Aby Rafter Photography | Photo Shoots for Families, Maternity an Newborns in Dorset

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10 June 2026 · Leave a Comment

What to Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot

Motherhood· Pregnancy

If you’re having a maternity photoshoot with me it’s really important you think about what you would like to wear.

Pregnant lady holding scan photo in front of bump

I’ve put together this blog post to help you plan the perfect outfits for your session.

Most of us struggle to find something nice to fit towards the end of pregnancy and who wants to spend out on outfits that you may just wear once or twice.

Hiring a dress or two is a lovely way to get a really special look.

I always recommend checking out Bump Drops, a dress rental service perfect for maternity shoots! Sam at Bump Drops is incredibly lovely  and the process is so easy. You can hire through her website or message her on Instagram and if you mention that you’re booked in for a photoshoot with me she is very kindly giving you 10% off the cost of hire. 

https://www.bumpdrops.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/bump.drops?igsh=MXF0bWs3c2Q5dHB4ZA%3D%3D

She has a stunning selection of dresses and two piece options too. It’s a really affordable option that will make a massive difference to how you feel during your photoshoot and help you come away with gorgeous photos.

My top tip is to stick to natural, neutral, earthy tones – think creams, taupes, dusty whites, and warm beiges. These tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on you and your bump.

I always recommend having at least 3 different outfit options, for example you could go for;

Outfit 1 … Relaxed

An oversized white or denim shirt with open jeans. A relaxed, everyday look that still feels really special on camera and highlights your growing bump.

image of couple with hands on pregnant bump

Outfit 2 … A Layered Look

A long, open cardigan over a simple vest or bra. Beautifully flattering and great if you’d like some bump-baring shots.

Outfit 3 … A Flowing Dress (or 2 or 3!)

A long maxi dress in ivory or cream that drapes over your bump. Effortlessly elegant and so flattering for showing off your bump.

Having a few different outfits, or even just accessories to swap in, gives your gallery lovely variety. Think about adding a simple necklace, swapping a belt, or bringing a cosy knit wrap.

A few things to keep in mind

Comfort is everything. If you’re not comfortable, it’ll show … so wear things you feel relaxed and confident in.

If you’d like to show off your bump, think about the bra you’d like to wear. A simple nude or white bra, a soft bralette, or going without all work beautifully.

Close up of Expecting mum with long flowing dress and bump exposed. Brown photography backdrop behind

If the dresses you choose are white, I’d recommend wearing nude or white underwear to keep things seamless underneath.

Burnt orange maternity dress on expecting mama

Not sure what to bring? Feel free to message me before your session and I’ll happily help you decide. That’s what I’m here for! And if you’re bringing your partner and any older children we can also work out what they could wear too.

Pregnant mum with her first born daughter stood on stool, laughing together

Ready to Book in?

If you’d like to book a maternity session in my natural light studio here in Southbourne, Bournemouth, feel free to fill in my enquiry form HERE

or send me over an email to aby@abyrafter.co.uk with your due date and some potential date options for a session when you are around 28 – 34 weeks.

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Getting smiles on camera from an older newborn is Getting smiles on camera from an older newborn is just magic! This little girl was just utterly adorable and is proof that a newborn photoshoot is totally worth it and it’s not too late to get you pictures to treasure of this time while they are tiny. 

I may have just made an exciting purchase for the studio that means if you are expecting a baby before Christmas … now is the time to book!! ✨
Any guesses for what could make a newborn shoot in November & December more magical… pop in the comments! 

If you want any more details on my sessions in my Southbourne studio just send me a DM. 🫶
If you ask me if you’ve left it too late for newbo If you ask me if you’ve left it too late for newborn photos my answer will almost always be no!! 

Photos of your baby are adorable at any age and this little one is a great example of how we can get you some gorgeous photos of your older newborn and all their amazing expressions. 

If you want curled up sleepy pictures of your newborn then I recommend booking in while you are still pregnant so we can get a session booked while baby is still around 10 days old. But if you leave it till baby is here it’s still completely worth it and we can capture all the cute faces along with all the little details. 

Pop me a message for more information about a session in my Southbourne studio. I’m happy to answer any questions. Xx
How special is it watching your little one meet th How special is it watching your little one meet their new baby sibling? 🤍

If your family is growing, here is your little reminder to capture this chapter while they’re all still this little.
My newborn sessions are relaxed, natural and very much baby - and family-led, with plenty of time for gorgeous sibling moments too.

If you’re expecting a baby this autumn or winter, I’d love to help you remember this bit.

Pop me a message with your due date and I can send you more information. Booking in is super easy, I take a £50 deposit to pencil in your due date into my diary and then we schedule your session when your baby has arrived.
If your baby is already here my studio in Southbourne is ready for you! Let’s get you booked in. 🫶
POV: you’ve just become a big sister 🤍 Capturing POV:  you’ve just become a big sister 🤍

Capturing those first little moments between siblings is such a cute part of my job and these photos will become such a special reminder of when they first became a big sister or brother. 🥹

If you’re expecting a little one this autumn or winter, now is a lovely time to get your newborn photoshoot booked in. I’ll capture all the tiny details, the family cuddles and those precious sibling moments too.

📍 Newborn photography in my Southbourne studio, Bournemouth. Pop me a message for more info.
Christmas Minis are live! 🤍 This year’s Christmas Christmas Minis are live! 🤍

This year’s Christmas sessions will have that same beautiful, festive feel, with a timeless, natural style that keeps the focus on you and your little ones. Perfect for capturing Christmas memories you’ll love looking back on for years to come.

What’s Included:
✨ 20-minute festive session
✨ 3 professionally edited digital images
✨ Optional photo upgrades available

Half the sessions have already gone, so if you wanted one now is the time to grab your slot. 
Booking link in stories or message me and I’ll send it to you. 🎄

How to Book:
1. Choose your time slot
2. Secure your booking with payment
3. Complete your session contract
4. Receive your prep email with styling tips, directions & everything you need!

* One family per mini session
Want to include cousins or extended family? Please book two (or more) back-to-back slots

* Sessions are not suitable for newborns or babies under 3 months

* Babies who aren’t sitting confidently yet will need to be photographed with a parent or older sibling
If you were pregnant through the summer of 2026, y If you were pregnant through the summer of 2026, you deserve a medal!

And if your baby is due this autumn, you definitely deserve some gorgeous maternity photos too. 🤍

Before the bump becomes your baby, there’s this little chapter worth remembering … even if you spent most of it wondering how on earth you were going to survive another heatwave!

If you’re heading into your final weeks of pregnancy, now is the perfect time to book your maternity photoshoot.

📍 Southbourne, Bournemouth
🤍 Relaxed, natural maternity photography

And once baby arrives… we can capture that chapter too. Pop me a message with your due date and I can send you more details. Xx
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