logo photography by valentina - maternity and newborn photographer london

Unveiling the Womb: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Capturing Lifelike Fetal Images

behind the scene newborn photography - how a photo is taken

I’ve been a newborn photographer in London for several years now, and it’s been fascinating to watch the evolution of newborn photography. From the overly staged and heavily propped images to the more simplistic and natural styles, trends have come and gone.

Personally, I’ve embraced a simple, timeless style. My focus is on capturing the baby’s pure essence with minimal props and natural poses. I believe these images, especially those of babies simply posed on a white blanket, will stand the test of time.

I love babies simply posed on a white blanket. Minimal, natural and pure.

One of my favourite setups is capturing images on a black background. When a baby is photographed alone against the black, it creates a stunning “inside the womb” look. Adding parents’ hands as props adds dimension and a striking visual contrast, highlighting just how small and precious the baby is. In just a few weeks, that tiny baby won’t fit in those hands the same way.

These types of images are quite popular during sessions, and parents absolutely love them. They are simple yet incredibly powerful. However, what often surprises parents is the process behind capturing these shots. There’s an illusion that the baby is suspended in mid-air, but in reality, the baby is safely positioned on a beanbag the entire time.

Safety is paramount in my studio, and I never place a baby in a dangerous position. If you’re curious about how these images are created, here’s a before-and-after glimpse into the process.

Behind-the-Scenes: The Magic of Newborn Photography

London newborn photographer

Newborn photography is best done within the first 10 days of a baby’s life. During this time, babies are tiny, sleepy, and can curl into positions reminiscent of their time in the womb. These images capture the essence of your baby’s first days and become the first chapter in their unique story.

Many families have entrusted me with creating these special memories, and I would love to do the same for you! Explore my London newborn photography page to see more of my work, and let’s meet for a coffee to discuss all the details.

Remember, the newborn phase is fleeting, and your baby will grow quickly. Let me help you freeze this precious moment in time so you can relive it again and again.

For more on how I ensure safety during my sessions, check out my detailed post: Comprehensive Guide to Newborn Photography Safety

On my Instagram account you can see more recent work

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    She almost didn’t come.

    She told me she wasn’t feeling confident.
    That she didn’t know how to pose.
    That maybe I should photograph someone else.

    I hear this more than you’d think. From women who are more reserved and introvert but also the ones who are funny and so alive in person. Women who have simply spent too long seeing themselves in a fixed way.

    We spent a morning together. Just her, the light, and a space where nothing needed to be fixed or hidden.

    The woman in these photos? She was there all along.

    If you’ve been telling yourself a similar story, I’d gently ask you this: what if you’re wrong too?

    39 9
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18093137645180251
    She almost didn’t come. She told me she wasn’t feeling confident. That she didn’t know how to pose. That maybe I should photograph someone else. I hear this more than you’d think. From women who are more reserved and introvert but also the ones who are funny and so alive in person. Women who have simply spent too long seeing themselves in a fixed way. We spent a morning together. Just her, the light, and a space where nothing needed to be fixed or hidden. The woman in these photos? She was there all along. If you’ve been telling yourself a similar story, I’d gently ask you this: what if you’re wrong too?

    This is the part that gets me every time.

    Seeing the images inside the album, in print, held in your hands, is completely different to seeing them on a screen.

    They become real in a way a digital file never quite manages.

    This little one will grow so fast.

    But these pages will stay exactly as they are.

    Newborn photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

    20 6
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18062378156418997
    This is the part that gets me every time. Seeing the images inside the album, in print, held in your hands, is completely different to seeing them on a screen. They become real in a way a digital file never quite manages. This little one will grow so fast. But these pages will stay exactly as they are. Newborn photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

    It never gets old.

    Every time one of your albums arrives at my door it feels a little like Christmas morning. There is something about holding it for the first time, knowing what is inside, knowing what it meant to be in that room with you.

    If I feel this way, I can only imagine what it feels like for you.

    Follow along, the next reel shows what’s inside.

    Newborn and maternity photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

    18 0
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18097082300325134
    It never gets old. Every time one of your albums arrives at my door it feels a little like Christmas morning. There is something about holding it for the first time, knowing what is inside, knowing what it meant to be in that room with you. If I feel this way, I can only imagine what it feels like for you. Follow along, the next reel shows what’s inside. Newborn and maternity photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

    Every mum knows this feeling.

    I know it too. I still remember the first time I held my daughter.
    So tiny. So new.
    And yet somehow, already familiar. Like I had always known her, in some place deeper than memory.

    She is 14 now. And I would give anything to hold that small weight against my chest one more time.

    This is why I do what I do.
    Not just to make beautiful images. But to give you something to hold onto, long after those first days have passed.

    48 1
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18100098043823330
    Every mum knows this feeling. I know it too. I still remember the first time I held my daughter. So tiny. So new. And yet somehow, already familiar. Like I had always known her, in some place deeper than memory. She is 14 now. And I would give anything to hold that small weight against my chest one more time. This is why I do what I do. Not just to make beautiful images. But to give you something to hold onto, long after those first days have passed.

    There is something about photographing a woman at this stage of life. The way she holds herself. What she carries inside. All of the things that are about to change.

    And then, months later, she sits with her album. And she remembers.

    This is why I photograph maternity. Not just to document a bump, but to give you something you will reach for years from now.

    Something your child will one day hold and say, look how beautiful you were.
    Because you were.
    You are.

    If you are expecting and wondering whether to book a session, this is your sign.

    Maternity photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

    18 1
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 17945098178997149
    There is something about photographing a woman at this stage of life. The way she holds herself. What she carries inside. All of the things that are about to change. And then, months later, she sits with her album. And she remembers. This is why I photograph maternity. Not just to document a bump, but to give you something you will reach for years from now. Something your child will one day hold and say, look how beautiful you were. Because you were. You are. If you are expecting and wondering whether to book a session, this is your sign. Maternity photography in Richmond and Twickenham.
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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.