Six Questions to Ask Yourself When Planning What to Wear to Your Maternity Session

Helpful tips to consider when

planning your maternity session.

Styling family photos can be tricky, and styling a maternity session with a growing bump can be even more difficult! There are so many things to consider, let alone how to dress a growing bump! I gathered the six most frequently asked questions and created a guide to help you plan for your maternity session! Happy styling, friends!

Why do I need maternity photos?

Have you ever seen The Family Stone? It is a wonderful Christmas movie, and it’s one of my favorites! Anywhoots, there is a photo in the movie of a young Diane Keaton that is pregnant with one of your children from the movie. This photo is then gifted to each of her children for Christmas. It is a beautiful moment and a stunning picture. It didn’t occur in a field, and it didn’t happen in a studio. This photo showed her sitting in a chair, backlit by a window. Your maternity photos don’t have to be anywhere you don’t want them to be. They can be in your home, on your couch, and in your leggings. They can also be in a flowy dress in a field or the thousands of places in between! While you don’t have to have maternity photos, they are a wonderful representation of your life at this moment, and these moments can be passed down, just like in The Family Stone!

What is my maternity style for my session?

Well, the easy answer is the same as your style when you aren’t expecting! The more complicated answer is what fits and what makes you comfortable. The good news is, there are several style quizzes online that can help you out! For instance, try; (add links) Pampers, mumstheword, or the bump. These will help you decide if you should lean towards a more fitted look (think fitted gown) or a flowy piece (more boho). Your look could also be relaxed (leggings and a tank) or more minimal (bra and panties). 

How do I dress my family?

I cannot stress this enough, you and your family should be dressed for the same party. It drives me bonkers to see a woman who is dressed immaculately in a fitted dress that perfectly accentuates her bump next to a cargo short and flip-flops. Like, what?! Go to the same party! 

If you are in a flowy, relaxed dress, then your family can be in a more relaxed look. Think henley shirts, flowy dresses for the girls, and relaxed-fit pants. If you are in a more structured piece, then the family follows.  

Just remember to coordinate over matching. Mix colors, include a print, and incorporate your home style into your clothing!

When should I buy my outfit?

You should plan for your maternity session is usually between 28-34 weeks. My safe suggestion is to order six weeks prior to that. I know that seems like an eternity but think about it. What if you get it in and the fit is horrendous, you need time to send it back and order another one. What if you order from a super cute Etsy store that you didn’t realize would be shipping from Europe (def didn’t happen to me that one time *insert eye roll here*). What if you ordered a dress from Amazon and the design was nothing like what was shown?! There are a ton of reasons to order early, and with that in mind, I also encourage you to consider ordering a second outfit…just in case.  

Who has the best maternity options?

Once you decide on a style that works best for you, there are several options for places to shop! Some of my personal favorites are Pink Blush, Baltic Born, Free People, Reclamation, ZeBuBe You, and Shein, are just a few. If you are leaning towards a more relaxed look, don’t hesitate to shop in your closet!  

Where do I find out what are the best colors or textures for me?

Knowing which colors work best for you is one of those tricky things that you don’t ever think about until you look. Where do you look? At your wrists! Ya heard me right; your wrists hold the key to knowing which colors are best for you! If the veins in your wrist look more blueish, you have cool-toned skin, stick with wearing cool colors (blues and greens). If your veins are on the green or yellow side, you have a warm-toned skin, stick with warm colors (reds and yellows). Once you find out which colors work best for you, you can then match that with your style!

For these pictures, I suggest solid colors and let your bump be the star. Patterns tend to take away from what we’re trying to draw the eye to, and that is your growing babe(s)! If you're wanting something more than just a red dress, I suggest adding a minimal texture on top, like a lace. As always, try it out before you commit!

I know there is a lot to consider when planning your maternity session, but I am here to help! If you are still unsure of how to style your session, don’t hesitate to reach out by clicking the link below!