logo photography by valentina - maternity and newborn photographer london

Beautiful Pregnancy Shoot – London Maternity Photographer

Pregnancy, while filled with emotions and discomfort, is one of the most amazing miracles a woman can ever experience.

I met Tosin when she was around 20 weeks pregnant with her first baby. We had a cuppa together and a chat about pregnancy and newborn photography. She was very excited and looking forward to the shoot. The best time for maternity photography is between 30 and 35 weeks, which in her case was January.

Tosin really liked the idea of an outdoor session and we started brainstorming for nice locations in London. At the same time, she wanted to show off her bump as well! And that’s not quite ideal in January in London.

She eventually decided to have a nice and intimate maternity session with her husband at my studio, in Wandsworth Town and I think it turned out really well.

This is what she said after her session:

“Having your photos taken when you are pregnant is essential because it gives that beautiful memory that you will cherish forever and appreciate your body as it’s able to carry a whole human being for 9 months.”

I really love the simple look in the backlit photos. These are some of my favourites.

One made me proud as it was awarded by the National Photographic Society. And of course made mum very proud too.

pregnant couple - london maternity photographer
black mum wearing a white dress during her maternity photoshoot in London
glamour side silhouette of pregnant woman
pregnant woman photographed on a black background wearing a piece of fabric

If you are expecting a baby and considering maternity photography please visit my website to find all the information you need or simply fill out the form and I will be in touch with you.

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As a London maternity photographer, I offer an intimate session in the studio as well as outdoor sessions in your favourite park or location in the city. For more inspiration check out my Pinterest board.

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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