What to Wear for Maternity Photos: Outfit Ideas, Dresses & Gowns

Wondering what to wear for maternity photos? The short answer is: wear something that makes you feel amazing and shows off that baby bump! And trust me, you have WAY more options than just a traditional maternity gown.

Maternity Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

From fitted dresses and flowing gowns to bodysuits, jeans, robes, two-piece outfits, and even draped fabric, I’m sharing some of my favorite maternity photoshoot outfit ideas below to help you figure out what feels most like YOU.

Fitted Maternity Dress

The best way to show off your growing baby bump is by wearing a fitted maternity gown. Pro-tip: Just remember to be mindful that your undergarments aren’t too tight!

Flowing Maternity Gown

There is nothing dreamier than a pregnant woman in a flowy maternity dress.

Off-the-Shoulder Gown

Show off those shoulders with a strapless sexy maternity gown.

One-Shoulder Pregnancy Dresses

One-shoulder dresses are the perfect way to mix classy with sassy for your maternity photoshoot.

Long-Sleeve Maternity Look

One of the top insecurities I hear from mamas are about their arms – try out a long sleeve dress to help you feel your most beautiful!

Sheer Maternity Gown

The perfect way to truly show off your changing shape while keeping a little modesty with a sheer see-through maternity dress.

Wrap Dresses for Maternity Photos

The options are endless with a wrap dress! Soooo many ways to style the top, but here’s a peek at one of my favorite ways to tie an infinity dress.

Empire-Waist Pregnancy Dresses

Empire waist dresses are your best friend as a pregnant woman. The perfect way to cover your chest while loosening up around the stomach for a fitted but flowy feel.

Simple & Minimalist Maternity Dresses

Timeless and simple maternity dresses never go out of style. They don’t have to have all the detail in the world – this was a spaghetti strap dress I picked up at the thrift store for $1. And I love it just as much as some of my maternity gowns that I spent hundreds of dollars on. Sometimes less is more.

Bold & Dramatic Maternity Gowns

If there’s ever a time to show out and wear something totally bold and dramatic, it’s during your maternity photoshoot! Take this as a chance to pamper yourself as you deserve.

Short Maternity Dresses

Short maternity dresses don’t get the love they deserve. They can be so fun, playful, and freeing!

Lace Maternity Dresses

I always say textures matter – and you can almost feel the lace through the screen. Incorporating materials such as lace is a wonderful way to add some eye-candy to your maternity photos.

Floral Maternity Dresses

Pregnancy feels oh-so delicate to me, so naturally I feel like flowers go hand-in-hand. Wearing a floral gown is a wonderful way to play into the dainty, feminine energy so many experience while prenant.

Knit Maternity Dresses

Want to add some character to your maternity photos? Going with a knit or crochet maternity dress can really add some personality.

Tulle Maternity Dresses

Wanting something on the dreamy side? Oh, baby, tulle is for you. It has a way of looking so soft and fluffy, as if you’re wearing a cloud.

Trumpet Maternity Dresses

Trumpet style maternity gowns are dramatic and elegant, while showing off your curves in a flattering way.

Silk Maternity Dresses

Wearing a silk maternity dress is such a wonderful way to add a pop of glamour into your photoshoot without feeling like you’re going “over the top”.

Ruffle Maternity Dresses

Love the volume of a large maternity gown, but want to feel delicate and feminine? Try out a ruffle maternity dress that feels soft, but takes up space.

Mermaid Maternity Dresses

Want to hug your body in all the right places with a sassy flare? Try out a mermaid style maternity gown.

Bejeweled Maternity Dresses

Are you a glitzy girl that loves all the extra fine things in life? Honey, be true to yourself and go all out with a rhinestone maternity gown! If you love a sparkly, sexy dress, you’ve got to check out more like this from AR Backdrops!

Velvet Maternity Dresses

Velvet maternity gowns can add such depth while feeling soft and romantic.

Maternity Photoshoot Clothing Ideas

More ideas beyond just dresses! I have shot so many different outfits in my maternity sessions for a totally different vibe. Here are some of my favorites!

Fitted Skirt + Crop Top

Tight-fitted skirts and crop tops are a brilliant way to show off that gorgeous baby bump while covering your goodies.

Flowing Skirt + Fitted or Simple Top

Something about a flowy skirt and crop top screams “MOTHER” to me. So powerful yet feminine at the same time.

Oversized Shirt + Undies

Embrace your womanhood with a delicate look that feels effortlessly sexy.

Bra + Undies

Be loud and proud of your remarkable body and show it off with a simple or glitzy bra & undie set.

Bra + Pants

Want to keep things casual while still feeling intimate? Try out the simple pairing of jeans and a bra. Throw a sweater or cardigan on for a cozy feel!

Jacket + Pants

Elevate your photos with a spruced up look in a jacket and pants. You can have fun with it and go bare skin under the coat!

Jacket + Undies

Want to feel powerful? Try out an oversized suit coat with just undies (or your birthday suit) underneath. I mean WOW.

Jeans + Fitted Top

Sometimes less is more, and feeling like yourself is the most important. Big gowns and naked photoshoots not your thing? Wear whatever you feel comfortable in – like this adorable pair of ripped jeans and fitted crop top!

Fitted bodysuit

Show off those gorgeous legs for days with a fitted bodysuit that hugs your curves.

Capelet or Shawl

Want to really show off your gorgeous pregnant body, but don’t want to be fully nude? Try a capelet or shawl to show your figure while giving you a sense of modesty.

Fitted bodysuit with a dramatic robe

Ready to drop jaws? This combination of a fitted bodysuit with a dramatic robe will stun viewers – rightfully so.

Long robe

Want to be dramatic while still feeling romantic? Go with a giant, dramatic robe with just undies underneath! The simplicity of your skin underneath paired with the massively soft robe hits the spot.

Long robe with fitted gown

Love the idea of a giant, dramatic robe, but don’t want to be naked underneath? Not to worry, try wearing a fitted maternity dress underneath the large robe to add drama while remaining covered.

Draped Fabric

There are a million and one ways to use flowy fabric during your maternity shoot, but simply draping the fabric has to be one of my favorites.

Flowing Fabric

Can’t decide between wanting to feel powerful and wanting to feel delicate? Flowy fabric is a must for you!

Fitted Fabric

Think outside the box and play around with your fabric. Twist it, drape it, pull it, get creative!

Body Jewelry

Proud of your amazing maternal body and want to show it off? Consider throwing some body jewelry on to add a little glam to your maternity pictures!

Sweater

I just love how cozy this can feel while still allowing you the change to feel sexy.

What Should I Wear Under My Maternity Dress?

This little detail is easy to overlook. Depending on the dress you’re wearing, you may want to consider bringing:

• Seamless underwear
• Nude undergarments
• Strapless bras
• Adhesive cups
• A comfortable maternity bra
• Shapewear if you personally enjoy wearing it

Avoid underwear with thick seams if you’re wearing a fitted dress. And if you’re planning to wear a sheer gown or flowing fabric, we can talk about it and decide what you’ll need underneath.

Ready to Plan Your Maternity Photos?

At the end of the day, there is no one thing you should wear for maternity photos. Go fitted, flowy, casual, sexy, dramatic, or mix a few completely different looks into one session!

If you’re looking for an Atlanta maternity photographer, head here to learn more about my maternity sessions, see more of my work, and start planning your own photoshoot.