Read the Blog
Featured Post
A Saturday morning in London, a family exploring St Dunstan in the East, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market. Moments that tell a story beyond the usual holiday snapshots. From quiet gardens to bustling streets, this session captures the real, unposed memories that make a trip unforgettable.
FILTER: newborn photography / PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS / PERSONAL
5 Reasons I Love In-Home Newborn Sessions in Brighton & Hove
Why I love photographing newborns at home in Brighton & Hove - relaxed, baby-led sessions that capture the real moments, details, and connections that matter.
Maternity in the Rain | A Calm, Natural Photoshoot at the Horniman museum Gardens
A calm, natural maternity session in Dulwich with Michaela and her husband from Forest Hill. Captured among the Horniman Museum Gardens, this outdoor photoshoot focused on genuine connection, soft light, and real moments - even when the rain arrived.
Capturing Real Family Moments in Clapham: A Lifestyle Session with Two Little Adventurers
Looking for a relaxed way to capture your family in Clapham, South London? This lifestyle session with two little boys shows how playful activities and real connections create beautiful, candid family portraits.
Top 5 East Dulwich Family Photoshoot Locations You’ll Love!
Looking for the perfect backdrop for your family photoshoot in East Dulwich? From leafy Dulwich Park to the vibrant energy of Lordship Lane and North Cross Road, discover five stunning South London locations for natural, heartfelt family portraits by award-winning photographer Irma Arrowsmith.
Capturing a Special 90th Birthday Celebration at the Buxted Park Hotel in Uckfield
I recently photographed a 90th birthday celebration at Buxted Park Hotel in Uckfield. Julia arranged the event for her mother, and it was a day full of memorable family moments. From candid interactions to multi-generational portraits, it was a privilege to capture the joy and connections that made this milestone so special.
Family Photography in Clapham: A Beautiful Day on Wandsworth Common
Enjoy a natural, joyful family photo session in Clapham. Starting at home and moving to Wandsworth Common, this two-hour morning shoot captured candid, timeless moments perfect for your family album.
Capturing Real Moments on a London Holiday
A Saturday morning in London, a family exploring St Dunstan in the East, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market, and moments that tell a story beyond the usual holiday snapshots. From quiet gardens to bustling streets, this session captures the real, unposed memories that make a trip unforgettable.
What’s the Best Age for Newborn Photos? A Gentle Guide from a Recent Greenwich Session
Discover the best age for newborn photos with Irma Arrowsmith, a natural newborn photographer in Greenwich, capturing calm, heartfelt family moments at home.
Twickenham: A Hidden Gem for Family Photoshoots in South London
Looking for a relaxed, beautiful setting for your family photos? Twickenham in South London offers riverside charm, leafy parks, and hidden gardens, perfect for natural, joyful family photography. In this post, I share my favourite Twickenham locations, what to expect during a session, and why it’s one of my go-to spots near London for capturing real family moments.
Street Scenes, Family Moments, and Why I Always Bring My Camera
We spent three weeks travelling through Vietnam — just the three of us. It was everything you'd expect: noisy, colourful, hot, full of life. We moved from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, Hoi An, and ended the trip on Phu Quoc island…
Family Photography in Arundel: Natural, Relaxed Sessions in West Sussex
Family photoshoots in Arundel and West Sussex that focus on calm, natural moments - children exploring, parents enjoying time together, memories captured.
Newborn Photography in Dulwich Village: Natural, Relaxed Sessions at Home
Welcoming a baby in Dulwich Village? Whether you’re just home from King's College Hospital or settling into the quiet rhythm of your new life, these early weeks are full of fleeting moments you’ll want to remember. As a specialist newborn photographer offering home sessions in and around Dulwich Village, I’m here to help you capture…
Real Life, Real Laughs: What Documentary Photography Looks Like With Older Kids
When most people think of family photography, they imagine newborns in soft swaddles or toddlers chasing bubbles in golden-hour light. But what about the older kids—the ones who’ve lost their baby teeth, developed strong opinions, and suddenly tower over you overnight?
How to Get Genuine Smiles from Toddlers (Without Candy or Toys)
As a documentary family photographer, one of the most common things parents ask me is: “How do you get our toddler to smile without bribing them?”
And it’s a great question. Toddlers are wild cards—adorable, curious, sometimes chaotic, but always full of emotion. The good news? You don’t need props, toys, or snacks to get authentic smiles. You just need a little patience, a calm environment, and the right approach.
Here’s how I capture genuine joy and connection during family photo sessions—without staged grins or sugary bribes…
Newborn Photography in Tooting: Honest Moments at Home
Tooting has a certain energy about it. Maybe it’s the hum of the markets on a Saturday morning, or the mix of old South London charm and new families settling into their first homes. It’s a place that feels lived in, a little imperfect in all the right ways—and for so many families, it’s where they begin their journey into parenthood…
Family Mini Sessions in Dulwich Park | Spring Light, Azaleas, and Familiar Faces
Over the past couple of months, I’ve done several of family mini sessions in Dulwich Park, and they’ve been a real highlight of my spring. The park looked particularly beautiful this year — The azaleas were out, and the soft light made it easy to get those natural, relaxed family portraits. The colours were beautiful, and I was glad the timing for these mini sessions worked out so well…
What New Parents Wish They Knew Before Their Newborn Session
If you're approaching your newborn session, it’s natural to have some uncertainty about what to expect. Unlike traditional staged newborn photographs, documentary newborn photography embraces the beauty of unposed moments. There's no pressure to get everything perfectly “just right.” Instead, this style captures…
A First Birthday in Clapham | Capturing the First Year Milestone
First birthdays are beautifully unpredictable. No one really knows how the day will unfold — there might be happy tears, skipped naps, or cake eaten straight from the top. That’s part of the charm. These gatherings aren’t about perfection; they’re about marking the end of a wild, transformative year with…
From Portslade to Lancing: A Family Session Before the Move
Today on the blog, I’m sharing a recent photo session with a lovely family of four, just days before they moved from their home in Portslade to start a new chapter in Lancing.
Muka got in touch while surrounded by half-packed boxes — she said there were so many early memories with the kids in this house, and she didn’t want to leave without capturing a few of them…
6 Common Reasons Parents Delay Newborn Photos (and Why You Might Want to Rethink Them)
Let’s be honest: those early newborn days are a blur of feeding, nappy changes, and trying to remember if you brushed your teeth. Booking a photo session can feel like one more thing on an already full list. I get it. But over the years…