What should I wear for an underwater photoshoot?

The good news is that you have far more options than you might think.

You don’t need to arrive with an elaborate underwater gown or spend a fortune on something specifically made for photography. Some of my favourite underwater images have been created with surprisingly simple pieces.

The key is choosing something that makes you feel beautiful and gives us something interesting to work with underwater.

A beautiful bodysuit or lingerie set

If you’re wanting your images to feel more luxurious, feminine and fine art, a beautiful bodysuit or lingerie set can look incredible underwater.

It creates a much more elevated feel than traditional swimwear while still allowing us to see the shape of your body and create beautiful movement around you.

This can be particularly beautiful for women’s empowerment portraits, but it can also work wonderfully for maternity photography.

And don’t feel like you need to find something covered in lace or elaborate detail. A simple, well-fitting piece in black, white, nude or another beautiful colour can photograph beautifully.

Swimwear absolutely works too

You don’t need lingerie to create beautiful underwater portraits.

Swimwear can work incredibly well, especially if you want your images to feel more natural, playful or contemporary.

A simple, well-fitting one-piece or bikini can be all we need.

If you’re pregnant and your usual swimmers no longer fit, don’t stress. A matching plain underwear set can work beautifully underwater too. Once you’re in the water, we can create gorgeous artistic images without the outfit needing to look like traditional maternity clothing.

Add movement with fabric

This is where things get really fun.

I have a large collection of fabrics available in the studio that we can use to create movement around your body underwater.

So you don’t necessarily need a dress at all.

We can start with a simple bodysuit, lingerie set, swimwear or underwear and add flowing fabric to create something completely different.

The fabric catches the water and moves around you, creating shape, texture and that beautiful sense of weightlessness that makes underwater photography so distinctive.

It also means we can create several different looks without you needing to bring a suitcase full of clothes.

What about a flowing dress?

Flowing dresses can create spectacular underwater images, particularly if you’re drawn to a more ethereal or dramatic fine-art aesthetic.

Lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, tulle and silk can spread beautifully through the water and create incredible shapes.

But a dress is an option, not a requirement. I don’t have a whole client wardrobe (because i want your gallery to feel like YOU- but I have this dress available which works for both maternity and non maternity shoots.

Some of my favourite images are created from much simpler styling.

The question isn’t really:

“What dress should I wear?”

It’s:

“What do I want this photograph to feel like?”

From there, we can choose the styling that supports that feeling.

You can also mix and match

You don’t have to choose just one option.

For example, we might create:

Look 1: A beautiful bodysuit or lingerie set

Look 2: The same base with flowing fabric

Look 3: A completely different outfit or dress

This gives us a variety of images and allows the session to move between different moods without making the styling complicated.

And if you’re unsure what will work, send me photos of your options before your session. I’m very happy to help you choose. Mixing up the background can also help give you more variety with your gallery. I don’t use backdrops for every shoot either- we discuss this also before your shoot.

The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and comfortable in what you’re wearing.

Everything else, including the underwater movement, is something we can create together.

You can also wear nothing at all

If you’re feeling brave and want to create something more artistic, intimate or minimalist, you can absolutely choose to wear nothing at all.

Underwater photography can be incredibly beautiful when the focus is simply on the shape and movement of the body, without clothing becoming part of the image.

This is completely your choice and something we would discuss beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.

There is never any pressure to take your clothes off. You decide how much of yourself you want to reveal, and my job is to create beautiful, tasteful artwork that feels empowering rather than exposing.

What about flowers, foliage or other props?

If you want to add an extra element to your images, you can also bring along props or objects that have meaning to you.

Flowers and foliage can be particularly beautiful underwater, creating another layer of movement, colour and texture.

You might choose a bunch of your favourite flowers, a single statement bloom, trailing foliage or something completely unexpected.

Props can be especially fun when you’re wanting to create something more conceptual or fine-art focused.

The important thing is that the object adds something to the story rather than simply being there for the sake of it.

And if you have an idea that you’re not sure will work underwater?

Bring it up.

Some of the most interesting images come from experimenting with an idea and seeing what the water does with it.

The best thing to wear? Something that makes you feel like you.

There really isn’t one perfect underwater outfit.

You can wear a beautiful bodysuit, lingerie, swimwear, matching underwear, a flowing dress, sheer fabric, flowers, foliage, something completely unexpected…

Or absolutely nothing at all.

The styling should reflect you and the kind of artwork you want to create.

And this is why I don’t want you arriving at your underwater photoshoot stressed about whether you’ve chosen the “right” thing.

A word on wearing Make-up underwater

You don’t have to wear any make-up at all but I have found that wearing waterproof mascara (heavy emphasis on waterproof or you end up with panda eyes real quick!) and a pop of lipstick does make your features pop! If you are a brave red lipstick wearing powerhouse of a woman I think red looks incredible in the water BUT you just want to be mindful to not rub your mouth upon surfacing or it can smudge!

Your underwater shoot is a completely unique experience

Before your session, we’ll talk through your ideas, your styling, the mood you’re drawn to and what you feel comfortable with.

We’ll discuss what you’re bringing, what you might like to use from my collection of fabrics and what we can create together.

You won’t be thrown into a pool and expected to magically know what to do.

By the time you arrive, you’ll know what we’re creating and you’ll be able to feel excited about the experience rather than nervous about getting it right.

And honestly?

I can create magic in the underwear you show up in.

So don’t overthink it.

Bring what makes you feel beautiful, bring your ideas, bring the things you’re curious about, and let me take care of the rest.