I recently booked a birth photography client, and as part of my birth photography package, I offer a complimentary mini pregnancy photoshoot. This mini session gives us an opportunity to meet in person, vibe together, have some laughs, and chat about pregnancy and their upcoming birth.

This particular birth client is due to give birth at some point in December or January, which means their pregnancy session would take place in November. Making this…the perfect opportunity to talk about why winter is such a beautiful (and often overlooked!) time for maternity photos!

When we first started planning her pregnancy session, she sent me some gorgeous inspiration photos, but guess what they all had in common? They were all photographed in the summer with glowing golden light, flowy dresses, and bare bumps. They were beautiful, but I had to gently remind her that we live in the UK…and November isn’t exactly known for it’s sunny, warm days.

That said, we can absolutely still create beautiful images in winter. We just need a few practical adjustments and a little creativity.

When you search for maternity photography inspiration, your feed is often full of sun-drenched summer images. But winter maternity photoshoots have a quiet kind of magic all their own.

The soft, diffused winter light creates a dreamy, ethereal quality, which is perfect for capturing intimate, emotional moments. The colours of the season: muted greens, warm browns, and silvery skies, add a sense of calm and warmth to your images.

Winter sessions also invite a more cosy, connected atmosphere: think soft jumpers, loose layers, and snuggles under blankets. These sessions are about embracing the season you’re in, quite literally, and celebrating the beauty of your pregnancy exactly as it is.

If you’re planning an outdoor maternity session in the colder months, the key is comfort and safety. Here are a few tips I like to share with my clients:

1. Bring a warm coat to walk to our location and pop on between shots.
2. Wear woolly socks and comfy shoes (no one sees them anyway and if you really do want to take them off for the photos, we’ll only do it for a few moments at a time).
3. Pack heat pads or hand warmers to tuck into pockets or hold between shots or locations.
4. Stay unclothed or wear lighter layers only as long as you feel okay. If capturing intimate outdoor imagery is really important to you, we’ll move quickly and keep checking in to make sure you’re warm and comfortable.

It’s completely possible to create those soft, romantic images outdoors in winter. We just do it with blankets, a little extra planning, and managed expectations.

If you’re not keen on braving the chill outside, winter is also the perfect time to consider an intimate at-home or studio maternity session. These can be softly lit and minimal or relaxed and documentary-style, like a quiet morning at home with a cup of tea, in the comfort of your own space.

Indoor sessions can feel incredibly personal and empowering. We can focus on your connection with your baby, your partner, or just yourself. No need to worry about the weather or the temperature.

If you’ve been curious about an at-home maternity shoot but feel a little unsure, please do get in touch. I’m always happy to chat about your concerns and how we can create something that feels authentic, safe, and beautiful for you.

And if you’re interested in a boudoir maternity photoshoot, you can read some more tips here about that.

Whether outdoors wrapped in layers or indoors basking in soft winter light, winter maternity sessions are a celebration of stillness, warmth, and anticipation. They remind us that beauty exists in every season, not just the sunny ones.

So if you’re expecting roughly between November to March, and are pregnant over the winter months, let’s document this season in a way that feels good to you.

Get in touch to chat about your winter pregnancy photoshoot.