What to Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot (So You Can Stop Stressing About It)

The outfit question is the one that keeps most mamas-to-be up at night before their session — more than the photos themselves, more than "will I look tired." I get the same message from almost every client the week before: "Flora, I have nothing to wear."

So here's everything I tell my clients, straight up.

And a quick reassurance before we start: you're not doing this alone. Every client gets a full prep guide from me ahead of time, with more detail than this post and real reference photos to work from. Consider this the trailer.

The 3-Outfit Rule

Three outfit changes fit comfortably into the time we have together — no rushing, no chaos. You don't have to bring three. Some of my favorite sessions were shot in one dress the whole time. But if you want variety, three is the sweet spot.

Look 1 — Jeans and a great shirt. Casual, cozy, effortlessly you. A well-fitting pair of jeans (maternity or your partner's — more on that below) and a simple button-down or oversized shirt. The "walking through the park, hand on the belly" look.

Look 2 — Just a shirt and your favourite underwear. This one surprises people, and then it becomes their favorite. An open shirt, soft light, nothing fussy. It lets your belly be the whole story for a few frames. Totally optional, always your call.

Look 3 — The slim dress. Fitted, not necessarily maternity-branded — plenty of my clients wear a regular dress a size up, or one with stretch. This is the "one photo where I feel like a goddess" look.

Be Yourself

All of the above is a starting point, not a rulebook. I've photographed mamas who showed up with their own vision entirely — a favorite oversized band t-shirt, a wedding dress they never got to wear again, pajamas because that's what felt like them that day. Those sessions are often my favorites, because the photos end up looking like the person, not like a Pinterest board.

If something here doesn't feel like you, skip it.

Less Is More

If you take away one thing: simple wins. Solid colors, soft textures, minimal patterns. Busy prints and logos pull the eye away from you — and from that belly we're all here for. It's the whole philosophy behind my work: a clean, uncluttered image ages better and puts you at the center.

What About Partners and Kids?

They don't need to match you — matching almost always looks stiffer in photos than it does in your head. Complementing works better: one person in a stripe, another in a solid; everyone loosely in the same color family (creams, sages, warm neutrals) but wearing it their own way. Same palette, different pieces.

You Don't Need to Spend a Cent More Than Necessary

• Check your partner's closet first. An oversized shirt, a soft button-down, even a pair of relaxed trousers — partner-borrowed pieces photograph beautifully and cost nothing.
• Go thrifting. Secondhand shops are full of flowy, one-size-fits-most pieces that were basically made for a bump.
• Check Vinted. Maternity and oversized pieces for a few euros, worn once by someone else and about to be worn once by you.
• Try a rental app like Le Closet. A French clothing rental subscription — rent, wear, return, no commitment. One of the easiest ways to get that "slim dress" moment without buying a dress you'll wear twice.

Spotted an Outfit You Love in My Gallery?

Tell me. It's happened more than once: a client sees a photo from a past session and asks where that dress or shirt is from. I go straight to the mama who wore it and ask on your behalf. No promises, but it works more often than you'd think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colors should I wear for a maternity photoshoot?
Neutrals and soft, muted tones photograph timelessly and won't compete with you for attention.

Should my partner or kids match my outfit?
No — aim for complementary, not matching. Same color family, different textures or patterns.

What if I don't own anything I love?
That's what secondhand shops, Vinted, and rental apps like Le Closet are for. Some of the most-photographed maternity dresses in France are rented ones.

Can I bring more than three outfits?
You can bring backups, but three is the number that fits comfortably into our time without rushing.

Do I need special maternity clothing?
No. A regular dress a size up, an oversized shirt, or stretchy fabric works just as well.