FAQ
FAQ : What to Expect at a Newborn Photography Session
What if my baby cries and doesn't settle?
This is one of the most common worries parents share before their newborn photography session. The good news? It’s completely normal. Every baby has their own rhythm, and after photographing hundreds of newborns over the past decade, I’ve learned to follow their lead.
If your little one needs a feed, a cuddle, or a nappy change, we pause. There’s never any rush. I’ll gently read your baby’s cues and adapt so we can still capture beautiful, peaceful images. In your preparation email, I’ll share a few tips (like avoiding spicy food or carbonated drinks two days before the session, which can reduce tummy discomfort).
👉 I always prioritise your baby’s comfort and safety as I explain in my Comprehensive Guide to Newborn Photography Safety
". . . She makes you feel so comfortable while putting you so at ease and works magic on your newborn when it’s their time to be photographed. Valentina was gentle, caring and so good at getting my little one to sleep I wanted to take her home with me!. . . " Morag McCole
How do I secure my date? What if my baby comes earlier or later?
I only take a limited number of newborn sessions per month so I can give every family the calm, unhurried experience they deserve. To secure your session, you’ll sign a short agreement and pay the session fee.
We’ll pencil in a date around ten days after your due date, but don’t worry if your baby arrives early or late. Once your little one is here, we’ll confirm a day that works best for your family and baby’s rhythm.
👉 If you’re still choosing your photographer, you might find my Ultimate Guide to Booking Your Newborn Photographer in London helpful.
Are parents and siblings included in a newborn session?
Absolutely. A newborn session isn’t just about your baby, it’s about family connection, love, and belonging. Parents and siblings are always encouraged to join in. These moments of closeness often become the most treasured images.
👉 Including parents in newborn portraits creates images that grow more meaningful over time. I talk more about this in Mum and Newborn Photos: Why Do You Need Them?
Can you photograph babies older than two weeks?
Of course. While newborn photographers often recommend photographing babies in the first two weeks, I happily photograph babies up to 6-8 weeks old. Older babies tend to be more alert, which means we’ll capture plenty of eye contact and expressions, just as precious, only different in mood and energy.
My philosophy is simple: every baby deserves to be celebrated, no matter their age or stage.
Every stage is beautiful, if you’re wondering about timing, I’ve written about the best age to photograph babies.
What if my baby has an accident during the session?
It happens! Pee, poo, or spit-up, all perfectly normal parts of a newborn session. I’ve seen it all and it never bothers me. Everything in the studio is washable, and I always have plenty of wipes, towels, and spare wraps.
So please, don’t worry for a second.:)
👉Accidents are part of the story! My blog on 5 Tips to Enjoy Your Newborn Session shares how to make the most of it
". . . Vale had a great sense of humour when the one twin made an enormous poop. It really helped keep us all calm, happy and we thoroughly enjoyed both photography sessions. . . " Justine Louw
I’m a bit nervous and don’t love being in photos…
I totally feel you. I remember years ago I was nervous about everything, my daughter not wetting the nappy as much or pooping too many times, or worrying at the slightest different sound of breathing, or stranger touching my baby's hands . . . I get it! We are all humans after all and especially first-time mums we worry a lot. I will do all my best to take care of your baby during the shoot and being a baby-led photographer really help in that as I will follow baby's need. But please talk to me at any point if you are not comfortable or feel overwhelmed. A newborn session is quite an emotional experience and I've witnessed tears of joy, tears of exhaustion, signs of anxiety and fears. I'm there for you too, not just for your baby. We can take a break any time and have a chat, so when you will be in the photos you look at your best.
I did it before and wasn't happy with the result.
Well, every photographer has a different style and has a different level of experience. I'm always sorry to hear someone didn't enjoy the experience or didn't like the photos! I strive to make the experience enjoyable and pleasant for parents as much as possible and I always give 100% when I hold my camera. If you like my simple images, that's what you will get. I won't do any extravagant thing or over the top poses.
After the session, you will only pay for the images you love, it's very simple. And, if for any reasons, you don't like any of the photos I present you, I'll be happy to either offer a reshoot or refund you the session fee. So there is nothing to lose really.
"We used Valentina for our third baby girl and she was by far the best newborn photographer we’ve used. She was patient and kind and fantastic with our two elder children. We are delighted with the photos. If you want props etc she’s not for you but if you want beautiful natural shots I’d thoroughly recommend her." Sarah Hill
I think it's too expensive. Is that your last price?
One of the most important thing for me is offering to all my clients the same service and the same treatment. I believe you wouldn't be happy if your friend paid a different price than you had for the same product! Being fair is one of my values so yes, the prices you read are final.
I believe photography is one of the few investments that grows in value with time. These portraits will outlast the pushchair, the cot, and the endless newborn gadgets. They become part of your family history, heirlooms to hold, share, and pass down.
Photographs are your most precious memories and they will last a lifetime
" It's impossible not to love the outcome. We did a newborn session with the rest of the family and absolutely loved the outcome. It might initially sound a bit pricey, but it's worth it. We never print pictures nowadays and having these around the house make a huge difference, they bring a smile whenever I look at them. Great idea also to share with family far away. I can't recommend Valentina enough. In such a short time she puts everyone at ease and what she creates is absolutely wonderful. She is really sweet and absolutely loves what she does, and you can tell! " Lucy Carminati
What to Expect at a Newborn Photography Session
Every newborn session is unique, but you can always expect:
- A calm, baby-led pace with plenty of time for feeding, cuddling, and resting.
- A cosy studio designed for comfort and safety.
- Guidance on what to wear (you can read my post What to Wear for Newborn Photos).
- Gentle posing, natural family interaction, and a focus on connection over props.
- A personalised gallery of images that capture your baby’s first days beautifully.
Your newborn session is more than just a photoshoot, it’s a celebration of new beginnings, love, and the tiny moments that define early parenthood.
If you’d like to start planning yours or simply ask a few questions, get in touch by filling the form below.
I’d love to help you create your first family memories.
Let's Chat
Follow Me
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
In a world where photos live on phones and get lost in folders, I still believe in printing.
Not because I’m nostalgic or old (which, by the way, I’m not 😉). But because there’s something irreplaceable about holding a photograph in your hands.
About seeing your story displayed in your home.
About your child one day finding an album and understanding that they were cherished from the very beginning.
Your baby won’t remember the newborn days. Memory fades. But a printed image? It lasts.
It tells your child: You were wanted. You were celebrated. Your story mattered.
I recently wrote a piece for @healthy_parent about the psychological side of seeing family photos displayed at home, how it strengthens a child’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Because in a world where everything is AI, fake and filtered, we need more realness.
I create maternity and newborn photographs that are meant to be more than files on a hard drive.
They’re meant to become part of your home, your legacy, your family’s story.
When you invest in printed portraits, you’re not just buying photos, you’re saying yes to legacy.
You’re choosing to preserve love in a way that can be touched, held, and passed down.
That’s what sets my work apart. Not the props or the trends, but the belief that your moments deserve to be honoured, printed, and treasured forever.
If you’ve been wondering whether maternity or newborn photography is worth it, I hope this resonates with you.
Your story deserves to be seen and held.
Because the moments you choose to print today will become the masterpieces your family treasures tomorrow.
#newbornphotographerlondon #richmondphotographer #familyphotography #photoalbums #maternityphotographer #motherhoodphotography #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
I know what you’re thinking. “I’m not ready.” “I “don’t have anything to wear. “I’ve got phone photos already.”
I hear this often, and I understand. But here’s what I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of pregnancies: the bump photos you almost didn’t take are the ones you’ll wish you had.
Phone photos are lovely for tracking changes.
They’re practical, quick, real.
But maternity photography is different.
It’s not about documenting the bump.
It’s about capturing how this moment feels.
The tenderness. The anticipation. The strength of your body preparing for everything to change.
When you walk into my studio, there’s no pressure to look a certain way or feel a certain way.
We move slowly.
We breathe.
We create something that’s entirely yours.
Simple. Real. Timeless.
These images aren’t meant to live on your phone or hidden in a folder.
They’re meant to be printed, displayed, and one day held by your child as they learn the beginning of their own story.
If you’ve been thinking about a maternity shoot but haven’t taken the step, let this be your sign.
Your future self will thank you.
If you’d like to chat about your maternity session, DM me or click the link in my bio. I’m here to answer any questions and help you feel confident about this.
Your story deserves to be seen.
#londonmaternityphotographer #londonpregnancyphotographer #londonpregnancyphotos
#maternityshoot
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.
