Baby Pink Ruched Mesh Off Shoulder Maternity Maxi Dress

New Life | White Maternity Square Neck Ruched Midi Dress

Chantal 2 piece Maternity Photoshoot Dress in Nude Pink

Beige Floral Embroidered Chiffon Maternity Midi Dress

Pinkblush PinkBlush White Lace Mesh Overlay Plus Maternity Maxi Dress 1X

What to Wear for Maternity Photos

March 16, 2026

Okay so you booked the photographer, you picked a date, and now you're standing in front of your closet at 32 weeks realizing you own nothing that looks good in photos and everything that fits has a stretched-out elastic waistband. I've been in the maternity subs long enough to see this exact panic post every single day.

Here's what actually photographs well, based on what I've seen work (and not work) across a lot of maternity shoots and an embarrassing number of hours in the bump subs. You don't need to spend $300 and you don't need seven outfits. One or two looks in the right style will get you better photos than a suitcase full of wrong ones. I've included a specific example for each look, but the style matters more than the exact dress — browse the category links if the example is sold out or not your thing.

The classic

The flowy off-shoulder maxi

bumpsuit — Off The Shoulder Soft Mesh Dress

There's a reason every maternity photographer's portfolio is full of these. An off-shoulder neckline frames your face and collarbones, a long flowy skirt gives you movement, and mesh or chiffon catches light in a way that cotton just doesn't. You want something in ivory, blush, or a soft blue — those tones are the most forgiving in natural light. This BUMPSUIT mesh dress is the one that keeps showing up in the bump subs. Six colors, the mesh has enough body that it drapes instead of clinging, and people resell them constantly so you can check the exchange subs if $155 hurts. There are a ton of options in this style though — browse our maxi dresses and look for off-shoulder, mesh, or chiffon.

The most universally flattering maternity photo look
Off-shoulder neckline photographs beautifully
Tons of options at every price point

Literally everyone has this photo
Mesh and chiffon wrinkle in shipping — steam it

$155 · Shop at BUMPSUIT

Budget version

Same look, way less money

Cameo — Baby Pink Ruched Mesh Off Shoulder Maternity Maxi Dress

You don't have to spend $150+ to get the flowy mesh look. PinkBlush has been doing ruched mesh off-shoulder maxis forever. The ruching hugs your bump without being skin-tight, the off-shoulder silhouette is the same one the expensive dresses use, and at $54 you're not going to feel sick about wearing it once. The mesh is thinner than the pricier brands — you'll want a slip or nude underwear underneath, and definitely steam it. But in photos the difference is honestly hard to spot. This one's in baby pink but they make them in a dozen colors. If you're trying to keep this under $60, start with maxi dresses and sort by price.

$54 and PinkBlush runs sales constantly
Ruching is extremely flattering on a bump
Available in tons of colors

Thinner mesh — needs a slip or nude undergarments
Ships wrinkled, needs steaming

$54 $78 · Shop at PinkBlush

Different vibe

The fitted bump-hugging midi

Club L London — New Life | White Maternity Square Neck Ruched Midi Dress

Not everyone wants flowy — and honestly the fitted look can be way more striking. A ruched midi that hugs your bump makes the belly the whole point of the photo, which... it kind of is. Look for something with ruching (it stretches with you so it's flattering, not just tight) and a structured neckline — square or sweetheart. Midi length means you're not fighting with fabric on the ground. White or cream reads really clean on camera. This Club L London one is $95 and the square neckline is perfect for a studio shoot or a clean outdoor background. For more options, browse our midi dresses — filter for white or cream and look for anything ruched or bodycon.

Shows off the bump better than any other style
Midi length works at any location
Modern and clean — great for studio shoots

Fitted means sizing has to be exact
Not forgiving if you're having a bloated day

$95 · Shop at Club L London

Two-in-one

A matching set (crop top + skirt)

Angel Maternity — Chantal 2 piece Maternity Photoshoot Dress in Nude Pink

Sets are underrated for maternity photos. A crop top and skirt with a gap of bump showing between them gives you that belly peek shot without having to do the hands-under-the-shirt thing. Plus you get multiple looks from one outfit — full set, just the skirt with a bralette, skirt with a different top you already own. That's three looks from one purchase. This Angel Maternity set is literally called a "Photoshoot Dress" which is kind of funny but also means they know what they're doing. $60 in nude pink. For more, browse our matching sets — anything with a crop top and midi or maxi skirt works for this.

Multiple outfit combos from one purchase
Bump peek between pieces looks amazing in photos
Skirt is wearable on its own afterward

Crop top look isn't for everyone
Fewer options than dresses

$60 · Shop at Angel Maternity

Outdoor pick

Something for golden hour in a field

Tea N Rose — Beige Floral Embroidered Chiffon Maternity Midi Dress

If you're doing the outdoor thing — golden hour, tall grass, warm light — you want fabric that moves. Chiffon, tulle, anything that catches a breeze. Floral or embroidered is great here because it adds texture the camera picks up. Beige, sage, dusty rose, lavender — earthy tones that don't fight with nature. This PinkBlush embroidered chiffon midi is $67 (down from $96) and it's exactly the kind of thing that looks magical backlit at sunset. Midi length so nothing drags in the dirt. Fair warning though — this whole vibe skews bohemian. If you're not a flowy-dress-in-a-field person it's going to feel like a costume. Maxi dresses and midi dresses both have good outdoor options — look for chiffon or floral.

Embroidered chiffon catches golden hour light perfectly
Midi length won't drag on grass or trails
$67 on sale

Very boho — not for everyone
Beige/cream can wash out pale skin without good lighting

$67 $96 · Shop at PinkBlush

Plus-size

A plus-size option that's actually designed, not just sized up

Pinkblush — PinkBlush White Lace Mesh Overlay Plus Maternity Maxi Dress 1X

The plus-size maternity photo dress situation is frustrating. Most brands take their straight-size dress, scale the pattern up, and call it done — which is how you end up with something that just hangs from your bust with no shape. What you want is the same things everyone wants (flattering silhouette, good fabric, something that photographs well) in a size that actually fits. Lace overlay is great for photos because it adds dimension without bulk. This PinkBlush white lace maxi is available through Target in plus sizing and the silhouette actually works — $108 and it runs slightly large, which for once is welcome. White lace needs a slip though, don't skip that. Most of the styles on this list come in extended sizes too — maxi dresses lets you filter by what's available.

Actually designed for plus, not just scaled up
White lace + mesh overlay looks expensive
Available at Target

$108
White lace requires a slip underneath
White only

$108 · Shop at Target

What I wish someone had told me before my shoot

Solid colors and soft tones photograph best. Cream, dusty pink, sage, light blue, mauve. Bright white can blow out in direct sunlight and black swallows all your detail — if you want white, go ivory or cream, and if you want dark, go burgundy or navy instead of black. I see so many maternity shoots where the dress is competing with the person wearing it.

Get the dress at least 2 weeks before your session and try it on. I cannot stress this enough. Stuff looks different on a bump than it does on a hanger, your bump is a different size every week, and you need time to exchange if the sizing is off. If your session is at 34 weeks, order at 30 and try it on at 32.

Bring one backup outfit that's totally different from the first. If your main look is a flowy maxi, bring something fitted, or vice versa. Your photographer only needs 5 minutes for a quick change and you get two completely different vibes. Don't bring three outfits — you'll spend the whole session changing instead of actually being in the photos.

Steam everything the night before. Literally every dress ships folded and creased. Wrinkles show up in every single photo and they're annoying to edit out. A $20 handheld steamer will save your dress from looking like it came out of a gym bag. Hang it in the bathroom while you shower if you don't have a steamer.

The bottom line

Pick a style, not a specific dress. If you want the classic maternity photo look, get any off-shoulder mesh or chiffon maxi in a soft color. If you want modern and clean, get a ruched midi in white. If you want options from one purchase, get a matching set.

And honestly? The dress matters less than you think. What matters is that you feel good in it on the day. Try it on beforehand, make sure you can breathe and move and sit down without a crisis. The photos where you look the best are the ones where you're not thinking about the dress at all.