I pulled a simple top in a darker purple color for mom, one that will be forgiving around the waist and has some visual interest at the top to draw the eye up.  I paired that with a simple pair of linen and cotton capris and finished it off with a nice wedge sandal.  Simple colors, classically structured, nice lines.  Plus a little bit of a wedge to give more height and shape to the leg. For dad, I cannot resist a guy in a nice polo shirt and khakis.  There is just something about it!!  For family pictures I went with a slightly snazzier polo – this one has double pockets and details on the shoulder.  Then basic khakis, not too baggy, not too slim.  For shoes, eh, he’s a guy.  He can wear whatever.  LOL!  And then for the daughter, the tunic and leggings and some cute stylish sandals with a little bit of shine to them and some little decoration details.  What little girl doesn’t love sparkle and details??  Plus, because it is a gladiator style you don’t have to worry about it falling off when they are running around during the photos.

First, and having nothing to do with clothes, if you have a maternity session, you want to take time and pamper yourself!  Make sure your hair, makeup and nails are done.  Especially the nails as your hands are going to be in a LOT of shots.  As a former (awfully bad) nail biter I know how raggedy hands can really ruin a shot.  Now that doesn’t mean you need a manicure with polish, just neat, clean and trim.  Go to a makeup counter at the mall and have them do a makeup application.  Or take the time to do it yourself.  Take extra time to actually style your hair.  At a maternity session, YOU are the star so make sure your look matches that!    Now for the clothes.

There is a reason we tell you to wait until 32-34 weeks (or that is what *I* do).  It is when your belly has really popped out.  You don’t just look chubby, know what I mean?  It’s really obvious at that point and the belly can really become a focal point.  One major key with maternity sessions is to provide a visible separation between boob and belly.  Otherwise, as any pregnant woman can tell you, you become one slope from neck to belly button.  Not horrible but not great for photos.  You want that visual break.  This can be achieved with your hand placements during the shoot (and your photographer should direct you and pose you – posing is really key for maternity) but it can also easily be gotten with your clothing choices.  In terms of fit, I always advise tighter fitting clothes.  I personally feel that a pregnant woman is one of the most beautiful things in this world.  You are full of curves and life – show them off!!  Although the current trend in clothes leans towards trapeze dresses, swing dresses, etc, I would shy away from that unless you are built like a pregnant Heidi Klum – tall, all belly, etc etc.  When photographed, the extra fabric just hangs and can bunch oddly.  One major trend right now is sweater dresses, leggings, tunics etc.  GO FOR IT!!  Super super cute when you have a belly.  And the best part is with maternity, fashion that can be worn by a size 4 can also be worn by a size 18!

General “don’t”s – large prints are a no no.  Avoid super voluminous dresses and tops.  Try and avoid super slinky materials that will show every bulge.

Favorite stores for shopping:  Gap Maternity, Ann Taylor Loft Maternity, Old Navy maternity, Destination Maternity stores.

Tops:  First let me say, please wear a good bra.  Something that holds the girls up.    It will help a lot.  In general you want something that covers arms, unless you have fabulous arms like I was NOT blessed with.  I like something that is tighter fitting over the belly and then looser over the arms.  I am LOVING Gap’s maternity line.  Almost makes me want to be pregnant right now.  Almost.  Two great options – something with a gathered waist or seam just below the bust.  Or a tighter fitting tee with gathers on the side to frame the belly.  But if you are going to do something that doesn’t have a defined waist, slim fitting is key.  Also don’t be afraid to wear a tight tank top under an unbuttoned cardigan!  I always tell clients that they are welcome to wear as much or little clothing as possible.  Cardigans are a great way to stay covered but offer the option of showing belly    Tops below are Gap and Pea in the Pod.

Bottoms: Big key for pants is not to create slope from belly to crotch.  Have some definition in there where your belly ends.  Again, this can be done with hands and posing, or with the construction of the pants themselves.  As far as the panels go, either go for pants that sit under the belly or go all the way up, like the secret belly fit that Motherhood etc are currently offering.  The tops of the belly panels can be really obvious under clothing so your photographer might have you roll the panel down and under.  Jeans are great for a maternity.  A nice trouser wider leg jean can balance your figure out (but don’t go HUGELY wide), and skinny jeans and leggings can look SUPER cute with a longer top.  Don’t be afraid of cords either, especially in the fall.  There is something I just love about cords, they look so rich and warm.  You can also (if you still fit into them) wear jeans that were pre-pregnancy and leave them unzipped and open for some bare belly shots.  Bottoms all Gap maternity.

Dresses: Don’t be afraid to pull out a dress!!  In the summer I love Maxi dresses on maternities.  Again though, you want that definition in there.  You want your curves to show.  So don’t go for the voluminous massive loose dress.  As I mentioned earlier, sweater dresses are big.  Use it!  A sweater dress with opaque tights or leggings and boots.  You are SEXY when you’re pregnant   (Don’t laugh, I know at least one person out there laughed – you ARE.)  Go for dresses that are either tight fitting throughout the body, or have a tie, or waist below the bust.  Wrap dresses work great.  Something that shows off your shape and defines the different parts of your figure.

So in general remember – show off your shape.  You are beautiful!  Don’t cover it up in lots of loose clothes.

So family members one at a time:

Mom – our favorite Boden USA model.  Pulled the grey and yellow from the daughter’s dress.  Cardigans and layering are hot right now so use it!  Plus a belt shows off a waist and gives a visual separation / indent in the photos.  Boots are Piperlime and meant in this outfit to go over the jeans.

Dad – Gap for the sweater.  I LOVED that it echoed the collar of the daughter’s dress and it is a bit more stylish (read: metro) with the piecing of the sleeves and the zip on the turtleneck.  Jeans are Levis, nice dark wash and shoes are again Piperlime.

Daughter – Dress and pointelle leggings from Daily Tea.  Love them.  Shoes also piperlime.  Not crazy about the gold but it was as close as I could find to what I wanted – that pop of yellow on her feet.

Son – Shirt from Gap jeans from Gymboree.  Shoes from piperlime – kept them a sportier style but still nice showing from under jeans so he would be comfortable – key with a kids!  There is also a FABULOUS “grunt jacket” at gap in a dark charcoal military style for boys.  LOVE.

Now to just figure out how to get that dress for Layne without my husband knowing.  Because she kinda has a lot of clothes.  But I have photos in mind!  PHOTOS!

For girls, bright cute dresses or tunics.  For cooler weather shoots, layer them over a funky long sleeved tee with leggings or jeans.  For warmer weather, wear them on their own with sandals.  My favorite looks are from Boden (always) and Daily Tea for the spring.  I absolutely ADORE the first dress in Boden – it has funky beading sewn onto the bodice which I just LOVE and comes in a few different colors!!!  And Daily Tea as always has wonderful coordinating looks – check out their leggings and pants selections.

For boys, polos and button down shirts are easy choices.  For cooler weather, again layer them over long sleeved tees and pair them with a pair of cargos or a sweater. For warmer weather, shorts and sandals or khakis.  The in things for boys as always in the spring – golf looks and sporty looks.  I personally think both are an adorable style.  Very preppy, clean cut and fun.  Just try not to get too casual with the sports theme.  You can definitely have fun with it and it gives you some wiggle room, but not too casual.  The other look is just the preppy look period.  Love a blazer on a little boy   (but personally, I would go darker on the jeans for that look.)

So think BRIGHT!  Think FUN!  Think SPRING if you’re planning a session!!!!

Mom: Boden, Esprit and Piperlime   |   Dad: Boden   |   Boy: Gap   |   Girl: Janie & Jack

Any requests for next week?  Colors, families, etc?