HELD SESSIONS

Pause. Hold. Remember.

HELD Sessions are for mothers at every stage, maternity, newborn, or mum & babe. These sessions are about connection, presence, and celebrating the quiet, fleeting moments of motherhood.

I focus on capturing authentic interactions, emotions, and the bond between you and your child.

Book Free Connection Call
Book Free Connection Call
Pregnant woman standing on a terrace near an arched brick wall, with a view of the water in the background, wearing a cream-colored skirt and a cropped top.
A woman holds a baby, cradling the baby's foot and hand as the baby nurses.
A person taking a photo through window blinds, with a plant partially covering their body.
A woman holding a baby in her arms, both looking at the camera. The woman has long brown hair and the baby has a serious expression.


I gently guide when needed, but the session is led by you and your baby, allowing space for rest, movement, feeding, closeness, and pause.

The result is a small, intentional collection of images that feel intimate, timeless, and deeply true to this chapter of your life.

A woman with blonde hair holding a newborn baby against her shoulder, smiling with her eyes closed.

Held – £280

  • Timing: HELD sessions are unhurried and guided by the season you’re in.
    Some sessions move gently and briefly, others need more space, particularly in the early newborn days.
    We allow the time needed, without rushing or pressure.

  • Location: One carefully chosen space (indoor or outdoor)

  • Images: 10 high-resolution digital images included

  • Upgrade to Full Story Collection (The entire gallery, without needing to choose) — £120

  • A fine art print of your favourite image included. (Additional fine art prints are available to purchase if you wish to add more to your collection.)

  • Prep: Short questionnaire to help us both prepare.

Book Free Connection Call
Book Free Connection Call
A woman holding a baby in a cozy room with a window in the background, captured in black and white.
A woman holding a young child as they look out a window. The scene is warm and intimate, with soft lighting.
Pregnant woman standing barefoot on the beach with ocean waves, wearing a light-colored blouse and shorts, with her eyes closed and arms outstretched.
A woman holding a young child wrapped in a blanket outdoors with trees and greenery in the background.

  • “Catarina is a true artist. She will ,seemingly effortlessly, manage to extract the most beautifully human moments out of the most ordinary situations. Equally she knows exactly how to bring out the inherent beauty out of anyone often in the simplest and most natural environments. She has photographed my family over and over again, and each time, I have been surprised by the gift of her creativity.”

    Adriana

  • “We loved working with Catarina! Very bubbly and joyful! We felt at ease and had fun! The camera wasn’t disturbing but integral part of the experience and Catarina was very good at achieving this, making us feel together and vulnerable without feeling exposed! Loved it!”

    Chiara

  • "From the moment we met Catarina, we felt at ease. Her discreet, natural approach made the session feel like having a friend around, allowing us to relax and be ourselves. She captured the most tender, authentic moments of our family that we will forever treasure. If you want a photographer who sees the beauty in everyday life, we wholeheartedly recommend Catarina!"

    Maria

  • “Catarina is simply the best. Her relaxed way and style was perfect for making our family photo shoot happen organically. Finley is 6 weeks old. So it felt like a really important time to capture as a family. She focused on the little things like me holding his foot and him holding my hand, as well as those bigger moments with all of us. I felt her attention to detail was perfect. I highly recommend her and her work. 10/10”

    Katie

Frequently Asked Questions

  • HELD Sessions are for mothers at every stage. maternity, newborn, or mum & baby. They’re for women who want to pause, connect, and celebrate the fleeting, precious moments of motherhood. These sessions are about presence, authenticity, and love, even if you don’t normally feel comfortable in front of a camera.

  • Maternity and mother & baby sessions typically last around 45–60 minutes.

    Newborn sessions may unfold more slowly, allowing up to 2 hours if needed

  • That’s completely normal! I guide you gently, letting moments unfold naturally. These sessions are designed to make you and your baby feel relaxed, so you can focus on connection and presence rather than posing. The maternity sessions need a bit more guiding but it will all be relaxed and gentle.

  • All packages include:

    • A short questionnaire to help me understand your goals, style, and comfort level

    • Terms & Conditions so you know exactly what to expect

    • Guidance on what to bring and how to prepare

  • I will send you some simple guidelines. You want to feel comfortable and yourself more than anything. You are celebrating where you are at the moment so it might also be a nice excuse to buy something new!

  • Sessions can be indoors or outdoors, depending on your comfort and the style of images you want. The exact location will be planned after your pre-session questionnaire so it’s personal, safe, and meaningful.

  • Each session is edited with care and intention. My approach responds to what the session calls for rather than following a fixed formula. You can explore my portfolio to get a sense of my visual language and approach.

    In this branding session we will have decided what kind of feeling we want, the best format and sizes and I will edit with this in mind.

  • After your session, you’ll receive a private online gallery with all your images. From this gallery, you can:

    • View all photos from your session

    • Download your high-resolution images directly to your device

    • Option to upgrade to full gallery for an extra fee.

  • HELD Sessions are mostly unposed and natural, capturing the genuine bond between you and your child. For maternity sessions, a little guidance may be given to highlight your growing belly and ensure comfort, but even then, the focus is on intuitive, authentic moments.

  • 5 high-resolution digital images are included. You also have the option to upgrade to the full gallery (~40 images) for £120, giving you a larger collection of your favourite moments.

  • Yes! Each session includes a fine art print of your favorite image. You are also welcome to order additional prints at your own cost if you’d like more keepsakes or gifts for family and friends.

  • Life happens, and I understand! Your £100 booking fee is non-refundable, but it can be applied toward a rescheduled session within 6 months. I kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to change your session date. This helps me manage my schedule and ensures we can find a time that works best for you.

Prices apply within a 20-mile radius of Forest Row. Additional travel charges may apply beyond this area and will be agreed in advance. A £100 booking fee is required to secure your session date. The session is only confirmed once this fee has been received. Booking fees are non-refundable.