7 Simple Ways to Choose A Fabulous Maternity Photoshoot Dress
Choosing a maternity photoshoot dress should be a fun experience. It should be an outfit that makes you feel good and makes you proud to show off your baby bump. But I don’t think I need to tell you that finding clothes while you’re pregnant is a pain. First, it’s hard to even find retailers that sell maternity clothes. Second, it can be hard to find maternity clothes that don’t look like they were worn by our mothers. And, third, it can be hard to find maternity clothes when your body is changing so rapidly and constantly.
I am a strong believer that your maternity photoshoot should be a great experience. It should be a time of reflection and celebration, not stress. That’s why I am starting a series of posts about preparing for your maternity photoshoot. And since this is the first of that series, let’s start with the basics. Below are seven simple ways to choose a fabulous maternity dress for your photoshoot:
Simple Way #1: Find The Best Dress Silhouette
There are so many silhouettes to consider when it comes to dresses. I am going to discuss the two big considerations below:
Flowy vs. Form Fitting
Moms-to-be tend to know which direction they are going right off the bat. Even if you are one of these moms-to-be, I urge you to read this section. It may make you rethink your choice.
Both flowy and form fitting will show off the bump. A skilled maternity photographer will be able to manipulate any dress to show off your baby bump. So just because you choose to go with a flowy dress doesn’t mean you’ll not see the bump as well.
Consider form fitting, even if you’re not a form fitting kind of girl normally. Form fitting is perfect for maternity sessions due to the very same reason some women avoid them. It shows off the curves. It’s all about showing off the curves in your maternity photos, so embrace it when you wouldn’t normally. Also consider form fitting if you are conscious of your weight or curves. It may seem counter-intuitive, but form fitting is often more flattering for curvy women.
You don’t have to choose. Some dresses have two layers. There will be a form fitting underdress or bodysuit underneath. And then a flowy transparent dress over it. The sun shines through the transparent layer, showing off the curves underneath.
Short vs. Long
When considering a short versus a long dress, first, consider the season. Second, consider how much you like to show off your legs. If your legs are one of your favorite assets, a short dress may be the way to go. If not, avoid at all costs. Third, consider the style of the shoot. Longer dresses tend to feel more formal. Shorter dresses feel more casual.
Simple Way #2: Find Your Dress Color
First, consider your surroundings. Certain colors are going to go with certain locations and certain colors are going to clash. Your maternity photographer will know what works best for your location. Second, consider the season. Locations, and their colors, change a lot between seasons. Third, consider the silhouette. If you’re going with a flowy dress, I wouldn’t choose black or a black-like color. Black is slimming, remember? So black, paired with a dress that is designed to also hide your curves, will hide your baby bump. Last but not least, consider your photographer’s editing style. What colors go with their style is a question for your photographer.
Simple Way #3: Choose the Right Fabric Characteristics
Patterns
Pattern preferences are pretty individual. Some people love a lot of pattern and some shy away from patterns. So first, go with your own style. Second, I would stay away from large patterns. They are going to take the eyes away from your silhouette, which is the whole reason you’re doing this shoot.
Texture
Textures can add a lot of dimension to your maternity photos. With that said, I would stick with them only for your extra layers. Whereas a chunky sweater or wrap can add a lot of dimension and interest to your outfit. Keeping it simple for the main piece is the best way to show off that bump. The more that is going on in the bump area, the less the eye is going to pay attention to a baby being in there.
Sheer and Transparent
This is one of the few times in your life where you might decide to go with a sheer dress. This is even if you’re modest. Many maternity dresses have a bodysuits or underdresses for the more modest look. If you’re comfortable with being in underwear only, do away with the bodysuit.
Slits and Splits
Want to show off the belly even more? Many maternity dresses will have fabric that can be separated at the belly to show it off. If showing off your belly is your thing, but you still want to wear a dress, this can be a great compromise of the two. You can also find many dresses that have a slit up the skirt to show off some leg.
Dress for the Season
In Colorado we have a snowy and cold season and a hot and sunny season, with brief springs and falls. So, when you’re considering your dress, take into account which of the above will be the case. Snowy and cold can always be accommodated by wearing a coat in between photos. We don’t necessarily need to adjust your dress for the session. Although, I don’t recommend wearing a short, tank top dress during the cold season, even with a coat. The summer though is very problematic for pregnant women. It can get hot! So make sure that you're wearing a dress that isn’t going to add to that heat. Heat and pregnancy do not go together well at all.
Simple Way #4: Dress for the Location
One of the major benefits of living in Colorado is the wide variety of climates and locations. There is high desert, prairie, foothills, lakeside, mountainside, and alpine locations. The sky is literally the limit here. Different locations have different needs though. These needs come into play in a few different ways:
Terrain
High heels and moderate to difficult hiking trails should never be in the same sentence. So bring a pair of walking shoes with you. Chiffon and stickers also don't get along. So either ditch the chiffon or make sure you can hike up that dress when walking.
Altitude
What's the saying? If you don't like the weather where you're at, drive ten miles. The weather varies drastically from one location to the next in Colorado. This is especially the case when comparing places like Denver to Breckenridge. So plan accordingly and check the weather for the session location specifically. I like to use Weather Underground for this task. Not only can you set the location, it will also give you an hour-by-hour breakdown of the weather for 10 days out. This means not only being able to see the general forecast for a location. It means that you can also look up the forecast for the exact time of your session.
Simple Way #5: Coordinate with your Partner and Family
Coordinate, don’t match, your dress with your partner and family members’ outfits. This means choosing analogous and complementary colors to your dress. I go into detail about this in my blog post - 5 Steps - What to Wear for Family Pictures.
Simple Way #6: Bring An Extra Outfit
I recommend brining an extra outfit for a variety of reasons. When you get to the location, you might realize that it doesn’t quite go with the surroundings. Things happen and you want to be prepared. Also, your photographer might allow for outfit changes.
Your photographer has a client closet? I recommend asking them to bring at least one dress in addition to the one you chose. This is most important for a variety of reasons. What if it doesn't look the same in person as it does in the picture? What if it doesn't look good on you? It’s always good to have a back-up.
Simple Way #7: Alternatives to Dresses
I spent most of this blog post discussing dresses, because by and large that is what most moms-to-be choose. But it is by no means the only option. Many women choose to wear jeans and a nice blouse. Or a bodysuit. Or nothing at all. What you choose to wear for your maternity session depends on how you want to look and the style of the shoot.
Bonus: Great Maternity Photoshoot Dress Designers
For a place to start your maternity photoshoot dress search, I’d like to recommend my two favorite designers. I can attest to their quality and the fact that they are both ethically run small businesses. These are the two designers I utilize for my client closet. Most of the photos on my website show off their gowns.
Sew Trendy Fashion and Accessories - Use my referral link to get 20% off your purchase at Sew Trendy Accessories
Sara Herkes is a maternity, newborn, family, and senior photographer based in Longmont, CO. She serves the the Denver Metro Area, the Colorado Rockies, and the Northern Front Range and captures your pregnancy amidst the Colorado wilderness. Learn more about her services here.
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