I get how overwhelming it can be to figure out what to wear for maternity photos. When you’re expecting, and when your body is changing in a new way, it can be even more stressful.

My full-service experience includes not only professionally hair and makeup, but a full client wardrobe of maternity gowns and bump-friendly dresses as well. But there are a few tried-and-true recommendations I have for my clients.

Overall, I recommend choose clothing that gives your shape definition and lets you move comfortably. Soft neutrals, gentle texture and clean lines work beautifully with my bright, airy style. You do not need to buy a dress for a session with me. I plan wardrobe with you, and my clients can choose from a large studio collection of maternity and postpartum-friendly dresses.

I do not expect you to know which shape, fabric or color will photograph best. That is part of the planning I provide through my full maternity session experience. You come into my Old Town Tustin studio, try things on and see what actually feels good on your body.

Start with fit, not a size on the label

Every pregnant body carries differently. Two women who wear the same size outside of pregnancy may need completely different dresses during a maternity session. That is why I do not ask you to choose a gown from a picture and hope it works when you arrive.

The wardrobe appointment is the time to try different shapes, move around and look at how the fabric falls. I pay attention to where a dress defines the belly, how it fits through the shoulders and bust, and whether you can sit and move comfortably in it. A dress can be beautiful on a hanger and still not be the right dress for you. That is completely normal.

Maternity wardrobe appointments are honestly some of my favorite appointments because they feel like dress-up. Some clients immediately know what they love. Others are surprised by the dress they choose. You do not have to make that decision alone. And you won’t ever be left wondering what to wear for maternity photos.

You do not need to buy a maternity dress for one day

Shopping for maternity photos can become its own project. What fits now may fit differently in another week, and it is hard to judge from an online photo how a fabric will move or photograph. My studio wardrobe removes that pressure.

I keep more than 75 dresses in a range of silhouettes, colors and textures. There are simple bump-friendly dresses, fitted options, flowing gowns and pieces that create a little more drama. You can try several looks, and I can photograph more than one if that gives the session the variety you want.

If I do not have the right option for the look you have in mind, I will try to find it. You are also welcome to bring something of your own. If you prefer to shop, my guide to maternity stores in Orange County can give you a place to begin, but please start with the wardrobe appointment before buying something only for your photographs.

Fitted or flowing can both work

A fitted dress clearly shows the shape of your belly and can feel clean and modern. Soft knit fabrics are especially useful because they follow the body without adding bulk. This can be a beautiful choice in the studio, where simple backgrounds keep the focus on you.

A flowing dress creates movement and softness. Chiffon, tulle and lightweight layers can look beautiful outdoors when there is a gentle breeze, but they also work in the studio when I want fabric to become part of the photograph.

You do not have to decide that you are a fitted-dress person or a flowing-gown person. Many clients wear both. I like the variety because one look can feel simple and intimate while another feels more dramatic.

Choose fabrics that move and photograph cleanly

Soft knits, chiffon, silk-like fabrics, cotton and delicate lace can all photograph well when the fit is right. Texture adds interest, especially in a neutral color, but the fabric should not overwhelm you or hide the shape of your belly.

I usually avoid very stiff fabric, large logos and busy patterns. Tiny high-contrast patterns can also create distracting visual effects on camera. None of this means your clothing has to be plain. It simply means the eye should go to you first.

What colors photograph well for maternity photos?

Cream, white, blush, soft blue, muted green, gray and other gentle neutrals work naturally with my light, airy photography. They also make it easier to coordinate a partner and children without turning everyone into an exact match.

That does not mean every client has to wear a pale color. A black fitted dress can be striking and put all the attention on the shape of the body. A richer color can also work if it fits the setting and feels like you. I care more about creating a cohesive photograph than following a rule about one perfect maternity color.

Coordinate your partner and children without matching everyone

Your partner and children should look connected to you, not dressed in identical outfits. I usually begin with Mom’s dress because it has the strongest effect on the overall palette. From there, I build simple layers of color and texture around it.

Cream, tan, soft gray, muted blue and other quiet tones are easy to coordinate. Linen, soft knits and subtle texture keep those colors from looking flat. I avoid large logos, very bold patterns and anything that pulls attention away from faces and connection.

I help style the whole family. I can provide options for younger siblings and guide clothing choices for older children and partners. You are not left with a beautiful dress for yourself and no idea what anyone else should wear.

Studio and outdoor sessions need different wardrobe plans

In the studio, I can use fitted dresses, long gowns and more editorial pieces against a clean white background. The studio is private and climate-controlled, and it is easy to change looks. That makes it a good choice when you want variety or prefer not to change clothes outdoors.

For an outdoor session, I think about the location, ground, temperature and wind before choosing clothing. Flowing fabric can be beautiful at the beach or in an open field, but the dress also needs to be practical enough for the amount of walking involved. Soft colors work especially well with Orange County’s beaches, open fields and natural greenery.

If you are still deciding between the two, my guide to choosing a studio or outdoor setting explains what each option feels like beyond the wardrobe.

Hair, makeup and wardrobe should feel like one look

Professional hair and makeup for Mom is included in my maternity sessions. It is not an optional add-on. I want the hair, makeup and clothing to make sense together, and I want you to feel finished without feeling unlike yourself.

The goal is not heavy makeup or a formal hairstyle unless that is what you want. It is having someone take care of those details while you sit down, breathe and get ready for the session. By the time you step in front of the camera, the wardrobe is already chosen and I am ready to guide you.

For expert prep tips, check out Lily Hayes Photography’s maternity makeup guide for ideas on foundation, eye definition, lip tones, and more. (Just remember… when you book with us, your professional hair and makeup is included).

You do not have to feel camera-ready before you arrive

Women sometimes look at my portfolio and assume the mothers in it arrived feeling completely confident. They did not all feel that way. Some were excited. Some felt uncomfortable in a body that seemed to change every week. Some were worried they would not know what to do in front of the camera.

You do not need to know how to pose. I pay attention to your hands, posture, fabric and angles, and I guide you through small adjustments as I photograph. I also guide partners and children, so nobody has to figure out where to stand or what to do.

If body changes are making photographs feel intimidating, you can also read about feeling comfortable in maternity photos. My job is to make the photography side feel manageable and cared for.

This is the practical side of my Just Show Up promise. You do not have to solve the wardrobe, coordinate every person or arrive knowing your best angle. I take care of those pieces for you.

Frequently asked questions about maternity wardrobe

Wondering what to wear for maternity photos?

Choose clothing that defines your belly, feels comfortable and fits the overall look you want. Soft neutrals, clean lines and gentle texture photograph beautifully, but the right dress is the one that works for your body and your session.

Do I need to buy a maternity dress?

No. My clients can use the studio wardrobe, and I plan a fitting before the session so you can see what actually works. You may bring your own clothing if there is something personal or specific you want to wear.

Should I wear something fitted or flowing?

Both can photograph beautifully. A fitted dress shows the shape of the belly clearly. A flowing dress adds movement and softness. Many clients choose one of each for variety.

What should my partner wear?

Simple, well-fitting clothing in a coordinating neutral or muted color usually works best. I help choose the specific pieces after Mom’s wardrobe is selected, so the full family looks connected without matching exactly.

Do you provide clothing for siblings?

I have options for younger siblings and provide styling guidance for older children. I look at the family as a whole instead of leaving each person’s clothing as a separate decision.

Is professional hair and makeup included?

Yes. Professional hair and makeup for Mom is included. It is part of the experience, not an extra you have to add later.

When should I plan wardrobe?

I plan wardrobe before the session so nothing is left for the morning of your photographs. If you have not chosen a session date yet, start with my guide to the best time for maternity photos.

What makes your maternity wardrobe experience different?

My approach includes an in-studio wardrobe appointment, professional hair and makeup, styling for your partner and children, and full posing guidance. You can see how those pieces fit together in the full maternity session experience.

You can show up without having every detail figured out

What you wear matters, but you do not need to turn it into another job. I help you choose clothing that feels good, photographs beautifully and works with the people and setting included in your session. Then I take care of the posing and details once the camera comes out.

If you are expecting and want help planning the entire experience, contact me here. I would love to hear what you are picturing and take the wardrobe question off your list.