I’m so excited you are choosing to remember this special time of pregnancy but I can guess that a question bugging you is just exactly what to wear for a lifestyle maternity photo session?

You want to look pretty and you want to remember this season but how do you know what looks best? One of my roles as an OKC maternity photographer is to provide you with the tips and advice needed so you can look beautiful for you maternity session.

I’m pretty certain choosing what to wear during maternity photo shoot can be one of the hardest things for you mentally at the session. If I am your photographer than I am more than happy to discuss your clothing choices, help you narrow down your decision or give you a direction to focus on as well as make sure that your clothing coordinates well. I’m always a text or email away and I also love that my clients have access to Style & Select to help their choices.

But I think these tips for what to wear for a lifestyle maternity photo session are helpful for anyone!

before you begin consider choosing your clothes choose your style –

Style: Which style best represents “you”?

Do you tend to dress more casually as a family? Or do you enjoy dressing up in your finest? When you’re dressed in clothing you love, your personality will show through the most. And then in choosing your style also remember your location. Does it lend a formal or causal vibe?

First tip: wear what makes you FEEL beautiful!

Don’t let others or Pinterest tell you all about what you should wear. You know how we sometimes put things on and we just know we are beautiful. Yeah that feeling is the best gauge for your maternity photos. Now I know we usually get to a point where we sure don’t feel beautiful but please don’t wear something you hate just cause you think it might look good in photos.

And this doesn’t mean you have to wear a dress for the session. Jeans and a top can look awesome for a maternity photo session. So let your personality come through in what makes you feel beautiful!

Second tip: wear what is comfortable!

What will make it comfortable for you to walk around and breathe normally? This is not the time to forgo comfort. If your clothing is scratchy, overly heated, or will make you shiver the entire time, it will be difficult for you to enjoy the session. When you are pregnant, your comfort should be prioritized, and being comfortable in your clothing is top priority.

For a lifestyle maternity session you will have lots of snuggling, moving, cuddling so make sure your clothing will make you feel comfortable and relaxed doing those things. Stay away from really tight fitting items. If you have children involved also think about your neckline…you will be hugging them, bending down to pick them up, etc. So be mindful of how much you want to be shown.

Third tip: Show Your Bump!

This session you are the star of the show and for a beautiful, good reason! An important thing to consider – choose a dress or outfit that will give you a flattering silhouette

You want to wear a dress or outfit that will give you the most flattering silhouette for your maternity photos.

• A dress/top that is tight up top, meaning that it is tight to just above the belly.
• A dress or skirt that flares out starting just above the belly. You don’t want it to be tight underneath the belly. A flowy skirt gives movement as well as something for you to hold onto.
• Length should be to the floor or almost. Midi length can be just fine too. But if you want the romantic vibe a floor length dress gives that!

Fourth Tip – Add something flowy

if you choose to do jeans and a top then grab a sweater or kimno to wear to add some lovely flow to the pictures. Avoid stiff cotton and/or super stretchy fabrics.

Fifth Tip: Colors

No matter what type of session, I always give this advice….Pick a palette of 3-4 colors. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Muted tones are always a win – and every color has a muted tone. Always choose cream rather than stark white.

Light / Medium / Muted colors look best – we want to see that bump Mama! Black, dark navy, etc will hide it away.

When choosing your colors consider these questions:

Will you be hanging these images in your house?

What colors will go well with your home’s interior? This will also assist you in choosing between patterns and simple, solid colors.

And lastly consider the location – how will it look with the background you have chosen?

check your top! Sometimes for us mamas we grow extra big in the boobs during pregnancy. Just double check to make sure you are comfortable with the amount of cleavage showing.

You are going to look amazing mama and these photos will ones you treasure for years to come. My daughters delight in seeing pictures of them in mommy’s tummy and I know that they aren’t just special for you but for your family!

Check this post out – Maternity Session at Lake Arcadia