Baby and newborn photographer in London
Your newborn baby is his or her own little person right from the start. Some are squishy and sleepy. Others cry a lot and have trouble feeding. Some want to be held. Others don’t. Some love water. Others scream bloody murder come bath time.
I think the best place for your baby is in your arms so I never ‘style’ your baby or use props or accessories to capture their newness. My documentary, photojournalistic approach to newborn pictures means there is no need to pose your baby on a beanbag, or to ensure they are asleep for an extended period.
“Antonina spent the day with me, my husband, and our newborn son and managed to capture the spirit of our little family perfectly. She made us feel so relaxed in front of the camera and the beautiful photos reflect this.” — Kate
Beautiful, authentic photos of your tiny little person
The most beautiful newborn pictures are simple and honest photographs of parents and baby finding their feet together. The scale of their tiny feet in your hands, their skin on yours, the awkward little limbs in your arms. The beauty lies in the bond between you and this is what I will capture.
“We had a newborn session with Antonina and the whole experience from first contact to delivery of our images was wonderful. Having Antonina in our home was wonderful. It was like having a friend we hadn’t seen in a while over for a catch up. She’s a calm presence and my oldest son enjoyed having her around which always helps! The memories that Antonina delivered are amazing. I’ll cherish them forever. They’ll always be a beautiful reminder of a time of our life that went so quickly but was so tough at the time.” — Bronwyn
When to book your newborn photoshoot
While many newborn photographers prefer to take newborn photos when your baby is extremely new (six to fourteen days), I am a bit more relaxed about when we do it. I don’t pose your baby I don’t need him or her to be extra sleepy, so you can have your shoot when you all feel ready. I’ve photographed newborn babies as young as five days old, and as old as three months, and the results are always lovely.
It’s best to get in touch with me while you’re pregnant, and I will pencil in your due date. Once your baby is born we can confirm a date for the shoot. If your baby has already arrived, do still get in touch and I will do my best to find time for you.
What to expect from a newborn photography session
There’s no need to make any special preparations or even leave the house, which can be a relief in the early days with a new baby. I will join you at your home when you’re ready, documenting everyday life: feeding, cuddling, nappy changing, bathtime and snoozing.
We will spend some time creating some very relaxed and natural portraits of you with your newborn, as well as some pictures of baby on their own. There’s no need to worry if your baby is falling asleep, or is fussy or not on schedule. I photograph you just as you are, perfectly imperfect – and that’s the beauty of it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should I book the newborn photoshoot?
It’s best to contact me with me while you’re pregnant, and I will pencil in your due date. Because babies rarely come on schedule, I will remain flexible and we will confirm the exact date once the baby is born.
If your baby has already arrived, do still get in touch and I will do my best to find time for you.
How long will the newborn photoshoot last?
A newborn photoshoot with just one baby will typically last around two hours. It’ll be a little longer if the singlings are involved, depending on their age and what we are trying to capture. I am very flexible and all my photoshoots are child-led, so I’ll never rush anything.
Will you pose my baby and use props?
No. I believe the best images – and the ones that you will treasure for years to come – are the ones of the natural, candid moments of your real life with the new baby. Whether it involves feeding, bathing, going for a walk, or playing with the siblings, that’s what I will capture in a beautiful and artistic way. We can incorporate things that matter to you as a family (like that blanket that was passed down from your grandma, or a special toy) but I will not use any other props or pose the baby in an unnatural way.
What should we wear for a newborn photoshoot?
Whatever you feel comfortable in! There are no rules and I encourage you to wear clothes that make you feel great. Because the newborn photoshoot takes place at home, you can also change whenever you like. I’ve had photoshoots where everyone started off wearing their PJs and loungewear as I joined them first thing in the morning, and later changed into street clothes as we headed outside. Ahead of your photoshoot, I’ll send you a more detailed guide with more tips and inspiration on what to wear and how to prepare for your newborn session.
Do you offer bump to baby packages or maternity photoshoots?
Of course! Just get in touch for more information.
I don’t want my photos shared online, can you guarantee my privacy?
I will never publish or share any of your images without your permission and I’m always very discreet. I regularly work with high profile individuals, adoptive parents and families from the Middle East. If you don’t want your images shared, please talk to me to confirm this.
What areas do you cover?
Newborn photoshoots take place in the comfort of your own home, and I and cover most of Central, South West, South East and North London areas, as well as Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. I regularly visit clients in their homes in Kensington and Chelsea, Notting Hill, Battersea, Fulham, Chiswick, Balham, Clapham, Richmond, Twickenham, St Margarets, Teddington, Hampstead, Highgate, Camden, Esher, Hampton, Weybridge, Virginia Water, and Windsor, among others. I am also happy to travel further afield and have photographed clients in Europe and the US (additional travel fees will apply).
Can grandparents get involved too?
I believe it’s so important to capture the special moments with grandparents or even great-grandparents so I love to have them included in my photoshoots. Just let me know in advance and try to get them on board with a more documentary approach to family photography (we will not ask grandkids to say cheese!).
Is my baby too old for a newborn photoshoot?
While many newborn photographers prefer to take newborn photos when your baby is extremely new (six to fourteen days), I am a bit more relaxed about when we do it. I don’t pose your baby I don’t need them to be extra sleepy, so you can have your shoot when you all feel ready. I’ve photographed newborn babies as young as five days old, and as old as three months, and the results are always lovely.
Can parents and siblings be photographed with the baby?
Of course! My newborn photoshoots are designed to capture this fleeting stage in your family’s life, and photographs of your new baby with you the parents, with siblings, or even furry brothers or sisters, is at the very heart of my approach.
What if my baby doesn’t sleep / needs feeding / won’t settle / needs a bath?
Babies are unpredictable like that and you never quite know what they are going to do on any given day. There’s beauty in the unexpected, and that’s why I stay flexible and just roll with whatever happens, and photograph whatever comes our way! I promise you whatever happens, you’ll treasure those images in the years to come.
Can we get a more traditional portrait as part of our shoot?
Sure thing. This will take about fifteen minutes at the start of the photoshoot and we can create a portrait that will be natural, relaxed and full of personality.
Book your newborn baby photoshoot
If you’d like to schedule an informal chat to to discus your photography session, or book your newborn photoshoot, just get in touch or email hello@mamzenko.com.
“OMG Antonina! You are sooooo amazing! I am sitting here in tears at how beautiful these photos are!” — Maria
