Gorgeous Maternity Photoshoot Dresses for Timeless Pictures

According to Maternity Photographer Trish Olivera, owner of The Boho House, choosing a maternity photoshoot dress is all about flattering your growing bump and wearing something you personally feel comfortable and like your best self in. In general, she recommends long, flowy maxi dresses, as shorter dresses tend to cut pregnant mamas in the wrong spot and aren't as flattering for photos.

As for colors, neutrals all the way. “My personal favorites are blush, beige and white,” she says of her preferred pregnancy photoshoot colors. Solids are best, but if you have your heart set on a print, go with something soft instead of really loud, as it won’t translate well on camera.

“Think light and airy flowers or patterns, as opposed to bright stripes and bold checkered prints.”

The location of your photoshoot also plays an important role in the style and color of your dress. For a eucalyptus tree session, Olivera likes to add in greens and creams. For beach sessions, light blues and even hints of pastel pinks and white is always a clear winner in her book!

“Depending on the season, adding layers can also add some texture to your session,” she notes. “For example, warm knitted fabrics look great paired over a summer dress, and you can always use it off the shoulder for a layered look.”

The best maternity photoshoot dress options 2023

• Best overall: Mother Bee Maternity Ruched Waist Faux Wrap Maxi Dress
• Best budget: Yeshape Turtleneck Long-Sleeve Maternity Dress
• Best luxury: HATCH Katherine Maxi dress
• Best plus-size: Ivy City Co. Lennon Dress In Mustard
• Most comfortable: Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress
• Best rated: Saslax Maternity Off Shoulders Half Circle Gown
• Best for outdoors: Pietro Brunelli Chloe Ruffle Sleeved Smocked Maternity Dress
• Best gown: Pluviophily Maternity Tulle Dress Robe
• Best printed: Nothing Fits But Cotton Kiko Maternity Dress
• Best bump-baring: Anphon Off-The-Shoulder Split-Front Maxi Dress
• Best bump-hugging: Glampunch Off-The-Shoulder Maternity Dress
• Best nursing: Seraphine Slate Blue Maternity & Nursing Maxi Dress
• Best lace: Saslax Soft Stretchy Lace Maternity Gown

Best overall

Mother Bee Maternity Ruched Waist Faux Wrap Maxi Dress

More than 4,000 moms agree that this faux wrap maxi dress is the bee's knees for maternity photography. "It couldn't be more comfortable given how uncomfortable I was," notes one reviewer. "It's soft and doesn't wrinkle. I'm still wearing it eight months after I had my daughter and I'm back to my pre-pregnancy clothes."

Buy one. Buy them all.  There are more than 30 gorgeous prints and colors to choose from so there's something for everyone. And trust us, when we say you'll live in this dress 24/7 thanks to the buttery material that's machine washable. We're not joking, the affordable price and flattering silhouette made us come back for seconds (and thirds).

Available in sizes: S through XL

Yeshape Turtleneck Long-Sleeve Maternity Dress

While a short, flowy frock may not be the most flattering for maternity pics, a simple bodycon style can make you and your bump look like a total bombshell. This stretchy, under $30 turtleneck dress has ruching at the sides and hits just below the knees.

It would look best for a timeless indoor photoshoot (think simple black and white style photos!). It also comes in plenty of other colors, from neutrals to brights, if you have a different vision in mind. Plus, it's a great maternity staple to sport all throughout your pregnancy.

Available in sizes: S through XXL

HATCH Katherine Maxi Dress

If you're looking for a luxe and lightweight maternity photoshoot dress you can sport postpartum too, this chic, white-tiered maxi from elevated maternity wear brand HATCH is a no-brainer. It has an easy breezy, flattering fit and is 100% cotton, making it an extra cool choice for warm-weather beach sessions.

The best part? There's stretchy elastic woven in the back waistband so if your bump hits a sudden growth spurt right before pictures, the dress will still fit—AKA no need to panic. Convenient pockets are a nice perk for everyday wear.

Available in sizes: 0 through 16 maternity/nursing

Ivy City Co. Lennon Dress In Mustard

In a stunning mustard, lilac and chambray hue, this cozy linen dress was designed to flatter every figure and grow with you throughout your pregnancy so it always fits (when nothing else will). It's especially perfect if you have little ones you want to match with for your maternity photos since it also comes in twinning kid and baby sizes—um, so cute!

And it looks amazing on camera and has pockets! Based on all the glowing mommas posting their bump photos in this frock and oodles of five-star reviews, we know this one is bound to be your new fave.

Available in sizes: XXS through 5X

Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress

The viral dress that took TikTok by storm was actually designed with moms' ever-changing bodies in mind so it's no surprise that it's ridiculously stylish and comfortable—it even has the word nap in the name, which we're sure you're taking plenty of right about now.

It's made of 100% cotton with elasticated smocking, ruffled shoulders and a chic tiered midi skirt that's perfect for twirling. Moms say this is the one dress they can put on and feel instantly dressed up and amazing in postpartum, plus it's so easy to pop a boob out for nursing.

Available in sizes: XXS through 2XL

Saslax Maternity Off Shoulders Half Circle Gown

The Amazon reviews don't lie! With over 6,000 5-star ratings from fellow pregnant mamas, this lightweight jersey dress is a top contender if you want something simple yet elegant and super comfy. It features a slight train for a little extra flair, a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder long sleeves for all your outdoor fall/winter photoshoots.

Reviewers rave about how many compliments they received while wearing the dress and how absolutely perfect it was for their maternity session. In 22 different hues, you're bound to find the color you're looking for.

Available in sizes: XS through XXL

Pietro Brunelli Chloe Ruffle Sleeved Smocked Maternity Dress

From the mountains to the beach and everywhere in between, this flowy, smocked maternity dress is easily our favorite for all your outdoor photoshoots. It looks dreamy paired with simple strappy sandals or barefoot on the beach with the water lapping at your feet.

For winter, pair it with some ankle boots or white sneakers and a knit sweater for a luxe layered look. The ruffle sleeves and long-tiered skirt are so flirty and fun! We love it in beige or white for a more soft, natural look, blue for a seaside shoot and moody floral if you have your heart set on a pretty print. The maternity photo shoot options with this dress are endless.

Available in sizes: XS through XL

Pluviophily Maternity Tulle Dress Robe

If you're going for glam or just looking to channel your inner celebrity, this tulle, kimono-style gown won't disappoint. It's available in a plethora of pretty colors to match your vision and features a long, romantic train, plus plenty of tulle layers to amp up the drama.

Wear it open to expose your bump or close it for a more dress-like (albeit slightly see-through) look. It's one size fits all and looks far more expensive than it actually is (only $115!) so you won't feel too guilty if you only wear it for pictures.

Available in sizes: One size fits most, including many plus sizes

Nothing Fits But Cotton Kiko Maternity Dress

Show off your bump in this pretty, ruffle puff-sleeve dress before, during and after all your pregnancies! It's super comfortable thanks to the soft linen-cotton fabric and features an all-over floral print that's oh-so-romantic. Ideal for a spring or early summertime shoot, you can rock this versatile frock off the shoulder for a more boho look or on for a more feminine vibe.

Bonus: it's great for nursing (hello, easy access) once baby is here.

Available in four sweet prints, snag the one that works best for your photoshoot location and skin tone. Between sizes? Size up for the best fit. The off-the-shoulder look is ideal for a variety of indoor and outdoor maternity photoshoot ideas. We also love the easy-to-wear midi length.

Available in sizes: XS through XL

Anphon Off-The-Shoulder Split-Front Maxi Dress

With nearly 5,000 5-star reviews, you really can't go wrong with this gorgeous, off-the-shoulder split-front gown, great for showing off that growing bump. Perfect for an in-studio session or a shoot at a secluded outdoor location (think private beach, remote grassy field, etc.), it features a lace top and sheer chiffon bottom, giving you that dreamy, ethereal look you'll love.

Many reviewers note how beautifully it photographs, particularly considering the very wallet-friendly price point. We love the white, but it comes in a variety of hues if you're set on something more colorful. It's a pregnancy photo dream.

Available in sizes: S through XL

Glampunch Off-The-Shoulder Maternity Dress

For all the mamas who love a good, tight-fitted maternity photoshoot dress, this popular and top-rated number by Glampunch is worth checking out. It fits like a glove, and the spandex rayon material is incredibly comfortable so you won't be itching to take it off—in fact, you won't want to at all.

We adore the chic ruffle overlay, which easily takes this dress from a solid eight to a 10. Best of all, it looks fab on a variety of body types and really shows off your gorgeous bump, which is the whole point, after all.

Available in sizes: S to XL

Seraphine Slate Blue Maternity & Nursing Maxi Dress

Not your first rodeo? This elegant empire-waist dress features discreetly hidden nursing access in case you need to quickly feed your toddler mid-shoot—because of course that's when they'll be hungry.

Mock-wrap detailing just below the boobs is ultra slimming, and the super-soft viscose fabric drapes so beautifully over your baby bump, which is perf for those mandatory hands-on-the-belly pictures. We love that it's a more covered alternative to off-the-shoulder dress styles, and easily pairs with a layering cami if you're looking for a modest option. Go barefoot for outdoor nature photos, or slip into some nude heels for some city shots if you're feeling fancy.

Available in sizes: 2 through 16

Saslax Soft Stretchy Lace Maternity Gown

If you're envisioning a fairytale-esque photoshoot in the middle of the woods, then this soft stretchy lace maternity gown is a must-have. It's the ideal mix of sexy and chic, with a romantic sweetheart neckline, double leg split and boho bubble sleeves for that absolutely ethereal look.

The material is slightly sheer, which makes those up-close bump pics all the more memorable. Many reviewers recommend sizing down for the best fit.

Available in sizes: S through XL

Additional photo session tips:

As far as dress fabrics go for maternity pictures, Olivera strongly advises steering clear of satin (hello, sweat stains!), especially if you’re planning an outdoor session. Even though your photographer will be able to edit stains out, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

Another hot tip? When purchasing your dress, always order two sizes. “Sometimes pregnant moms will grow a little quicker in some weeks than others, so having a backup to a smaller or larger size will be so helpful,” she adds.