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!
As a motherhood photographer, I get to be there for my clients during such a special time in their lives. From the maternity photoshoot to the newborn session and beyond, I get to know my clients and their families and treasure each session with them.
Choosing a meaningful maternity session location is a must. I want my mamas to feel beautiful and excited for their session, and part of that is finding a location that she will love. When this gorgeous mama wanted her maternity session at the beach, I knew the perfect place.
Jenness State Beach is a popular state New Hampshire State Park and for a good reason! It offers a beautiful beach with the amenities of a state park (Hello, bathrooms). I get to show off this gorgeous session while telling you more about this location.
Planning Your Jenness State Beach Maternity Session
Here are just a couple of tips to think about as you prepare for your beach maternity session!
Time of Day – I typically schedule maternity sessions an hour or so before sunset so we can get that golden light. This way, we also will avoid most of the crowd. The summertime sees lots of summers and beachgoers, so we want to try and avoid this as much as possible.
Prepare for Some Walking – We’ll do a little bit of walking around, so prepare for that. Feel free to bring a beach bag with water and maybe a snack or two (or three). Speaking of walking.
Barefoot – You’ll likely want to be barefoot during the session so that we can capture your gorgeous portrait while standing in the sand or even in the waves.
Dress Appropriately – If you wear a dress, it will get sandy and wet so wear something that you’ll feel beautiful in and that you don’t care about it getting dirty. Don’t be afraid to get in the water! Be sure to check out my extensive Client Wardrobe for the perfect dress.
Show Off Your Bump – No matter what, this is about you and your beautiful baby! Don’t worry about anyone else, and just focus on me. It’s your time to show off your beautiful bump and feel excited about your baby.
Those are the big tips! I’m there to guide my clients throughout the entire process of planning their sessions and am always happy to answer any questions or provide support.
Beach Maternity Photographer | New Hampshire
As you can sea (pun intended), I’m passionate about capturing expecting mamas where they will look and feel their most confident for the session. Luckily, we live in an area that offers ample beaches to choose from, and since I’ve photographed at pretty much all of them, I can offer advice on which one is best for you! If you’d like to schedule your maternity photoshoot with me, please click here. I also invite you to join my online community The Village for Seacoast Moms.
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
Baby showers are a fun way to celebrate a mama-to-be and make sure she has everything she needs for her baby! You can search in Google to download baby shower gift ideas, or just go on the mama’s registry. I decided to do something a little different and I asked my Instagram followers to tell me their thoughts! (Do you follow me on Instagram? @whitewavephotographyNH) I asked what was one item you didn’t really need and what was an unexpected item that you LOVED.
I’m really glad I asked! Some of these items I hadn’t heard of OR forgot about. Plus, a few of these gifts aren’t items you can’t just pick up at Target.
Please remember that ANY gift you give a new mama is welcomed and appreciated! These are just a few answers from my unscientific research. If you are a new mama, the goal of this blog is to give you some ideas on what to have on your baby registry!
First, I’m going to share a few general items some mamas said they didn’t need, and then I’ll showcase the top 7 BEST unexpected baby shower gifts.
Honest Baby Shower Gift Guidance
Too many baby towels – You might not need as many as you think!
Too many newborn clothes – Again, your newborn will likely only wear a few items and some babies don’t even wear the newborn size at all!
Pacifiers – Get a few, but your baby might not even use a pacifier! Just get a couple to start and you can buy more OR leave them in the package from your baby shower.
Baby gadgets like Butt Spatula – A couple of mamas listed a baby gadget that they didn’t end up using. Read reviews on some of these items – you might not really need it!
Baby clothes 0-3 that weren’t jammies – They do make SUCH cute baby outfits. However, you want to dress your precious baby is fine, but you may find yourself only really needed PJs and onesies!
Keep reading for the top 8 baby shower gifts!
8 BEST Unexpected Baby Shower Gifts
Gift card to a local restaurant – Meals for when the parents are home with their newborn is a great gift! Check out Comfort Baking Company for some great healthy meals as well as baked goodies.
Haaka – Many mamas swear by their Haakas!
Larger clothing sizes – Think baby clothes 3-6 months or even up to 2T! A great local shop that sells SUPER cozy one-piece outfits is Puddlejumpers in downtown Exeter. Be sure to check them out!
Larger diaper sizes – Some babies barely wear newborn diapers! Grab sizes 1 and 2.
Earth Mama Nipple Cream – Enough said! This stuff is the BEST.
Helping the mama clean her house – I thought this was such a sweet answer! Give the gift of a clean house before baby arrives, or after!
Comfy jammies and slippers for the hospital – Help mama feel cozy in the hospital with cute and comfy loungewear. The Top Drawer in downtown Exeter has some great lounging options as well as the most amazing nursing bras – a MUST HAVE is a perfectly fitted nursing bra.
The gift of self-care for mom – Self-care is something that we as moms tend to put on the back burner and don’t ask for help. Check out Relief Parenting in Hampton for all your “new mama” needs. They are an amazing resource for new parents. They provide a safe place to rest, on-site childcare, parenting consultations & classes and YOU CAN EVEN TAKE A NAP.
There was one more unexpected gift that mama’s LOVED…
Mom’s Favorite Baby Shower Gift
I noticed something throughout my research for this very blog post. Some of the BEST baby shower gifts aren’t necessarily a thing. Quite a few moms were thankful for the friend that offered to come clean, gave local restaurant gift cards for easy meals, and professional photography gift certificates.
I thought this answer was so sweet and so true! A few mamas said a gift certificate to a photographer for maternity photos and newborn photos was one of their most treasured gifts. Any amount towards a photo package goes a long way and you know the mama will be delighted with her professional photos. Being able to look back at an album of this most precious time is one of the most priceless gifts you can give someone.
Because of this, I want to share with you that I do offer gift certificates for photography services! Simply drop me a message to get started.
