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1 Baby photography is more fun with dad around!

1.1 Baby photography Richmond – London

It’s funny how most of the time dads are the ones who are dragged into a photography session. Of course, no one likes to be in front of the camera (I don’t like it either and my husband snorts like a horse when I ask him to do some photos with us 😂) . . . but we all mums want to have those sweet memories right? So they show up and do their “work”.

Actually, let me change a bit what I said before. Most mums, especially after birth, are not very keen on having photos taken, but still love having their family members in photos. Well, we have all been there, we still feel like whales and prefer to wait . . . but you know what mum? That moment will be gone in 5 or 10 kg less. Yes, it will be a lost memory! But this is another story I have to write another post about it.

Let’s go back to dads now. So guess what? In the end, they all love it! 😍 Yes, they do!

Baby photography is more fun with dad around!

Dads normally like to be involved in a newborn session. They like feeling involved and helping out during a newborn session for example.
In an outdoor session, they have lots of fun with the children. They play, they throw them in the air, they run together . . . most of the time they have a blast!

A few years ago a dad told me after a session “ It was one of the best experiences I had, thank you so much!” Of course, those words made my day but most importantly I know that those photos will make his day, every day ❤️

Because who wouldn’t want a photo like this with his child? Sweet and tender moments . . .

This was actually a newborn session but while his little sister was eating I couldn’t resist photographing dad and son together in such a sweet time.

B&W image of dad and son- baby photography richmond

B&W image of son and dad laughing together - baby photography richmond

Baby photography Richmond – London

Are you interested in a baby photography session? Check out my website and why not follow me on Instagram where I post regularly new photos and news.

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She didn’t come to this session unsure.

She already knew me—she’d trusted me with her maternity and newborn sessions. But this time was different.

This time was for her.

She came knowing who she is and ready to celebrate it.

In her 40s, she’s found more confidence, more clarity, and a deeper appreciation for what matters most.
 She spoke of embracing self-love, shedding insecurities, and living with humour and presence.

“I decided to do something for me… I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much.”

And that’s what this experience is really about. Not becoming someone else, but returning to yourself.
 Playful. Strong. Present. Real.

This is what it looks like to take up space.
 To honour your story.
 To say: “This is me. And I’m proud of her.”

What would a session just for you look like? What would it feel like to step in front of the lens, just as you are?

If you’ve been thinking about it…this is your sign to say yes to yourself. ✨

Empowering women, London portrait photographer for women, women over 40, confidence through photography, celebrate yourself, photography as healing #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

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She didn’t come to this session unsure.

She already knew me—she’d trusted me with her maternity and newborn sessions. But this time was different.

This time was for her.

She came knowing who she is and ready to celebrate it.

In her 40s, she’s found more confidence, more clarity, and a deeper appreciation for what matters most.
 She spoke of embracing self-love, shedding insecurities, and living with humour and presence.

“I decided to do something for me… I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much.”

And that’s what this experience is really about. Not becoming someone else, but returning to yourself.
 Playful. Strong. Present. Real.

This is what it looks like to take up space.
 To honour your story.
 To say: “This is me. And I’m proud of her.”

What would a session just for you look like? What would it feel like to step in front of the lens, just as you are?

If you’ve been thinking about it…this is your sign to say yes to yourself. ✨

Empowering women, London portrait photographer for women, women over 40, confidence through photography, celebrate yourself, photography as healing #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

You see the calm, the softness, the polished final photo.
 But behind it? There’s the mess. The cleaning.
The planning. The rescheduling.
The blogging.
The back and forth with clients. The endless emails, the tech glitches, the wobbles… And just enough espresso to hold it all together.

Running a heart-led business isn’t always picture-perfect.
 But it’s mine. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

It’s never just a click, is it?

What’s your behind-the-scenes really look like these days?

#BehindTheScenes #PhotographerLife #londonmaternityphotographer #londonnewbornphotographer#OneWomanBusiness #WomenInBusiness #POVReel #londonphotographer #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18051124562590029

You see the calm, the softness, the polished final photo.
 But behind it? There’s the mess. The cleaning.
The planning. The rescheduling.
The blogging.
The back and forth with clients. The endless emails, the tech glitches, the wobbles… And just enough espresso to hold it all together.

Running a heart-led business isn’t always picture-perfect.
 But it’s mine. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

It’s never just a click, is it?

What’s your behind-the-scenes really look like these days?

#BehindTheScenes #PhotographerLife #londonmaternityphotographer #londonnewbornphotographer#OneWomanBusiness #WomenInBusiness #POVReel #londonphotographer #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

We’re so quick to look at ourselves in photos and see the things we want to change.
 Especially after birth.
 The softness. The swelling. The “not quite back to myself” feeling.

But what if we stopped asking:

“Do I look okay?”

And started asking:

“Will this photo remind me of how strong I was? How much love was in that moment?”

Because your body isn’t the focus.
 Your connection is.
 And that’s what truly lasts.

What would happen if you gave yourself more kindness when you look back at photos?

Tag a mum who might need a softer lens on her story. 🤍

#londonphotographer
#PostpartumPerspective #PostpartumBodyLove #RealMotherhood #PhotographTheReal #londonmaternityphotographer #PhotographyAsHealing #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #resetwithreelschallenge3

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18039925046299898

We’re so quick to look at ourselves in photos and see the things we want to change.
 Especially after birth.
 The softness. The swelling. The “not quite back to myself” feeling.

But what if we stopped asking:

“Do I look okay?”

And started asking:

“Will this photo remind me of how strong I was? How much love was in that moment?”

Because your body isn’t the focus.
 Your connection is.
 And that’s what truly lasts.

What would happen if you gave yourself more kindness when you look back at photos?

Tag a mum who might need a softer lens on her story. 🤍

#londonphotographer
#PostpartumPerspective #PostpartumBodyLove #RealMotherhood #PhotographTheReal #londonmaternityphotographer #PhotographyAsHealing #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #resetwithreelschallenge3

I didn’t have it all figured out when I started.
 I didn’t have a studio.
 Or a business plan.
 Or even much confidence, to be honest.

But I had a deep love for photography.
 And I kept showing up, learning by doing, failing, adjusting, growing.

15 years later, I get to do work that feels like home.
 I get to empower others through my lens.
 To help women feel seen, held, and remembered.

And that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

#londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer
#ResetWithReelsChallenge3 #womeninbusiness #empoweredthroughphotography #thisiswhyidoit

23 2

Open post by by_valentina with ID 17851677126418739

I didn’t have it all figured out when I started.
 I didn’t have a studio.
 Or a business plan.
 Or even much confidence, to be honest.

But I had a deep love for photography.
 And I kept showing up, learning by doing, failing, adjusting, growing.

15 years later, I get to do work that feels like home.
 I get to empower others through my lens.
 To help women feel seen, held, and remembered.

And that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

#londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer
#ResetWithReelsChallenge3 #womeninbusiness #empoweredthroughphotography #thisiswhyidoit

This is part of Reflections Beyond the Frame, a personal series about slowing down, looking inward, and seeing ourselves without the need for polish or perfection.

Today’s reflection: Letting go.

Perfection has held me back for years, since school, in motherhood, and through the slow unfolding of my business.
 I thought striving for it meant reaching for something better. But lately, I’ve been asking: what is perfection, really?

It’s not real. It’s not shared. It only exists in my mind—and even there, it shifts constantly.
It often disguises itself as fear: Fear of not being good enough. Fear of being judged. Fear of being truly seen.

So if perfection is born from fear… What are we really striving for?

What looks “perfect” to me might mean nothing to someone else.
 So why chase something that holds me back more than it helps me move forward?

This photo is part of that question. A self-portrait. An exercise in showing up blurry, unfinished, imperfect—real.
Letting go isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it’s quiet. A small shift. A decision to be soft where I used to hold tension. To show up as I am. To be seen anyway.

Progression is now my mantra.
 Not perfection. Just movement. Just honesty. Just me.

What have you been holding onto that no longer serves you? Maybe today’s the day to let it go.

#reflectionsbeyondtheframe #LettingGoOfPerfection #progressnotperfection #selfportrait #photographyashealing #CreativeProcess #SlowContent #ImperfectlyHuman

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 17961151094786680

This is part of Reflections Beyond the Frame, a personal series about slowing down, looking inward, and seeing ourselves without the need for polish or perfection.

Today’s reflection: Letting go.

Perfection has held me back for years, since school, in motherhood, and through the slow unfolding of my business.
 I thought striving for it meant reaching for something better. But lately, I’ve been asking: what is perfection, really?

It’s not real. It’s not shared. It only exists in my mind—and even there, it shifts constantly.
It often disguises itself as fear: Fear of not being good enough. Fear of being judged. Fear of being truly seen.

So if perfection is born from fear… What are we really striving for?

What looks “perfect” to me might mean nothing to someone else.
 So why chase something that holds me back more than it helps me move forward?

This photo is part of that question. A self-portrait. An exercise in showing up blurry, unfinished, imperfect—real.
Letting go isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it’s quiet. A small shift. A decision to be soft where I used to hold tension. To show up as I am. To be seen anyway.

Progression is now my mantra.
 Not perfection. Just movement. Just honesty. Just me.

What have you been holding onto that no longer serves you? Maybe today’s the day to let it go.

#reflectionsbeyondtheframe #LettingGoOfPerfection #progressnotperfection #selfportrait #photographyashealing #CreativeProcess #SlowContent #ImperfectlyHuman

Post-pregnancy body changes are real and it’s okay if you’re not feeling like yourself right away.

Your body has done something incredible. It’s carried life, endured change, and deserves so much more than criticism. It deserves care. Patience. Kindness.

The stretch marks. The softness. The shifts in shape. They’re not flaws, they’re part of your story.

Let this be your reminder: You don’t need to bounce back. You don’t need to be “done” healing. You just need to meet yourself with compassion.
Tag a fellow mum who might need to hear this today. 🤍

#postpartumbody #realmotherhood #motherhoodphotography #empoweredmotherhood #bodyafterbaby #bekindtoyou #londonphotographer

34 0

Open post by by_valentina with ID 17955046298805946

Post-pregnancy body changes are real and it’s okay if you’re not feeling like yourself right away.

Your body has done something incredible. It’s carried life, endured change, and deserves so much more than criticism. It deserves care. Patience. Kindness.

The stretch marks. The softness. The shifts in shape. They’re not flaws, they’re part of your story.

Let this be your reminder: You don’t need to bounce back. You don’t need to be “done” healing. You just need to meet yourself with compassion.
Tag a fellow mum who might need to hear this today. 🤍

#postpartumbody #realmotherhood #motherhoodphotography #empoweredmotherhood #bodyafterbaby #bekindtoyou #londonphotographer

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