How to style earth tones and texture for timeless maternity photos
By Annie Marie
Photo sessions are so much more than just pulling out a random backdrop when your clients arrive. For beautifully styled and artful images, great detail is taken into consideration well before session day. Some clients have an idea of the look they want, but it’s up to you, the creative, to put it all together for a beautiful portrait.
The Backdrop
Choosing the perfect backdrop is what sets the tone, style, and mood for the portrait. For this session, I knew we were going to be doing full-length shots because my client is a dancer, so I wanted something simple yet visually interesting. Background Town’s Plaster Wall White Window (from my Annie Marie designer collection) was the perfect choice. I planned to dress her in a light, ruffled outfit and needed something darker and moodier with texture. The earthy tones and surface detail of this backdrop provided just the right amount of drama I was looking for.If I had chosen a floral or lighter backdrop, the entire image would have taken on a completely different vibe. Organic, earthy textures and tones evoke feelings of grounding, motherhood, and strength, while still maintaining a modern aesthetic. It was exactly the feel I wanted to capture. If you're looking to learn how to style earth tones and texture, this is a great example of how thoughtful choices can lead to timeless fine art maternity photos.
The Set Up
This was a simple two-light setup. Because the backdrop includes a large “window” on the left, I wanted my main light source to come from that direction. I used a constant light paired with a 70-inch umbrella and diffusion to keep the light soft but directional. Above her and to the right, I added a hair light using a small shoot-through umbrella. Without this light, her hair would have blended into the background. That added highlight gave the portrait more depth and dimension.I also placed a white V-flat on the right side to bring in just a touch of fill.
The Equipment
* Canon R6
* 24–70mm RF lens
* Main Light: SmallRig constant light
* Hair Light: Godox ML100Bi LED
* 70" umbrella with diffusion
* 36" shoot-through umbrella
* White V-flat
In Closing
Just by changing out your backdrop and styling, you can create so many different moods and looks for your clients. For this shoot, Background Town’s Plaster Wall White Window was the perfect choice for creating a dramatic yet modern maternity portrait. It’s a powerful way to learn how to style earth tones and texture in a way that elevates your work into timeless fine art maternity photos. Background Town has become an essential resource for every studio session I do and for every look I want to achieve. Their pricing, quality, and design options are truly top-notch.Best of luck in your session styling journey!
MEET ANNIE
Annie is a Minneapolis-based photographer with nearly 30 years of experience behind the camera. An internationally award-winning artist, she is known for creating images that are rich in emotion, depth, and authenticity. Annie’s goal is to capture photographs that make people laugh, cry, and remember the simple, breathtaking moments they never want to forget. Her work is defined by connection, expression, and storytelling.