What to Wear for Your Maternity Session in Orange County, and why it matters less than you think

If you’ve been stressing about what to wear for your maternity session in Orange County, I want you to take a deep breath right now. This is honestly one of the most common things my clients worry about and I am here to tell you it is going to be so much easier than you think.

I’m Amy, an Orange County maternity photographer with over 14 years of experience, and I have dressed a lot of pregnant mamas for their sessions. Here is everything I want you to know before yours.

The Two Looks I Love Most 

In my experience, most mamas fall into one of two camps or honestly somewhere beautifully in between.

Soft and Romantic

Think flowing gowns, delicate lace, sheer fabrics and soft tulle. This is the timeless dreamy look that ends up printed large on your wall. For outdoor sessions along the Laguna Beach coastline or in golden open fields, this style is absolutely magical. The way soft fabric moves in the breeze during golden hour? Or even in the studio with controlled elements, movement, and florals. There is truly nothing like it.

Colors that photograph beautifully in our Southern California light: ivory, blush, champagne, sage, dusty blue and soft white. Neutrals are always your safest and most timeless choice when choosing what to wear for your maternity session in Orange County.

Real and Relaxed

This is the look I have completely fallen in love with and so have my clients. Baggy jeans, a simple white tee, a cozy flannel, bare bump and bare feet. It is effortless, authentic and deeply California in the best possible way.

Do not underestimate how stunning this can be. Some of my absolute favorite images I have ever taken came from the most relaxed low key outfits. There is something so real and powerful about a mama just being herself, growing a baby, living her life beautifully.

Why Not Both?

For clients who want more variety in their gallery, planning one look from each world is my favorite approach. Start with the flowing gown for golden hour then transition into jeans and a tee for something more relaxed and lifestyle. The contrast is stunning and gives you a gallery that tells the full story of who you are right now.

A Few Quick Tips on Color and Pattern when planning Your Maternity Session in Orange County

Stick to neutrals, earth tones, muted shades and soft pastels. These work beautifully with Orange County’s natural landscapes and my light and airy editing style. Avoid busy patterns, large logos and heavy graphics as they tend to distract from your face and your bump and can date your photos quickly. Small subtle patterns like thin stripes or delicate florals are usually just fine.

Hair and Makeup

Professionally done hair and makeup is always a wonderful investment for your session though absolutely not required. If you are doing your own, here is my biggest tip: go a little more dramatic than you normally would. My editing style is light and airy which can soften features slightly, so well defined brows, a touch more blush than usual and a more intentional lip make a real difference in your final images. Think glowing and polished, not heavy. You want to look like the very best version of yourself.

For hair, loose waves and relaxed styles feel so cohesive with the soft California aesthetic and they photograph beautifully every single time and goes so well with whatever you choose when deciding what to wear for your maternity session in Orange County.

My Favorite Places to Shop for Your Maternity Session

If you want to come with your own pieces or add to what we pull from the client closet, these are some of my favorite places to shop. For flowing gowns and dreamy maternity dresses I love Baltic Born, Reclamation Dress Company, Pink Blush Maternity and Hello Miz. For the relaxed casual look, a great pair of wide leg or baggy jeans paired with a simple neutral tee is honestly all you need. When you are deciding what to wear for your maternity session in Orange County, I have also curated a Pinterest board with outfit inspiration for every vibe and every location so you can browse and save your favorites before we chat. Check it out here →

The Client Closet

Here is where I tell you that you might not need to shop at all when you are deciding what to wear for your maternity session in Orange County and all of the images above are from my Client Closet. Every maternity session includes complimentary access to my client closet, a curated collection of over 65 pieces ranging from XS to 3XL at no extra cost. Soft romantic gowns, delicate lace robes, flowing sheer pieces and everything in between. There is truly something for every body and every vibe.

You are welcome to take a look at my collection virtually and either try things on at your session, or simply trust me to pull pieces that complement your coloring, your location and your session style. If you are local and within 10 miles of 92630, I also can deliver before your session! The goal is for you to show up and feel beautiful. I have got everything else covered.

A full dedicated post on the client closet is coming soon so stay tuned for that! Here is a peek below at a few pieces:

The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You

Wear something that makes you feel like you not what you think you are supposed to wear, not what you saw on Pinterest, and not what your sister wore. The images that move people to tears are almost never about the dress. They are about the woman wearing it, her softness, her strength, the way she holds her bump, the way she genuinely laughs.

The laughter and the love is what I am here to capture. The outfit is just the beginning.

Ready to book your Orange County maternity session? I would love to hear from you!