“I don’t feel like myself… and I’m not ready to be in front of the camera.”
These photos aren’t about looking put together.
They’re real mums and dads, in the thick of newborn life.
Tired. Emotional. Still healing. Still figuring things out.
Most aren’t used to being in front of the camera — and many feel like they don’t quite recognise themselves yet.
That’s exactly why my newborn sessions are designed the way they are.
The images you see aren’t created by asking you to pose, perform, or “look ready.” They come from the care, intention, and calm I bring into every single session.
Before we even meet, I’ve already thought through the light in your home, the quiet corners, the natural flow of your day, and how to make the experience feel gentle — never rushed or overwhelming.
Your baby leads. Always.
During our time together, we’ll build trust and ease. I’ll guide you when you need it, step back when it matters, and quietly hold space while you settle into those small, fleeting moments — the cuddles, the feeds, the way your baby fits perfectly into you.
There’s no awkward posing.
No pressure to look a certain way.
No expectation to feel “ready.”
I say this not just as your photographer — but as a mum.
I never booked a newborn shoot for myself. I kept waiting for the “right time.” Nearly four years later, I’m still not at my pre-pregnancy weight. I still don’t feel like my old self.
And the only real regret I carry is this: I didn’t capture those early days — when my son was tiny, squishy, and fit so easily in my arms.
Now he’s a full-blown toddler, and yes, that’s what finally led me to book my own family shoot. But those newborn moments? They’re gone. And I don’t want that regret for you.
There is no perfect time.
There is only now.
Whether this is your first baby, your last, or somewhere in between — every motherhood chapter feels different. Each one carries its own emotions, challenges, and magic.
And each one is worth remembering.
Designed to feel simple, slow, and safe
Newborn sessions are designed to fit around you — not the other way around.
There’s no rushing, no pressure, and no expectation to “perform.” Whether we’re photographing your baby in the comfort of your own home or outdoors during the warmer spring and summer months. I have covered newborn shoots across Hertfordshire and beyond, including: Chorleywood, Watford, Kings Langley, Berkhamstead, Beaconsfield, Bracknell, Windsor and Kingston.
From the moment you book, you’re supported.
You’ll receive a clear prep and style guide so you don’t have to overthink a thing — and for those days when getting dressed feels like a win in itself, there’s a curated newborn wardrobe available for you to choose from too.
My approach is completely natural and baby-led.
There’s no posing, no forcing, and nothing that puts your baby in an unnatural or uncomfortable position. Instead, I work with gentle formations that feel instinctive and safe — following your baby’s cues, allowing for feeds, cuddles, pauses, and all the little moments in between.
“Riya was warm, gentle and incredibly patient during our newborn photoshoot at home. Her calm presence made us feel completely relaxed, and the photos turned out absolutely stunning.”
Some of my favourites
From the gorgeous babies I’ve had the honour of welcoming to this world
“My baby can be quite easily spooked, but Riya’s calm energy put him completely at ease. She has a real talent for capturing expressive, meaningful moments — something that isn’t easy with a little one.”
A calm space, created with Newborn Families in mind
- Launching March 2026
From March 2026, newborn sessions can also take place in my lifestyle home studio — a space created slowly and intentionally, in response to what so many of my families have asked for.
This isn’t a traditional studio.
It’s a calm, lived-in environment designed to feel like a pause button.
As a mum myself, I know how valuable it can be to simply stop after birth. To breathe. To sit. To be held by the moment rather than rushed through it. This space invites exactly that — a gentle reset for families in the early newborn days.
Because many newborn sessions include older siblings, space was non-negotiable. Little ones are free to move, explore, and be themselves — without feeling confined or restricted. When children feel relaxed, everything else flows more naturally.
The studio is fully equipped for comfort and ease:
- A temperature-controlled space to keep newborns warm and settled
- Tea, coffee, and light refreshments for parents
- Full access to a kitchen for feeds and bottle prep
- Bathrooms, wipes, and everyday essentials close to hand
Everything you might need is already there, so you don’t have to think ahead or pack extra bags — just arrive and exhale.
The space itself will be revealed soon, but what matters most isn’t how it looks — it’s how it feels.
Calm. Spacious. Safe. Unrushed.
A place where your family can simply be, while I quietly document this fleeting season as it unfolds.
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