Where to Buy Maternity Dresses Online That Photograph Well

If you’re shopping online for the perfect maternity photoshoot dress…congratulations! This is a very exciting time in your life and one that deserves to be celebrated. Finding the perfect maternity photoshoot dress online isn’t easy, especially if your size has changed or if you aren’t sure what dress silhouettes will be flattering for your bump.

The stores I chose to include in this guide have a wide range of styles and sizes, and most of them you can keep wearing postpartum. Keep reading to see my top recommendations on where to buy the perfect pregnancy dresses online that will photograph well!

What to Wear for Maternity Photos

Before we get into my favorite places to buy maternity dresses online, I recommend that women choose a dress to wear for the majority of their maternity session for a few reasons:

1. They’re comfortable and won’t restrict your movement
2. Dresses are timeless and easy to wear again after your pregnancy
3. They beautifully highlight your bump

You can always change into a more casual outfit, a lace robe, or a bra and panty set to get a different look, but it’s a good idea to get started in a dress you feel great in as you get warmed up to the camera.

I’m participating in a blog circle this month and am sharing a link to a wonderful photographer in Ottawa! Be sure to check out her link at the end of this post.

How to Choose the Right Fit & Style for Photos

Flowy vs. Fitted

My personal photography style gravitates toward long, loosely-fitted dresses, but a bodycon or fitted dress is great for hugging your curves and showing off your bump, especially if yours is still small.

Flowy dresses allow for beautiful movement during your session and are easy to wear again after pregnancy. If you’re worried a loose dress will hide your bump, you can place a hand underneath your belly during your session–this way, you’ll never have to worry about what to do with them! I love long, flowy gowns for a romantic, timeless vibe. But if boho is more your style, loosely-fitting dresses work great for this as well.

Fitted dresses ensure your bump will be the star of the show no matter what and are especially good options for petite or short women. However, anyone can look great in a bodycon dress with the right color and fabric! Whether you choose a long or short fitted dress, I recommend finding a stretchy fabric in a breathable material, especially if you’ll be wearing it outdoors during the hot summer months.

Solid color vs. patterned

Pregnant or not, I always tell my photography clients to stay away from big, bold patterns in favor of a solid color or small, delicate pattern. Bold patterns tend to become dated very quickly (we all remember when zebra stripes were wildly popular) and are almost always distracting. By choosing a timeless, solid color, textured fabric, or very small pattern (i.e. tiny flowers), your emotion and connection can be the focus.

Tip: Ask your photographer what colors work well with their editing style before purchasing your dress.

Timeless Colors

Soft neutrals photograph best:

• Cream
• Dusty rose
• Sage
• Warm beige
• Soft blue
• Muted earth tones

Bright neons or busy patterns can distract from you and your belly, which should always be the focus.

Best Places to Buy Maternity Photoshoot Dresses Online

I chose the online stores below based on their versatility (before, during, and after pregnancy), availability of sizes, and variety of styles and colors that will photograph well. I also included an honorable mention at the bottom that has cute dresses in general. This post contains no affiliate links or commissions…I’m just really good at online shopping!

01. Nothing Fits But

I’m obsessed with the styles of dresses that Nothing Fits But has to offer. They’re probably my favorite (i.e. number one) on the list for that reason alone. These dresses are specifically designed for pregnant and postpartum bodies, and they offer a matching line of dresses for little girls too.

This company is based in South Korea, but I found their shipping times to be very quick. Their website says to allow 2-4 business days for shipping after placing your order. A great option if you need a dress quickly!

02. Baltic Born

Baltic Born has a huge selection of dresses at very reasonable prices. Many of their styles are on the fancier side, something you could easily wear again as a wedding guest or other event. (But not so fancy that you’ll be mistaken for a bridesmaid!)

Photographers are obsessed with Baltic Born dresses because the fabric is nice, they look elevated, the styles are classic and flattering, and they’re affordably priced for our clients. They also have a dedicated line of bump-friendly dresses that makes navigating their huge selection of styles much more manageable.

03. Liv & Company

All of Liv & Company’s maternity dresses are designed to last you throughout your whole pregnancy, so their styles are loose and flowy. They recommend you purchase your pre-pregnancy size, which makes shopping online a lot easier! Liv & Co. also has a full line of postpartum clothing, including nursing tanks, bras, dresses, shawls, etc.

I love Liv & Co.’s flowy maternity dresses for photoshoots because they’re super comfortable and come in great colors and patterns for the camera. They are perfect for keeping you cool during warm-weather sessions.

04. Piper & Scoot

Piper & Scoot include sizes from XS to XXXL and are maternity-friendly, so you can wear them before and after pregnancy too. Their dresses are on the more modest side, so you won’t find mini-length options if you’re very petite. But they are reasonably priced and based in Utah, which is great if buying clothing local to the USA is important to you!

Many of Piper & Scoot’s dresses come in bolder colors and patterns, so I recommend choosing one with a softer palette for your maternity session.

05. PinkBlush

PinkBlush is great if you’re looking for a more formal maternity dress, especially those long, fitted gowns you see in studio sessions or even outside in the snow. You’ll find them under the “Photoshoot Gowns” tab. If you are looking for a very timeless, classic maternity dress, I’d stick to this section.

PinkBlush has a huge selection of dresses to choose from, organized into every category from wedding guest dresses, to petite- or tall-friendly dresses, to baby shower dresses and lace dresses to help you narrow down your options. Many of their dresses come in several colors for you to choose from and will be labeled as you scroll down the page if they’re postpartum friendly too.

Honorable Mention – Petal & Pup

I decided to include Petal & Pup as an honorable mention. I love this brand and would definitely recommend shopping here for cute dresses you can wear pre- or post-bump. However, many of their dresses come in bolder colors and patterns and many have cut-outs and other details that would be harder to photograph than some of the brands I mentioned above.

You can totally find a dress that will look great for your maternity session at Petal & Pup, but you’ll have to be more selective. In terms of a cute place to shop for dresses in general, I highly encourage you to take a look!

Outfit Ideas & Inspiration for Your Maternity Session

If you are stuck deciding what to wear for maternity photos, here are a few foolproof combinations.

Romantic Outdoor Look

Long neutral maxi dress
Loose waves or natural curls
Barefoot or simple sandals

Soft and effortless always wins.

→ See my romantic outdoor picks: I’ve linked a few flowy, outdoor-friendly maternity dresses that photograph beautifully here.

Modern Minimal

Fitted ribbed knit dress
Hair pulled back
Bare feet or clean slides

Simple lines keep the focus on your shape.

→ See my modern picks: You can browse my favorite clean, minimal maternity dress options here.

Cozy In-Home Vibe

Soft oversized cardigan
Neutral fitted dress underneath
Natural light by a window

This feels intimate and relaxed without looking staged.

→ See my cozy in-home picks: I curated cozy, at-home maternity looks that work beautifully for lifestyle sessions here.

Elevated Drama

Long sleeve chiffon gown
Flowy train
Simple background

When in doubt, longer dresses almost always photograph better than shorter ones.

→ See my dramatic maternity picks: Here are my favorite statement maternity gowns that move beautifully on camera.

Tips for Coordinating Family Outfits Without Looking Overly Matched

If your partner or kids are joining your maternity photos, coordination matters. Matching exactly does not.

Here is the formula:

1. Pick your dress first.
2. Pull 2 to 3 complementary colors from it.
3. Keep everyone else in simple, solid tones.

For example: If you wear a soft sage maternity gown, your partner could wear cream or light tan. Kids could wear warm neutrals.

Avoid:

• Large logos
• Bold stripes
• Competing patterns

The goal is cohesion, not a family uniform.

Buying a Maternity Photoshoot Dress Online

I understand that buying maternity clothes online can seem daunting and isn’t for everyone. I love taking this off my clients’ plates by offering a curated selection of high-end maternity dresses for them to borrow during their sessions. You simply pick out your favorite options and I’ll bring them with me for you to try on. I’ve collected styles I know will be flattering on camera, are timeless in style, and can accommodate a wide variety of sizes and preferences.

Read more: What is a Client Closet?

If you’re looking for a full-service photography experience, with the client closet, a fun and laid-back session, and the creation of heirloom artwork to display in your home, let’s chat!

Learn more about my stress-free photography experience here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Photoshoot Dresses

Can I wear a patterned maternity dress?

Yes, but keep it subtle. Small florals or soft prints can work beautifully. Loud patterns tend to distract in photos.

Should I choose fitted or flowy?

Both can work. Fitted shows off your shape clearly. Flowy creates movement and softness. It depends on the style you love.

What length photographs best?

Maxi length is almost always the most flattering for maternity portraits.

Do I need special maternity dresses?

Not always. Many non-maternity dresses with stretch or empire waists work well. The key is comfort and bump definition.

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Don’t forget to check out this post on Ottawa Prenatal Yoga by Ontario photographer Gillian McColl!