Planning your Seattle maternity photos and feeling unsure about what to wear? You’re not alone. Most expectant moms I work with want their photos to feel beautiful and timeless, but they also want to feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves.

Your wardrobe plays a big role in how your session feels as well as how your final images will look. The goal is to wear something that moves with you, reflects your natural beauty, and harmonizes with the landscape, instead of clashing with it.

Here’s what I recommend when dressing for maternity photos in Seattle:

Choose Movement Over Structure

Flowy dresses are a go-to for Seattle maternity photos for good reason. They add gentle movement, flatter every stage of pregnancy, and lend a romantic, organic and femininte feel to your images.

Look for linen or cotton dresses with empire waists that move with the breeze and photograph beautifully when you walk or sway. These silhouettes adapt to your body without clinging and create space for you to move, sit, or snuggle your loved ones with ease. I love dresses from Doen and The Worth Collective, and Nothing Fits But for that effortless, romantic aesthetic.

Stick to Timeless Neutrals for your Seattle maternity pi

Neutrals don’t mean boring. Pale creams, soft taupes, dusty blush, muted sage, and oatmeal tones photograph like a dream, especially against the misty light and earthy greens of the Pacific Northwest. In the fall/winter, I recommend darker neutrals and earth tones, but avoid overly saturated colors like navy.

These colors also keep the focus where it belongs: on your expression, your connection with your baby, and your story. And if your session includes your partner or children, neutrals create easy cohesion without being overly matchy.

To maintain a timeless feel, skip logos, bold prints, or text. Instead, opt for solid colors or very subtle patterns. Delicate lace, embroidery, or tone-on-tone texture is lovely, but simplicity is always your friend.

Embrace Natural Textures

Linen, cotton, gauze, and knits all bring dimension and warmth to your photos. These natural fabrics don’t just feel better on your skin, they also catch light in a softer, more organic way than synthetics.

Bonus: they pair beautifully with textures found in nature, like tall grasses, driftwood, or soft blankets at home.

Be Weather-Wise Without Compromising Style

Seattle’s weather can shift quickly, so I always recommend layers. A cozy wool cardigan, a draped shawl, or a chunky knit sweater can add just the right amount of warmth without overwhelming your look. These layers are not just practical; they add emotional weight to your images, creating moments that feel grounded, real, and lived-in.

For Partners and Siblings

If your session includes your partner or children, dress them in complementary tones and soft fabrics too. Think cozy knits, simple henleys, or soft woven dresses in tones like oatmeal, ivory, or muted gray-blue. The goal isn’t to match, but to create harmony.

Let Your Story Lead the Way

At the heart of every maternity session is a story that’s uniquely yours. The way your partner holds your hand, the quiet anticipation in your eyes, the soft curve of your growing belly. What you wear should never overshadow that. Instead, it should support the story unfolding in front of the lens. When you choose pieces that feel true to you – comfortable, breathable, beautifully simple – you give yourself the space to be present, which is where the real magic happens.

Final Thoughts about Seattle maternity portraits

Your Seattle maternity photos are more than just a milestone, they’re a chapter in your family’s story and what you wear should reflect who you are in this moment.

You don’t need a massive wardrobe overhaul or anything fussy, just pieces that feel like you, but elevated.

If you’d like more personalized guidance or access to my curated client wardrobe, I’d be honored to help. Together, we’ll make sure your session feels calm, beautiful, and entirely yours.

Ready to book your Seattle maternity photos? Let’s chat!

Want more style guides? Read about Best Seattle Maternity Stores for Stylish Moms-to-be and my check out my Family Session Style Guide.

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About the Photographer
Tanya Zagumenov is a lifestyle maternity photographer based in Seattle, serving families across the greater Seattle area. With a background as a software engineer and a heart for storytelling, she brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to documenting motherhood with authenticity and grace. Her maternity sessions are designed to be calm, connected, and deeply personal, so every mom feels seen, celebrated, and at ease.