Winter Maternity Photo Shoot Options: Samples of Outdoor and Indoor Sessions
In this detailed post, I will show your lots of sample photos for each of my outdoor and indoor winter maternity photo shoot locations, with plenty of tips along the way. So if you are planning a maternity photo shoot during winter, you’ll love this post.
Last Update: April 3, 2024 • Maternity
I love shooting maternity sessions in the stunning PNW outdoors. However, shooting in the winter poses specific challenges with colder temperatures, rain, and bare trees. And unlike family photo shoots that could wait till warmer months, maternity sessions must be done in a specific time frame.
The good news is that I’ve helped hundreds of women celebrate and document their pregnancy during winter and learned a lot along the way. From picking the best locations that provide stunning backgrounds in winter to outfit and posing help, I’ve done all the heavy lifting to remove as much hassle as possible from documenting this unique season of your life.
In this post, I provide sample photos that will give you a good idea of the six main options I offer for a maternity session during winter. These options include outdoor and indoor locations. For each of them, I will list session highlights and other tips. By the end of this post, you will have a good idea of what to expect from a maternity session in the winter and confidently pick a photo shoot option that works best for your family.
Let’s dive right in.
What you will discover on this page:
- Outdoor maternity sessions at Rattlesnake Lake
- Outdoor maternity sessions at Seattle Discovery Park
- Outdoor maternity sessions in Redmond
- Outdoor maternity sessions at the Kirkland Marina
- Outdoor maternity sessions in Mt. Vernon
- Studio maternity sessions
- Tips for maternity sessions during winter
- FAQs
- Booking details
Option 1: Outdoor Maternity Sessions at Rattlesnake Lake
Besides colder temperatures and rain, one of the challenges of shooting outdoors in the winter is the bare trees and brown and grey tones. That’s why I love shooting maternity sessions at Rattlesnake Lake during winter because of all the green color that it offers.
This beautiful location is located in North Bend, WA. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes of driving from Seattle and Bellevue. Once you get there, the place where we will be shooting is a short walk from the parking lot. There is a bathroom available for extra convenience. It sometimes gets windy in the winter, so warmer clothes are recommended.
And here is a winter maternity photo shoot at Rattlesnake Lake with a toddler:
Sometimes, the snow turns Rattlesnake Lake into a winter wonderland:
Although never a guarantee, sometimes we get lucky with a sunny day. The session below was shot in late January.
Booking Your Maternity Session at Rattlesnake Lake
I offer two maternity session options at Rattlesnake Lake: Deluxe and Mini.
Maternity Deluxe Session Highlights:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- Can include photos with few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- For best light, this session is done 60–90 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $850 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Maternity Mini Session Highlights:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- 10 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- Can include photos with few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- For best light, this session is done 60 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $450 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Tip:
The Maternity Deluxe Session can be combined with a Newborn Deluxe Session for a money-saving package. Learn more here.
Option 2: Outdoor Maternity Sessions at Seattle Discovery Park
Seattle Discovery Park is another one of my favorite locations to shoot in the winter. If you want moody, earthy, and brownish tones in your photos, you’ll like this location.
This versatile location is also convenient to get to, but some walking will be required. It could get windy, so warmer clothes are recommended.
And here is a sample winter maternity photo shoot with a toddler at Seattle Discovery Park:
Here is a sample maternity photo shoot at Seattle Discovery Park that took place towards the end of winter:
Booking Your Maternity Session at Seattle Discovery Park
If you want your maternity session to take place at Seattle Discovery Park, you must select the Deluxe Session when scheduling your session.
Maternity Deluxe Session Highlights:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- Can include photos with few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- For best light, this session is done during the golden hour (60 minutes before sunset)
- 7-day turnaround
- $850 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Option 3: Outdoor Maternity Sessions in the Redmond Area
If you prefer minimal travel and want to stay on the Eastside, then the winter maternity sessions in the Redmond area could be an ideal option. I offer photoshoots at several convenient and beautiful locations, which are showcased below.
In Client’s Words:
“Lana has done our maternity, newborn, and family photoshoots. We’ve loved all of them! Even in bad weather, she somehow makes the photos beautiful!” —Melinda
In Client’s Words:
“Lana did my maternity mini photo shoot in Redmond. The photos came out beautiful! She really put a lot of thought as to how the photos would look and made sure we were happy with the results. I recommend Lana’s services to anyone looking for an amazing photo session experience.” —Kat
And sometimes we get a really warm day, making it difficult to believe that we are shooting outside during winter:
On a foggy day, the maternity photos look very dreamy and moody:
Booking Your Maternity Session in the Redmond Area
I offer two maternity session options in the Redmond Area: Deluxe and Mini.
Maternity Deluxe Session Highlights:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- Can include photos with few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- For best light, this session is done 60 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $850 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Maternity Mini Session Highlights:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- 10 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- Can include photos with few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- For best light, this session is done 60 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $450 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Option 4: Outdoor Maternity Sessions at the Kirkland Marina
The Kirkland Marina offers a unique urban look, with convenient parking and bathrooms.
In Client’s Words:
“Lana provided the best experience I’ve ever had with a photographer. Lana photographed my family for my maternity photos and newborn photos and they came out perfect. Lana really put us at ease and made each session an enjoyable experience. There were so many beautiful photos to choose from. We have found our family photographer moving forward and would highly recommend Lana!” —Aly
Booking Your Maternity Session at the Kirkland Marina
If you want this location for your maternity session, then you will need to pick the Deluxe Session when booking.
Maternity Deluxe Session Highlights:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- For best light, this session is done 60 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $850 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Option 5: Maternity Sessions at a Nursery in Mt. Vernon
This nursery not only provides an indoor option that shields you from rain and colder weather but also offers a unique look for your winter maternity photo shoot. And, if there is no rain, we can do shots outside the nursery as well.
In Client’s Words:
“Squishy Bean has 6 weeks and 5 days to bake, but I’m impatient so I’m just going to keep looking at these photos we got back from Lana Sky Photography because they’re beyond perfect.” —Alex
Booking Your Maternity Session in Mt. Vernon
If you want this location for your maternity session, you must book the Deluxe Session.
Maternity Deluxe Session Highlights:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) is available as an add-on
- Photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, family portrait, and pets
- For best light, this session is done 60–90 minutes before sunset
- 7-day turnaround
- $850 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Option 6: Indoor Maternity Sessions at a Seattle Studio
If you want to avoid completely dealing with the unpredictability of winter weather, you will like the studio maternity photo shoot option. It is also ideal for outfit changes and more intimate shots.
In Client’s Words:
“My husband and I absolutely loved our experience with Lana! We worked with Lana for a Deluxe Maternity Shoot and are thrilled with the results. She made us feel comfortable in front of the camera (which is quite a feat), she was clear in her instruction and guidance, and she made it a very fun environment overall. The quality of images is unmatched, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with Lana again in the future as the little one grows!” –Shannon
The studio session also works great with a sibling:
Booking Your Studio Maternity Session
The maternity studio photo shoot takes place in Downtown Seattle and is available in two options: Deluxe and Mini.
Maternity Deluxe Studio Session:
- Up to 1 hour of shooting time
- 20 hand-edited images with print rights
- Additional hand-edited images available à la carte
- A full gallery (all the images from the session) with a basic color edit is available as an add-on
- Includes photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, mom and dad, mom and siblings, and family portrait
- You may bring a few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- Price: $1,050 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Maternity Mini Studio Session:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- 10 hand-edited images with print rights
- Additional hand-edited images and a full gallery (all the images from the session with a basic color edit) are available as an add-on
- Includes photos of mom in various poses and looks, belly shots, and mom and dad together
- You may bring a few keepsakes, such as a nicely framed ultrasound picture and baby shoes
- Price: $550 +tax (additional hand-edited images: +$20/each; full gallery upgrade: +$200)
Additional Tips to Make Your Winter Maternity Session a Success
- If booking an outdoor option, consider that we may need to reschedule due to rain. So allow an extra week to reschedule, and do not wait till the last minute to book your maternity photo shoot.
- It could get cold, so I recommend dressing appropriately. (I will provide prep tips and an outfit guide to help you prep for the session and look your best.)
- Wear your new outfits several times at home before your session to “break them in” and get used to them so that you are comfortable during your photo shoot.
- Grab a jacket or a blanket to cover yourself between shots.
- If your kiddos are joining the photo shoot, make sure to dress them warmly so that they are comfortable. Kids tend not to do well in a session if they are cold.
- Bringing hand warmers and a hot beverage like tea, coffee, or warm apple cider helps to stay cozy.
- Don’t overthink it. Most importantly, the maternity photo shoot is about celebrating and documenting your pregnancy, so come prepared to have fun.
FAQs
Where do you take maternity photos in Seattle during winter?
I offer the following outdoor locations in the winter based on their beauty and convenience:
- Rattlesnake Lake (North Bend, WA)
- Seattle Discovery Park
- Several parks in the Redmond area
- Kirkland Marina
- Nursery in Mt. Vernon
I also offer a studio option if you want your photos indoors to avoid dealing with the winter weather.
Do you offer winter maternity photo sessions in the snow?
I don’t offer any specific location with snow in the mountains due to safety and convenience. However, sometimes, there is snow in the locations that I showcased in this post.
When is the best time to have a maternity session?
The ideal time for your maternity shoot is when you are between 28 and 32 weeks pregnant, but I am happy to work around your schedule. I recommend booking a month in advance to give you time to prepare.
We are not good at taking pictures; will you guide us?
I will direct and guide you the entire time, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
What is the best way to dress for our session?
Upon completing your booking, you will receive an email with prep info and tips, including the outfit inspiration guide and online styling service, to help you look your best for the session.
Have Additional Questions?
Visit my FAQs page to get quick answers to common questions.
The Booking Process
Your maternity photo shoot should be more than another task on your to-do list. I designed my process to be as stress-free as possible so you can enjoy the prep and look forward to the day of your session:
- Click on the button below.
- Select one of the following options from the list of services:
- Maternity Outdoor Deluxe Session (covers every outdoor location listed above)
- Maternity Outdoor Mini-Session – Redmond (for a mini-session in the Redmond area)
- Maternity Outdoor Mini-Session – Rattlesnake (for a mini-session at Rattlesnake Lake)
- Maternity Deluxe or Mini Studio Session (for a studio session)
- Pick a date and time from the calendar.
- Fill out a short form and pay a $100 deposit to secure your spot.
- Within 1–2 business days, you’ll receive a detailed prep guide with tips and resources to help you prepare for your session.
Hi, I’m Lana
I have been a Seattle maternity, newborn, and family photographer since 2008. Having photographed thousands of families, I have developed a hassle-free and fun process so families could have an easier time documenting their journey through the years. I invite you to learn more about me, and my unique values and quirks.
