When you’re planning maternity photos in the mountains, your outfit can make a huge difference in the final images.

For Josie and Adam’s maternity session at Rainbow Trailhead along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Ogden, Utah, the setting was already incredible. The golden grass and dramatic mountain views gave us a beautiful backdrop. Josie’s outfit choices helped make those surroundings work even better.

So if you’re wondering what to wear for mountain maternity photos, here are a few things I recommend.

Choose a Color That Stands Out From the Landscape

One of my favorite things about Josie’s outfit was her white dress.

The trail was surrounded by golden grass and warm mountain tones, so the white immediately stood out. It drew the eye right to Josie and her baby bump without competing with the scenery.

When you’re photographing somewhere with lots of earthy colors, think about choosing an outfit that creates some contrast.

Cream, white, soft blush, dusty blue, or other lighter colors can be beautiful against golden grass, trees, and mountains.

A Form-Fitting Dress Shows Off Your Bump

Maternity photos are one of those times when it’s okay to really show off your bump.

I loved how Josie’s white dress fit her. The form-fitting shape made her pregnancy the focus and showed the shape of her belly beautifully.

If you’re comfortable with it, I often recommend choosing a maternity dress that follows your body rather than hiding it. You don’t need an oversized outfit to feel comfortable or beautiful.

The whole point of maternity photos is to document this season you’re in right now.

Look for Movement in Your Outfit

A dress doesn’t have to be tight everywhere to be flattering.

Long skirts, flowing fabric, and dresses with movement can create beautiful images when you’re walking, turning, or standing in the breeze.

Mountain locations naturally give us movement to work with. A little wind through a dress can make an image feel more dramatic and natural.

Just make sure the outfit still gives you enough freedom to move comfortably on the trail.

Don’t Be Afraid to Add a Second Outfit

You don’t have to choose just one look.

Josie added a lavender jacket for some of her photos, and I loved the change. It gave us a completely different look without needing a completely different setting.

A second outfit can be as simple as adding a jacket, cardigan, sweater, or other layer.

This is an easy way to add another color or texture to your gallery while keeping the session cohesive.

Coordinate With the Location, Not Just Each Other

When choosing outfits for an outdoor maternity session, look beyond what you and your partner are wearing.

Look at the location, too.

If you’re surrounded by green trees, golden grass, mountains, or desert rock, think about how your clothing will look against those colors.

You don’t need to perfectly match the scenery. In fact, contrast can be beautiful. You just want to avoid colors or patterns that blend into the background or compete with it.

For Josie’s session, the combination of her white dress, Adam’s outfit, and the golden landscape worked beautifully together.

And Then Let Your Relationship Be the Focus

Of course, the outfits aren’t the most important part of maternity photos.

Josie and Adam are high school sweethearts, and you could feel how much they adore each other. Between photos, they would whisper to each other and giggle. They were so tender and comfortable together that I barely had to do anything to create genuine moments between them.

That is exactly what I want from maternity photos.

Yes, we’ll take the beautiful portraits where you’re looking at the camera. But I also want the quiet moments. The hand on your partner’s back. The whispered joke. The little smile when you look at each other.

Those are the things you’ll remember.

Maternity Photos at Rainbow Trailhead in Ogden

Rainbow Trailhead and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail gave us such a beautiful setting for Josie and Adam’s maternity session.

The golden grass and mountain views made the perfect backdrop, and Josie’s simple white dress let the landscape frame her instead of competing with it.

If you’re planning mountain maternity photos in Ogden, Utah, I’d love to help you choose a location and outfits that make you feel beautiful and confident. Reach out to me, Cait, and let’s plan a maternity session that feels like you.

Cait Montgomery

Cait is a Weber County photographer and mom of two who brings warmth, humor, and genuine kindness to every session. She loves helping even the camera-shy feel comfortable in front of the lens.

She specializes in family, newborn, kids and baby photography, headshots, personal branding, product photography, and real estate throughout Weber County and Northern Utah. When she’s not photographing, you’ll probably find her at home with a book club or working in basketball shorts.

kyleeannphotography.com/cait