goal is to draw all of the attention to your beautifully round belly. For that to happen, we need to be able to see your shape. A tight fitted dress that hugs the body often looks the most flattering in maternity images. If you do want to opt for a more flowy option, pay attention to the silhouette and the way the garment shapes around your belly. The dress should be fitted until just above the belly and then flare out. A flowy gown will result in images that are feminine and etherial while a dress that is fully fitted will often give a more modern and edgy look. When picking what to wear to your maternity photoshoot, opt for a silhouette that flatters both your body and your personality.

What if You want to Keep it Casual?

Maybe you’re not into dresses and it just doesn’t feel like you… maybe you gravitate towards a beautifully casual look. In this case I recommend to choose an outfit where you can have your belly fully exposed. Some cute jeans or baggy fabric pants and a crop top with an oversized sweater is a great option. Or get bold with some black underwear and Risky Business style collared shirt. Or… hear me out… opt for no clothes.

Document the Beauty of Motherhood by Opting for Fine Art Nude Maternity Photoshoot

Pregnancy is gorgeous, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. So let’s highlight the beauty of the maternal body. If you opt for nude photographs, you can choose to be draped in a flowy shear fabric. This allows for some tasteful censorship while still giving a full outline to the details of your shape. And, if you’re feeling bold and would like to do full nude photos, as the photographer, I will use light (specifically shadows) and posing to censor sensitive areas. If you do opt for a draped or nude photoshoot, please be sure to arrive in loose fitted clothing. The pregnant body retains water and seam lines stay visible on the skin for quite some time after clothing has been removed. Opt to wear no seam underwear with loosely fitted bottoms on the day of your session and get some pasties nipple stickers to have on hand.

Ditch the Shoes

If you want me to take something off of your planning plate, here’s a tip. Barefoot is my absolute favorite in Maternity photos! If you love a knockout pair of heels or want to sport something casual to show your personality, go for it, but if thinking about shoes for you and your family adds even a tiny bit of stress, plan to ditch the shoes all together!

What Can the Family Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot?

If you choose to bring your family along to be part of your Maternity session think about how their styling will coordinate with your own. I always advise families to pick Mama’s outfit before they even think about the rest of the crew. Once you have that down, the rest is pretty easy. Here’s a few tips to style your family to compliment you.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

Maternity posing with Dad and siblings involves a lot of overlapping bodies and closeness so if you are all wearing the exact same color you will run the risk of looking like a big monotone body with multiple heads. That’s an exaggeration, but it does make it more difficult to create visual interest. Instead, pick a color palette that coordinates and dress everybody in colors that compliment each other.

Stay Away from Busy Patterns

I LOVE a good pattern just as much as the next suburban mom but oftentimes patterns can draw attention away from the shape of the mother or take focus. Solids are a great option! If you’re still craving some variety, bring that dimension in with different fabrics and textures instead.

Keep it Simple, Dad

Don’t get me wrong. We all love Dad. But… when it come’s to maternity photos, Mom is the star. When styling Dad, keep it simple to let her shine in this moment! Plain colored shirts and some khakis (or nice jeans if you’re wanting a very casual look) are perfect. No need to overcomplicate it. You don’t need to dress the man for a job interview.

Are you Ready to Book?

If you are in the Bellevue or Seattle area and are still looking for a photographer to help you freeze this fleeting moment in time, I offer both studio and lifestyle maternity options for booking. Explore my Booking Link for options on different session types.

Are you hoping to borrow something from my client closet to wear in an upcoming maternity session? Check out what I have on hand for you and your family in my Client Closet link. If you don’t see something you love here and are interested in making a client closet donation in exchange for a session discount, reach out! I offer discounts to your session in exchange for the donation of a client closet item if there is a need for an outfit in that area. Many people only wear their maternity photo dress one time so this is a way to help you feel beautiful in a way that feels right while softening the blow of a higher dress price for one time wear. This service is only available if discussed in advanced so please reach out to collaborate on how to make use of this promotion.

Explore more offerings by Telly Dez Photography

Telly Dez Photography offers lifestyle photography packages both in studio and out at scenic Seattle and Eastside locations. For more information about packages and our photographic mission to preserve the unbridled love of motherhood and childhood, visit Tellydezphotography.com