Where to Buy Maternity Dresses Online That Photograph Well

If you’re searching online for the perfect maternity dress to wear to a photoshoot…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.

Types of Maternity Dresses

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.

Where to Buy Dresses for Your Maternity Photoshoot 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.

06. Rachel Pally

Rachel Pally dresses are a bit pricier than some of the other stores on the list, but in terms of the investment, you’ll have these dresses for a long time. I also think they’re the most versatile option on the list; the styles are chic and timeless with silhouettes that will naturally accommodate your bump.

They do have a specific line of maternity dresses, but I think you can get away with many of their other options. The Rachel Pally dresses I have in my client closet are a very thick, stretchy cotton material that’s fitted through the bust but long and flowy everywhere else. Perfect for maternity, postpartum, and beyond!

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!

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 process here.

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