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Christmas Mini Sessions – the magic of Christmas is coming!

“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” —Edna Ferber

Table of Contents hide
1 So, Christmas mini-sessions? What are they?
2 When are they?
3 Where do I have to come?
4 What should I wear?

Christmas mini-sessions can surely give you and all your family members that festive feeling all year round.

And I’m so excited about this year’s setup!!

As my photography style is very simple and timeless, I wanted to create something that reflects that. I have been thinking for a while about it and during one of my morning walks, surrounded by nature, I was trying to find how I could get inspired by it.

Christmas trees are surely nature-inspired but I used one already a couple of years ago. Didn’t want to use it again. And I was envisioning a white environment. Kind of the world of the Chronicles of Narnia! Snow . . .

White – Snow – Snowflakes

That was my train of thought. So I went home and searched on the internet for snowflakes and boom! Founded!

Smiling young girl with curly hair sitting on a white chair, wearing a cream knit jumper, in front of a festive white snowflake backdrop during a holiday-themed photoshoot

Sorry, maybe I bored you with the story of how I came up with this theme.

So, Christmas mini-sessions? What are they?

A mini-session is a very short version of a photography session. You will have limited time (20 minutes), fewer images to choose from and the set-up is already set for you. Of course, even the price will reflect this and therefore it will be much cheaper than a full photoshoot.

When are they?

Mini sessions are run on specific dates that I choose and you can select your preferred time slot.

The dates for Christmas mini sessions 2021 are the 13th and 14th of November. They are a yearly event and I try to do them in early November.

Where do I have to come?

The sessions are done in my studio in Twickenham, west London. You will receive all the information via email when you book.

Collage of two smiling girls in winter outfits posing against a white textured background, wearing light knits and neutral tones.

What should I wear?

When I thought about this set-up I was envisioning a wintery scene for timeless photos. So I would suggest simple and solid colours in neutral shades. Knitted clothes are perfect for the occasion. Jumpers, cardigans, dresses…textures and accessories are welcome too!

Here are some ideas for boys. I took the outfits from H&M, Gap and Next.

Flat lay of four winter girl outfits including cable-knit jumpers with a palette of beige, grey, and ivory
Flat lay of three casual boys’ winter looks featuring sweaters, jeans, and beige trousers in warm earthy tones, with coordinating colour swatches below.
Flat lay of boys’ holiday outfits with brown corduroy dungarees, light blue shirts, suspenders, and navy trousers, with a neutral and navy colour palette.

And here are some inspirations for girls. I would suggest white, cream or grey, but alternatively, a festive mood or warm tones work fine too.

Flat lay of four winter girl outfits including cable-knit jumpers, plaid skirts, and charcoal pieces, with a palette of beige, grey, and black.
Flat lay of six children's winter outfits in neutral, red, and green tones with plaid and knit textures, plus colour swatches below.
Flat lay of three autumnal-toned girl dresses in warm brown and terracotta shades, with matching colour swatches beneath.

I hope these ideas can be useful! Please check out my website to see more work and do get in touch if you have any questions!

Posted in holidays, What to wear

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Before her session, she left a comment on one of my posts. “It would be lovely to see myself from a different viewpoint, and I might be pleasantly surprised.”

That’s exactly what this became.

Sometimes the surprise isn’t that you look different. It’s that you finally get to see what was already there.

When did you last really see yourself?

#womensempowerment
#seennotjustphotographed
#portraitphotographylondon
#womenover40
#richmondphotographer

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18605593255057090
Before her session, she left a comment on one of my posts. “It would be lovely to see myself from a different viewpoint, and I might be pleasantly surprised.” That’s exactly what this became. Sometimes the surprise isn’t that you look different. It’s that you finally get to see what was already there. When did you last really see yourself? #womensempowerment #seennotjustphotographed #portraitphotographylondon #womenover40 #richmondphotographer

She reached out at 39 weeks. Baby number four, so I wasn’t sure there was time left to book anything at all.

We shot the session, and that same afternoon, she went into hospital. He was born shortly after.

Sometimes it feels like a baby can sense what you’re hoping for, and holds on just long enough.

Dad wrote in his review that they walked in a little anxious, first time in a studio, but the whole process felt relaxed. He said every detail in the album made it perfect, an unforgettable memory.

This album is what came from those last hours before everything changed. Not rushed. Not almost missed. Just in time.

If you’re waiting for the “right” moment to book yours, this might be it.

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 17899038840533237
She reached out at 39 weeks. Baby number four, so I wasn’t sure there was time left to book anything at all. We shot the session, and that same afternoon, she went into hospital. He was born shortly after. Sometimes it feels like a baby can sense what you’re hoping for, and holds on just long enough. Dad wrote in his review that they walked in a little anxious, first time in a studio, but the whole process felt relaxed. He said every detail in the album made it perfect, an unforgettable memory. This album is what came from those last hours before everything changed. Not rushed. Not almost missed. Just in time. If you’re waiting for the “right” moment to book yours, this might be it.

Moments like this are the gems in a session. They don’t always come.

But when they do, I’m ready.

No AI image could give you this. Maybe a fake photo, but without the lived experience, it’s just another pretty picture.

Dad saw the smile happen. Mum was watching them both. It was real, and it lasted only a few seconds.

The print is what lets you relive it forever

Not just a digital file, something tangible, after something real.

What’s a moment you wish you had a print of?

#newbornphotoshoot #londonnewbornphotographer #printyourmemories #londonmums

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 17857943382676945
Moments like this are the gems in a session. They don’t always come. But when they do, I’m ready. No AI image could give you this. Maybe a fake photo, but without the lived experience, it’s just another pretty picture. Dad saw the smile happen. Mum was watching them both. It was real, and it lasted only a few seconds. The print is what lets you relive it forever Not just a digital file, something tangible, after something real. What’s a moment you wish you had a print of? #newbornphotoshoot #londonnewbornphotographer #printyourmemories #londonmums

I’m definitely not a poet. I’ve never called myself a writer.
I’m a photographer.

But these lines came out of me almost on their own during the breastfeeding project. As if they’d been waiting for a page.

This is the third and last part.
Thank you for reading it with me. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you missed the other 2 parts check the previous reels.

#breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmum #BreastfeedingUnfiltered #londonmums

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18112022893939295
I’m definitely not a poet. I’ve never called myself a writer. I’m a photographer. But these lines came out of me almost on their own during the breastfeeding project. As if they’d been waiting for a page. This is the third and last part. Thank you for reading it with me. I hope you enjoyed it. If you missed the other 2 parts check the previous reels. #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmum #BreastfeedingUnfiltered #londonmums

Part two of the poem I wrote while working on Milk Tales. If you missed part one, it’s on my page, or click on the reel.

It’s a raging storm,
and the calm sea at dusk.
It’s the sun that tempts you,
the rain that breaks you.

It’s burning fire
that stirs what words can’t say.
It’s a path of discovery,
lit in your own way.

A journey that strips you bare,
but clothes you in new grace.
Each drop of milk
a vow you won’t erase.

Third and last one coming soon. Don’t miss it.

Which line stayed with you? #breastfeeding #breastfeedingjourney #poemsofinsta

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18110959058489624
Part two of the poem I wrote while working on Milk Tales. If you missed part one, it’s on my page, or click on the reel. It’s a raging storm,
and the calm sea at dusk.
It’s the sun that tempts you,
the rain that breaks you. 
It’s burning fire
that stirs what words can’t say.
It’s a path of discovery,
lit in your own way. 
A journey that strips you bare,
but clothes you in new grace.
Each drop of milk
a vow you won’t erase. Third and last one coming soon. Don’t miss it. Which line stayed with you? #breastfeeding #breastfeedingjourney #poemsofinsta

While I was working on my breastfeeding personal project a few years ago, a poem slowly grew in me, written in Italian.

This is the translated version, which became part of Milk Tales, a book of photography and stories from 25 mothers, including my own.

I never shared the poem publicly, until now.
Part one of three. Follow for more.

7 2
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18081190163244619
While I was working on my breastfeeding personal project a few years ago, a poem slowly grew in me, written in Italian. This is the translated version, which became part of Milk Tales, a book of photography and stories from 25 mothers, including my own. I never shared the poem publicly, until now. Part one of three. Follow for more.
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VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Richmond, I work with families across London to capture life’s most meaningful milestones through portrait photography.