Maternity Photos: What to Wear and How to Prepare for Your Session

You booked your maternity photos. First of all, YES. I am so glad you did.

Pregnancy somehow feels like it lasts approximately 47 years while you are living it, and then suddenly you are holding a baby and cannot quite remember what it felt like to have those tiny kicks inside your belly.

That is exactly why maternity photos matter.

Whether this is your first baby or the newest addition to a growing crew, this session is about documenting you in this season. The belly. The anticipation. Your partner looking at you like, “Holy crap, we made a human.” The older siblings who may or may not cooperate.

And because I want you to LOVE these images, there are a few things we need to talk about before you arrive.

Starting with the most important one.

What should I wear for maternity photos?

PUT. A. BRA. ON.

Seriously.

I love you. I support you. I fully understand that by this stage of pregnancy, bras have become instruments of torture that were clearly invented by someone who has never been 32 weeks pregnant.

But please wear one to your session.

Your photographer can fix a stray hair. We can adjust a dress. We can work around wrinkles. We cannot magically give clothing the structure it never had in the first place.

A good supportive bra helps your clothing lay correctly, gives everything some shape, and can make a massive difference in how polished your final maternity photos look.

The exception is obviously an outfit specifically designed to be worn without one. If you are wearing a maternity gown with built in support, a bodysuit, or we intentionally planned a more bare belly look, you are off the hook.

Otherwise, girls contained. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

If you need outfit inspiration before your session, Pinterest has endless maternity outfit ideas that can help you figure out what feels most like you.

When should I schedule maternity photos?

For most expecting moms, I recommend scheduling your session when your belly is beautifully round and obvious but before you reach the stage where putting on shoes requires an act of Congress.

Usually, somewhere around 32 to 36 weeks works beautifully.

That is not a hard rule. Every pregnancy and every body is different. If you are expecting multiples, have a history of delivering early, or simply feel like your bump is ready earlier, we can absolutely adjust.

The goal is not hitting some magical pregnancy week.

The goal is capturing your belly while you still feel comfortable enough to walk around, change positions, snuggle your family, and enjoy yourself.

And PLEASE do not wait until the last possible second to actually book your session. Babies have absolutely zero respect for our calendars.

You can book a maternity photography session with Elicia Wilson Photography before your preferred dates fill.

What kind of dress looks best for maternity pictures?

You do not have to wear a dress.

Read that again.

If dresses are your thing, I LOVE a long fitted dress that shows the shape of your belly. Flowing dresses can also photograph beautifully, especially when we have movement or a little Missouri wind working in our favor.

But if you are a jeans and T shirt girl every other day of your life, you do not need to suddenly transform into a woodland maternity goddess wearing seventeen yards of chiffon.

Jeans with a simple bra, bodysuit, button down shirt, sweater, or fitted tank can be freaking gorgeous.

Your maternity photos should look like an elevated version of YOU.

When choosing colors, neutrals photograph beautifully and keep the attention on your face, belly, and connection with your family. Cream, tan, brown, black, denim, muted greens, soft blues, and earthy tones are all easy places to start.

You can also browse Who What Wear maternity style inspiration if you want something a little less traditional.

Should my husband and kids be in my maternity pictures?

YES.

If you want them there, bring them.

Your maternity session is about your pregnancy, but this baby is joining an entire family. I love documenting that story too.

Your partner does not need to become a professional model. I will tell him where to stand, where to put his hands, when to look at you, and basically everything else he needs to know.

For siblings, keep expectations realistic.

A two year old does not care about my artistic vision. A four year old may suddenly decide dirt is more interesting than their mother. That is fine.

We work with them instead of expecting perfection.

Some of my favorite images happen in the in between moments anyway.

What should my family wear for maternity pictures?

Coordinate. Do not match.

If Mom is wearing cream, Dad does not need a cream shirt and every child does not need to show up looking like you are starting a family singing group.

Instead, choose colors that work together.

Start with Mom’s outfit because the session is centered around her. Then build everyone else around it using complementary colors and textures.

Avoid huge logos, neon colors, tiny distracting patterns, and anything you already know your child hates wearing.

If everyone feels comfortable, everyone photographs better.

And remember that bare feet can be absolutely adorable for certain outdoor, creek, lake, or lifestyle sessions. You do not necessarily need to panic buy five pairs of matching shoes.

Should I get my hair and makeup done for maternity photos?

You absolutely do not have to, but this is one of those occasions when you are allowed to make a little extra fuss over yourself.

You are growing an entire person.

Get the lashes if you want the lashes.

Professional hair and makeup can give you a little confidence boost and help create a polished look, but I still want you to recognize yourself when you see your gallery.

If professional makeup is not your thing, do your normal routine with a little extra attention to complexion, brows, lashes, and lips.

And bring your lipstick or gloss with you for touch ups.

What should I bring to my maternity photo session?

Keep it simple.

Bring water, comfortable shoes for walking between locations, your planned outfits, any meaningful baby items we discussed beforehand, and a few basic touch up items.

You do NOT need to arrive carrying half of your nursery.

If you have an ultrasound image, baby shoes, a meaningful blanket, an outfit or two, a hat, a family heirloom, or another sentimental item, tell me beforehand and we can decide whether it fits the vision for your session.

One meaningful item usually has more impact than twelve random props.

How do I prepare the day of maternity photos?

Eat.

Please do not show up hungry because you were worried about feeling bloated in pictures. You are pregnant. There is literally supposed to be a belly there.

Drink water throughout the day and give yourself plenty of time to get ready.

Moisturize your skin, especially if your belly will be showing. Check your nails because your hands will be photographed around your belly quite a bit.

Remove hair ties from your wrist before leaving the house unless you want to spend the first portion of your session waiting for that lovely little wrist dent to disappear.

Bring comfy shoes if your actual outfit shoes are not made for walking.

Most importantly, do not plan seventeen errands immediately before your session.

Give yourself some breathing room.

What if I feel huge and uncomfortable in pictures?

Almost every maternity client has some version of this worry.

Your body has changed dramatically in a very short amount of time. It makes complete sense if standing in front of a camera feels vulnerable.

But you do not have to know how to pose.

That is my job.

I am going to guide you through where to put your hands, how to shift your weight, where to look, and what angles photograph beautifully. You do not need to practice poses in your bathroom mirror the night before.

Also, movement during an uncomplicated pregnancy is generally considered safe, although your own medical provider should always be the person guiding you if you have restrictions or complications.

During your session, if you need to sit, we sit.

If you need water, we stop.

If something hurts, you tell me.

There is no award for suffering through maternity pictures.

Can we take maternity pictures somewhere meaningful?

Absolutely.

I photograph throughout Mid Missouri, and your session does not have to happen in a random field just because you saw another maternity session in a field.

Maybe your family loves the lake. Maybe you want tall grass and a golden sunset. Maybe you want something simple and intimate. Maybe there is a family property that actually means something to you.

We will choose a location based on the look you want, the season, accessibility, lighting, and how much walking makes sense for you.

And yes, I travel.

So if your perfect location is outside Moberly, Jacksonville, Eldon, or my usual shooting areas, ASK ME.

You can learn more about family photography with Elicia Wilson Photography if you are already thinking ahead to updated family pictures after baby arrives.

Should I book baby milestone pictures before my baby is born?

If you already know you want to document your baby’s first year, YES.

Because here is what happens.

You have the baby.

You blink.

Someone brings you a casserole.

You wash 47 bottles.

You Google whether some completely normal baby thing is normal at 2:14 in the morning.

And suddenly your tiny newborn is three months old.

Planning milestone sessions ahead of time means documenting that first year becomes something already on your radar instead of something you remember after the stage has passed.

You can view baby milestone photography sessions and start planning the first year before baby arrives.

For general pregnancy and newborn information, March of Dimes and HealthyChildren from the American Academy of Pediatrics are also great resources to bookmark as you head into this next season.

What happens if the weather is terrible for my maternity session?

Welcome to Missouri, where the weather forecast is occasionally more of a suggestion.

I watch the weather leading up to outdoor sessions, and we make decisions based on actual conditions rather than panicking over a weather app five days beforehand.

Clouds are not automatically bad.

A cloudy sky can create gorgeous soft light.

Rain, storms, dangerous heat, or conditions that make the session miserable are another story. If weather truly is not cooperating, we will work through the available options.

This is another reason I strongly recommend not scheduling at the absolute end of your pregnancy. A little flexibility is nice when Missouri decides to Missouri.

Do maternity pictures really matter?

I think they do.

Not because pregnancy is always magical.

Sometimes pregnancy is beautiful and exciting. Sometimes it is heartburn, swollen feet, insomnia, and wondering how one tiny human can simultaneously kick your ribs and your bladder.

Sometimes it is both.

These pictures are not about pretending every second was perfect.

They are about remembering that for a little while, your baby lived right there beneath your heart.

Someday that baby may look at these pictures and see how loved they were before anyone had even met them.

And I think that is pretty freaking special.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Photography

How many weeks pregnant should I be for maternity pictures?

Most maternity sessions are photographed sometime during the third trimester when your belly has a noticeable round shape but you are still reasonably comfortable moving around. Around 32 to 36 weeks often works well, but every pregnancy is different. We can choose timing based on your pregnancy, comfort, and expected due date.

What should I avoid wearing for maternity photos?

Avoid clothing that is uncomfortable, extremely distracting, or does not give you the support you want. Large logos, neon colors, tiny busy patterns, and poorly fitting undergarments can pull attention away from you. Choose pieces that flatter your belly and make you feel confident when you look in the mirror.

Can my maternity photos include my other children?

Absolutely. Your maternity photos can include your partner and children because this season belongs to the whole family. We will usually capture a combination of Mom alone, Mom and partner, siblings with the belly, and the entire family. Kids do not have to behave perfectly for us to create meaningful images.

What if I do not feel confident during pregnancy?

You do not need to arrive feeling like a maternity model. I will guide you through posing, movement, hand placement, and angles throughout the session. Wear something that makes you feel good, take care of yourself beforehand, and let me handle the photography part. Your only job is to show up.

Ready to book your maternity photos?

You will never get this exact season back. The belly will disappear, that tiny baby will grow faster than seems remotely fair, and before long you will be wondering how they were ever small enough to fit inside you.

If maternity photos have been sitting on your “I should probably book that” list, this is your sign to do it. Book your maternity session with Elicia Wilson Photography and let’s document this season before that sweet baby decides to make their grand entrance.