Holding Space: The Quiet Rituals Behind My Photography Sessions
Small Rituals That Help Me Prepare to Hold Space During Photography Sessions
Small, grounding practices that help me arrive with presence and intention — so I can hold space for the families I photograph in Cornwall.
We all have little rituals - ways we help ourselves move from one thing to the next. It might be a morning routine, a favourite tea before work, or that mental checklist before leaving the house. These small acts often go unnoticed, but they quietly shape how we show up in the world.
Since becoming a mother - and especially since recognising my own neurodivergence - I’ve become far more aware of the importance of transitions. Watching my eldest need space to adjust after school or shift gears from play to mealtime made me realise: I’m exactly the same.
I need time to land. To settle my nervous system. To feel ready to connect.
And that matters - especially in my work.
Why ritual matters in photography
As a lifestyle family and newborn photographer in Cornwall, the energy I bring to a session isn’t just a nice extra, it’s everything.
My approach is intuitive, connection-led, and depends on presence, calm and trust - because real emotion and authentic moments can’t be forced. They have to unfold. And in order for that to happen, I need to feel grounded too.
That’s why I’ve come to rely on a few gentle rituals that help me prepare - not just technically, but emotionally and energetically - so that I can hold space for the people I photograph in a way that feels safe, slow and attuned.
Behind the lens: what it really takes
It’s easy to assume that being a photographer is all about knowing your camera and capturing a pretty picture. But the truth is - especially in the kind of natural, emotive family photography I do - 99% of the work happens before I even lift the camera.
It’s the unseen effort - the calming of my own nervous system, the preparing of space where a tired parent or overstimulated child can just be. It’s in listening, softening, holding back, and knowing when to gently guide.
These aren’t things you can fake.
They come from intention. From practice.
And often, from the smallest, most personal of rituals.
Whether I’m photographing a newborn session in my Grampound home studio, a breastfeeding shoot outdoors in Cornwall, or simply welcoming a family into my space, I do everything I can to arrive fully - not as a performer, but as a witness.
Because what I’m really doing is capturing energy, presence, and connection - and for that, I need to feel those things within myself first.
If you’re a photographer or creative who often feels sensitive to transitions, know this: it’s not a few - it’s wisdom. Creating rhythm around your work isn’t indulgent. It’s essential.
Want to know more about how I hold space during sessions - or how to bring this softness into your own photography practise? I offer mentoring for photographers across Cornwall and beyond. Feel free to get in touch.
