Inside One Relaxed Maternity Photoshoot

This collection of photographs comes from one complete recent maternity photoshoot with a mum-to-be expecting her second baby. This time, she wanted the experience to be just for her, a little time to herself to celebrate this pregnancy and create a mixture of relaxed, contemporary and more artistic maternity portraits.

Different Style of Pregnancy Photography

When people think of maternity photography, they often imagine elaborate dresses, dramatic fabrics or highly styled portraits. While I love creating beautiful fine-art pregnancy photographs, a maternity photoshoot can be just as much about capturing you exactly as you are during this stage of your life.

Recently, an expectant mum got in touch and said:

“I am looking for more relaxed and casual maternity photos with wardrobe to match.”

My answer was absolutely yes. A maternity photoshoot can be relaxed, natural and beautifully styled without feeling formal or overly dressed up.

Some of my favourite maternity portraits are created with the simplest clothing — your own jeans, a classic white shirt or vest top from my studio wardrobe, or a favourite piece you already love wearing.

Can a Studio Maternity Photoshoot Feel Relaxed?

Definitely.

Having your maternity photos taken in a professional studio doesn't mean the photographs need to feel formal or overly posed.

My approach is fully guided, but the aim is never to make you feel stiff or uncomfortable. I will help with positioning, flattering angles and lighting while still allowing movement, laughter and the natural connection between you and your partner or family.

The result can be polished and beautifully lit while still feeling relaxed, contemporary and completely natural to you.

What Should I Wear for Casual Maternity Photos?

You don't need to buy a special maternity dress for your photoshoot. You may be surprised by how many dresses you already own will still fit beautifully during pregnancy, especially if we add a belt just above the bump to create a more flattering shape.

Simple clothing often photographs beautifully because there is nothing to distract from you and your pregnancy.

Some of my favourite choices include:

jeans worn open beneath the bump with a simple vest or crop top
an oversized white shirt
black trousers or leggings with a fitted top
a plain black or white vest
a simple knitted jumper or cardigan
fur-trimmed capes, wrap ponchos or blanket shawls
a favourite dress that follows the shape of your bump
a bodysuit or understated underwear for something slightly more intimate

Neutral colours such as black, white, cream, grey and denim tend to work particularly well in the studio. Bright colours can also look striking and often translate beautifully into both colour and black-and-white portraits.

The aim isn't to make everyone look the same. Your clothing should still feel like you.

You Can Mix Casual and More Artistic Portraits

Choosing a relaxed maternity photoshoot doesn't mean every photograph needs to have the same look.

During a longer maternity photography session, we can begin with the outfits that feel most familiar to you and gradually create something a little different if you would like to.

You might start in jeans and a white shirt, move into a simple black outfit and finish with a few more artistic pregnancy portraits.

What If I Don't Know What Will Look Good?

You don't need to arrive knowing exactly how you want to be photographed.

Before the session, we can discuss the kind of photographs you are drawn to and the clothes you already own. I can then suggest which pieces are likely to work particularly well in photographs.

I also have a carefully selected maternity wardrobe available at the studio, including simple shirts, fabrics and understated pieces that can be incorporated into your session.

Often, the strongest wardrobe is a mixture of your own favourite clothing and a few studio pieces.

Your Maternity Photoshoot Should Feel Like You

There isn't one correct way to photograph pregnancy.

Some women love dramatic studio lighting and fine-art maternity portraits. Others want jeans, bare feet and a white shirt. Many want a combination of both.

Your maternity session should reflect your personality rather than somebody else's idea of what maternity photography ought to look like.

Looking for a Relaxed Maternity Photoshoot in London?

If you're expecting a baby and would love beautiful maternity photographs without elaborate styling, I'd be delighted to create something relaxed and personal for you.

My maternity photoshoots take place in a private professional studio in West London and are completely guided from beginning to end, including help with what to wear and how to pose.

Explore Maternity Photography
View Pregnancy Portraits
Discover What to Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot

Relaxed Maternity Photography: What to Wear for a Casual Pregnancy Photoshoot