A maternity photoshoot is a wonderful way to celebrate and document your pregnancy journey. If done right, it can also help you boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as strengthen your bond with your partner and older children.
For a lot of women, one of the most important aspects of a maternity photoshoot is choosing what to wear. It can be tough deciding on the perfect outfit that both flatters your baby bump and makes you feel confident and comfortable. In this article, we’ll provide some style tips and ideas to help you dress for your maternity photoshoot and truly feel like the queen that you are!
Maternity photoshoot style tips and ideas
1. Choose flattering colors and patterns

One of the first things to consider when choosing what to wear for your maternity photoshoot is the color and pattern of your outfit. You want to pick colors that complement your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. You might also want them to match the season or location of your photoshoot.
Some of the trendy colors for maternity fashion in 2023 are black, white, blue, gray, green, brown, red, and yellow. You can also mix and match different shades of these colors to create contrast and interest. For example, you can wear a navy blue dress with a yellow scarf or a gray sweater with a red skirt.
When it comes to patterns, you have a lot of options to choose from. From stripes, polka dots, checks, and plaids to animal prints, geometric shapes, and everything in between, the list is almost endless. The rule of thumb here is not to choose patterns that are too busy or too large that they might distract from your baby bump or make you look bigger than you are. Go for patterns that are smaller than your fist.
2. Prioritize comfort

Comfort in maternity wear mainly has to do with your fabrics and their cuts. You want to pick fabrics that are comfortable and breathable for you and your baby bump. Some popular options in 2023 are denim, lace, guipure, knitwear, cotton, linen, and silk.
You also want to pick cuts that are flattering and versatile for your changing body shape. Go for dresses with flounce or yoke, high-waisted jeans with cuffs, cute overalls, leggings, tunics, wrap dresses, or maxi dresses.
Additionally, you can also layer different pieces of clothing to create different looks or to adjust to the weather. For example, you can wear a cardigan over a dress or a jacket over a shirt.
3. Don’t be afraid to accessorize!

One of the easiest ways to spice up your maternity outfit is to accessorize with jewelry, hats, or scarves. You can use these accessories to add some color, texture, or sparkle to your look. You can also use them to express your personality or mood. For example, you can wear a necklace with your baby’s name or initials, a hat with a funny slogan, or a scarf with an animal print on top of your chosen outfit.
That said, be careful not to overdo it with accessories. It is very easy for them to clash with each other or take away from your baby bump. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to one or two accessories per outfit.
4. Incorporate props into your maternity shoot

This is yet another fun way to make your maternity photoshoot more memorable. You can use props like flowers, balloons, or ultrasound images to add some interest or sentimentality to your photos.
Props are also a great way to tell a story. They can reveal your baby’s gender or announce your baby’s name, for example.
Some great ideas for props include holding a bouquet of roses if you’re having a girl or sunflowers if you’re having a boy, blowing up balloons with letters that spell out your baby’s name, or showing off your ultrasound image in a frame. Again, be careful not to use props that are too big or too overwhelming lest they overshadow you or your baby bump.
5. Coordinated outfits with your partner or your other children

If you are having a maternity photoshoot with your partner or as a family, you might want to coordinate your outfits with them to create a harmonious and cohesive look. You can do this by choosing similar colors, patterns, styles, or themes for your outfits.
A word of caution, though: try not to match your outfits too much, as the result might look boring or cheesy. Consider going for outfits that complement each other, but also show your individuality. You can also add some variety by mixing different textures, layers, or accessories into everyone’s looks.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, your choice of what to wear for your maternity photoshoot can be a fun and creative process that allows you to celebrate your pregnancy in style! We hope that with the tips and tricks outlined here, you now have a few ideas in the bank that you might want to try out when the big day comes. Remember, no matter what you choose, the most important thing is to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you can do this, you will have an amazing time. Congratulations!
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Check out our list of maternity photographers: https://twiddlesteps.com/listing-category/maternity-photography/