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Studio Newborn Photography – Covid-19 Safety measures

As a London newborn photographer hygiene and safety in the studio have always been a top priority for me.

Table of Contents hide
1 So what about now? What are the Covid safety measures?
2 What about a studio newborn session?
2.1 Can I book my newborn session?
2.2 New Policies for Covid safety measures

If you have worked with me before you will probably know already the well-being of your baby has always been put first. If I woke up the morning of the shoot with a bit of a cold or if my daughter caught a nasty bug that could be passed down I always rescheduled and postponed the session.

At the beginning of the Corona breakout, I closed my studio about 10 days before the government guideline because I was genuinely worried about my little clients’ safety. You can read my FB post here.

So what about now? What are the Covid safety measures?

From 1st of June outdoor sessions have been allowed. These are perfect the situation for families with older babies, toddlers and busy children who love running around and having their freedom. Being in the open space of a park will allow me to stay at the social distance required: I actually use a long lens so I am 4-5 meters away from my client.

behind the scene during a child outdoor session. Photographer distant as a covid safety measure

What about a studio newborn session?

From the 15th of June, the photography studio will reopen as per government decision. So maternity sessions or baby sessions are welcome but for newborns it will be early July (4th) following the 5-step plan and the relevant recommendations to reflect Covid safety measures.

Can I book my newborn session?

  • There will be only one session per day in the studio (this was the case pre-Covid too) and only close family can attend. Extended family or pets are now allowed in the session for now.
  • Limited shoots are available. Only 2 newborn sessions per week to give the time to clean and sterilise properly all.
  • My style of photography has always been very simple so it will work perfectly now with no use of props and limited contact with baby.
  • After the session clients will review the photos through an online gallery

New Policies for Covid safety measures

  • Stay vigilant. If you or your child are developing symptoms or just feel unwell (even mildly) before your session, please contact me as soon as possible to reschedule. I understand this may be an inconvenience, but it is of utmost importance that I do not allow a virus into the studio at this time due to the vulnerable condition of my other clients. Of course, I will do the same. The session will be postponed without any additional fee.
  • The studio will be thoroughly clean before your session and cleaned and ventilated after the session.
  • Antiviral products will be used paying special attention to those “high touch” areas like door handles, light switches, sofa, bathroom, floor and sink.
  • Surfaces which cannot be cleaned with bleach or alcohol-based products will be cleaned using steam.
  • Blankets and other material used during the session will be washed after the session.
  • I used to offer a little snack with tea and coffee. It is safer if you take a snack with you as unfortunately, they will no longer be available. Bottled water will be provided.
  • I will be using a face mask during the session as well as a clean apron so the baby won’t be touching my clothes. I will be wearing fresh clothes and they will get washed straight afterwards.
  • My hands will be washed before touching the baby and hand sanitiser will be used throughout the session.
  • Please wear fresh clothes as well, clothes that you have not worn throughout the day or on a previous day.
  • You will be asked to wash your hands upon arrival. Hand sanitiser is available. Also, tissues are provided if you need to sneeze or cough. I recommend you wash your hands on leaving the studio too.
  • I use Dyson Pure Hot+Cool that keeps that uses advanced technology to purify the air and captures 99.95% of microscopic allergens and pollutants

  • There isn’t much space in the studio so it would be great if you can leave your buggies and prams at home/car and just take the baby in with the car seat.
Photography studio based in London being sanitised with steam
steaming a piece of delicate fabric used in newborn photography in my London studio

It’s natural to feel worried the coronavirus and this whole situation. I hope this blog post answered some of your questions.

I understand how important this photo session is for you as time passes very quickly, but I also hear your concerns about the spread of the virus and wishing to protect your family. So I’m doing my best to take all precautions to ensure my client’s safety as well as my own.

Please have a look at my newborn portfolio to see the simple style of my photos and if you have any other concerns don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can reach me via email vale@photographybyvalentina.com or on 07577978246

Here are a few images of my studio.

beanbag in the white studio -London newborn photographer Valentina
newborn photography studio in london richmond
coffee area - newborn photography studio richmond
white fabrics used during newborn photography session
Posted in Newborn

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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

14 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

29 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

Friday mood:
Joy for no reason.
Giggles on demand.
Wearing your best neutral and letting the light hit just right.
Basically… life goals. 😍
How’s your Friday going?

#fridaymood #babyvibes #lifegoal #londonbabyphotographer

15 0
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18062391508892972
Friday mood:
Joy for no reason.
Giggles on demand.
Wearing your best neutral and letting the light hit just right. Basically… life goals. 😍 How’s your Friday going? #fridaymood #babyvibes #lifegoal #londonbabyphotographer

Did you know I’ve been working on a book?

Maybe if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve seen me share a few bits here and there when I first started it. But I feel like I need to start again and give you the full picture.

I had a really hard time when I was breastfeeding my daughter. For a long time, I thought I was the only one who found it hard. The only one carrying that weight of doubt, guilt, and shame.
But I wasn’t. And neither are you.

At some point, I found myself asking: Why don’t we talk about breastfeeding honestly?
The challenges. The struggles. The pain. The real talk, you know?

This project was born from my own experience and from the stories of so many incredible women who shared their journeys with me. It’s about bringing more awareness, about making sure no mother feels alone in this, and about breaking the silence that so often leaves us blaming ourselves.

Because every journey is different. And every story deserves to be told.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about this project that means so much to me, the one I’ve truly put my heart into.

I’d love for you to follow along.

#breastfeedingjourney #honestmotherhood #breastfeedingmoments #breastfeedingawareness #storytellingthroughphotography #breastfeedingjourney

28 6
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18054424046189984
Did you know I’ve been working on a book? Maybe if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve seen me share a few bits here and there when I first started it. But I feel like I need to start again and give you the full picture. I had a really hard time when I was breastfeeding my daughter. For a long time, I thought I was the only one who found it hard. The only one carrying that weight of doubt, guilt, and shame. But I wasn’t. And neither are you. At some point, I found myself asking: Why don’t we talk about breastfeeding honestly?
The challenges. The struggles. The pain. The real talk, you know? This project was born from my own experience and from the stories of so many incredible women who shared their journeys with me. It’s about bringing more awareness, about making sure no mother feels alone in this, and about breaking the silence that so often leaves us blaming ourselves. Because every journey is different. And every story deserves to be told. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about this project that means so much to me, the one I’ve truly put my heart into. 
I’d love for you to follow along. #breastfeedingjourney #honestmotherhood #breastfeedingmoments #breastfeedingawareness #storytellingthroughphotography #breastfeedingjourney

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM