Mama, there are so many fun wardrobe options for your maternity photoshoot. But finding clothes to wear during pregnancy can be frustrating enough, much less trying to find an outfit (or two) for your maternity photos! You want to look beautiful while also feeling comfortable. Plus, you don’t want to buy tons of maternity clothes since you’ll only wear them for a short period of time.
I’m here to help you figure out what to wear for your studio maternity photoshoot. Here are some tips and ideas to help you find the perfect outfit.
What to Wear for Your Maternity Photos
Color – I love dressing my mamas in soft and even neutral tones for their sessions. So, light pink, creams, light blues, light greens, etc. I highly recommend avoiding black or dark colors as we want to show off your beautiful bump, not hide it!
Styles – I’m ALL about comfort and style. I love long, flowy dresses on my expecting mamas. But not form-fitting dresses like this. Why?? I love that flowy dresses are so comfortable, pretty, and you can hold the bump in your portrait.
Patterns – I tend to avoid patterns because they can be distracting from the bump. However, a light pattern might work well.
Fabrics – So, you might be thinking that a stretchy, form-fitting cotton dress is best. Well, those dresses tend to show EVERYTHING. Like, bra straps and any other little bump. Choose a dress made from polyester or rayon, with a nice flow.
Other Styles – Not a dress person? That’s okay! You can wear jeans with a top that follows the same ideas.
Why Choose a Full-Service Studio Maternity Photographer
As a full-service studio maternity photographer, I have big news for you! With me, you don’t even have to shop for outfits! Well, you’ll come to the studio during our session planning and shop my CLIENT WARDROBE. My growing studio wardrobe has dresses for every mama with styles, colors, and sizes for every expecting mama. Let me do the shopping while you get to save time AND money for your maternity session. BONUS: All dresses in the client closet are great for postpartum at your newborn session too.
Seacoast Maternity Photographer
Pregnancy is such a beautiful time. I want to help my mamas feel as beautiful as they truly are while taking the stress out of planning a session off their plates. I love shopping for the White Wave Photography wardrobe and am always adding new pieces. My full-service process handles every detail for you, so all you have to do is enjoy your session day and celebrate your sweet baby! Feel free to message me with questions or book your maternity session.
I may be biased, but I think we have the most beautiful fall here in the Seacoast. So, whenever a maternity client contacts me and needs her session in the fall, I’m SUPER excited! I have this resource on when to schedule your maternity and newborn sessions if you’re currently in the research phase.
It’s no secret that maternity portraits are some of my favorites to capture. I love documenting such a special time for you and helping my clients plan this session. I’m here to help you with all the planning, including wardrobe and location. We have so many beautiful spots in our area, but I’ve rounded up my top five favorite maternity session locations.
The Top Five Maternity Session Locations
Wagon Hill in Durham, NH – This farm is a beautiful location that features tall fields and deep and rich fall colors for your portrait backdrop. Many locals also love the iconic wooden wagon on the farm for that country feel. See more about this location on their website.
Town Landing in Durham, NH – This picturesque location is stunning in the fall, with lush fall colors overlooking the water and boats. This location also has a beautiful waterfall that’s perfect for photos. Plus, it’s perfect for an expecting mama with convenient parking next to Three Chimney’s Inn. See more about this location here.
Fort Foster, Kittery, Maine – There’s so much to love about this location! This is perfect if you love the sea and want photos with the beautiful pier and lighthouse. Sunset sessions are always a fav for me. Did I mention that it’s dog friendly!? See more on the website.
Vernon Family Farm – Of course, Vernon Family Farm makes the list! This beautiful farm features a stunning wildflowers field and fall foliage that is perfect for a maternity session. In fact, every year, I’m able to offer Wildflower Mini Sessions that book up quickly. If you haven’t heard of Vernon Family Farm, check out my blog feature with one of the owners.
Hampton Beach State Park, NH – This location is perfect if you’re dreaming of a white sand beach backdrop. The beautiful seagrass makes a pretty background too. This beach tends to have fewer crowds which is nice for a maternity session. For tips on a beach maternity session, check out my blog here.
At-Home Maternity Session
Maybe you’re dreaming of something a little cozier. An at-home maternity session may be perfect for you. At home, we can capture you and your family where you are most comfortable. It also offers an opportunity to capture boudoir maternity photos to show how beautiful you are!
Seacoast Maternity Photographer
You really can’t go wrong with any of these locations for fall maternity photos. If you’re unsure or have questions, please send me a message here. I’m always happy to help a mama out. Did you know I have an online community for Seacoast moms? Join The Village for Seacoast Moms by White Wave Photography on Facebook. We’d love to have you!
If you’re an expecting mama, you’re probably in the midst of planning all the things for your new baby! From researching baby monitors to decorating the nursery and choosing a name, there’s a LOT that needs to get done to welcome such a tiny person into your family.
One of the things you’re probably thinking about is when to have your maternity and newborn photos taken? I’m here to answer those questions and provide you with insight into why.
When Should You Schedule Maternity Photo Shoot
So, when is the best time to schedule your maternity photoshoot? I recommend having your photos taken between 31-35 weeks of pregnancy. This way, your bump is perfect for photographing, but you aren’t quite at the over-it stage of pregnancy! Of course, please let me know if you have a special circumstance such as multiples or any other situation. I totally understand and am happy to work with you! Your photos will still be gorgeous.
The answer to when to actually contact a photographer and schedule your maternity photo shoot is as soon as possible! This way, you can be on my calendar well before you reach 35 weeks, and we don’t have to worry about fitting you in! For tips on how to have your best maternity session, look here.
My best piece of advice is not to wait until your baby is born. To be able to provide a full-service newborn session experience for clients and ensure my availability around their due date, I can only take on a certain number of newborn sessions. If you contact me after your baby is born, I might not have availability.
I highly recommend scheduling your newborn session as soon as you can, and, preferably, you can schedule your maternity and newborn sessions at the same time. This way, you’re all ready to go and don’t have to worry about finding a photographer while you’re navigating life with a newborn.
Special Circumstances in Newborn Photography
Just like with maternity photos, there are special circumstances that I want to address. If you need more time to recover from birth or your baby had to spend time in the NICU, it’s okay to take newborn photos later. Please reach out and let me know how I can help you.
Your Hampton Falls, NH Newborn Photographer
I don’t think it’s a secret that I love babies! I cherish that I get to meet and photograph your beautiful newborn baby. You can read my other blog post if you want to learn more about why you should trust a trained professional newborn photographer here. As a Certified Professional Photographer, you can rest easy knowing that I’m highly trained and constantly learning new techniques. If you’re interested in scheduling a time to chat, I would love to meet you! Send me a message here.
As a NH Maternity Photographer, I rejoice in the celebrations with my clients as well as the heartache. When Kayla let me know that she had lost a pregnancy early on in 2020, I was heartbroken for her! I knew how bad she wanted a sibling for Ember and I after documenting Ember’s arrival, I could not wait for baby number 2.
2020 seemed to take so much from so many people and this was one of those calls I HATED getting. A miracle was brewing though and in the fall, I got the call that I had been waiting for!!!! A RAINBOW BABY was on the way!!!
Kayla’s at home maternity session did not disappoint and I am SOOO in love with these photos. The last photos with your “baby” before the new baby arrives are full of precious moments. We snuggled, Ember showed me her “baby belly” and we had a blast jumping on the bed. At home sessions are so organic and no two are the same. Big sister was all about soaking up snuggles with mom and dad. When she was “all done” with the camera, Kayla and I had some fun of our own.
Kayla put so much trust in me and we JUMPED out of the box and did some fun empowering shots of her alone on the bed. These maternity boudoir shots are some of my absolute favorite and I squealed when I saw the back of the camera. I get it, as a mom of 3, I hated all the extra weight I gained during pregnancy but I still think pregnant mamas are the most beautiful! Thank you to Kayla for trusting me and getting some seriously sexy shots of her bump. THOSE EYES…damn girl!
If you are interested in learning more about Maternity or Newborn Photography, let’s chat. I would love to make your vision come to life!
One year ago today this family of 3 was excitedly packing for the hospital in anticipation of meeting baby Owen in the morning. Big Brother James (who’s birth was my very first Birth to photograph) would have one more night with mommy and daddy all to himself. He was full of excitement to meet his baby brother. Just a few weeks prior, on a mild January day, we met at Kingston State Park for a winter maternity photography session to document this family of 3 just one more time before becoming a family of 4. James was so giddy to share his favorite stuffed animal with me and tell me all about this little brother in mommy’s belly. To this day, James is still my most photographed little client and I was so excited to watch him become a big brother.
Stay tuned tomorrow for part 2 of Owen’s Birth Story…but until then let’s check out a flashback to theBirth Story of James
