My Favorite Seattle Winter Maternity Photo Shoot Locations
In this detailed post, I will show your lots of sample photos from my favorite Seattle winter maternity photoshoot locations. I will also provide cozy studio options, posing ideas, and other tips. So if you are planning a maternity photo shoot during winter, you’ll love this post.
Last Update: October 11, 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 photos that could wait until warmer months, maternity sessions must be done within 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 most convenient locations that provide stunning winter backgrounds 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 my favorite Seattle area locations 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:
- Winter maternity sessions at Rattlesnake Lake
- Winter maternity sessions at Seattle Discovery Park
- Winter maternity sessions in Redmond
- Winter maternity sessions at the Kirkland Marina
- Winter maternity sessions in Mt. Vernon
- Studio maternity sessions
- Tips for maternity sessions during winter
- FAQs
- Booking details
Location 1: Winter 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 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. Rattlesnake Lake is also a fun and engaging location if you have kids joining the session.
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)
Tip:
The Maternity Deluxe Session can be combined with a Newborn Deluxe Session for a money-saving package. Learn more here.
Maternity Mini Session Highlights:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- 10 hand-edited photos
- Additional hand-edited photos available à la carte
- An entire 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)
Location 2: Winter Maternity Sessions at Seattle Discovery Park
Seattle Discovery Park is another of my favorite locations to shoot in the winter. If you want moody, earthy, and brownish tones in your maternity photos, then you will like Seattle Discovery Park.
This versatile location is also convenient, but some walking will be required. This is an excellent location if you have kids joining the session. However, it could get windy, so warmer clothes are recommended. If we are fortunate enough to have a sunny day, the golden light is beautiful in the winter.
Seattle Discovery Park is an excellent location if you want to include your dog in your winter maternity photoshoot.
Some days, the temperature can be pretty mild. Here is a maternity photoshoot at Seattle Discovery Park that was shot towards the end of winter. We were also able to get some photos on the beach. (BTW, the beach gets windy so I would not recommend it in the winter for families with younger kids.)
Booking Your Maternity Session at Seattle Discovery Park
If you want your maternity session to be at Seattle Discovery Park, 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
- An entire 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)
Location 3: Winter Maternity Sessions in the Redmond Area
If you prefer minimal travel and want to stay on the Eastside, the winter maternity sessions in the Redmond area could be an ideal option. I offer photoshoots at several convenient and beautiful locations, 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 fairly warm day, making it difficult to believe that we are shooting outside during winter.
On a foggy day, the maternity photos in this Redmond park 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
- An entire 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
- An entire 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)
Location 4: Winter Maternity Sessions at the Kirkland Marina
The Kirkland Marina offers a unique urban look, with convenient parking and bathrooms. Plus, it is only minutes from my photography studio, which could be our fall-back plan if the weather does not cooperate. The Kirkland Marina gets windy in the winter, so if you have younger kids joining the session, I recommend a different location.
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 your maternity session to be at the Kirkland Marina, 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
- An entire 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)
Location 5: Winter Maternity Sessions at a Nursery in Mt. Vernon
This nursery provides an indoor option that shields you from rain and colder weather and offers a unique look for your winter maternity photo shoot. And, if there is no rain, we can also do shots outside the nursery. However, when picking this location, consider the travel time.
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 your maternity session to be at Mt. Vernon Nursery, 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
- An entire 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)
Location 6: Cozy Indoor Maternity Sessions at the Seattle Studio or My Downtown Kirkland Studio
If you want to avoid the winter weather and prefer a cozy setting, you will like my studio maternity photoshoot options. The privacy of the studio 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
I offer two studio locations for maternity photos: Seattle and Kirkland (new). The Seattle studio is a shared space that I rent for your session. It’s the studio with the red brick wall in the photos above. My studio in downtown Kirkland offers natural and cozy setups in neutral colors.
Studio sessions are 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
- An entire 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 available à la carte
- An entire 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, 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.
- Leave some wiggle room in your schedule for the day of your session. Sometimes, if it’s a cloudy day, it may be better to start the session earlier to maximize the light.
- 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, dress them warmly so 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.
- Connect with your partner on the way to the session. Reflect on what this occasion means to each of you.
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 and Downtown area
- Nursery in Mt. Vernon
I also offer studio options if you want to avoid dealing with the winter weather.
Do you offer winter maternity photo sessions in the snow?
Due to safety and convenience, I don’t offer any specific location with snow in the mountains. However, sometimes, there is snow in the places 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?
After 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.
Do you offer newborn photography?
I’m glad you asked. I specialize in maternity and newborn photography. You can learn more about my newborn photography services here. (I also offer money-saving packages if you book maternity and newborn sessions with me.)
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 but an occasion to reflect on your journey and celebrate your pregnancy. 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 24 hours, 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.
