Beautiful Winter Maternity Photos in Iowa
Capturing Winter Maternity Photos at Home
Oh, Iowa Winter. You’re beautiful with snow, but you sure are cold outside. And when some of life’s biggest milestones can’t wait for warmer months, we simply have to embrace the season we are in. Winter weather is definitely no excuse to skip maternity photos. In fact, the cold temps outside make nesting inside your warm home all that more cozy. So why not have maternity photos in the place that you'll bring Baby home to anyway? After all, once you bring a baby home, it will never be the same place again. (In the most amazing and loving way!)
I love this winter maternity session I photographed last year for first time parents Jenn and Casey, both inside and outside their rural Iowa home - where cozy comfort meets fab on the farm!
We captured these photos around Jenn’s 38th week of pregnancy. Documenting Jenn and Casey during their last weeks at home before Baby really took me back to that same time in my life right before “just the two of us” became a “party of three.” I knew that quiet, intentional routines were about to be disrupted completely. I knew that spontaneity and independence wouldn’t ever be quite the same. I knew that a thoughtfully decorated home would soon be strewn with baby gear. I knew that sleep would soon be a luxury of the past. And I absolutely knew it would be the best thing to ever happen to them.
Since it was cold outside, we started with the indoor photos first. We had discussed this ahead of time and I had them wear clothes that they would be comfy lounging around the house in. (Can you imagine a better wardrobe for maternity photos?!)
Before heading outside for the second part of her maternity session, Jenn changed into a beautiful long-sleeved wrap dress from Baltic Born. To note, it’s not a maternity dress, but since wrap dresses are adjustable they work really well for pregnant bellies - and then mama has a dress she can wear after her maternity photos as well. Total win-win! (And I highly recommend this brand.)
The temps outside were just warm enough to capture some photos in the snow without coats or blankets. (Although they were hanging on a fence post nearby for the walk to and from the house!) Since Jenn and Casey live on a farm in rural Iowa, they have a lot of land surrounding their house and it was so pretty covered in snow that we had to get some photos out there. I love the contrast of their rich, dark outfits against the white snow. And that cozy luxuriousness of Jenn’s velvet dress. They looked stunning!
I loved capturing cozy photos of them lounging together at home before they changed into something fabulous for photos on the farm outdoors. Regardless of what you choose for your own winter maternity session, I just want you to know that you have options. And simply staying home (especially during an Iowa winter) and letting me come to you, can be a beautiful thing.
A reflection from Jenn one year later: