Valentine’s Day might have been a day you enjoyed as a couple before the sleepless night, or the stress of family life came along. A romantic dinner out, or maybe a little weekend break to celebrate the love for each other. I believe love should be celebrated every day, not just one day a year,...
This seems like a nonsensical question at first glance – when are newborn photos taken? Well, when your baby is a newborn, of course! However, people’s opinions of how long your baby is a ‘newborn’ for does differ wildly. In this article, we’ll discuss this from a newborn photographer‘s perspective so that if you are...
December is such a lovely time of the year. Everyone is a little bit more kinder. The festive mood, the fairy lights, the decorations, the music, the good food make us all feel more appreciative and supportive. And I feel the babies born in the month of December can feel it as well. Finding baby...
Pregnancy is one of the most special and meaningful times in our lives. While the nine months may seem long, it flies by in a blink. During this time our body changes so much and we feel a new life growing inside. We feel every kick, every stretch, every hiccup and we create a connection...
It’s not long till Halloween and for many children, it’s a fun time to get dressed and around for treats or tricks. When I started as a London baby photographer I used to do some themed sessions so the babies were dressed up as cute pumpkins but as my style got more minimal and white-oriented...
Newborn photography is all about capturing your little baby in his early days. Those little features will soon fade away as your baby will grow fast. But you can remember it all through newborn photography. And the best way to document those little details is with macro photography. “In photography, the smallest thing can be...
I believe all photographers have heard this phrase at least once: ‘That’s a great camera, no wonder your baby pictures are so good’ Now there is no denying that the right equipment can make a huge difference to the quality of your baby’s pictures, that’s a fact! But today, I’m here to bust this myth!...
We all know the cost of living is rising – it’s impossible to ignore the media and government warnings. As a family photographer in Richmond, I speak to lots of families and many of our conversations have turned to planning and budgeting for Christmas. I’ve picked up so many amazing suggestions and tips that I’ve...
Hello!
My name is Valentina. I'm a London baby and maternity photographer.
I share tips, curiosities, information, and more in this blog. Grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) and read away!
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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
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.
