Have you ever experienced something so profound it changed the very way you see the world? For me, this happened back in 2006, far away from my comfort zone, in a small rural village in Malawi. It wasn’t an exotic holiday or a dreamy escape; instead, it was a trip that shifted something deep within...
As a motherhood photographer who has captured the intimate journeys of over 20 breastfeeding mothers, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week holds a special place in my heart. Today, I’m sharing insights from behind the lens on why this week matters for every mother. What is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week? Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week...
As a newborn and family photographer, I have had the privilege of meeting so many incredible mums during one of the most exciting, and exhausting, times of their lives. The postpartum period is a rollercoaster. You’re over the moon about your little one, but you’re also running on fumes, trying to figure out how to...
Celebrating Motherhood with Timeless Photos Motherhood is a journey of love, strength, and transformation. As mothers, we give so much of ourselves—our time, our energy, our hearts—to nurture and care for our families. But how often do we pause to celebrate our own stories, our own moments of grace and beauty? As a London Maternity...
Breaking Free from Digital Overload – Embrace Digital Minimalism At the start of this year, I set the intention to read more. Not just casually, but with purpose—taking notes, reflecting on what resonates, and capturing those key takeaways. I’ve read plenty of books over the years, but I’ve learned that unless I write down the...
As we embrace February, it’s not just about the love-filled festivities, snowflakes, or the winter chill. For me, February is extra special, it’s the birth month of my mum and my younger brother, so I have a lot of love for this month! February babies come with a unique set of traits that make them...
Preparing for a new baby is such an exciting (yet totally overwhelming) time! Between buying nappies, getting the nursery ready, and juggling doctor appointments, it’s easy to forget one important thing: how you’ll keep yourself fed once your little one arrives. With sleepless nights and hectic days ahead, freezer meal prep can be a total...
The start of the new year marks a fresh beginning, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of a January baby than with a name inspired by the season? From snowflakes to new beginnings, January offers an abundance of meaningful and unique baby name options. Whether you’re drawn to nature, the winter chill, or...
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!
I'd love to read your comments.
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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.
[…] Related article: Turning Up the Volume on Maternal Mental Health […]
[…] Related article: Turning Up the Volume on Maternal Mental Health […]