Maternity Outfits Must-Haves for Mother’s Day Photoshoots

Mother’s Day is an important day for any mother, but it is even more exciting for the soon-to-be mother.

Many expecting mothers are excited in the lead-up to Mother’s Day, thinking about how they will soon hold their babies in their arms. Plus, for first-time expecting mothers, this is the first year they are recognized as mothers or soon-to-be mothers.

Many expecting mothers want to commemorate this special day with a trained professional providing maternity photography, and maternity photographers often see an uptick in bookings around Mother’s Day. Be prepared for the rush ahead of time by getting everything ready, including a selection of maternity outfits!

While a wardrobe is not necessary for photography and your clients can wear their own clothes, having a wardrobe on hand sets you apart from other photographers. A wardrobe helps you establish your style across different clients. Your own wardrobe makes it easy to replicate work in your portfolio that new clients saw and loved. Finally, it shows potential clients that you take your work seriously and makes them more likely to book with you. 

You don’t need an extensive wardrobe for maternity sessions, just three categories of items will work for you! The acronym “MOM” can help you remember what to buy: maxi dresses, off-the-shoulder tops, and monochromatic maternity gowns. Your MOM wardrobe is a great place to start, and can make expecting moms look so beautiful! 

Let's explore each item separately: 

1. M: Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are a staple of any maternity look. They are flowy and forgiving, accommodating mothers of all sizes and at all stages of pregnancy. They are comfortable, which is a must-have, as you don’t want to put expecting moms in anything too constricting. Finally, they are convenient for you as the photographer. Maxi dresses fold and pack easily, so you can just throw them in a shoulder bag if you offer on-site maternity photography.

Maxi dresses are easy and comfortable, but they look very dramatic. The flowy fabric makes every mother look like a regal goddess. Plus, maxi dresses make it easy to do poses such as the dress toss, when the expecting mother tosses the train of her dress, creating a dramatic backdrop. This pose is becoming a staple of maternity photoshoots.

2. O: Off-the-shoulder Tops

The second outfit staple is the off-the-shoulder top. While many maternity outfits seek to bury the expecting mother in fabric, an off-the-shoulder top provides the right balance between bare skin and fabric. Expecting mothers are sensual beings too, and some moms like to have that side of themselves expressed in photoshoots. 

Make sure you pack shorter off-the-shoulder tops that also bare some of the belly. Showing off the bump is the biggest reason why an expecting mother books a maternity photography package! Make sure you include outfit options that highlight the baby bump.

3. M: Monochromatic Maternity Gowns

Expectant mothers book Mother’s Day photoshoots because they want to feel special. A dramatic gown that she probably doesn’t have a chance to wear during her everyday life will give her that feeling. Clients love the elegant, timeless feeling of a gown.

When you pick out your maternity gown, make sure that you pick out simple options. Monochromatic gowns that match the color of your background are simple enough to work with most mothers and their preferences. Plus, a simple color scheme emphasizes the silhouette, adding extra drama around the baby bump.

While most maternity photoshoots feature just the expectant mother, a scene with the gown is the perfect opportunity to include the partner. The gown and the partner’s presence elevate the photo. Plus, they’ll probably want this photo as a keepsake, which means a greater sale for you.

Conclusion

To recap, you only need three types of garments for maternity Mother’s Day photoshoot wardrobes: a maxi dress, off-the-shoulder top, and a monochromatic maternity gown. You can remember these items with the acronym “MOM.” 

You’ll need a few of each garment to accommodate different mothers. Get a white, black, blue, and pink option for each garment. That way, moms can either choose if they want a neutral photoshoot or to wear clothing that matches the gender of their baby. 

You don’t need an extensive maternity photoshoot wardrobe, only about 12 garments, but that wardrobe can help you stand out from the pack. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest seasons for maternity photographers, so it’s good to be prepared ahead of time.

Having a basic wardrobe has helped me find success as a maternity photographer, and I hope these tips will help you. If you’re a photographer, you know how to meet your client’s needs. If you’re an expecting mother, you know what to look for in a photographer that is a cut above the rest. 

Which of these items from the basic “MOM” maternity photoshoot wardrobe do you love the best? Comment down below, and leave links if you have any clothes you particularly love!