Natural portrait photography for women in East Sussex, photographed in soft natural light

Organic Portrait photographer for women and families in Forest Row, East Sussex

A quiet, unhurried space to be seen, as you are, because this version of you exists only once

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Two young children, a girl and a toddler, playing and smiling on a beach with green hills and cliffs in the background.
A woman looking through a reflective window with blurred background. A person sitting at a table is also visible in the reflection.
A woman with long wavy hair gently holding a young boy with a shaved head, both looking out a window in soft natural light.
A young woman with long wavy brown hair stands outdoors in a lush garden surrounded by green plants and flowers, wearing a beige off-shoulder top and a long white skirt.

I’m a portrait photographer based in Forest Row, East Sussex, creating natural, calm, unhurried photography sessions for women and mothers who want to be seen as they truly are.

Pregnant woman with blonde hair standing outdoors near a brick arch with a view of water in the background, wearing a cream crop top and long skirt.
Black and white photo of a mother breastfeeding her newborn baby, who is wrapped in a knitted blanket and wearing a hat.
A young child with curly blonde hair and fair skin is peering out a window, touching the glass with their finger and looking at the outdoors, which is filled with greenery and bushes.
A person caring for a baby, holding the baby's foot and arm gently.

Women are at the heart of my work, women and all they carry, hold, and sustain.

Sometimes this means women on their own, sometimes it means with their children, families. These sessions are a chance to slow down and be seen.

They’re about noticing what’s already there, strength, tenderness, humour, resilience, without asking you to perform or become anything else. I want to capture the rawness of life. The real everyday.

The images we create are made to stay with you, photographs that remind you, again and again, of your strength and resilience, long after this season has passed.

If you feel unsure in front of the camera, I hear you. As an introvert, I know how exposed it can feel to be seen, to be in the centre. I’ll be there to guide you gently and hold the space, allowing the experience to unfold in a way that feels calm and supportive.

Organic Portrait photographer for women and families in Forest Row, East Sussex

Learn more about the different sessions

  • 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 -

  • 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

  • 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 -

A woman and young boy smiling and playing with toy cars on a wooden table indoors, with a window showing buildings and trees outside.
A woman and a young boy lying on a bed together, looking at a tablet, in black and white.
A woman sitting on a pebble beach, with white cliffs in the background, looking peaceful and reflective.

  • Reach out: Fill out the contact form and tell me what kind of session you’d like and any ideas you have.

    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, no pressure!

    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.

  • That’s completely normal! Kids are going to react to the situation in their own way, excitement, shyness, curiosity and that’s all part of the story, part of who they are.

    We’ll allow plenty of time for breaks, for soothing, for snacks, or just letting them explore. Often the most beautiful and joyful moments happen when children are free to be themselves, and I’ll capture all of it gently and naturally. The session is about real life, not perfect poses, so you can relax and enjoy your family exactly as you are.

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

A person taking a nude selfie in front of a mirror, with plants in the foreground and window reflections visible.
A young blonde child in a checkered diaper and brown sweater is walking barefoot on a pebbled beach, holding an adult's hand.
Toddler walking out of the house
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair looking out a window, wearing a brown blouse and a cream-colored cardigan.

So much of a woman’s strength lives quietly.

It shows up in what is carried day after day, in what is given without question, in the lives, families, and work shaped over time.

As mothers, business owners, caregivers, creators, as women,  there is a deep resilience and power that often goes unseen, even by ourselves.

These sessions are an invitation to stop and witness it.

To honour the tenderness alongside the strength.

To acknowledge the invisible work, the growth, the becoming.

Sessions take place in Forest Row and across East Sussex & Kent, offering women a quiet, supportive space to be photographed without pressure or performance.

A black and white photo of a newborn baby peacefully sleeping on a woman's chest, with her face close to the baby's head, touching the baby gently.
A pregnant woman standing barefoot on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background, wearing a white, loose blouse and shorts, with her eyes closed and arms raised.
A woman with long, curly brown hair wearing a large straw hat and a white top, standing outdoors with a blurred green landscape in the background.
A newborn baby being held by an adult, covered with a towel, looking up with a calm expression.