Pregnancy, little hands and the beautiful in between
There is a particular kind of magic in watching your first baby become a big sister.
You're growing another little person, preparing to meet someone who will change your family all over again, while the little girl beside you is still so wonderfully small herself.
She might understand that a baby is coming, or she might only have the vaguest idea of what it means. She still wants to be picked up, asks for your attention at the most inconvenient moments and probably has no intention of slowing down just because you are growing a bump.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, you are becoming a mum of two.
It is such a beautiful chapter to photograph, not just because of your growing bump, but because of the relationship you already have with the little person who made you a mum in the first place.
For this maternity photography session in London, I wanted to explore that feeling in a setting with plenty of character.
We spent time in a beautiful Victorian house, with tall windows, warm light, rich textures and interiors that felt full of personality. The result was a series of photographs that celebrated pregnancy, motherhood and the connection between a mum and her three year old daughter.
It was a reminder that maternity photography can be about so much more than a beautiful bump, and that you don’t always need your partner to be here as well ( we all know that some of them would hate the idea of a photoshoot, sadly !)
It can tell the story of the family you are now, just before everything changes again.
A maternity session that celebrates the family you already are
When we think about maternity photography, it is easy to picture a mum standing alone, holding her bump and looking towards the camera.
And there is absolutely a place for those photographs.
But when you already have a little one at home, pregnancy has another layer to it.
You are preparing for a new baby while continuing to love, nurture and show up for the child who is already here. Your days might be full of questions about the baby, bedtime cuddles, little kicks you try to explain and moments when your toddler wants to climb into your lap, bump and all.
Those are the details I wanted to celebrate in this session.
Our little model was three years old, at an age when there is so much personality in every interaction. I loved the idea of bringing her into the photographs in a way that felt natural, rather than asking her to perform or behave like a tiny adult.
One of my favourite things about photographing families is that the best moments often happen when we leave a little room for things to unfold.
A spontaneous cuddle. A look between mum and daughter. The way a little girl reaches for her mum, or the way her mum instinctively responds.
These small interactions tell a story that a photograph of a bump alone simply cannot.
And when you look back at these photographs years from now, you'll see more than your pregnancy. You'll remember who your daughter was at three, how she looked at you and what life felt like just before her little sibling arrived.
A Victorian house with a story of its own
I have a real soft spot for spaces with character.
Beautiful old houses often have a way of making photographs feel different before we have even begun. The architectural details, the changing light, the textures and the little imperfections all add something to the atmosphere.
For this creative maternity shoot in London, the Victorian interiors gave us a wonderful setting to work with.
The large windows brought the outside world into the rooms, while the vintage lighting and distinctive furnishings added warmth and depth. It felt artistic without being overly styled, and the house offered a beautiful contrast to the softness of pregnancy and the energy of a three year old.
Rather than trying to make the setting disappear, I wanted it to become part of the story.
I love how a beautiful location can inspire a different way of seeing familiar moments. A simple interaction between mum and daughter can feel completely different depending on the light, the surroundings and the way the two of them move through a space.
The result is maternity photography that feels personal, considered and a little unexpected.
Not because everything has to be elaborate, but because the right surroundings can bring out something you might not have imagined photographing otherwise.
You don't need a beautiful home to have beautiful maternity photographs
This is something I really want more mums to know.
You don't need to live in a grand Victorian house to have an in home maternity session.
You don't need enormous windows, perfectly styled interiors or a home that looks as though it belongs in a magazine.
Your home is where your family lives. It might be a small flat in South London, a cosy house in Surrey or somewhere in between. It might be full of toys, everyday clutter and all the things that come with raising a little person.
That doesn't make it any less worthy of being photographed.
An in home maternity session is about creating photographs that feel connected to you and your family. Sometimes that means embracing the familiar spaces where you spend your days. Sometimes it means choosing a setting that reflects your personal style a little more closely.
And if you have always dreamed of photographs in a beautiful old house, you don't necessarily need to own one.
Could you hire a house or Airbnb for your maternity session?
Yes, and it can be a lovely way to create something a little different.
For this session, we used a characterful Victorian house in London to explore a more editorial, artistic approach to maternity photography.
If you live in South London or Surrey and love the idea of a setting with beautiful interiors, you could look into hiring a house or booking an Airbnb for your session. I had so many Mums and previous clients who contacted me after seeing the photos from this shoot - they all wanted something like this !!
Perhaps you are drawn to traditional Victorian details, an elegant townhouse, a country cottage or a home filled with natural light and interesting textures. Choosing a space that you genuinely love can help shape the look and feel of your photographs.
It can also be a lovely excuse to spend a little time somewhere special with your family, creating memories before your new baby arrives.
Of course, you will need to check that the owner permits professional photography and that the property is suitable for a family session.
And if hiring a space sounds like more planning than you need right now, please don't feel that it is necessary. We can explore the possibilities together, or simply work with the home you already have.
The aim isn't to create a picture perfect life that doesn't belong to you. It is to create beautiful photographs of the life you are actually living.
What if my toddler won't cooperate?
If you have a three year old, you probably know that the words just stand there and smile don't always go to plan.
And why should they?
Toddlers have their own ideas, their own moods and their own very important things to do. Some days they want to be close to you. Other days they would rather explore every corner of a room than look at a camera.
That is completely normal.
You don't need to worry about making your child behave perfectly for a maternity photography session. I don't expect little ones to follow a list of instructions or smile on cue throughout the experience.
Instead, I make space for movement, interaction and the occasional change of plan.
We can take breaks, follow their lead and find little ways to bring them into the experience without putting too much pressure on them.
Sometimes the photographs you end up loving most are the ones you never planned.
The slightly windswept hair, the cuddle that lasts a little longer than expected, the laughter that catches you both by surprise.
And if your toddler needs a little time to warm up, that is fine too.
These photographs are not about proving that your family can behave perfectly for an hour. They are about remembering this season of life, with all its personality and unpredictability.
Maternity photography in South London and Surrey
If you are pregnant with your second baby, you might be wondering whether to book a maternity session this time around.
Perhaps you had photographs taken during your first pregnancy, or perhaps you never quite got around to it. Maybe life feels busier now, and the idea of organising a photoshoot with a toddler in tow feels like another thing on an already long list.
I understand that.
But this pregnancy deserves to be remembered too.
You are not the same mum you were the first time. Your family has grown, your days look different and you are preparing for another huge change in your life.
A maternity session gives you the chance to pause for a little while and celebrate this chapter, including the relationship you have with your first child before they become a big sister or brother.
I photograph maternity and family stories across South London and Surrey, creating relaxed sessions that bring together connection, thoughtful styling and beautiful surroundings.
Whether you would love an intimate session at home, a shoot in a characterful hired house or something a little more artistic, we can plan an experience that feels right for you.
Before your family grows again
There is something particularly special about photographs taken just before a new baby arrives.
They hold a version of your family that is about to change, even if you cannot quite imagine what that change will feel like yet.
Your little girl is still your only child. Your bump is growing. You are getting ready to meet someone you already love, but haven't held in your arms.
Soon, there will be another little person in the middle of your family, and life will find a new rhythm.
Photographs of this time don't need to be perfect or overly posed to become meaningful. They just need to bring you back to the people you were, together, at this particular moment.
If you are looking for a maternity photographer in South London or Surrey and love the idea of a relaxed, artistic session that includes your little one, I would love to hear from you.
We can create something beautiful in your own home or explore a hired space that gives your photographs the atmosphere you have been dreaming of.
Get in touch to enquire about your maternity photography session… and let's create something that celebrates both the mum you are today and the family you are about to become.
