As a Maternity Photographer in Adelaide I often get asked this question, to be honest there is not just one answer. I believe everyone is different and unique in their own way. Women are kinda like Diamonds, they come in all different shapes, sizes, skin tones and hair types. Similar to a diamond there are also many facets of a woman's personality and some colours reflect our characteristics. In saying that I do have some useful tips and tricks which may be rather helpful when deciding on What To Wear For Your Maternity Photoshoot.


Consider the below questions:

1. Decide on the type of location for your session eg; Beach, Garden, Forest, Waterfall, In home etc,

2. What is your vibe? eg; Boho, Glam, Classic/Timeless, Minimalist/Modern, Whimsical/Fairytale etc

3. Are you darker or lighter skin toned? Is your hair brown, red, blonde or black? What colours do you usually wear? Do you like warmer tones or tend towards cooler tones? Dark or light?

4. What are you most comfortable wearing loose or tighter fitting clothes? Are you tall or short? Curvy or slim?


So many questions I know but once you work out what you like, your personality and what feels natural to you, and most importantly what you feel comfortable in, then you will find it easier to make a decision on What To Wear For Your Maternity Photoshoot. Also is there a particular story or narrative you want to tell in your images? Has your journey to Motherhood been easy or challenging?


Current popular trends are the Natural/Minimalist vibe, we are seeing a lot of women showing their bare bumps, bikinis and robes, some are wearing light denim jeans unzipped with either no top or a bralette of some kind and some women are comfortable in just their birthday suit. All of which are totally fine providing YOU are comfortable.

You may have all these super cute ideas about how you want to look for your Maternity Photoshoot but things may look or feel different when it comes time to select your wardrobe, and if you're unsure that is totally fine. With over 15 years experience in Retail Styling/Visual Merchandising and now Director/Photographer of Schinella Photography I am more than happy to help you find something that you feel comfortable and beautiful in.


I will usually recommend neutral or soft pastelle tones to my clients to achieve a natural look that is visually pleasing. I generally advise against black, as it can appear quite harsh unless you are going for the chic studio vibe and shooting black and white portraits. Avoid heavily branded clothing or items with logos and bold prints. Select natural fibres/fabrics that breathe and move with you such as linen, cottons and silk. If you are curious about doing a semi nude Maternity Photoshoot wear nude or white bottoms and we can improvise with either a bunch of flowers to cover your top half or even use a floaty white veil or piece of fabric to drape over you. The possibilities are endless, I am yet to shoot a semi/nude session, these are generally done at Maslins Beach Adelaide, this is definately on my list of creative sessions for sure!


Personally I am a vibrant, romantic with an expressive personality. I love being by the ocean it helps in keeping me calm, relaxed and grounded. My Maternity Photoshoot was always going to be on the Beach because that is where I am happiest. I have lily white skin tone and long dark brunette curls. I think my vibe was somewhere between Whimsical/Fairytale and Classic/Timeless. Warmer tones tend to be my thing, or bold colours. After 10 years, two failed IVF cycles and multiple pregnancy losses I knew I wanted to shout out my pregnancy to anyone and everyone in a creative and visual way. I was so damn proud of my amazing body and everything it was doing and I was having this moment in time documented to display in my home. So I selected a fitted shoe string strap body con dress in blush which emphasized my growing bump, and paired it with an elaborate tulle overskirt that had the most luxurious train which just floated in the wind like something of a Fairytale. I wore peach coloured feather earrings, my hair was down and curly and I just wore some nice summer champagne coloured sandals which I borrowed from Mum. This was my 'moment' and my 'miracle' and boy that night did we make some magic. Memories I have since hung on my walls, shown to my baby boy, and to this day I still stand and reminisce while looking at them. I think about how I felt in that exact moment, all the feels come to me, and I miss rubbing my hands over my firm belly, 'this is a feeling like no other, a true blessing in life'. If I am ever blessed with another pregnancy I have a slightly different idea for my next Maternity Photoshoot, but I think I'll leave that one in Gods hands for now.


If you would like to chat about your Styling ideas for your Maternity Session you can contact me here!


Your Story From My Eyes

Kj

xxx