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7 practical tips for new parents.
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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
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
This week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, and I find myself reflecting on the twenty plus brave mothers who shared their breastfeeding journeys with me over the past year.
“Your voice, your strength” is this year’s theme, and it echoes what I’ve seen through my lens: that our strength as mothers often begins when we dare to speak our truths aloud.
When you whispered “this isn’t what I expected” in my studio.
When you admitted “sometimes I feel like I’m failing” as I adjusted my camera.
When you finally said “I need help” and felt the relief of those words leaving your body.
Your vulnerability became your power.
As a photographer, I create space for your stories. As a woman, I hold them carefully. As a community, we have the chance to turn those stories into understanding, compassion, and support.
This week is about turning up the volume.
On your truth.
On your story.
On your strength.
Your voice matters. And it’s strong, even when it trembles.
If you’ve been holding something in, this is your reminder:
You’re allowed to speak it.
You’re allowed to ask for help.
You’re allowed to be held too.
These stories of motherhood and breastfeeding will soon be collected in a book - a testament to your collective strength and vulnerability.
Share your story below, or simply a 🤍 if you’re not ready for words yet.
Your voice. Your strength. Your motherhood.
If this post resonates with you, save it or share it with a friend who might need this reminder today.
#MaternalMentalHealthWeek #MumsMentalHealth #BreastfeedingStories #YourVoiceYourStrength #MotherhoodUnfiltered
Preparing for your maternity session isn’t just about what to wear.
It’s about how you feel. It’s especially how you feel.
This moment of your life is full of change, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And it’s okay if you’re not sure how you want to be seen or if you feel a little nervous about stepping in front of the camera.
This carousel is for you, a gentle reminder that you don’t need to be perfect, have high expectations or have it all figured out.
You just need to show up as you. That’s where the beauty lives. Then togehter we’ll do the rest.
If you’re looking for a quiet way to connect with yourself during this time, I’ve created a free pregnancy journal you can download. It’s linked in my bio—or comment “journal” and I’ll send it your way.
Your story deserves to be held with care. 🤍
#maternityphotography #pregnancyjourney #londonmaternityphotographer #londonpregnancyphotoshoot #londonpregnancyphotos #photographybyvalentina
#12weekscan #20weekscan #pregnancyreflections
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
