After photographing maternity clients for years, one question comes up in almost every consultation: "What should I wear?" And while I always say there are no hard rules, colour is the one area where I do have strong opinions—because I've seen enough sessions to know what photographs beautifully and what tends to distract.
Here's my honest, experience-based guide.
The Colours That Always Work
Warm neutrals and earthy tones—cream, ivory, warm white, taupe, sand, caramel, terracotta—are always a favourite. They're timeless, they never compete with your skin or the backdrop, and they photograph beautifully in both studio and outdoor light. A soft ivory gown in afternoon light? That's the kind of image that feels effortless and elegant.
Dusty or muted tones—sage green, dusty rose, mauve, soft slate blue, muted lilac—have the same easy, flattering quality. They're soft and refined without pulling attention away from you. The muted finish keeps the colour from feeling too bold on camera, which means your face and your bump stay the focus.
Rich, deep jewel tones—burgundy, deep forest green, chocolate brown, navy—work beautifully as statement looks, especially if you want something a little more dramatic. They add depth and look gorgeous in both studio portraits and outdoor maternity sessions.
Timeless black and white—while technically not colours—always work well too. Black creates striking contrast, especially against light studio backdrops. White gives a softer, airy feel and looks beautiful when the lighting is right.
Colours to Approach With Caution
Neon and very saturated brights—neon yellow, electric blue, hot pink—can be tricky. The camera exaggerates brightness, and those colours often pull attention away from your face and your connection. In small details they can work; as the main outfit, they usually overpower.
Very busy patterns—large florals, bold stripes, loud prints—can look lovely in person but create visual noise in photos. If you love a pattern, choose something smaller and softer so it complements rather than competes.
Exact matches with your partner or kids—identical outfits can feel a little too staged in photos. Coordinated almost always looks more natural and polished than matching.
What About Skin Tone?
As a general rule, warm complexions often glow in warm tones like creams, terracottas and warm sages. Cool complexions can look especially lovely in dusty roses, soft blues and cooler neutrals. But this is only a loose guide—the best colour is still the one that makes you feel confident.
Does the Location Change the Colour Rules?
In the studio, I control the light, so almost any of the colours that work well above will photograph beautifully.
Outdoors at golden hour, light colours like cream and ivory catch the warmth of the sun in the prettiest way. Deeper tones add contrast and drama against natural backdrops.
In winter outdoor sessions in Calgary, deeper shades like burgundy, forest green and rich camel look stunning against snow or bare branches.
How I Handle This for My Clients
My studio wardrobe is curated with these colour principles in mind. When we plan your session, I'll help you choose gowns and pieces that photograph beautifully with your skin tone, your style and the feel you want for your images. If you're bringing your own outfit, send me a photo beforehand—I'm always happy to give honest feedback.
FAQ
Can I wear black for maternity photos?
Absolutely. Black is bold, elegant and photographs beautifully in studio and outdoor settings.
What about all-white outfits?
White can look lovely when the lighting is right. In studio, I can control the light to keep it soft and balanced.
What if I want to wear a pattern?
Softer, smaller patterns usually work best. Bring it to your consultation and I'll let you know honestly.
Questions about your session? Send me a WhatsApp message or check my availability and let's start planning.
Fernanda Bautzer Photography — Calgary maternity photographer, 231 Yorkville Road SW.