There’s something magical about a winter newborn session. The colder months bring unique possibilities and a sense of warmth and wonder that can make your baby’s first photo session even more memorable. The coziness of a warm studio, gentle lighting, and soft textures all contribute to a beautiful and peaceful setting for capturing your newborn’s first days. While winter brings its challenges—shorter daylight, colder temperatures—there’s also a distinct beauty to it, and I’m here to make sure that comes through in every photo we take together.

Over the years, I’ve had the joy of working with so many winter babies, and each session brings a unique feeling. Here are some of my favorite ways to make the most of the season in a newborn photoshoot, creating timeless, warm memories for you to cherish forever.

1. Cozy Winter Themes: Wrap Them in Warmth and Comfort

Winter is all about layering up, finding comfort in cozy knits, and creating a warm environment, and it’s no different in newborn photography. When I think of winter, I think of that feeling you get when you’re wrapped up in a big, warm blanket on a cold day, and that’s precisely the vibe I aim to create with these newborn sessions. In the studio, we work with soft textures, layers, and cozy props to give your baby that snug, peaceful look.

Imagine your little one tucked in a creamy knit wrap, nestled in soft, fuzzy blankets. Knitted hats with delicate pom-poms or little mittens can add an adorable touch. These tiny details capture the warmth and innocence of your newborn, while also nodding to the season in a way that feels timeless and simple. My approach is all about creating a cozy “cocoon” of textures—plush blankets, soft knit fabrics, and gentle furs that envelop your baby and provide both warmth and comfort.

I also keep several holiday-inspired props on hand, like mini stockings or tiny tree ornaments. The key is subtlety: we want to give a wintery feel without overwhelming the image. For example, hanging a miniature stocking near the backdrop or placing a pinecone nearby can add a festive touch while keeping the focus on your newborn. This approach to winter-themed props allows us to highlight the season without detracting from the simplicity of the image.

In many ways, these props serve as little memories, visual cues that will bring you back to the cozy, joyous season when your baby was born. My favorite sessions often include sentimental touches—a blanket passed down in the family or a tiny knitted hat that belonged to a sibling. These personal items make each photo unique and turn your newborn session into a heartfelt memory.

2. Focus on Indoor Lighting: Crafting Soft, Warm Light for Winter Days

Winter is known for its gentle, diffused light—when the sun is lower in the sky, casting a softer glow on everything. However, the shorter days and frequent overcast skies can make natural light photography challenging. This is why I rely on professional lighting setups to create that soft, inviting glow for winter sessions. With controlled indoor lighting, we can achieve a beautiful effect that mimics natural light, bathing your baby in a gentle, warm light that adds depth and richness to each image.

I use softboxes and diffused lights to recreate the effect of winter daylight, positioning them carefully to cast the softest shadows. By adjusting the light temperature and placement, I create a “golden hour” warmth that brings out your baby’s natural skin tones while providing a cozy, intimate setting that feels both calming and organic. It’s especially important during winter sessions to keep lighting gentle and warm to avoid harsh contrasts and maintain that tranquil, peaceful feel.

In darker winter months, I also use a slight backlight effect, which adds a glow around your newborn’s tiny features and makes them stand out beautifully against the background. These lighting techniques are essential for adding that extra bit of winter magic, creating a warm sanctuary in the studio where your newborn can be peacefully photographed. It’s all about setting up an environment where the light complements the softness of their skin and brings a gentle, dreamy quality to the photos.

3. Keep Newborns Warm and Safe: Creating a Cozy Studio Environment

When it comes to winter newborn sessions, warmth isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s essential for your baby’s comfort and safety. The studio is always kept at a toasty temperature so your newborn can stay relaxed and cozy during the session. Keeping the room comfortably warm helps babies stay asleep, making it easier to capture those peaceful poses and tiny details.

In addition to maintaining the ideal studio temperature, I make use of warm blankets and heating pads underneath the blankets where your baby will be posed. These gentle heat sources create a cocoon-like warmth without any risk of discomfort, allowing your baby to settle into the session and stay calm and relaxed. It’s common for winter sessions to include extra layers—soft blankets or wraps—that help keep your baby comfortable throughout the shoot.

Throughout the session, we take frequent breaks for feeding and changing. These breaks are important not only for practical reasons but also for ensuring your baby stays comfortable. Newborns often require more attention during winter sessions because the seasonal dryness can affect their sensitive skin. I always have baby-safe lotions and wipes on hand to keep their skin soft and prevent any irritation, ensuring that every element of their environment is designed for comfort and safety.

These small details—keeping the room warm, using safe heating elements, and incorporating plenty of cozy blankets—allow your newborn to relax, resulting in those calm, peaceful expressions that truly make a winter session feel like magic.

4. Highlight Natural Winter Elements: Bringing a Subtle Seasonal Touch

One of the most beautiful aspects of winter is its natural, calming color palette. Soft grays, whites, creams, and earth tones all come together to create a serene and neutral background for newborn photography, perfectly fitting the season without overwhelming your baby’s natural beauty. For winter sessions, I love to use natural elements that echo the quiet beauty of the season, such as touches of evergreen branches, pinecones, or tiny snowflakes delicately placed in the background.

These touches add a subtle hint of the outdoors, creating an environment that feels seasonally inspired yet understated. A favorite of mine is to place soft “snow” props—delicate, white fabric or fleece—to mimic the look of freshly fallen snow. The result is a dreamy, natural backdrop that highlights your newborn without detracting from their presence. The key here is subtlety; too much detail can draw attention away, so I keep these additions minimal but meaningful.

Another approach is to play with textures that bring to mind the winter season: faux fur, velvet, and knitted fabrics add depth and elegance to the background, creating a gentle, tactile feel in the photos. Layered with neutral colors, these materials bring a warmth and richness that is unmistakably winter-inspired. Incorporating these natural elements not only enhances the seasonal feel but also makes the final photos feel connected to nature—a perfect reminder of the beautiful winter season when your baby was born.

5. Capture Holiday Moments: Making It Festive and Memorable

Winter often brings holiday joy, and many families love to include festive touches in their newborn photos. This can range from simple holiday-inspired props like tiny ornaments or lights to more elaborate setups with themed props that make the season feel extra special. Holiday details can give the photos an instant sense of celebration and make them perfect for family holiday cards or keepsakes.

Some families bring along their own special props, such as a personalized ornament or a tiny holiday outfit, to add a personal touch to the session. One family brought in a tiny stocking with their baby’s name stitched onto it, and placing it next to their newborn was a sweet and timeless detail. Another family brought an heirloom Santa hat that had been in the family for generations, which added such a special and personal connection to their holiday session.

For a simple but impactful holiday photo, I often include miniature ornaments in silver or gold and a few carefully placed pine branches around the scene. The result is a soft, festive touch that doesn’t overwhelm the simplicity of the newborn portrait. Holiday props work especially well in neutral colors, such as silver or white, to keep the photo looking elegant and timeless. For parents who wish to incorporate even more holiday spirit, I’m always happy to add extra layers of festive cheer to the setup, ensuring the photos feel authentic to the season.

Schedule Your Winter Newborn Session for Lasting Memories

Winter might seem like a challenging season for newborn photography, but with the right approach, it can become a beautiful, cozy, and meaningful time to capture your baby’s first photos. From using cozy textures and gentle lighting to incorporating seasonal elements and holiday magic, a winter newborn session can be one of the most memorable experiences for your family. The warmth of the studio, the softness of the light, and the charm of the seasonal details all come together to create photos that feel as special as this moment in your lives.

If you’re welcoming a winter baby, I would love to help you create these precious memories. My studio is designed to offer a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for capturing the beauty of the season and the sweetness of your newborn. Special winter packages are available, so reach out to schedule your session and let’s capture this magical time together. Winter newborn photography isn’t just about photos—it’s about preserving the warmth, joy, and love that this season brings as you start this new chapter with your family.