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Learn To Take Better Photos of Your Family

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1 As a London family photographer, I’m always being asked by friends, families and clients for tips on how to take better photos.
1.1 Improving Your Photography
1.2 Your Free Guide to Capturing Summer Memories

As a London family photographer, I’m always being asked by friends, families and clients for tips on how to take better photos.

For my clients, the photoshoot itself is a huge learning opportunity. I know parents walk out with a little knowledge not only about photography but also about baby soothing and caring. Especially during a newborn session.

Most of us carry a camera around in the shape of our mobile phones. In fact, you could say people take more photographs now than ever before.  However, unfortunately, the quality of those images has never been lower!  Think about how many photographs you take of your family every day. Probably you have 2-3 identical copies for every image. And they will never be printed or even worst they end up being deleted at some point.  I know it’s not as easy as it looks to get everyone looking in the same direction, smiling and with all of their limbs in the frame!  Quite often, it’s just good luck that you’ll capture a gorgeous image rather than good management! Am I correct?

mum and dad are holding and swinging baby during a family photoshoot in London.

Improving Your Photography

It’s totally possible to improve your photography skills without having a fancy camera or the latest equipment.  Learning how to get the most from your camera phone is probably the biggest favour you can do for your family.  After all, it’s the way you capture the majority of your family’s memories all year around.

Of course, hiring a professional photographer for your major life milestones and regular family portraits is never going to be replaced. But there are so many moments in your daily life that a professional just can’t capture.  That first meeting of siblings, the tea party for granny’s birthday, the first day at school. Plus countless other occasions that form the fabric of your family life.  These are the images that should make up the bulk of your family albums – yes, I’m talking about printing them and actually putting them in albums too! This is how memories will live now and over the years!

The beautiful wall art and large prints definitely belong in the domain of the professional photographer. They offer amazing products of high quality you can enjoy for years. See some examples here.

But, being able to improve your own photography means your images will capture so much more detail and atmosphere for your future generations to enjoy.

Your Free Guide to Capturing Summer Memories

The summer is the perfect time to hone your photography skills.  The kids are off school, the weather is (mainly) bright and you might have a little more time to practice. Plus this summer the weather is certainly on your side, with long sunny days and beautiful sunset opportunities.

free guide on how to take better photos of your family

To help you out I’ve created a simple and free guide to help you improve your skills.  I cover how to consider the lighting, give suggestions on the types of images you might want to capture and I’ve even included some suggestions for printing out the photos you take.

I’m sure you’ll find it super useful and I’d love to see the images you take using my tips.  You can tag me using my Instagram so I can give you some feedback too!

Go ahead and download your Guide to Capturing Summer Memories here.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where you can ask me anything and you can get inspired.

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    Newborn sessions with siblings, especially toddlers, can be unpredictable.
    Some days they are all in. Other days they aren’t. And that’s okay.

    This big sister wasn’t very keen on being in the photos. So instead of forcing it, I gave her a different role.
    She became my assistant.
    She helped me photograph her baby brother and her parents.
    Suddenly, she felt special. She was part of the process. And Mum still got the beautiful family photos she wanted.

    I find that involving toddlers and giving them a job to do works magic.
    It shifts their energy from resistance to collaboration.
    Everyone feels seen. Everyone gets their moment.

    This is what 15 years of experience looks like. Knowing when to adapt. Knowing how to make it work for every member of the family.

    If you’re expecting a second baby and worried about how your toddler will handle a newborn session, don’t be.

    We’ll find a way to include them that feels right for everyone.

    Want to chat about your family’s newborn session?

    Let’s talk about what this could look like for you. DM me.

    #londonnewbornphotographer #newbornphotoshoot #newbornbaby #newbornphotos

    44 3
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18539240875031147
    Newborn sessions with siblings, especially toddlers, can be unpredictable. Some days they are all in. Other days they aren’t. And that’s okay. This big sister wasn’t very keen on being in the photos. So instead of forcing it, I gave her a different role. She became my assistant. She helped me photograph her baby brother and her parents. Suddenly, she felt special. She was part of the process. And Mum still got the beautiful family photos she wanted. I find that involving toddlers and giving them a job to do works magic. It shifts their energy from resistance to collaboration. Everyone feels seen. Everyone gets their moment. This is what 15 years of experience looks like. Knowing when to adapt. Knowing how to make it work for every member of the family. If you’re expecting a second baby and worried about how your toddler will handle a newborn session, don’t be. We’ll find a way to include them that feels right for everyone. Want to chat about your family’s newborn session? Let’s talk about what this could look like for you. DM me. #londonnewbornphotographer #newbornphotoshoot #newbornbaby #newbornphotos

    Through motherhood, we go through job titles quicker than in an entire career

    I personally went from
    Mamma → Mummy → Mum → Vale…
    and now I’m just Bruh or Buddy. 🙈

    They grow up fast and one day they won’t even want to be in the photo!

    So let’s make the most of these Mummy years!

    What’s the funniest name your kids have called you? Come on let’s have a laugh in the comments

    #motherhood #mumhumour #mumlifebelike #parentlife #londonmums #photographybyvalentina

    30 23
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18389815675134263
    Through motherhood, we go through job titles quicker than in an entire career I personally went from Mamma → Mummy → Mum → Vale… and now I’m just Bruh or Buddy. 🙈 They grow up fast and one day they won’t even want to be in the photo! So let’s make the most of these Mummy years! What’s the funniest name your kids have called you? Come on let’s have a laugh in the comments #motherhood #mumhumour #mumlifebelike #parentlife #londonmums #photographybyvalentina

    This is what happens when you book a newborn session with me.

    You come to my studio. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you’re wondering if this is worth it. Maybe all of the above!

    You arrive, I welcome you in, offer you tea, and we slow down.
    I guide you gently through everything, so you can just be present with your baby.

    I capture the tiny details. The yawns. The way your family looks at this new little person. The love that’s already there.

    And then picture this! A few weeks later, something arrives at your door.

    Not just digital files. Not just photos on a screen.

    But a beautiful album, designed for you, ready to hold and show your child one day.

    That’s the difference between a photo session and what I create.

    It’s not just about capturing moments. It’s about preserving them in a way that lasts.

    Your newborn days are fleeting.
    But this? This stays forever.

    Ready to create your family’s heirloom?

    #londonnewbornphotographer #londonmums #newbornshoot #newbornphotographertwickenham

    76 11
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18240608740290338
    This is what happens when you book a newborn session with me. You come to my studio. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you’re wondering if this is worth it. Maybe all of the above! You arrive, I welcome you in, offer you tea, and we slow down. I guide you gently through everything, so you can just be present with your baby. I capture the tiny details. The yawns. The way your family looks at this new little person. The love that’s already there. And then picture this! A few weeks later, something arrives at your door. Not just digital files. Not just photos on a screen. But a beautiful album, designed for you, ready to hold and show your child one day. That’s the difference between a photo session and what I create. It’s not just about capturing moments. It’s about preserving them in a way that lasts. Your newborn days are fleeting. But this? This stays forever. Ready to create your family’s heirloom? #londonnewbornphotographer #londonmums #newbornshoot #newbornphotographertwickenham

    Today is World Mental Health Day, and I want to say this gently: you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of care, love, or rest.

    Motherhood, creativity, business. They all carry invisible weights sometimes.
    It’s okay to set them down for a moment.
    It’s okay to just be.

    There’s real courage in that stillness.

    PS. If this resonates, you might find comfort in my book Milk Tales. A collection of stories about the emotional side of motherhood, and the courage it takes to be honest about how we really feel.
    If you need a soft space today, it’s waiting for you on Amazon.

    27 4
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18008290475804903
    Today is World Mental Health Day, and I want to say this gently: you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of care, love, or rest. Motherhood, creativity, business. They all carry invisible weights sometimes. It’s okay to set them down for a moment. It’s okay to just be. There’s real courage in that stillness. PS. If this resonates, you might find comfort in my book Milk Tales. A collection of stories about the emotional side of motherhood, and the courage it takes to be honest about how we really feel. If you need a soft space today, it’s waiting for you on Amazon.
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    VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

    07577 978246

    LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

    BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM