I invite you to pause.

To step away from the noise.

To honour where you are.

To recognise how far you've come.

To see yourself, not through the eyes of expectation, but with compassion.

Portrait experiences for women in Forest Row, East Sussex.

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A woman with long dark hair sitting on a wooden chair, cuddling and kissing a small child and an infant, in a room with a large window, beige walls, and carpeted floor.
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woman standing in front of her house
A woman with dark hair and hoop earrings is breastfeeding a baby, who is lying in her arms. The woman is looking down at the baby with a gentle expression.

We spend so much of our lives becoming who everyone else needs us to be.

We care.
We nurture.
We build.
We hold everything together.

And somewhere along the way, we stop seeing ourselves.

A portrait is an invitation to pause.

To recognise the woman you've become.

To honour every chapter that brought you here.

The little girl who dreamed.
The woman who doubted.
The mother.
The entrepreneur.
The one who kept going, even when no one saw how hard it was.

One day you'll walk past your portrait.

I hope you won't just see a beautiful photograph.

I hope you'll see yourself.

And remember how strong you truly are.

b&w photo of a woman standing outside
mum and baby looking out of the window
Reflection of a woman holding a baby in a round mirror, with a window in the background.
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These sessions are about noticing what’s already there, all your strength, power, beauty, resilience, without asking you to perform or become anything else.

Photographing women across Forest Row, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.

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woman at the beach looking at the horizon
mum cuddling baby at the beach
reflection of a pregnant tummy on the mirror
woman looking at the side

  • "I genuinely will treasure these images for my entire lifetime. I couldn’t have expected anything more beautiful. I feel so “me” - which I often don’t in photos of myself. I felt at peace throughout, the experience was authentic and encouraging. This whole experience has been a real “coming home” to oneself. "

    - Sophie Fuller -

  • “Her passion for creating intimate and genuine photographs is truly evident, and her discreet, non-invasive approach made the entire experience so comfortable. It felt less like a photoshoot and more like having a friend around, which allowed us to relax and be ourselves. This, in turn, allowed Catarina to capture the most tender and authentic moments we now cherish.”

    Maria Nogueira

  • I can't praise Catarina highly enough. She came to do a newborn shoot after the (surprisingly difficult!) birth of my third baby, at a time when we were feeling very tender and raw. In Catarina's hands, the experience was really magical and incredibly healing. I feel like I was given back that 'golden hour' feeling of stillness, closeness and connection that we missed after the birth. Her presence is so natural and gentle that she was able to capture really intimate moments without ever breaking that intimacy. Today we got the photos back and I am blown away by how wonderful they are! They have such warmth and depth to them, beautifully composed without feeling posed or inauthentic at all. We will absolutely cherish them!

    Adela, Newborn Session

  • "Catarina 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 Calvo -

  • "My instant feeling after my session with Catarina was “I should do this every year”. I love her vision. It’s soft, sensual, real and accessible."

    - Rachel Mepham -

  • "Catarina was really respectful, giving us time and space to ease into the session. She was very intuitive, gently following our lead while offering thoughtful guidance that brought out the best in us. Her flexibility and gift for improvisation were especially valuable with our children."

    - Amelia Errazuriz -

  • "Catarina is able to transform a moment that could feel a bit awkward in the most natural and fun experience. And the results are breath-taking! Photographs filled with depth and light that you won't be able to find anywhere else. "

    - Zoe Enderlin

A young woman with long brown hair standing outdoors in a garden, wearing a pink apron with the words 'Amen Bakery House' on it, a blue shirt, and earrings, with trees and a building in the background.
woman walking in the field with a floaty dress
woman getting dresses
A woman with blonde hair holding a newborn baby close to her chest. The baby's feet are visible, and the woman is wearing a pink garment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Reach out: Send me a message and tell me what your thoughts are and we go from there!

    Pick a date: We’ll find a date that works for you. If it’s an outdoor session, we’ll reserve a second date too, just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate

    Get ready: You’ll get access to a special page on my website with tips on what to expect, suggestions to help you choose what to wear, and a short questionnaire to share your vision.

    Optional chat: Want to plan your session in more detail? We can hop on a short call beforehand, just let me know!

    And that’s it! Once you’re ready, I’ll be fully prepped to make your session a fun, empowering experience celebrating you.

  • Wherever we decide to meet, whether it’s a place that’s meaningful to you or somewhere that feels beautiful and comfortable, we’ll start by taking a little time to settle in and get used to each other and the space.

    I’ll give gentle guidance and prompts, like suggesting a walk, asking you to look out at the ocean, or encouraging playful moments with your child. But there’s no posing, I like to keep things natural and relaxed, letting moments unfold as they happen, letting emotions come and they want and capturing true life.

    The session is all about capturing real, authentic moments in a way that feels comfortable for you. My goal is for you to feel at ease, enjoy the experience, and walk away with images that feel honest, personal, and true to who you are.

  • I want your photos to feel authentic and like you, but a few simple choices can make a big difference. I usually suggest avoiding logos, busy patterns, or very bright colors, so the focus stays on the emotions and connections in the images.

    Before your session you’ll get access to a private page on my website with tips! I don’t suggest matching outfits, but complementary colors and textures work beautifully. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable and yourself.

    Since we’re celebrating you, why not treat yourself? A new or special outfit can be a little pamper, something that makes you feel confident and joyful during your shoot.

  • I totally get it, I really do! As an introvert myself, I know how uncomfortable it can feel. My goal is to make the session as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. We’ll take our time, chat if you want to, share stories, or just enjoy the silence, whatever feels right for you.

    Sometimes I’ll give gentle prompts or suggestions to help you feel more at ease, and you’re welcome to bring a few ideas or prompts of your own if that helps. I truly believe that letting yourself be seen in front of the camera can be such a healing and empowering experience, and I aim to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and free to just be yourself.

  • Once the session is finished, I’ll carefully edit all your images. In 4 to 6 weeks, you’ll have access to all your photos, ready to enjoy and treasure!

  • If you’re happy to go for it, I am too! I usually ask clients to hold two potential dates for the shoot, so if the weather doesn’t cooperate the first time, we have a backup.

    A little drizzle can actually make for some truly magical shots, and dramatic skies or clouds are some of my personal favorites!

    The session is all about enjoying the moment and making it fun. If you’re up for a bit of adventure, we can create beautiful, memorable images in almost any weather!

  • I’m based in East Sussex, and my fees include Forest Row and a 20-mile radius. I’m happy to travel further if I have availability - additional travel charges may apply, depending on the distance.

Send me a message

I take on a limited number of sessions each month, allowing space for a slower pace, deep presence, and genuine care for each person I photograph.

Community Sessions
From time to time, I offer a small number of Community Sessions for women who feel drawn to this work but for whom the full pricing isn’t accessible right now.

These sessions are offered with the same care and intention as all my work and are available in very limited numbers. If this feels relevant to you, you’re welcome to send me a message and we can talk.