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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    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

    59 7
    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

    19 4
    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

    9 0
    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.

    Nobody tells you that the last weeks of pregnancy are also the last weeks of being just you.

    You’re not quite a mother, yet. But you’re not quite yourself anymore either.

    Somewhere in between, carrying a whole person you haven’t met.

    This is the photo of the woman you were, right before.

    Before the sleepless nights. Before you start disappearing, just a little, into someone else’s story for a while.

    If you’re in it right now, I’d love to capture it for you.

    17 0
    Open post by by_valentina with ID 18093867152027124
    Nobody tells you that the last weeks of pregnancy are also the last weeks of being just you. You’re not quite a mother, yet. But you’re not quite yourself anymore either. Somewhere in between, carrying a whole person you haven’t met. This is the photo of the woman you were, right before. Before the sleepless nights. Before you start disappearing, just a little, into someone else’s story for a while. If you’re in it right now, I’d love to capture it for you.
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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.