But you're in none of the photos.
You're the one holding the camera. Always.
The one who notices the golden light, the laugh, the way they fall asleep mid-sentence.
It's time someone captured you inside the story too. I'm a Newborn and Family Photographer in Sussex & Surrey, nice to meet you.
Years photographing families like yours
Of mums say they wish they'd done it sooner
Five-star Google reviews
Photos you'll have to take yourself
"I almost cancelled twice. Now these photos are the most precious thing I own."
— Emma, mum of two
Be honest with yourself
in a photograph with your children?
Not a selfie with half your face cropped out. Not the blurry one someone took of you mid-blink at a birthday party.
A real photograph. One where you're in their arms and they're in yours. Where you can see how much they love you, because someone finally pointed the camera at the person who's always behind it.
One day, your children will go looking for photos of you. What will they find?
You don't need to lose the baby weight first. You don't need a better wardrobe. You just need to show up. I'll do the rest.
Read this twice if you need to
And she deserves to be in the picture.
You think you'll book it when you've slept more, when the house is calmer, when you feel more like yourself. But the version of you they adore is the one that exists right now. The one reading the bedtime story, kissing the scraped knee, holding it all together. Picture her wrapped in the warm glow of a Sussex sunset, children in her arms. That's the mum these photographs are for.
Find Your Session →Every Season Of Motherhood
Whatever stage you're in,
it deserves remembering.
Newborn Sessions
The way they curl into you right now — so small, so new. You'll blink and it's gone. Let's keep it forever.
Enquire →
Family Sessions
No stiff posing. No "say cheese." Just your family being yours and you, finally, in the frame. Extended family sessions welcome too: grandparents, cousins, the whole beautiful tribe.
Enquire →
Maternity Sessions
You're growing a whole person. That deserves more than a mirror selfie. Celebrate the new you.
Enquire →
Branding Sessions
For the mum who's also building something. Imagery that shows the world who you really are.
Enquire →
Milestone Sessions
First smiles. First sitting up. First steps. They change every single month, let's not miss a chapter. Book now!
Enquire →
Cake Smash Sessions
One year of surviving and thriving, both of you. Celebrate with icing everywhere and joy in every frame.
Enquire →
To the mum reading this at 11pm
I know what's
stopping you.
You're thinking you'll do it next year, when you feel more confident. You're thinking the money should go on the kids. You're thinking you hate having your photo taken.
Here's what I know after so many years of photographing mums exactly like you: nobody has ever regretted being in the photographs. Not one. The only regret I ever hear, and I hear it often is "I wish we'd done this sooner."
"You'll never be this young again, and they'll never be this small again. That's the whole argument, really."
My sessions are built for women who feel awkward in front of a camera. You don't need to know how to pose. You just need to show up. I'll take care of the rest. You'll experience gentle direction (if you want to), real laughter, and an hour where someone else is in charge of remembering.
That's Me — Let's Talk
The Studio
Made for you.
Boho, warm, and made for you.
Bring the baby. Bring the toddler. Bring the chaos, the studio can hold all of it. A boho-style, warm and naturally lit space, think earthy tones, soft textures, dried flowers and golden light — where nobody's watching, nothing's rushed, and feeding breaks, nappy changes and toddler meltdowns are part of the plan, not a problem.
You don't need to bring anything except yourselves.
Warm Golden Light
Soft, flattering, sunset-toned, the kind of light that makes everyone look like themselves, only rested.
Boho Styling Provided
Earthy backdrops, neutral wraps, textured props and dried florals. Mum-approved and baby-tested.
Completely Private
The space is exclusively yours. Feed, change, take a breather — no audience, no rush.
Baby Sets The Pace
Sessions run on little-one time. We pause whenever you need to. Always.
Every session type can happen here — newborn, milestone, cake smash, maternity, branding. Just tell me what you're dreaming of when you enquire.
Enquire About the StudioThe Proof · Shot In That Golden Sunset Light
This is what you get
when you finally say yes.
PROOF YOU
WERE THERE.
PROOF YOU
WERE LOVED.
That's what these photographs really are.
For Photographers
you actually want.
You're a talented photographer. But talent alone doesn't fill your calendar, raise your prices, or build a business that sustains you. 1-2-1 mentoring with Vanessa is for photographers who are ready to stop guessing and start growing — with someone who's built it from the ground up.
This isn't about learning how to hold a camera. It's about building a business that works.
Launching soon. Spaces will be limited. Join the waitlist to be first in line and receive early access pricing.
GROW
Hi, lovely — I'm Vanessa
Family photographer, West Sussex
and a mission.
I'm Vanessa, a family photographer in West Sussex, based in Billingshurst. I capture natural, relaxed portraits of families, newborns and growing bumps — real moments, not stiff poses. Whether it's your baby's first weeks, your children exactly as they are right now, or the season of pregnancy you'll want to remember, I'm here to help you hold onto it.
I'm a mum too. I know what it's like to scroll back through a year of photos and realise you're in almost none of them. I know how it feels to be the family historian who's missing from the history — the one always behind the camera, waiting to feel a bit more "ready" before booking.
As a family photographer working across Sussex & Surrey, I bring a calm, unhurried approach to every session. My style is natural and warm, with rich golden tones and genuine connection over stiff smiles — sunset is my favourite time to shoot, when the light turns soft and honeyed and everyone finally relaxes. If you've been putting this off, waiting until you feel more ready — I built my whole business for you.
From Mums Like You
Here's what they say now.
★★★★★
"I put this off for two years because I hated photos of myself. Vanessa changed that in one afternoon. When I saw the gallery I cried — that's how my daughter sees me. I had no idea."
— Sophie M. · Family Session
★★★★★
"I was so nervous and self-conscious, but Vanessa made me feel completely at ease. She was patient with the baby, gentle with me, and the photographs are the most precious things I own."
— Emma & Tom · Newborn Session
★★★★★
"Three years of sessions with Vanessa now. My only regret is the years we didn't. If you're a mum reading this and hesitating — just book it. Future you will be so grateful."
— Rachel K. · Returning Client
A Little Glimpse
This is the sign you were waiting for
feel ready.
You will never be this young again.
They will never be this small again.
And "someday" is not a date in the calendar.
One enquiry. One session. A lifetime of proof that you were there, that you were present, and that you were so deeply loved. Let's make it happen.
NOW
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