What to Wear for Studio Maternity Photos: A Winnipeg Photographer's Guide

One of the questions I hear most often from expecting moms is: “What am I supposed to wear for my maternity photos?”

And honestly? You don't need to arrive at my Winnipeg studio with a suitcase full of outfits or spend hours searching for the perfect maternity dress.

When you book a studio maternity photography session with me, you have access to my collection of 50+ maternity gowns and dresses, all available to use during your session at no additional cost.

And there is a lot to choose from.

My studio wardrobe ranges from bold and high-fashion to sleek, simple and minimalist, with a wide variety of silhouettes, fabrics and styles. Whether you want something dramatic and glamorous or something understated and timeless, we can find a look that feels like you. If you prefer, you can bring your own clothing as well.

Start with the look you love

Before worrying about colours or specific outfits, think about how you want your maternity portraits to feel.

Do you picture yourself in something dramatic and fashion-forward? Something soft and romantic? Or maybe you prefer a clean, simple look that keeps all of the attention on you and your pregnancy?

There isn't one “right” way to dress for maternity photos.

My studio style tends to be refined, timeless and intentional, but that doesn't mean every session has to look the same. Some moms want to make a statement, while others are happiest in something incredibly simple.

That's one of the reasons I keep such a large studio wardrobe. With more than 50 gowns and dresses available, we can choose pieces that complement your personality, your comfort level and the style of portraits you're envisioning.

Don't be afraid of fitted gowns

A lot of women initially gravitate toward something loose because they want to be comfortable and don't want to feel overly exposed.

But fitted maternity gowns can photograph beautifully.

A gown that follows your curves helps celebrate the shape of your pregnancy and makes that beautiful bump the focus of the portrait. Draped fabrics, fitted silhouettes and carefully placed fabric can all create different looks while still keeping the images elegant.

And because I photograph maternity sessions with studio lighting and intentional posing, small changes in how a gown is positioned can completely change the final image.

Keep it simple for a timeless look

If you're drawn to a more minimalist style, don't underestimate the impact of a simple gown.

Black, white, cream, grey and other neutral tones work beautifully in the studio because they keep the focus on you rather than competing with the portrait.

A simple silhouette can also give an image a more editorial feel. There's something about a beautifully lit portrait, a clean background and an expecting mom that doesn't need much else.

Simple doesn't mean boring.

In fact, some of my favourite maternity portraits are the ones where the styling is incredibly uncomplicated.

Or go bold

On the other hand, if you've always wanted an excuse to wear something dramatic, this is it.

My maternity wardrobe includes pieces that are much more fashion-forward, with dramatic shapes, interesting textures, flowing fabrics and statement-making silhouettes.

Studio maternity photography gives us the opportunity to create portraits that feel more like editorial fashion photography than a traditional family portrait.

You don't have to play it safe.

If you want something bold, glamorous or completely different from what you would normally wear, let's have fun with it.

What should your partner wear?

If your partner is joining you for part of your maternity session, their outfit doesn't need to perfectly match yours.

In fact, I usually prefer coordinating rather than matching.

Simple, well-fitting clothing in neutral or complementary tones works beautifully. Think black, white, cream, grey, denim or muted earth tones.

The goal is for your partner's clothing to work with your gown without taking attention away from you and your beautiful bump.

Tip: Be sure to pack shoes. They will show in many photos.

What about older siblings?

If you're including your children, we can coordinate their clothing with the overall look of the session as well.

You don't need everyone dressed identically.

Instead, choose colours and textures that work together. Neutral and understated clothing tends to photograph particularly well in the studio and keeps the final portraits feeling timeless.

And if you have a very specific vision for your maternity portraits, we can plan the styling around that from the beginning.

What should you avoid?

There aren't a lot of hard rules when it comes to maternity photography, but there are a few things I generally recommend avoiding if you're looking for a timeless studio portrait.

• Large logos or graphics
• Very busy patterns
• Neon or extremely bright colours
• Clothing that completely hides your bump
• Fabrics that make you feel uncomfortable
• Anything that doesn't feel like you

The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and comfortable in what you're wearing.

You don't have to figure it all out yourself

One of the benefits of choosing a studio maternity session is that you don't have to arrive knowing exactly what you want.

With more than 50 gowns and dresses available in the studio, we can look at different options together and decide what works best for you.

Some clients know immediately which gown they want. Others try several before finding the one that makes them feel amazing.

Both are completely normal.

I'll help you consider the colour, shape, fabric and overall look so that your wardrobe works beautifully with the studio lighting and the style of portraits we're creating.

And because we can change gowns during your session, you're not limited to just one look.

Planning your maternity and newborn photos?

If you're expecting, maternity photos are also a great time to think ahead about your newborn session.

Many of my Winnipeg maternity clients choose to reserve their newborn photography session at the same time. This means your newborn session is already on the calendar before your baby arrives, when life is about to get very busy.

It's also a beautiful way to document the transition from pregnancy to those first precious days with your new baby.

Winnipeg Newborn Photography

Ready to plan your studio maternity session?

Your maternity portraits don't have to look like everyone else's.

Whether your vision is bold and high-fashion, soft and romantic, or sleek and simple, we'll create a session that feels beautiful, intentional and true to you.

And with more than 50 maternity gowns and dresses available in my Winnipeg studio, you don't have to worry about finding the perfect dress before you arrive.

We'll find it together.

Winnipeg Maternity Photography