Category Archives: Couples Photography

What To Wear For A Maternity Photo Shoot

Pregnancy brain is real!

If you are reading this, it’s likely that you are neck deep in planning for your sweet baby to arrive on the outside. Among the 1,345,567 things you have to think about when expecting a baby, planning a maternity photo shoot is one more thing to add to the list. And let’s be real, pregnancy brain is a total booger. I get it and I’m here to help. I’ve put together some ideas to help you decide what to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR.

what to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is an image of a pregnant woman wearing white lingerie while sitting on a couch.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR

In my studio, we usually have time for 4-5 outfits. So I recommend bringing several items, in varying styles, and I can help you decide which pieces would photograph best. Below, I’ll list out some different options to consider.

A formal dress

I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t get very many chances in life to dress up in a formal dress. A baby on the way is certainly a reason to celebrate and a great reason to get fancy. My hair and makeup artist will have your hair and makeup looking amazing, so a formal dress will fit right in with your look.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is an image of a pregnant woman standing in front of a hotel room window with backlighting. She is dressed in a formal gown.

Intimate attire

On the other side of the spectrum, I also really love maternity photos that look quiet and intimate. Pregnancy is such a personal and vulnerable experience. This look captures that side of motherhood. Wardrobe can include, pajamas, nightgowns, robes, and lingerie.

A loose flowy dress

Light flowing fabric is so feminine, which is obviously a good trait to have for maternity photos. The minor downside is that you have to always have a hand under your baby bump to bring the fabric in. Doing this reveals the cute shape of your bump, while fabric just loosely hanging down would make a woman look larger but not necessarily pregnant. This “downside” isn’t that much of a set back, though, because having a hand or two on your belly is great for showing connection to the sweet life you are carrying.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is an image of a pregnant woman posing with a flowy gown in a studio with a white wall.

Dresses that are specifically designed for maternity photo shoots often have a slit in the front so that you can reveal your bare tummy. That’s another great way to get variety in your portraits. These types of dresses aren’t something you can find just anywhere. But you can find them easily on Etsy or Amazon.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is an image of a pregnant woman posing with a flowy gown in a studio with a white wall.

A form fitted dress

A dress that fits snugly around your belly is great for revealing the size and shape of your beautiful baby bump. While we are at it, we can celebrate your other feminine curves, as well. One benefit to a snug dress is that we can have more variety in hand placement as your hands aren’t having to tuck the dress in under your bump.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is a black and white maternity boudoir image of a pregnant woman, in a floor pose, lying on her back on a fur rug in a black form fitted dress.

Soft and sheer textures

I love fabrics with textures, such as lace, for all my shoots because they provide visual interest without being overwhelming to the photo in the way that bright colors or bold patterns can be. For maternity portraits, sheer fabrics, such as lace or chiffon are especially great if you want to be able to see through to your baby bump.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is a maternity boudoir image of a pregnant woman standing in front of a window in a sheer lace form fitted dress.
What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is a couples maternity photo. The woman is dressed in a form fitted lace formal dress. They are laying on a chase.

Another texture I love for maternity photos is softness. To me, a soft texture speaks of nurturing, gentleness, femininity, and comfort. All good things for a portrait of a mother. Oh, I know, there is nothing comfortable about the third trimester of pregnancy. But we can try! Soft cardigan sweaters and robes are a go-to in my studio.

Let’s talk about colors

I’ve already mentioned that bright colors and bold patterns aren’t my jam. They don’t tend to photograph well or fit with my portrait style. So I usually recommend solid colors and I prefer neutrals or pastels.

Pastels are particularly good for maternity portraits because babies also look so sweet in pastels. I do make exceptions occasionally for a pretty floral print and that can look beautiful in a portrait. But I do try to stay away from stripes, polka dots, or any other bold pattern, if possible (unless we are talking about pin-up photos).

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is a close up belly photo of a pregnant woman wearing a flowy pink dress with a flower belt.

I think it’s kind of sweet to have a pink outfit if you are having a girl and to have a light blue outfit if you are having a boy, if you want to pay tribute to the baby’s gender (if you know what it is). But really any pastel color look gorgeous. And it’s more than fine to wear pink, even if you are going to have a boy.

In addition to pastels and lighter neutrals, the color black works, as well. It doesn’t give the same feeling of brightness or softness. But in black, your curves really stand out against a light background, which is pretty cool.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is an image of a pregnant woman posing against a white wall in a studio.

For a totally different look

The tips above apply to a regular maternity session in my studio. However, I’d also like to share with you a totally different look that I also love. 50’s pin-up inspired maternity photo shoots. They aren’t for everyone. But if you want something a little different, you may be interested. You can read more about those here.

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR. This is a maternity pin up studio image.

Let’s chat about what to wear for your shoot!

I hope this articles gives you some great ideas for what to wear for a maternity photo shoot. I have an awesome studio wardrobe closet with a number of maternity pieces that are available for you to use and to supplement what you bring in. Send me an email and we can start planning your maternity photo shoot near Portland, OR!

My studio is in Tualatin, OR, however, I have clients who come to me from Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Salem, and Lake Oswego.


You may also be interested in these topics

What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR.  This is a close up boudoir maternity image of a pregnant woman wearing lingerie and a sweater while sitting on a couch.

Maternity Portraits Gallery

Pregnancy announcement photo shoot Idea in Portland Oregon.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea

Newborn family photo shoot in Portland, OR.

Newborn Family Portraits

A Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Photo Shoot With a Twist

A Fun Surprise Pregnancy Announcement Idea for Daddy

The moment you find out you are pregnant, your to-do list becomes 10 miles long in a single instant. So many things to plan for and to prepare for. I know from experience that one of the first things many mamas start planning is a fun way to tell people that they are expecting. I was so honored to be in on this fun surprise pregnancy announcement idea. Chelsey asked me to photograph them as she told her husband that he was going to be a dad during a couples photo shoot in Portland, OR.

What He Thought Was Happening

Micah thought that they were helping me out with a photo shoot idea for couples. The idea that was described to him was that they would each write on their chalkboard something that they love about the other person. He loves her “sweet heart.”

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

What Was Actually Happening

Micah had no idea that Chelsey was not following those directions. She had written, “We’re having a baby,” on her chalkboard. She also held her pregnancy tests as a sign that she was serious, in case he thought it was some kind of joke.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

The Surprise Pregnancy Announcement

They stood with their backs facing each other. On the count of 3, they turned around to show each other their chalkboards. I got to snap photos and capture his reaction. His shocked expression is priceless!

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

They were both so happy to start this new chapter in their lives. These pictures are actually a few years old (I’m finally getting around to blogging them), so I can tell you that they are both the sweetest parents.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

Outdoor Fall Photo Shoot in the Rain

The timing of their pregnancy was perfect for doing a Fall photo shoot with gorgeous colors all around them. Fall is definitely a favorite time for a lot of people to do outdoor photo shoots. But in Portland, Oregon, a Fall outdoor photo shoot means that you often have to deal with wet weather.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

Their photo shoot was time sensitive and Chelsey didn’t want to put the photo shoot off until we had nicer weather (for obvious reasons). So when we found out it was going to be raining, we just went ahead and did the photo shoot in the rain. Chelsey brought some clear umbrellas, which worked out perfectly for keeping them, and their chalkboards, dry.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

The umbrellas are so cute and perfect for a rainy day photo shoot with Oregonians who aren’t afraid of a little rain. Since they are clear, they allowed light to come through them. Solid colored umbrellas would have created unflattering shadows on their faces.

Pregnancy Announcement Idea: A Fall rainy day photo shoot. A pregnant woman is surprising her husband and letting him know his he going to be a Dad. They used chalkboards while holding umbrellas. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

Pregnancy Announcements and Maternity Sessions

If you love this idea and would like to set up a pregnancy announcement photo shoot of some kind, I’d love to chat with you and come up with something really fun.

Then, when you are about 30-35 weeks along, that is the perfect time for a maternity portrait session. So we can talk about setting that up, as well!

I invite you to send me an email and we can get the ball rolling on those things!


You may also be interested in these topics

A couples maternity portrait in my studio in Portland. For more info about maternity portraits, visit byRayleigh.com Photography by Rayleigh

Maternity Portraits Gallery

Photography by Rayleigh's Free Guide to Preparing for Your Photo Shoot. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com.

Free Guide to Preparing For Your Shoot

Anniversary Portraits

Do you have a special anniversary coming up and are you looking for anniversary ideas to celebrate? I may be a bit biased, but I can’t think of a better way to celebrate your relationship than to experience anniversary portraits in Portland, OR.

Couples Portraits

I had the pleasure of photographing this fine couple for their 40th wedding anniversary and they were a joy to work with. I love photographing “empty nester” couples who have raised their children and have decided to invest in something special for themselves.

40th wedding anniversary

This is what my clients had to say about their anniversary portraits on Yelp

“This is my husband and my 40th wedding anniversary year and I wanted to commemorate it with professional photos.  I spent a lot of time on the internet looking at websites of photographers that I thought would work well with us “oldsters”.  When I found Rayleigh I felt a connection with her work for couples.  “

Couples photos shoot and anniversary portraits for an older couple in Portland, OR. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

“Rayleigh made us feel comfortable, an amazing feat with my husband who is happiest on his tractor in flannel shirt and dirty jeans.   Rayleigh was able to capture us in a range of moods and poses: from fun, to cuddly, to elegant.  I always blink when a camera goes off, but Rayleigh only shoots in natural light so there were no flashes to trigger my blinking.  “

Couples photos shoot and anniversary portraits for an older couple in Portland, OR. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

“I felt like a queen for a day!  We were so pleased with Rayleigh’s photographs of us that we treated our daughter and new son-in-law to a photo shoot at her studio to commemorate their marriage (they were married in a simple ceremony at the county courthouse earlier).  We then commissioned Rayleigh to photograph our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding reception in the evening in a majestic barn where she had to contend with low light and colored disco lights from the DJ.  She did a marvelous job of capturing the guests and festivities. “

Couples photos shoot and anniversary portraits for an older couple in Portland, OR. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

“We can’t thank Rayleigh enough to making us all look good!”

Couples photos shoot and anniversary portraits for an older couple in Portland, OR. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

Having clients come back for multiple sessions, or referring family members to me is the best compliment! I always love seeing this beautiful family in my studio.

Want to see more?

I invite you to check out my couples portrait gallery to see more photos like these! If you have any questions or would like to book a shoot at my studio near Portland, OR, please send me a message and we can chat!

A new addition to the family

Those of you who have followed my work for while know that family photography isn’t my specialty. Especially when it comes to babies. Hand me a baby and I will look at you like a dear in the headlights. Although, I’ll be getting over that soon since I’m expecting my own “bundle of joy” in April.  But when the V Family had a new addition to the family and they asked me if I was interested in doing a glam session, I was excited.

Hair and makeup services are included in my Family and newborn portraits.  Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com
Hair and makeup services by Tracy Schulz http://www.tracyschulz.com/

What Mrs. V said about her experience

 “I loved my photo shoot with Rayleigh!!! I did a family session with my husband and our 8-month-old baby, and I also sneaked in a couple boudoir pictures, which I’m saving as a surprise for my husband for St. Valentine! I was impressed by how precisely Rayleigh and her make-up and hair professional captured the style of the session that I wanted. I wanted a family and baby photo shoot, but more on the glam side. My makeup and hair turned out impeccable, and the pictures are amazing! “

A new addition to the family. Family and newborn Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

“I got lots of compliments from my friends and family, and lots of them were asking where I found this level of photography! I have a lot of friends outside of America who do professional photography themselves, and they also mentioned very high quality of the photo shoot.”

A new addition to the family. Family and newborn Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

“I also loved the process! Rayleigh made it all so easy and enjoyable! I felt confident and beautiful, my husband (who is not a big fan of photo shoots to begin with) was very comfortable and relaxed, my baby was calm and happy. I definitely attribute all that to the wonderful atmosphere Rayleigh creates for her shoots. It was an amazing experience!”

Family and couples Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

I really enjoyed working with this sweet family. Ooooh… the sweet thumb-sucking melts my heart. I’ll be looking forward to more family shoots like this one.

A new addition to the family. Family and newborn Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

Date Night Idea

What a fantastic way to celebrate your engagement or anniversary. Couples sessions are such a memorable activity to do together if you are looking for a creative date night idea. As a bonus, you get to enjoy the photos for the rest of your marriage and pass them down to your children… who will most definitely make fun of your outfits and your hair styles. But that’s the circle of life, right?

Couples photography by Rayleigh. This image is of a young couple standing in front of a black background. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com
Couples photography by Rayleigh. This black and white image is of a young couple lying on the floor and embracing. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com
Couples photography by Rayleigh. This image is of a young couple sitting in front of a gray background. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

Want to see more?

To see more of my couples portraits, I invite you to check out my Couples Gallery.

Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon

I love photographing relationships, and photographing couples in love is so special. Traiz and Jen are a beautiful couple. I loved capturing the loving closeness they feel for each other. This is such a unique time in their life and I’m so happy that they trusted me with their engagement photography in Portland, Oregon. 

Engagement photography in Portland, Oregon

Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon. Photography by Rayleigh. This couple is embracing and smiling in front of a black background. They are wearing dressy outfits. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

You can tell by their smiles that they are just the sweetest couple. Don’t they look so comfortable and at peace together? I love their wardrobe choices, too. They are simple but stylish.

Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon. Photography by Rayleigh. This couple is embracing and smiling in front of a black background. They are wearing dressy outfits. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

I adore smiling couples portraits, but the serious poses can be really striking. They look so regal. Can you picture the following image on top of an enormous mantel in the library of a castle? Although, maybe a true King and Queen wouldn’t sit on the floor for their portraits. Haha!

Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon. Photography by Rayleigh. This couple is embracing with serious expressions in front of a black background. They are wearing dressy outfits. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com
Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon. Photography by Rayleigh. This couple is embracing and smiling in front of a black background. They are wearing dressy outfits. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

I really love the moodiness of this image below. It’s almost boudoir in nature, yet modest. It speaks to the tenderness of their relationship. If I were them, I would totally hang this picture up in the master bedroom.

Engagement Photography in Portland, Oregon. This is a black and white modest couples boudoir pose, lying on the ground. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

Anniversary portraits

Since the time of this couple’s engagement shoot, they have become husband and wife. I’m thrilled for them! Maybe I can get them to come back again for some anniversary portraits.

Want to see more?

Want to see more engagement photography in Portland, Oregon? The links below will take you to more of my couples portraits. If you are engaged, you may also be interested in seeing some bridal images, as well.
My couples gallery
More blogs about couples portraits
Bridal portraits

Ready to book a shoot?

If you are ready to book an engagement or couples shoot, I’d love to chat with you more. Just send me an email! I can’t wait to work with you.

Couples Portraits in Portland, OR

Adorable couple

It’s funny how life can bring friends together. I met Jess while she was waitressing at my favorite restaurant, Famous Dave’s, in Tualatin, OR. At the time, my husband and I were just dating. She said that my husband and I were her favorite couple and she called us her “famous couple.” She loved us and she really grew on us, too. So we invited her to our wedding. She actually came! It was awesome! This friendship lead to Jess and her boyfriend coming in to my studio for couples portraits in Portland, OR

Couples Portraits in Portland, OR

Jess thought we were an adorable couple. But I think her and Stephen are incredibly cute together as well. I love that they came in for their sweet couples photo shoot and I really enjoyed photographing them.

Couples portraits in Portland, OR. This is an image of a young couple embracing in front of a black backdrop. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit ByRayleigh.com

The simple wardrobe that this couple chose allows for us to focus on their cute faces and the love between them. Perfect! Also, I always love lace for photo shoot wardrobe because the color is simple, yet there is some texture to provide interest.

Couples portraits in Portland, OR. This is an image of a young couple embracing in front of a white backdrop. They are both wearing white t shirts. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit ByRayleigh.com

I really love the closeness and intimacy you can see in their photographs. Aren’t their smiles infectious?

Couples portraits in Portland, OR. This is an image of a young couple embracing in front of a white backdrop. They are both wearing white t shirts. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit ByRayleigh.com

This sweet couple isn’t engaged, yet, but they’ve been together a long time. Let’s all send well wishes their way for a beautiful future together. Jess sure would be a lovely bride.

Want to see more?

Would you like to see more couples photos? The links below will take you to more photos that you might be interested in:
My couples portraits gallery
My blogs about couples photography

Do you have someone you love? Why not capture your relationship in some beautiful couples portraits? Please contact me to schedule your own couples portraits in Portland, OR. I can’t wait to work with you!