16 Christmas Pregnancy Photo Ideas to Make Your Announcement Magical

We love this simple idea of zooming in on the baby bump and holding a printout of your sonogram picture. Pair the image with a clever holiday greeting such as “so much more to celebrate,” or “the more the merrier!”

For a holiday twist on the classic sonogram photo, find a small box and wrap it with your favorite wrapping paper and an elegant bow. (Need help tying the perfect bow? Check out our step-by-step guide.) Slide your sonogram picture onto the present and hold the package with your partner. We love this winter pregnancy announcement idea because it plays on the idea of your little one being the greatest gift, which is especially true during the holiday season. Pair a photo like this with the caption “Best Gift Ever!”

Thank Santa for granting your wish with this cute pregnancy announcement idea. Create your Christmas list on a sheet of notebook, craft paper, or an a-frame chalkboard, then lay your sonogram photo on top of it. This image says more than any words can, but you could add a caption about having been good all year and getting exactly what you’ve always wanted in your Christmas pregnancy announcement.

For a holiday-inspired version of the classic belly kiss photo, wrap your bump up as the present! Simply put on a festive outfit and tie a bow around your belly before taking the photo. You can use an oversized gift tag to announce the due date of your baby, or use a caption like “Our best gift is on layaway this year!”

Was a baby on your Christmas list? Get Santa involved in your pregnancy announcement! Check your local paper for any photo with Santa opportunities planned at a nearby mall or department store. Bring along a printout of your latest sonogram and let Santa help you share in the spreading of your joyous news. For a funny announcement, pair your photo with a caption like “We’ve been naughty!” Or, you could go sweet (and more PG) with something like “Santa came early!”

One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is the little Christmas Tree farms that pop up on every corner. Take a couple of photos among the evergreens and string lights for a festive Christmas pregnancy announcement idea. A great time to take these photos would be when you’re chopping down your own tree or going Christmas tree shopping with the family. We especially love pairing an image like this with a caption like “Our family is growing!”

Create snow angels in fresh snow with an extra tiny space marked "Reserved for baby [due date]" between the parents' angels. This creative outdoor photo is perfect if you're expecting a winter or spring baby and live in an area with snowfall. Bundle up in cozy winter wear and festive scarves for an announcement that's both playful and heartwarming.

Take advantage of the magical glow of Christmas lights for an enchanting evening photo session. Wrap string lights gently around your bump, hold them in your hands framing your belly, or pose in front of a spectacular neighborhood light display. The warm blur from the out-of-focus lights creates a dreamy, ethereal quality perfect for maternity photos.

Give your pregnancy announcement photo an elegant and organic holiday touch by accessorizing it with a garland. We recommend using real evergreens to get the drapey look seen in the photo. If you’re feeling crafty and adventurous, purchase some wire, poinsettias, roses, or pinecones and attach them to the garland for extra flair and pops of color for your winter pregnancy announcement.

Aren’t baby shoes the cutest? Do a little early shopping for your little one and find a pair of cozy winter shoes for this easy photo idea. We love the moccasins in this photo, but cute booties or even infant snow boots would be equally as cute! For a few variations on this photo idea, place the baby slippers between the parents’ boots, in front of the paws of a pet, or by the fireplace. Then, caption the image with a saying like “Our family is growing by two feet!” or “Mistletoes.”

Hang your family's stockings on the mantle with a tiny one at the end labeled "Coming [Due Date]" and photograph the display. This classic and simple photo idea works beautifully whether this is your first baby or you're adding to your growing family. Pair with captions like "We're adding another stocking to the mantle!" or "The more the merrier."

Incorporate everyone’s favorite modern Christmas tradition by getting Elf on a Shelf involved in your pregnancy announcement! Options here are endless, so get creative and have a bit of fun. We love the idea of playing into Elf’s mischievous side by posing it with a pregnancy test or having it hold up the sonogram image. Then, pair the photo with equally hilarious (or silly!) captions like “We’ve been naughty!”

Create a custom ornament featuring your due date or a message like "Baby [Last Name] arriving [month]" and photograph it hanging on your Christmas tree. You can hold the ornament in your hands with the tree twinkling in the background, or capture a close-up shot of it nestled among other meaningful ornaments. This idea works beautifully whether you're taking the photo yourself or having your partner or older children discover the ornament for a candid reaction shot. Pair with captions like "Our most precious ornament yet!" or "Adding a special decoration this year."

The brood is growing! With your family already started, you may want to include the whole clan in the photo announcing your pregnancy. We love this simple, yet effective pose where your kids put their hands on your belly. For extra holiday flair, dress the family in coordinating festive outfits and pose in front of pine trees or another wintery backdrop. Captions like “The more the merrier” are perfect for these types of photos.

If this is your first baby, have your photographer take a picture of you and your partner hanging the ornament. To get the whole family involved, give your child the photo ornament and ask them to hang it on the tree (another member of your family can also lift the little boy or girl up to get to that perfect spot). For a fun way to caption your photo, try something like “The best present won’t be under the tree!”

Add a holiday twist to the classic “bun in the oven” announcement by staging a holiday photoshoot while doing some holiday baking! Get the whole family involved if you already have children (bonus points if you’re wearing matching aprons or festive pajamas), and don’t be afraid to have some fun to get the perfect candid shot. These photos work perfectly with captions like “Cookies aren’t the only thing in the oven this year!” or “Eating cookies for two.”

• Layer with a cozy robe or zip-up sweater between shots for quick changes while staying warm during outdoor Christmas photo sessions.
• Bring a support person to carry props, help you sit and stand, and hold your coat to prevent strain from bending.
• Schedule shoots mid-morning after breakfast but before lunch fatigue when energy levels are typically highest.
• Keep your car running with the heat on as a warm retreat spot every 10-15 minutes during outdoor shoots at tree farms or with holiday lights.

• If you plan to bare the bump, apply body oil or shimmer lotion to your bump 30 minutes before photos to create a pregnancy glow and prevent dry winter skin.
• Choose smooth fabrics like jersey or ponte that drape nicely over your bump rather than chunky cable knits.
• Schedule morning photos when bloating is minimal and avoid carbonated drinks and salty foods 24 hours beforehand.
• Wear a belly band under your outfit to lift and define your bump shape if you’re in your second or third trimesters.

• Drink water between scene changes to stay hydrated, especially important during outdoor winter shoots.
• Elevate your feet for 10 minutes after standing for photos to prevent swelling.
• Take a warm (not hot) bath afterward to relax tensed muscles and soothe any pine needle scratches or glitter irritation.
• Block out the rest of your day after the shoot. Growing a baby plus holiday photo sessions is exhausting!

The ideal timing depends on your due date and how prominent you want your bump to be. For most expectant parents, the second trimester (weeks 20-28) offers a nicely rounded bump and higher energy levels. If you're due in late winter or early spring, aim for mid-December when you'll be in your second or early third trimester. For summer or fall babies, early to mid-November gives you flexibility for multiple shoot attempts if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Choose fitted or form-fitting clothing that shows off your bump rather than hides it. Solid colors in festive shades like deep red, forest green, cream, or burgundy photograph beautifully and won't compete with holiday decorations. Avoid busy patterns or chunky cable knits that can add visual bulk. For outdoor shoots, layer strategically so you can remove coats between shots while staying warm, and bring a cozy robe or cardigan to slip on between takes.

Both options work well depending on your budget and vision. Professional photographers excel at capturing perfect lighting, flattering angles, and candid family moments — especially valuable if you want to be in the photos with your partner or children. However, many stunning pregnancy photos are taken by friends, family members, or even with a smartphone on a tripod using the timer function. If going the DIY route, take advantage of natural light during golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) and don't be afraid to take lots of shots to get the perfect one.

If you're earlier in pregnancy and want your bump to appear more prominent, wear fitted clothing in solid colors and position yourself at a slight angle to the camera rather than straight-on. Side profile shots naturally emphasize your bump. You can also place your hands on or under your belly to draw attention to it, or have your partner's hands frame your bump. Avoid wearing dark colors on your midsection if you want your bump to stand out — lighter colors will make it more visible.

Dress in layers with a warm coat or blanket you can quickly remove for photos, and keep your car running nearby as a heated retreat between shots. Schedule shorter sessions (30-45 minutes maximum) during the warmest part of the day, typically mid-morning to early afternoon. Bring a support person to help you sit and stand, carry props, and hold your coat. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes with good traction for snowy or icy conditions, and don't hesitate to take frequent breaks to rest, warm up, and stay hydrated.