What to Wear
Maternity Edition

Thinking through your clothing choices will be a big part of making the images from this session something you will treasure forever. 

Wear something comfortable! 
You are going to be twisting and turning and sitting and standing so choose clothing that is the correct size and is relaxing to wear. Your clothes are not the focus of your session, you and the little life you are nurturing are the focus. Finding clothes that feel good on your body and allow you to be yourself is paramount.

Embrace those curves.
You've earned them! You're almost finished with all that heart burn, sore feet, and over active bladder stuff and you have a great big baby belly to show for it. So show it off. A body hugging dress is great way to showcase your pregnant form, plus it's supportive and comfy.  

Complement rather than match each other. If your partner or children are joining you remember unless you are in a band, identical black t-shirts and jeans are unfitting. Clothes that coordinate result in much nicer photos and allow everyone in your party to show off their personalities while still looking like you belong together. Choose from the same colour palette or build off one person’s printed dress or patterned shirt.

Be a watercolour not a crayon. Some shades are great as an accent on a scarf or look lovely on a very particular skin tone but most “crayon” colours; fire engine red, bumble bee yellow, fresh leaf green etc… just don’t photograph well against most flesh tones. If you want “red” pick cherry or blush or wine or rose, avoid the crayon.

Give the ladies a lift.
A really really good bra is super important for your session. Your bust has likely gotten heavier and bigger in the last few months and sometimes if your bump is really big they kind of just hang out resting on top. Separating all those curves with a supportive bra will result in much more flattering images and let you move around more comfortably. 

The butt stops here.
If you aren't a dress person and you have opted for tights or jeans choose a top that flows beyond your waist and perhaps even over your bottom. The same rule applies for sweaters. Garments that stop exactly midway on your body break up the flow of your form in an unflattering way and have a habit of obscuring the view of your belly or gathering around the hips and bum. Choose a long sweater, or a tunic top and you'll avoid this problem. 

 

Add some drama.
Not everyone likes a curve revealing bodycon dress but a maxi looks good on everyone. It's comfortable, elegant and a high waist beautifully frames a growing belly.  Floor length dresses, catch the wind and add movement to any image and can be gathered to reveal the bump you love, while providing tasteful coverage of bumpy areas you might not feel as strongly about. 

Be timeless.
Some patterns and prints age poorly, as do exaggerated fashions. Your portraits will be loved for decades so when planning your wardrobe choose subtle patterns, understated colours, and avoid big garish prints. Some styles just scream the year they were fashionable in. These images will hang on your wall for a lifetime so do your best to avoid choices that will make 2040 you giggle or blush. :) More skin is better over all. Your skin is timeless and it's in fashion forever. Bare feet, bare arms you'll be you now and decades from now.

Embrace texture. Layers are marvelous, knits are awesome, a statement necklace is always nice. Creating visually stimulating combinations makes a photograph more interesting and allows you to play with the look of your outfit throughout the session. Variety creates lovely portraits, so find some lace or add a belt.