Motherhood portraits are a celebration of one of the most powerful and beautiful chapters in your life. These sessions aren’t about stiff poses or staged perfection—they’re about connection, tenderness, and honoring your role as a mother in all its forms.

Whether you're expecting a baby, freshly postpartum, breastfeeding, or simply soaking in the magic (and chaos) of everyday life with your children, motherhood portraits create space to slow down and be fully present in the moment—with you at the center.

Because this type of photography is so intimate and emotional, what you wear matters—not because you need to “look perfect,” but because the right clothing helps you feel comfortable, confident, and free to be yourself.

So, let’s talk about what to wear—and maybe more importantly, what not to wear.

For Mom: Choose Comfort + Movement

When it comes to what you wear, think about how you want to feel. Feminine? Strong? Soft? Grounded? Free?

Here are a few tried-and-true outfit ideas for mothers that work beautifully in motherhood portraits:

• Soft Neutrals + Flowing Fabrics

A flowing dress or skirt in a soft neutral like cream, oatmeal, taupe, or dusty rose photographs like a dream. The movement adds a sense of life to your images, and neutral tones let your expressions and connections take center stage.

Great options:

A gauzy cotton or linen maxi dress
A robe-style wrap dress with long sleeves
A soft knit sweater paired with a long skirt

• Texture Adds Depth

Chunky knits, lace, ribbed cotton, gauze, or silk—texture adds visual interest without distracting from the story. These fabrics catch light beautifully and photograph with warmth and dimension.

Try this:

A cozy, oversized sweater with bare legs and your baby in your arms
A lace-trimmed camisole layered with a waffle-knit cardigan
A waffle-textured robe or wrap

• Casual Done Right

You don’t have to dress up to show up. If you feel most like yourself in a pair of broken-in jeans and a soft tee or tank top, lean into it! Simplicity often makes the most timeless images.

• Lingerie or Nothing at All

Motherhood is raw, powerful, and beautiful. Partial or full nudity is always an option for these sessions. If you're breastfeeding, newly postpartum, or simply want to embrace your body in its current state, lingerie, a sheer robe, or even nothing at all can make for stunning, emotive images.

The key here is comfort and intention. If you have to constantly adjust a strap or pose yourself just so to “make it work,” it's probably not the right outfit.

Your rule of thumb:

If you don’t feel relaxed, supported, and confident in it, it’s not the right choice.

For Babies & Toddlers: Keep It Incredibly Simple

Little ones photograph best when they’re comfortable and unrestricted. While it might be tempting to reach for the frilly dress or tiny button-down shirt, those outfits often create more problems than they solve. They’re stiff, fussy, and usually don’t fit quite right.

Skip the costume. Choose comfort.

Here’s what works best:

A soft cotton diaper cover
A plain onesie or neutral-toned footie
No outfit at all—just their soft skin and squishy rolls!

Yes, we LOVE a naked or shirtless baby/toddler. Their natural state is often the most beautiful and genuine. It also keeps them calm, cool, and more likely to cuddle up for those real moments we’re looking to capture.

For Older Kids: Let Their Personality Shine

As your kids grow, their opinions grow too. And while you might be tempted to steer their outfit choice for the sake of "aesthetic," here’s something to consider: one day, you’ll want to remember who they really were.

Let them choose an outfit they love.
Encourage comfort, and gently guide color and texture so the whole group looks cohesive. But give them freedom. If your child picks their favorite tee or brings their lovey into the frame—celebrate that.

We’re not going for catalog perfection. We’re going for truth.

Color Coordination Tips

Don’t dress everyone exactly the same. Matching outfits tend to look forced, and more importantly, they remove a bit of your individuality.

Instead, think about color families. Soft earthy tones, muted pastels, or rich jewel tones can all work beautifully—as long as the tones are harmonious. Mix solids with gentle patterns, and bring in layers or accessories to add variety.

Texture > pattern. Comfort > polish. Personality > perfection.

Your Session Is Not a Performance

This time is about honoring you and the people you love. The clothing you choose should support that—not take away from it.

If your bra keeps peeking out and it's not meant to be part of the look—ditch it.
If you need to pose a certain way to like the way your dress lays—ditch it.
If you feel like you can breathe, move, nurse, snuggle, and laugh in it—wear it.

Because that’s the whole point: to feel like yourself. To feel at ease. To feel seen.

Need help deciding?
I’m always happy to help you choose. Clients often send me outfit options or ask for guidance before the session—and I love collaborating to find what fits your vision best.

You’ve done the hard work of becoming a mother. Let’s make sure you feel beautiful while we document it.

What to Wear for Motherhood Portraits | Pensacola Photographer