Why You Shouldn’t Skip a Winter Maternity Session
Pregnant during the winter months and debating whether to schedule maternity photos? You’re not alone. Many expecting mamas worry that cold temperatures, bulky clothing, or bare landscapes will take away from their images. The truth is, winter maternity sessions can be incredibly beautiful, cozy, and meaningful when approached the right way.
Winter offers a unique opportunity to document this short season of life in a way that feels intimate, timeless, and true to you.
I understand the hesitation. I didn’t have maternity photos taken the first time I was pregnant, and it’s something I truly regret. I have maybe two photos of myself from that entire pregnancy, and I’ll never get that time back. When I was pregnant with my second, I decided to document it, and I’m so glad I did. Not only do I now have photos to remember that season, but they’re even more meaningful because they capture what our family looked like as a family of three, before we became a family of four. That chapter was brief, but having photos allows me to revisit it in a way I otherwise couldn’t.
Winter Maternity Photos Can Be Warm and Stylish
Cold weather doesn’t mean sacrificing style. With thoughtful layering, you can stay warm while still showing off your beautiful baby bump.
Leggings worn under dresses, thick socks tucked into boots, and sweater dresses are all great options. Form-fitting coats can highlight your bump, or you can leave a coat open for a more relaxed look. Accessories like scarves, winter hats, and gloves not only help keep you comfortable but also add texture and visual interest to your photos.
The key is choosing pieces that feel like you while allowing freedom to move and stay warm. When you’re comfortable, it shows in your photos — and that comfort translates into genuine emotion and connection.
Winter Locations Are More Beautiful Than You Think
One of the biggest misconceptions about winter maternity photography is that everything looks dull or lifeless. While some landscapes change during the colder months, winter still offers stunning backdrops when you choose the right location.
Just last week, I photographed a January maternity session on a cold, gray day. On paper, it might not have sounded ideal, but the photos turned out beautifully. It even started snowing during their session. Carly and Chris’ laughter was infectious, and watching Chris gently hold Carly’s hands to keep her warm was such a quiet, meaningful moment. Those small interactions told a much bigger story about the kind of parents they’re already becoming.
Evergreen trees, open fields, urban spaces, and neutral environments photograph beautifully year-round. Winter light is often soft and flattering, creating a calm, romantic feel in your images. Location plays a huge role, and having a photographer who knows where to shoot during winter makes all the difference.
If you’re unsure where to go, don’t worry — guidance on locations is part of the process. This winter maternity session took place at Anchorage Trail, but I have a guide full of ideas I’ll send over when you book to help pick out a location perfect for you. Winter scenery often surprises clients in the best way.
In-Home Maternity Sessions Are a Perfect Winter Option
If being outside in the cold doesn’t sound appealing, an in-home maternity session is a wonderful alternative. These sessions are warm, comfortable, and deeply personal.
In-home maternity photos allow you to document this season of life in a space that’s meaningful to your family. They’re especially ideal if you have young children who aren’t big fans of cold weather. From quiet moments on the couch to interactions with siblings, in-home sessions tell a story that’s uniquely yours.
Winter is the perfect time to slow down and capture these moments in a relaxed, familiar setting.
This Season of Life Is Short — Don’t Let Winter Stop You
Pregnancy is fleeting, and maternity photos are about more than the weather. They’re about remembering how this season felt, the anticipation, the growth, and the love surrounding your family.
The time of year shouldn’t be the reason you skip documenting such an important chapter. I know firsthand how easy it is to think you’ll remember everything, and how quickly that time passes. Whether it’s bundled up outdoors or cozy at home, winter maternity sessions allow you to preserve memories you’ll cherish for years to come.
If you’re planning both maternity and newborn photos, a First Year of Life plan is a beautiful way to continue documenting your story beyond pregnancy. Babies change so much in their first year, and this option allows you to capture those tiny details with sessions at newborn, six months, and one year, preserving what your family’s first year together truly looked like.
If you’re expecting during the colder months, know that you have options — and all of them can be beautiful. With the right planning, styling, and guidance, winter maternity photos can become some of your most meaningful images.
Don’t let winter pass without honoring this moment. It deserves to be remembered.
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