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Christmas is getting closer! This means you’ve probably already started looking for those perfect gifts for your loved ones. You want something personal, meaningful, and unique—something that goes beyond the usual go-to gifts like jewellery or perfume. While these gifts are lovely, have you thought about giving the gift of memories? A photography gift certificate...
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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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
Model Call: Newborn Session Opportunity
I’m looking for a newborn baby (born after 14th April) to take part in a beautiful session during my 1:1 mentoring.
This is a lovely opportunity to have some precious photographs of your little one, capturing these fleeting early days while also helping me teach and share my approach with another photographer.
As a parent you will receive
a complimentary newborn session
5 beautiful images of your choice as a thank you
the chance to create beautiful memories of your baby’s first days
A few important notes:
both parents (mum and dad) must be available on the 30th of April to be present and included in the photos.
Model release is required, which means the images might be used on my website and social media as well as on the photographer’s platforms.
The session will take place at my cosy studio in Twickenham (SW London), designed to offer a calm and relaxed experience for you and your baby.
If you or someone you know has recently welcomed a little one and might be interested, please send me a DM or an email to vale@photographybyvalentina.com
I’d love to share more details with you!
#londonnewbornphotographer #londonmums #londonmumsnetwork #londonnewbornshoot
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
These photos?
They were taken minutes after she told me everything she didn’t like about herself.
And yet… look at her.
Strong. Present.
Fully seen.
So many of the women I photograph say the same things before we begin
“I’m not photogenic.”
“I don’t like how I look.”
“I just want to hide.”
We’ve been taught to shrink.
To criticise before we’re criticised.
To see ourselves through the lens of judgement, instead of truth.
But what if we could rewrite that story?
That’s why I created the Women Empowering Session, to give voice to the powerful woman who’s already in you. You don’t have to become someone else. You just have to see her.
And if you want to start this journey gently,
I created something for you: The Empowered Woman’s Manifesto. A loving reminder of who you are beneath all the noise.
DM me manifesto and I’ll send you the link.
Tell me, what part of yourself are you learning to celebrate?
#theempoweredwoman #selfworth #bodyimagehealing #over40andfabulous #photographyforwomen #youareenough #confidencejourney #womenempoweringwomen #londonportraitphotographer
This was a fantastic guest post. I have not had a photoshoot in many years, but it does seem like an empowering experience. Also, I like the suggested practice of using a mirror and positive affirmations.
It surely is an empowering experience I encourage you to try it. It’s a treat to yourself that goes a long way.
Thanks for reading!