logo photography by valentina - maternity and newborn photographer london

Are you ready for your September baby?

You’ve been waiting for what seems like forever. I still remember how hard the last month of pregnancy is but finally you’re in your third trimester and your September baby’s arrival is a few short weeks away.

Wait, what!?  All of a sudden you feel like you’re running out of time to be prepared and that nesting instinct is well and truly kicking in! 

So what’s left to do in your third trimester?

  • Firstly, if you haven’t packed your hospital bag yet, you definitely need to have that ready now! So make that a priority.
  • It’s sensible to have a dry run of installing the baby seat in the car.  When it’s time to bring your baby home, you definitely don’t want to be faffing about with instructions.  It’s also a good idea to store the seat in the car from now!
  • Stock the freezer.  You are not going to feel like cooking, not to mention have the time, once you bring your baby home.  It makes sense to stock up your freezer with pre-portioned meals to last you for at least a couple of weeks after the baby arrives.
  • Assemble your pram
  • Book a pamper session or mini-moon.  This is your last chance to be a couple before your baby arrives so take full advantage.  Even if it’s only to book yourself a pampering session at a salon.
  • Finish work.  Tying up all of your loose ends at work is very satisfying – especially when you know you won’t be back for at least a few months.  But it can also be stressful so ask for help at work if you need it.
  • Prepare for your Health Visitor appointment.  Many new mums don’t realise your health visitor now arranges to call to your home to meet you before your baby is born.  They’ll want to have a look at where baby will be sleeping and basically support you to ensure you have everything ready.
  • Finalise your birth plan.  Of course, you can’t be guaranteed the birth that you hope for, but having a birth plan can help you to stay focused during your labour.
  • Book your Newborn Portraits!  If you haven’t done this yet, don’t wait until your baby arrives as I may be fully booked and unable to accommodate you. The third trimester is the perfect time to book your newborn photoshoot. You can also get some inspiration from my Instagram or Pinterest account and see what images you are drawn to.

I hope my list has helped you to tick off some final few ‘to-do’s’ before your baby arrives. 

I wish you all the best with the imminent arrival of your baby! 

Related article : Comprehensive Guide to Newborn Photography Safety

Posted in Newborn

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We live in a world where everything is fast, filtered, automated.

Where perfection is polished and every flaw can be edited away in just a click.

But what happens when we pause?

When we slow down…

When we really look?

Not just at the photos, but at ourselves.

This is where the true power of photography lives—not in capturing a perfect image, but in creating space for reflection, for presence, for seeing yourself as you really are.

No filters. No rush. No expectations.

Just you.

In the stillness, the truth becomes louder.

In the quiet, we see what was always there.

Because the answers we’re looking for, the confidence, the worthiness, the values, they’ve been inside us all along.

This is the beginning of Reflections Beyond the Frame. A space for honest conversations. For slowing down. For seeing yourself again.

When was the last time you truly paused to listen to yourself?

#ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #empoweredthroughphotography #photographyforthesoul #lookwithin #selfdiscovery #celebrateyourself
#londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer

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We live in a world where everything is fast, filtered, automated. Where perfection is polished and every flaw can be edited away in just a click. But what happens when we pause? 
When we slow down… 
When we really look? Not just at the photos, but at ourselves. This is where the true power of photography lives—not in capturing a perfect image, but in creating space for reflection, for presence, for seeing yourself as you really are. No filters. No rush. No expectations. 
Just you. In the stillness, the truth becomes louder. 
In the quiet, we see what was always there. Because the answers we’re looking for, the confidence, the worthiness, the values, they’ve been inside us all along. This is the beginning of Reflections Beyond the Frame. A space for honest conversations. For slowing down. For seeing yourself again. When was the last time you truly paused to listen to yourself? #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #empoweredthroughphotography #photographyforthesoul #lookwithin #selfdiscovery #celebrateyourself #londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer

Did you know your newborn might cry, but without actual tear, for their first few weeks?

Even though they definitely make their voices heard (we know those cries well!), their tear ducts are still developing, so you might notice a lot of crying, but no real tears.

It’s completely normal and just another fascinating part of their early days.

Did you already know this? Or do you have another favourite newborn fact? Share it below, I’d love to hear it!

#FunFact #NewbornLife #BabyFacts #NewbornPhotography #MumLife

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Did you know your newborn might cry, but without actual tear, for their first few weeks? Even though they definitely make their voices heard (we know those cries well!), their tear ducts are still developing, so you might notice a lot of crying, but no real tears. It’s completely normal and just another fascinating part of their early days. Did you already know this? Or do you have another favourite newborn fact? Share it below, I’d love to hear it! #FunFact #NewbornLife #BabyFacts #NewbornPhotography #MumLife

As a small business owner, we’re told to show up, to be visible, to build a personal brand.

As small business owners, we’re told to show up, stay visible, and build our personal brand.

And on social media? It can feel like everyone else is always on: always networking, always glowing, always travelling, always achieving.

Perfect homes. Perfect outfits. Perfect nails.
Even rest has to look productive and aesthetic.

But here’s the truth I’m holding onto lately:
Not everything needs to be loud to be meaningful.

Sometimes, we need to go quiet to make space for what really matters.
I’ve been a little quieter here - not because I’ve disappeared, but because I’ve been working on something really special (my book is getting so close!!)...

And also giving myself the gift of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most.

This is your gentle reminder that stepping back is still moving forward.
And you’re allowed to do the same.

#gentlereminders #mindfulentrepreneur #londonphotographer #slowbusiness
#femaleentrepreneur #fentrepreneur
#behindthescenes

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As a small business owner, we’re told to show up, to be visible, to build a personal brand. 
As small business owners, we’re told to show up, stay visible, and build our personal brand. And on social media? It can feel like everyone else is always on: always networking, always glowing, always travelling, always achieving. Perfect homes. Perfect outfits. Perfect nails.
Even rest has to look productive and aesthetic. But here’s the truth I’m holding onto lately:
Not everything needs to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, we need to go quiet to make space for what really matters. I’ve been a little quieter here - not because I’ve disappeared, but because I’ve been working on something really special (my book is getting so close!!)... 
And also giving myself the gift of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most. This is your gentle reminder that stepping back is still moving forward.
And you’re allowed to do the same. #gentlereminders #mindfulentrepreneur #londonphotographer #slowbusiness #femaleentrepreneur #fentrepreneur #behindthescenes

Coming soon to toy stores near you... not really. But imagine!

Introducing the Valentina action figure:

Wearing the classic jeans + white tee combo

Armed with a Canon camera (obviously)

Comes with accessories like a laptop, lit candle (for vibes), white orchid (because aesthetics matter), AND my real-life Labrador sidekick

Mood: somewhere between “let’s create magic” and “I need chocolate.”

Honestly, this was such a fun little thing to try and kinda hilarious to see myself as a 3D mini-me! 🙈

But behind the toy box, there’s a real woman who’s spent years telling stories through photos. Helping mums feel beautiful. Cheering on women rediscovering their confidence.

Freezing the messy, emotional, magical in-between moments that make life what it is.

And while I don’t come in packaging (thank goodness, can you imagine the plastic hair??), I do show up with camera in hand and music in the background, ready to turn your moments into something timeless.

So tell me… if YOU were an action figure, what would your accessories be?

Mine better come with a never-ending SD card.

PS. My daughter said the figurine looks like an Oompa Loompa.
I might have laughed a little too hard… mostly because she’s not wrong.

#womenwithcameras #photographerlife #empoweringwomen #londonphotographer #smallbusinessfun #actionfigureenergy

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Coming soon to toy stores near you... not really. But imagine! Introducing the Valentina action figure:
 Wearing the classic jeans + white tee combo
 Armed with a Canon camera (obviously)
 Comes with accessories like a laptop, lit candle (for vibes), white orchid (because aesthetics matter), AND my real-life Labrador sidekick 
Mood: somewhere between “let’s create magic” and “I need chocolate.” Honestly, this was such a fun little thing to try and kinda hilarious to see myself as a 3D mini-me! 🙈 But behind the toy box, there’s a real woman who’s spent years telling stories through photos. Helping mums feel beautiful. Cheering on women rediscovering their confidence. Freezing the messy, emotional, magical in-between moments that make life what it is. And while I don’t come in packaging (thank goodness, can you imagine the plastic hair??), I do show up with camera in hand and music in the background, ready to turn your moments into something timeless. So tell me… if YOU were an action figure, what would your accessories be? Mine better come with a never-ending SD card. PS. My daughter said the figurine looks like an Oompa Loompa. I might have laughed a little too hard… mostly because she’s not wrong. #womenwithcameras #photographerlife #empoweringwomen #londonphotographer #smallbusinessfun #actionfigureenergy

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM