A Winter Wonderland: Maternity Photography in Washington Park, Cincinnati

There’s something magical about a maternity photoshoot on a crisp, cold day—especially in the heart of Cincinnati’s Washington Park. The contrast of a glowing mother-to-be against the muted winter landscape creates an atmosphere of warmth and beauty that is simply unforgettable.

Recently, I had the joy of capturing a stunning maternity session on a chilly afternoon at Washington Park. While the temperature hovered just above freezing, the love and excitement radiating from this expecting couple warmed the entire session. Bundled up in a flowing gown and cozy layers between shots, the mom-to-be was an absolute vision, embracing the season and the moment with grace.

The Setting: Washington Park in Winter

Washington Park is a favorite for Cincinnati photographers year-round, but winter brings a unique charm. The bare trees, elegant architecture, and twinkling holiday lights (if you time it just right!) create a dreamy backdrop. The grand gazebo, snow-dusted pathways, and historic surroundings make every shot look timeless.

Overcoming the Cold

Winter maternity sessions require a little extra planning, but the results are well worth it. Here are a few ways we kept the session comfortable and fun:

  • Frequent Warm-Up Breaks: We scheduled short shooting bursts, allowing the mom-to-be to warm up between takes.

  • Stylish Layering: She wore a beautiful, long maternity gown with a plush wrap to add both elegance and warmth.

  • Hand Warmers & Blankets: Hidden hand warmers helped keep her hands cozy, and a thick blanket between takes kept the chill at bay.

  • Movement & Posing: Gentle movement, like walking hand-in-hand with her partner or cradling her belly, helped keep her warm while adding natural emotion to the shots.

The Magic of the Moment

Despite the cold, this session was filled with heartwarming moments. The soft winter light filtered through the clouds, creating the perfect natural glow. The soon-to-be parents laughed, cuddled, and shared sweet moments that made for the most authentic and emotional images. One of my favorite shots captured the mother gently touching her belly as her partner wrapped her in an embrace—pure love and anticipation frozen in time.

Why You Should Consider a Winter Maternity Session

While many expectant mothers opt for spring or summer shoots, there’s something uniquely breathtaking about a winter session. The quiet serenity of the season, the cozy wardrobe options, and the chance to capture a different kind of beauty make it an unforgettable experience.

If you’re expecting and considering a maternity session, don’t let the cold weather deter you! With the right planning, you can have a dreamy and magical experience, just like this couple did at Washington Park. Winter brings its own kind of warmth—the kind that comes from love, anticipation, and the joy of new beginnings.

Looking to schedule your own maternity session? Let’s create something beautiful together!

Studio Maternity Session - Cincinnati Maternity Photographer

Instead of doing this maternity session outside with this grey weather, we did them in my Newtown Ohio studio. The studio has so many backdrop options plus my lighting in the studio is perfect. I also have a client closet of maternity dresses and outfits for my clients to wear!

A Indian Hill High School Senior

This young man came to me from Indian Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio as a senior. He is a violinist in the school’s orchestra. Of course, we had to use his violin as a prop for a few photographs. The dark backdrop gives it a dramatic effect that I am very happy with.

After the violin pictures, he changed into something a little more relaxed. Business casual.

Another outfit change… and this time all dressed up!

I really enjoy capturing the personalities of these seniors. I hope I accomplished this with this senior as well. Good Luck!

Liam is turning one - Cincinnati Child Photographer

Mr. Liam is a few days shy of turning one and what a better way to celebrate than to capture this big milestone. We met up at California Woods on the east side of Cincinnati. We started the session with portraits of Liam with Mom and Dad, a few with just Mom and a few with just Dad and of course Liam by himself.

After our portrait session we went down to the creek and had a one year session with just Liam. We brought along a lot different props to make this session fun!

Once we were done with that, we had a cake smash session. Liam’s mom brought a cake and we let him go at it. I love how this session turned out. What do you think? If you want to book your one year session with me please email me at sonja.mcgill@yahoo.com. Hope to see you soon!