Winter Maternity Photos in Seattle: Where to Go & What to Expect
If your maternity photos fall in the middle of a Seattle winter, there are more possibilities than you might think. I’ll show you my favorite locations, what they look like this time of year, and how to plan for the weather.
Last Update: October 28, 2026 • Maternity
Seattle winters can be hard to picture in maternity photographs. The trees are bare, the paths are often muddy, and sunshine isn’t exactly something we can count on. If most of the maternity photos you love were taken in spring or summer, you might wonder what your own photographs will look like.
But winter has its own beautiful scenery. There are evergreen forests that stay green year-round, open fields filled with pale grasses, and waterfronts that look lovely even under cloudy skies. And when we do get a sunny winter afternoon, that low, warm light can be wonderful for photographs.
I’ve photographed expecting moms in winter sunshine, overcast skies, and fog. Those conditions can change how a location looks—and which backgrounds photograph best. That’s why I choose locations with varied scenery, then decide where to shoot based on the light and weather that day.
Below, I’ll walk you through my favorite Seattle-area locations for winter maternity photos, including a few indoor options. I’ll also share my recommendations for clothing, weather, and timing, so you can choose a setting you love and know what to expect.
What Makes a Winter Maternity Photoshoot Different?
One of the biggest differences is the light. Winter days are short, so when we start a session matters. On sunny afternoons, the low sun can give photographs a lovely warmth. Cloudy skies create softer, more even light, which works beautifully for portraits. Fog can be interesting too, although it sometimes hides the mountain views or other scenery we might have hoped to include.
The landscape looks different as well. Open fields turn beige and gold, deciduous trees lose their leaves, and evergreen forests become especially appealing because they retain their color. Even locations I’ve photographed many times can feel quite different in winter.
Then there are the practical things to think about. A waterfront can feel much colder than a wooded area on the same day. Paths may be wet or slippery, and you probably won’t want to spend too much time walking between locations in the cold, especially if you’re bringing young children.
I consider all of these things when planning a winter maternity session. The scenery matters, of course, but so does choosing a place where you’ll be comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed.
Seattle-Area Winter Maternity Locations
I have several favorite places for winter maternity photography, and they’re quite different.
Some offer evergreen forests and mountain views. Others have open fields, soft winter grasses, or waterfront scenery. There’s even a nursery where we can photograph among greenery without spending the entire session outdoors.
As you look through the photos below, note the scenery and colors you’re most drawn to. I’ll also point out what makes each location appealing in winter, along with a few practical things worth considering.
Rattlesnake Lake — Evergreen Forests and Mountain Views
If you love the forests, mountains, and lakes of the Pacific Northwest, Rattlesnake Lake is definitely worth considering.
The evergreen trees are one of the reasons I enjoy photographing here in winter. Even when much of the surrounding landscape has lost its greenery, we still have rich green backgrounds, plus the lake and mountains.
On clear days, I can create wider portraits that include the water and surrounding mountains. When fog settles over the lake and hides those views, I move closer to the evergreens instead. The photographs take on a different character, with the trees providing color and texture in the background.
I like that we can create both scenic portraits and closer photos without changing locations. That gives us opportunities for individual maternity portraits as well as photographs with your partner or children.
The biggest thing to consider here in winter is the cold, particularly near the water. The lakeshore can be windy, so I pay attention to how long we spend in exposed areas, especially when young children are joining us.
If you’d like to see more winter examples from this location, explore the winter gallery in my Rattlesnake Lake maternity photography guide.
Discovery Park — Open Fields, Winter Grasses, and Waterfront Views
Discovery Park is one of my favorite places for maternity photographs with soft, natural colors, especially during winter.
The open fields are filled with tall grasses in shades of beige, gold, and brown. Instead of the lush greenery of warmer months, the landscape takes on a softer, more neutral look that works beautifully for maternity portraits.
On sunny winter afternoons, the low sunlight can make the grasses glow with warmth. When it’s overcast, the colors are more muted, and the light is softer. Fog changes the scene again, sometimes hiding the wider landscape. On those days, I look for closer backgrounds where we don’t need distant views to make the photograph work.
One thing I like about Discovery Park is that the open fields give us room to include the landscape without making the photographs feel busy. If you’re drawn to simple backgrounds and earthy colors, you may really love this setting.
You can also photograph near the waterfront. However, reaching some parts of the park takes more walking, and the beach and open fields can be quite windy in winter.
If you’re looking for lush greenery, I’d steer you toward another location. Discovery Park is best for families who appreciate its open space, winter grasses, and softer color palette.
Redmond Area — Fields, Winter Grasses, and Eastside Convenience
For winter maternity sessions in Redmond, I use several locations and choose the one that looks best during the week of your session.
These spots offer a lovely mix of open fields, winter grasses, bare trees, and soft, earthy colors. The scenery is fairly simple, which helps keep the focus on you.
On sunny days, the grasses can take on a warm golden color. Overcast skies bring softer light and more muted tones. Both can work beautifully for maternity photographs.
Redmond is also a convenient choice for families living on the Eastside. Not having to drive as far can make planning a little easier, especially when you’re coordinating schedules or bringing children.
You can see more examples of winter maternity photographs in the Redmond area in the winter gallery in my Redmond maternity mini-sessions guide.
Kirkland Marina — Lake Views and an Urban Waterfront
Kirkland Marina is a good choice if you love waterfront photographs but prefer something a little more urban than a forest or open field.
The lake provides a simple, open background that keeps the attention on you. I can also include more of the marina and surrounding waterfront, depending on the composition we’re creating.
I particularly like the contrast between portraits with mostly open water behind you and photographs that show more of the waterfront setting. They have different characters, even though we’re photographing in the same area.
The biggest winter consideration is wind. Areas close to the water can feel quite cold, even on an otherwise pleasant day. I keep that in mind when choosing where to photograph and how much time we’ll spend in the most exposed spots.
Mt. Vernon Nursery — Indoor Greenery in Winter
If you love greenery but don’t want to spend an entire maternity session outdoors in the cold, the nursery in Mt. Vernon offers an interesting alternative.
Instead of bare trees and winter grasses, we’re surrounded by plants and foliage. The leaves and natural textures create beautiful backgrounds, with a very different feel from the other locations in this guide.
Much of the photography takes place under cover, so we’re sheltered from rain and most of the wind. I work with the available natural light and the different areas of the nursery to create variety in your photographs.
When the weather is suitable, we may also have an opportunity to take a few portraits outdoors.
Keep in mind that a nursery isn’t the same as a heated photography studio. You’ll still want to dress for the temperature. It’s also a longer drive from the Seattle area, so keep that in mind when planning your session.
For expecting moms who love green, plant-filled backgrounds, it’s a wonderful way to get that look in winter.
Studio Maternity Photography — Two Distinct Indoor Looks
You might simply prefer studio maternity photographs, regardless of the weather. And that’s a perfectly good reason to choose an indoor session.
I offer two studio settings, each with its own style.
My Simply White studio in Kirkland is bright, soft, and minimal. The light backgrounds keep the focus on you, your baby bump, and your connection with your partner or children. It’s especially well suited to individual maternity portraits and simple, natural-looking family photographs.
The Rustic Lifestyle studio in downtown Seattle has a warmer, more textured look. It’s a natural-light co-op studio with a lifestyle feel that’s quite different from the simplicity of Simply White.
Both studios let us photograph indoors without worrying about wind, rain, or muddy paths. You can also choose clothing that might be less practical for an outdoor winter session.
If you’re deciding between the two, I’d start by looking at the photographs and seeing which style you’re more drawn to.
For more examples from both spaces, see my Studio Maternity Photography Guide.
Outdoor or Studio: Which Is Right for Your Winter Maternity Photos?
When you’re deciding between outdoor and studio maternity photos, I’d start with the images you love, not the weather forecast.
If you picture yourself surrounded by evergreens, standing in a field of winter grasses, or beside a lake with mountains in the distance, an outdoor session may be the right choice. The scenery becomes part of your photographs and gives them a sense of place.
If you prefer simpler backgrounds or a more intimate studio look, you may be happier indoors. Both Simply White and Rustic Lifestyle offer opportunities for beautiful individual maternity portraits and photos with your partner or children, but in very different settings.
It’s also worth thinking about the experience. How far do you want to travel? Are you comfortable spending time outdoors in winter? Will young children be joining you?
For some families, the scenery is worth bundling up for. Others would much rather be indoors, where we don’t have to plan around outdoor temperatures and changing weather.
There’s no right answer for everyone. I’d choose based on the photographs you’re most drawn to, then consider what makes the most sense for your comfort and circumstances.
If you’d like a more detailed comparison, I’ve written a separate guide to Outdoor vs. Studio Maternity Photos in Seattle. You can also see the current session options on my Maternity Sessions page.
How I Handle Winter Weather for Outdoor Maternity Sessions
If you see rain in the forecast a few days before your maternity session, don’t assume we’ll need to reschedule.
I keep an eye on the weather for your session’s location and time, watching for rain, wind, and whether conditions will be safe.
Cloudy skies and fog are usually not reasons to reschedule. They can actually give us beautiful light.
One thing I strongly recommend during winter is keeping your schedule flexible on the day of your session. Sometimes shifting our start time can help us avoid a passing shower or use the available light better.
If possible, try not to schedule other time-sensitive commitments immediately before or after your session. That gives us room to adjust the start time if needed.
Winter forecasts can change quickly, so sometimes I won’t be able to make the final decision until the morning of your session. I’ll let you know if we need to make any changes.
And if the weather simply won’t cooperate, we’ll try to find another suitable date. I know rescheduling can be inconvenient, especially when you’ve arranged time off or coordinated everyone’s schedules. That’s why I look at the actual conditions rather than canceling just because the forecast looks bad the day before.
What to Wear for Winter Maternity Photos
For an outdoor winter maternity session, I recommend thinking about your outfit and how you’ll stay warm as two separate things.
Start with what you’d love to wear in the photographs. A fitted knit dress can show off your baby bump, while a flowing dress creates a softer look. Just keep in mind that lightweight, flowing fabrics can be harder to manage on a windy day.
Color is worth considering too. Light-colored dresses often stand out beautifully against dark evergreens. In an open field with pale winter grasses, a little contrast between your outfit and the background can make a big difference.
You don’t have to stay in your outfit without a coat for the entire session. Bring something warm that you can put on whenever we stop for a break or walk to another spot. Hand warmers, thick socks, and hidden thermal layers can help too.
I’d also pay special attention to shoes. Winter paths can be muddy or slippery even when it hasn’t rained that day. Comfortable boots or shoes with good traction are usually the best choice for walking. If you want to wear different shoes in your portraits, bring them along, and you can change for the shot.
If your partner or children are joining, start by choosing your own outfit, then coordinate everyone else’s clothing around it. The colors should work together, but there’s no need for everyone to match.
If your children are joining, make sure their outfits are warm enough for the weather, not just nice for photographs. Cold kids don’t have a good time, and keeping them comfortable makes the session much easier for everyone.
And remember, you don’t have to plan all of this by yourself. I provide a prep guide and an online styling service to help you put together outfits that work well together and suit your location.
Including Your Partner, Children, or Pets in Winter Maternity Photos
Most of the maternity sessions I photograph include a partner. If the family has older children, they often join too. Some expecting moms prefer photos focused just on them and their pregnancy. I’m happy to plan the session either way.
When young children are involved, I don’t expect them to stand still, smile on command, or stay interested the entire time. I usually try to photograph the family together while the children are engaged, then focus on your individual maternity portraits while they take a break.
That flexibility is especially helpful in winter. Children may get cold or lose interest more quickly, so I watch how they’re doing and adjust the order of photos as needed.
Some families bring a relative or friend to help with the children between photographs. Others prefer no one else present. Either arrangement works, and I’m happy to plan around your preference.
Dogs are welcome at the locations featured in this guide. If you’d like to include your dog, let me know ahead of time so I can plan those photographs too. Your dog will need to be safely supervised by a responsible adult whenever they’re not being photographed.
It also helps to tell me which photographs are most important to you. Maybe it’s your children hugging your baby bump, a few portraits with your partner, or individual photographs focused on your pregnancy. Knowing what matters most helps me plan our time together.
Can You Plan a Snowy Maternity Photoshoot in Seattle?
Snowy maternity photographs can be beautiful, and I know some expecting moms have their hearts set on them.
The challenge is that Seattle’s snow is unpredictable. Even when we get some during winter, there’s no guarantee it will be there on the day of your session.
If you’d love snowy photographs, let me know when we’re planning. We can talk about what’s realistic, but I wouldn’t suggest waiting indefinitely for snow when you’re working within a limited window of pregnancy.
And snow isn’t the only thing to consider. Road conditions, slippery paths, cold temperatures, and access all matter. A place that looks beautiful covered in snow isn’t necessarily safe or practical for maternity photography that day.
The snowy photographs above show what I’ve been able to capture when conditions allowed. They’re examples of what’s possible, not a guarantee for a session.
If snow in your maternity photographs is non-negotiable, I recommend finding a photographer who specializes in traveling to snowier mountain locations. That’s more reliable than hoping for snow at one of my regular winter locations, though weather and safe access can still affect plans.
I love photographing in the snow when the opportunity comes along. I just don’t want you to feel that your maternity session depends on getting it.
When Should You Schedule Winter Maternity Photos?
I recommend having maternity photographs taken between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby bump is usually nicely visible by then, and there’s still some time before your due date.
That’s a general recommendation, though, not a strict rule. Every pregnancy is different.
For winter sessions, I like this window for another reason: it gives us a little more room if the weather forces us to reschedule.
If we get rained out on your original date, we’ll need to look for another day. Scheduling around 28–32 weeks can give us room to maneuver.
I also recommend booking your session before you reach that window rather than waiting until you’re already 28 weeks to start looking. This is especially helpful if you need a particular day of the week or are coordinating schedules with your partner or children.
And if you’re already past 32 weeks, don’t assume it’s too late. We can review the available dates and see what makes the most sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Maternity Photos
No. Overcast skies often give us soft, even light that’s beautiful for portraits. Fog can create an interesting look too, although it may hide distant scenery. I choose backgrounds and angles based on the conditions we have that day.
Rain in the forecast doesn’t automatically mean we’ll reschedule. I monitor conditions and sometimes can’t make the final decision until the morning of your session. We may be able to shoot if we adjust the start time. If the weather forces us to reschedule, we’ll find another suitable date.
Yes. Rattlesnake Lake has evergreen forests that stay green throughout winter. The nursery in Mt. Vernon also offers a plant-filled setting with more shelter from the weather. If you’re drawn to softer, more neutral colors instead, Discovery Park is a lovely choice.
That depends on the location, temperature, wind, and what you’re wearing. I recommend bringing a warm coat for breaks between photos, plus hand warmers, appropriate shoes, and a warm drink. If you’re particularly sensitive to cold, we can consider a more sheltered location or an indoor session.
We can discuss the possibility, but I can’t guarantee snow for your session. If snowy photos would be a bonus, we’ll plan a location you’ll enjoy even without snow. If snow is essential, I’d suggest finding a photographer who regularly travels to snowier mountain locations.
I generally recommend having your maternity photographs taken around 28–32 weeks of pregnancy and booking ahead of that window. Winter weather may require rescheduling, so booking early gives you extra flexibility. If you’re further along, we can still look at the available options.
What’s Next
If your pregnancy falls during winter, you don’t have to feel like you’ve missed out on beautiful outdoor maternity photographs. The scenery may be different from what you’d find in June, but that’s part of what makes winter photos their own.
The most important thing is choosing a setting you genuinely love. Maybe it’s the deep greens of Rattlesnake Lake, the soft grasses at Discovery Park, or the simplicity of a studio session. Once you know which look you’re drawn to, I can help you think through the practical details.
You can explore my Maternity Sessions page to compare current outdoor and studio options, see what’s included, and find booking information.
If you’re torn between a few locations or aren’t sure what will work best for your family, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help you choose.
About Lana
Svetlana (Lana) Ozik has photographed more than 2,300 Seattle-area families since 2008, specializing in maternity, newborn, milestone, and family photography. Her approach combines thoughtful preparation, clear direction, and the flexibility to adjust to babies, children, changing light, and the natural unpredictability of photographing families. Learn more about Lana and Lana Sky Photography.
