What’s the Value of a Photograph?

Let me ask you this question again: What’s the value of photos for you?

And no, we’re not talking pounds, dollars and cents here; we’re diving into the emotional realm, into how photos make us feel – because, really, that’s what matters most.


I want to raise this question today because it’s world cancer day and unfortunately, cancer has touched the lives of our friends and family, leaving an indelible mark.

Personally, I’ve lost dear ones to this relentless foe; both my grandmas more than two decades ago when I was just a teenager, and my dad encountered Mr. Cancer a few years back. But you know what? Dad faced it head-on, threw a mighty punch, and emerged victorious! His strength and positivity throughout those challenging months of treatment are a testament to the human spirit.

Cancer is a word that makes us feel scared, small and hopeless. But today, there are countless positive stories and ongoing research that prove it can be defeated. Now, back to my original question.

I believe a photo’s value is deeply personal. It’s a reflection of how someone treasures it. Loves it. Holds onto it for dear life.

Think about it – when you lose someone you love, what do you do?

You seek solace in their photos. And if those cherished memories live on your phone, you print them out because you want to feel their presence, to physically hold onto those moments. A photograph becomes a time capsule, a way to relive precious memories, and an avenue to feel closer to someone you hold dear.

Related article: Why Newborn Photography?

photo of mum kissing baby- value of photos

This is my little positive story.

These particular photos hold a story of strength and love. Taken just days before a remarkable mum underwent a spine operation. The baby was 4 months old when I took the photos and while she was pregnant they discovered there was something wrong with her.

They scheduled the shoot urgently, knowing that mobility would be limited for months post-surgery. Why? “So I can look back and remember these very special months that I had with my child and husband,” she shared with me.

The power and value of photos, right?

Gratitude overwhelmed me as I captured this family’s journey, providing them with memories to hold onto during challenging times. “Thanks so much for sending these photos! It’s great to be able to look at them when I’m by myself alone in the hospital… it definitely makes me smile! 🙂

mum and dad hugging and laughing while holding baby - value of photos
mum holding baby and dad looking at then - value of photos

Photos become more than just pixels; they’re tangible memories.

Remembering a particular moment becomes effortless when you have a picture to transport you back in time. Photos are the imprints of our lives, the visual story we pass on to future generations. Whether personal, commercial, or historical, each image we capture has a tale to tell.

So, what’s holding you back from creating these timeless memories with your children?

The photos you take today aren’t just for you; they’re a gift to your children, a window to the past where they’ll see the beauty of their mum, the joy of playing with dad, and the precious moments spent with siblings.

As a London photographer specialising in Newborn photography, my passion lies in capturing the essence of your family. The photos of the baby are the most loved. But the photos with mum and dad and siblings are the most powerful and cherished forever!

You can look at my portfolio to see more of my work and I hope you can see the passion I have for this job and my mission to provide incredible memories through your photos.

5 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Follow Me

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.
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.
facebook icon
pinterest logo

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.