Thirty weeks in, standing in front of a wardrobe that has quietly become someone else’s. The dress you had in mind does not sit the way it used to. The one thing that does fit is the one you have already worn to work three times this month. And the session is on Saturday.

Almost every mum-to-be we photograph arrives having worried about this more than about the posing, the lighting or anything else. The good news is that the outfit decisions that actually make a difference are few, practical and mostly about comfort.

Start With How You Want To Feel

Before fabric or colour, decide on the mood. Some mums want soft and quiet, all warm neutrals and bare feet. Others want something with a bit of edge, in a strong colour, standing tall.

Neither is more correct and both photograph beautifully. Knowing which one you are after simply saves you from buying three dresses that pull in different directions.

A maternity photoshoot is a set of portraits of you at a particular point in your life, so the clothes should look like something you would genuinely wear. If you have never owned a floor-length chiffon gown, you may feel like you are in a fancy dress for an hour. A good photographer will work with whatever makes you feel most yourself and will guide you through the rest.

Fabric Does More Work Than Colour

Fabric is the decision that shows up most clearly in the final images. Soft jersey, fine knits and stretch cotton follow your shape smoothly and stay put when you move. Chiffon and light silk float, which is why they photograph so nicely when there is any movement in the room, and they are forgiving to sit down in.

Stiff cottons, heavy linen and anything with structured tailoring tend to hold their own shape instead of yours, which reads oddly in a portrait. Thick horizontal ribbing can do the same. Sleeves deserve a thought too, and not for the reason people assume. Long, soft sleeves give a photographer a clean line to work with and give you something to do with your arms, which is the part most people find awkward. If you would prefer bare arms, that works just as well, so bring a light wrap and you have a second look without a full change.

Colour, And Why Solid Usually Wins

Solid colours keep the attention on faces and hands. Prints, especially small busy ones, compete for the eye and date quickly. That said, a print you love and feel great in beats a neutral you chose because an article told you to. This is your session.

Colours that consistently work well in studio light:

  • Warm neutrals such as cream, oatmeal, camel and soft grey
  • Deep jewel tones like emerald, plum or navy, which look striking against a plain backdrop
  • Dusty pastels, particularly sage, blush and pale blue, for a softer feel
  • Black, which is far more versatile in a studio than people expect

Check What The Studio Already Has

Ask before you shop. Our studio maternity sessions typically come with a maternity gown and sashes to use on the day, alongside pose guidance and unlimited shots during the session, so you may not need to buy anything at all. Inclusions do vary with the package, the length of the session and how many people are joining you, so confirm the details when you enquire. If you would prefer to bring your own, two outfits is a sensible maximum for a one-hour session, because changing takes longer than anyone plans for and an hour split three ways leaves too little time to relax into any of them. Hair and makeup, where you want it, is usually easier arranged as an add-on so it is finished before the clock starts.

Bringing Your Partner And Older Children In

Coordinating a group is simpler than it sounds. Choose your outfit first, then dress everyone else in the same family of tones without matching exactly. Your husband in a warm sand shirt beside you in sage, and a toddler in plain cream, will always look better than three people in identical white tees.

Some couples plan the perfect pregnancy announcement photoshoot months earlier and then come back later for a bump session, and the two galleries sit together rather nicely as a pair. If an older child is coming, let them pick between two options you are happy with. A four-year-old who chose their own shirt is a four-year-old who cooperates.

Comfort Across A Full Session 

A studio session usually runs about an hour, and standing for that long later in a pregnancy is genuinely tiring. HealthHub’s guide to what happens in the third trimester notes that tiredness and shortness of breath are common as the weeks go on, so build in breaks and follow whatever your own doctor or midwife has said about standing and moving around.

There is no prize for pushing through a session, and a photographer who knows you need to sit down every ten minutes will simply plan the poses around it.

Small things that make the hour easier:

  • Loose clothing on the way to the studio, so nothing leaves marks on your skin
  • Flat shoes to arrive in, whatever you plan to be photographed in
  • Water and a snack, because sessions always run a little longer than planned
  • A hair tie, in case you want a second look halfway through
  • Anything sentimental you would like in a frame, such as a scan photo or a knitted blanket

Conclusion

 The outfit that works is almost always the one you stop thinking about ten minutes into the session. Comfortable fabric, a colour you like, and one backup in the bag will carry you through.

If you are still deciding, send us a photo of your options before the day and we will happily tell you which will sit best under studio light. Firefly Photography has been photographing families and mums-to-be in Singapore since 2012, and we would love to help you plan a session that feels calm and completely like you. Get in touch whenever you are ready.