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5 Simple Tips on how to Choose a Newborn Photographer

I know how overwhelming the search for a newborn photographer can be!

Table of Contents hide
1 So How to Choose your Newborn Photographer?
1.1 1. Experience, quality of work and safety
1.2 2. Location
1.3 3. Style
1.4 4. What do you want from the session?
1.5 5. Pricing

You probably go on Google and search for a newborn photographer near you, and a list of hundreds will appear. So you spend so much time browsing the different websites looking for information and pricing, right?

Or you are probably looking on Instagram and Pinterest and find some photos you fall in love with and want to know if that photographer is available. Or you might have a friend who recently had a great session with someone, and you are going to the same photographer.

It doesn’t matter where your search starts, how you choose a newborn photographer, but I want to give you some simple tips to make your search easier, at least I hope so!

Richmond newborn photographer Valentina at work

So How to Choose your Newborn Photographer?

1. Experience, quality of work and safety

This is the most important thing to consider. You give your little baby to a stranger, so make sure that person is qualified and trained. You can probably tell from the portfolio and the social media if the work is consistent. Read the about page. You can feel when you read the information on the website, blog posts or when you speak to them if they are confident in what they are doing. Don’t be afraid to ask about their experience if you feel unsure.

Photography is all about connection. Especially a newborn photographer who will capture emotional moments between you and your baby will “see” your vulnerability, so if you don’t feel comfortable with her/him, it will show. So follow your heart.

2. Location

When you have a little one, especially if it’s your first baby, you don’t want to travel long enough to reach the photographer. So a good place to start is undoubtedly Google maps. You can see how far the studios are and how long it will take you to get there. Keep in mind that London is a big city! I had clients travelling over an hour to come to me. But I feel more than that is quite a long journey.

Also, another consideration is, do you want a studio session, or do you prefer a home session? The two are pretty different in terms of style and final result. Find out what you desire and ask the photographers what they offer.

portrait of a newborn sleeping on his tummy. Mum and dad have their hands on his back and head.

3. Style

Newborn photography loves trends. And you will see it changing all the time.

So what do you want? What do you like? Do you like posed babies with flowers, bonnets and sleeping in baskets? Or do you prefer a more natural, minimal style?

So choose a newborn photographer that reflects your style, and you will love those photos for years.

If you like the prop style, don’t choose a natural photographer because it is cheaper or closer to you and ask to do a different style than what they do. They will be uncomfortable (if they are willing to do it), and the end result is not what you had in mind.

The photographer will recommend the best age for each of these styles. Usually, for the most posed, traditional sessions, babies are best under two weeks of age, as they need to be asleep to be posed. If you choose a more natural style, as I offer, the baby can be older too, as I’m more interested in capturing the connection rather than the perfect pose.

black and white family portrait. dad is holding newborn baby on his shoulder and mum is leaning into both.

4. What do you want from the session?

When clients book with me, I always ask, “why are you taking these photos now?” And all of them answer because they want to capture the tiny baby’s features and remember this time. Of course, you do. Memories are so important for all of us. And these photos are not just for you now. They will be for your children one day. They will be your legacy.

But how do you remember them? Think about how you will see these photos in 10-15 years. If you have them on a CD or USB, they might not be accessible anymore. CDs are already kind of dead. So if you want to remember and preserve those images, you should print them. Ask your photographer if they provide printed products like albums or fine art prints. Don’t you want that beautiful family photos hung on your wall? Can you visualise it on top of your bed? Or maybe in the living room? That’s how you will live that moment over again, every day.

5. Pricing

I kept this for last because every photographer is different, and only price shopping will make it an unfair comparison.

There will be general photographers and specialised photographers.

New photographers just starting will charge a little to gain the experience and send you the files via email. More experienced photographers will guide you through the process, hold your hand every step of the way, provide a personal experience, and deliver an outstanding product you will treasure for life.

It’s the difference between dinner at Mcdonald’s or a fine restaurant. You will have your food in one and the experience in the other.

I understand everyone has a different budget. And when you have a newborn, you have lots of new expenses you didn’t have before. However, thinking about all the expensive prams or cots or gadgets you are buying and dismissing after six months or max 2-3 years. Photos will be forever.

It’s not another expense but an investment that will grow in value as time passes.

master bedroom with a big portrait of newborn and family over the bed

Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Booking Your Newborn Photographer in London and Richmond

I hope these tips on how to find a newborn photographer will be helpful for your search.

My name is Valentina and I’m a London newborn photographer and mum of a girl and dog. I like to create timeless images that will touch your heart. You can see more of my work on the website.

Or if you want to get in touch with any questions, fill out the form below, and I’ll be in touch soon.

Posted in Newborn

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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

22 9
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18043519922235701
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

39 2
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

10 0
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

22 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

28 4
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

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM