What to Wear for Your Maternity Session - Professional Styling Tips for the Whole Family

WHAT KIND OF DRESS?

Most of the dresses I carry fall into three categories - fitted gowns, boho gowns, and bump-friendly dresses.

Dresses can be found here: www.stefaniecolephotography.com/client-closet.
​The maternity section contains the boho and fitted. There are lots of bump-friendly options in the women's section as well - just size up!

For average to plus size women, the fitted gowns will be the most flattering. They will create and hourglass shape and show off your curves, and offer me the best options for posing that can flatter your figure as well. I especially love these dresses for the shots of mom alone as well as just the parents - they will give you the most polished look.

The boho gowns are just so romantic and whimsical. They are much easier to move in and don't need to be posed as precisely as the fitted gowns, which makes them great for family shots and especially sessions with toddlers who may not fully cooperate. I love to use boho gowns for the more 'natural' poses- walking, twirling, MOVING - these poses are not easy to do with the fitted gowns.

If you’d like a more casual look, the “bump-friendly” non-maternity styles are a great choice - just be sure to size up from your usual size. These are also a great choice if you have very young children, as they aren’t as long and are easier to walk and move in.

The Details for Mom

HAIR AND MAKEUP:  Professional hair and makeup is recommended, but never required!  Aside from looking great, it is a wonderful way to treat yourself to a day of pampering and to round out the entire experience. Instagram.com/amberthestylist is my favorite local hair/mua. I have a highlight reel on IG with other vendors that my clients have recommended.

SHOES:  Most dresses WILL NOT show your feet at all - so please wear sneakers, rubber boots, flip flops or whatever is comfortable!  The flowy gowns or gowns with a slit may show shoes - wear something simple and comfortable, or kick off your shoes and go barefoot!

UNDERGARMENTS:  If possible, please wear seamless underwear or going without is ok too if you'd rather!  A strapless bra with cups is best to give you the most support and lift.   Please don't wear spanx or shapewear if you plan on wearing the fitted gowns - the dresses will hold you in plenty, and they create lines that are hard to edit.  If it's very cold, knee high socks work great to keep warm without leaving lines!

STYLING YOUR PARTNER

For partners, I recommend keeping them in neutrals. Keeping them in something neutral (as opposed to trying to match them to your dress) creates a more timeless look, and allows your dress to pop.  On a more functional note, it ensures that they match all of your dresses so they don't have to change clothes.  Although you are welcome to have partners change clothes with each dress if you'd like, it's not necessary!

For male partners: For the winter and fall, a sweater or sports coat works great with dress pants, dark jeans, or camel khakis.  For the summer, a button down henley or lightweight shirt works well.  

For female partners: Female partners can wear whatever they feel best in! Whether a shirt and pants or a dress, we recommend they match in style that coordinates with what you’re wearing (so dressed up if you’re dressed up, or on the more casual side if you are).

STYLING THE KIDS

If your family shoot involves kids then I recommend keeping them fairly neutral as well but you can bring in some colors to coordinate with your dresses. Although most moms do wear multiple dresses in their session, we typically focus on family shots during a single dress especially for young kids who have a limited attention span. This gives us the rest of the session to focus on the adults!

Focus on bringing in lots of texture and coordinating but not matching. If your color palette is mostly light, try to bring i at least one dark item for balance (and vice-versa).

A FEW MORE TIPS FOR THE KIDS

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

It is so important to dress for the weather and be prepared for the unexpected. Even the beach can sometimes be chilly, so having cardigans is always smart. In the fall, please make sure your children's legs and arms are not bare or it will be very difficult to get them to cooperate.

FITTED IS BETTER THAN LOOSE

I know it’s tempting to buy kid’s clothes a little big to get the most bang for your buck, but items that fit perfectly or snugly will photograph much better than baggy. Always shop your own closet before going out and buying something new!

GIRLS

Girls are, of course, so fun to dress! If your child is quite young and you put them in a dress, keep in mind they may not sit with their legs closed. So have them wear a diaper cover! Rompers are a great option too. Just like for yourself, items of clothing that give you some movement photograph very well and little girls usually love to twirl!

BOYS

Whether shopping for your husband or your kids, boys are easiest so I usually save them for last. I like to look at what I already own and work from there. Dark khakis, corduroys and jeans are a great place to start. Basic henleys, golf shirts or button downs are always a versatile pairing. Accessories like suspenders, hats, bow ties etc are adorable but keep in mind that kids generally don’t enjoy the way things like that feel so keep an open mind!