WHAT COLORS TO WEAR FOR YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOS: 5 TIMELESS OPTIONS (NYC STUDIO + AT HOME GUIDE)
Updated: Mar 11
CHOOSING COLORS FOR A MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT IN NYC
The best colors to wear for maternity photos are the ones that make you feel confident and timeless on camera. In most cases, solid colors photograph best—especially black, white/ivory, and neutral tones—because they keep the focus on you and your baby bump.
In New York City, where many maternity sessions happen in a maternity portrait studio or at home, color choice also depends on your setting: studio backdrops and lighting can elevate minimalist color tones, while home interiors may call for contrast or complementary tones.
Here are an expert guide with easy guidelines & tons of visual example to help you choose.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
INTERACTIVE TABLE OF CONTENT
KEY TAKE AWAYS
✔️ Wear colors that fit your taste and style— NOT what the photographer prefers
✔️ For timeless maternity portraits, you can’t go wrong with black, ivory/white, and neutrals.
✔️ In a NYC studio, coordinate your outfit with the backdrop (warm with warm, cool with cool).
✔️ For at-home maternity photos in NYC, consider your interior colors and choose either contrast or complementary tones.
✔️ The only colors to avoid for maternity photos are neon & super bright tones, as well as busy patterns or large logos & graphics
✔️ If you want black & white edits, think more in terms of contrast than colours (very light or very dark tones tend to translate best).
1 - CHOOSE COLORS YOU TRULY LOVE (NOT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE / THE PHOTOGRAPHER LOVES)
We all have different tastes and styles. Really stick to what you love and don’t try to fit into a style that you don’t feel comfortable in. You want to feel your best during your maternity photoshoot—so comfort and confidence are key.
Even if the photographer is enthusiast to see you in a certain color or style you’re unsure about: don’t force it. If you wear colors you don’t like or fabrics you don’t enjoy, chances are you won’t love the photos as much later.
This is YOUR moment. This is YOUR session so stay within what YOU love.
You should end up being in full LOVE with your maternity photos as they stay with you for the rest of your life.
NYC studio tip
For an in-studio maternity session, color choices can look more “editorial” than everyday life—so if you’ve ever wanted to wear something a bit more bold than your usual, the studio is a beautiful place to do it.
2 - THE BEST COLORS TO WEAR FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS
Below are color directions that consistently create elegant maternity portraits for in studio and at-home settings.
BLACK MATERNITY OUTFIT
Black is timeless, sculpting, and elegant. With the studio lighting, black photographs beautifully and highlights shape and silhouette.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
WHITE / IVORY MATERNITY OUTFIT
White and ivory feel soft, luminous, and classic. They can look especially beautiful in bright studio lighting and minimalist setup.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
NUDE / NEUTRAL TONES MATERNITY OUTFITS (CREAM, BEIGE, OFF-WHITE, BROWN)
Neutral palettes are often the most elegant looking because they feel effortless and timeless. They also pair well with both studio backdrops and home interiors.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
BRIGHT COLORS MATERNITY OUTFITS
Bright colors definitely bring personality. The key is to keep the styling clean (avoid overly busy patterns) so the color feels intentional.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
GOLDEN TEXTURES / SHIMMER TONES MATERNITY OUTFITS
Gold and warm textures can add richness and glow—especially when studio lighting is designed to create depth and dimension.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
3 - COLORS BASED ON YOUR BABY’S GENDER (OPTIONAL)
Some mothers enjoy wearing colors that match the gender of the baby they are expecting (for example soft blues or soft pinks).
This is totally optional—and not required at all. The most important part is that you love what you’re wearing and you feel like yourself.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
4 - CHOOSING COLORS BASED ON WHERE YOU’RE PHOTOGRAPHED (NYC STUDIO VS AT-HOME)
Color choices become much easier when you think about where your maternity photos are taken.
#1 - IN A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO IN NYC
If you’re having your maternity photoshoot done in a studio, your photographer can typically propose different backdrops and lighting styles—and guide you so you don’t need to overthink it.
Many expecting mothers in New York City choose studio maternity portraits because the lighting can highlight fabrics, textures, and color tones in a way that feels elegant and timeless.
A simple rule of thumb
(Your photographer should know that but here it is in case)
Match cool-tone outfits with cool-tone backdrops, and warm-tone outfits with warm-tone backdrops.
Examples:
Cool tones: crisp whites, cool greys, navy, icy blues
Warm tones: beige, cream, camel, warm browns, gold tones
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
NYC studio tip
Studio maternity photography is beautiful options in NYC as the lighting can be tailored so your colors and style photograph exactly as intended.
#2 - AT YOUR HOME IN NYC
At-home maternity portrait session can feel very personal and intimate in a meaningful way —in this case your maternity outfit color should consider your interior.
3 easy approaches:
Options 1: Neutral tones
You can choose to stay in line with the same color tones than your interior.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
Option 2: Contrast
If your interior is very light (white/beige), you can go for a darker tone like black or deep jewel tones to create elegant contrast.
Option 3: Complementary color
If your interior has a dominant accent color, you can choose complementary tones (colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel) for a more styled look.
The goal is simple: don’t let your outfit blend into the background unless that’s the intentional aesthetic.
Use this circle: complementary colors are the ones opposite to one another.
5 - BLACK & WHITE MATERNITY PHOTOS: WHAT COLORS WORK BEST
If your images will be edited in black & white, the most important thing is contrast.
In general:
✔️ Very light tones (white/ivory) and very dark tones (black/navy) translate beautifully.
✔️ Very mid-tone neutrals can sometimes become “flat” greys in black & white—so better avoid it
Don’t over-stress this. Your maternity photographer should totally guide you on that —and editing can often refine the final look.
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
6 - WHAT SHOULD YOUR PARTNER WEAR? (EASY COLOR PALETTES)
What should your partner (or loved one) wear during your maternity photos?
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
2 simple guidelines:
✔️ Style should match your style
If you’re wearing an elegant dress, your partner can wear a clean shirt with tailored pants.If you’re wearing something casual or intimate, a simple neutral T-shirt and jeans can work perfectly.
✔️ Keep colors simple and coordinated
Easy combinations that work in studio and at home:
Black + cream
Beige + white
Navy + ivory
Earth tones (camel + brown + cream)
Monochrome (all black or all neutrals)
Maternity photos created by Alice Prenat - Premier NYC maternity photographer for studio Portrait Madame
For couples maternity portraits in NYC studio sessions, neutral color palettes tend to create the most refined and cohesive look.
FAQ
What colors look best for maternity photos?
Solid colors photograph best—especially black, ivory/white, and neutral tones—because they keep the focus on your face and baby bump and create timeless portraits.
What colors should I avoid for maternity photos?
In general, avoid very busy patterns, logos, and neon tones that can distract from your body shape and the emotion of the portrait. If you love a pattern, keep it subtle and simple.
Are neutral colors best for studio maternity photos in NYC?
Neutrals are a favorite for NYC studio maternity portraits because they look refined and editorial, and they pair beautifully with studio lighting and minimalist backdrops.
What should I wear if my maternity photos will be black & white?
Focus on contrast: very light or very dark tones translate best in black & white photography.
Is a maternity shoot a good gift idea for a pregnant woman ?
Absolutely ! Most of the time, nyc mothers-to-be are running around trying to prepare everything for what's to come and might not take the time to capture that moment, so gifting a maternity portrait shoot is a beautiful idea to help them hold space to document this temporary time period.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ALICE PRENAT,
TOP MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC
Alice Prenat is the sought-after NYC photographer you want to get photographed by: the excellence of her craft mixed with her big warm personality & french accent gets her to create the type of portraits of yourself or executive headshots that you most probably haven't seen before.
You won't walk out of a portrait session with her feeling the same way than you came in:
she curates a safe & very empowering portrait experience
that will truly impact the way you feel about yourself.
You want experience a Maternity photoshoot with Alice?
Apart from when specifically mentioned, all the maternity portraits and pregnancy photos illustrating this article were all created by the NYC-based maternity & portrait photographer Alice Prenat, at the professional photography studio Portrait Madame in New York City
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