Photography by Charmaine Brown

I’m Charmaine Brown — a specialist maternity photographer based in Croydon who loves creating images that celebrate the wonder of pregnancy. My work focuses on making expecting mothers feel beautiful, confident and comfortable, so the portraits we create are genuinely you: warm, natural and full of emotion. Photography is personal to me; my brand mantra is “you can, you will and you must,” and that’s the spirit I bring to every maternity session. My approach is relaxed and collaborative. We start with a one-to-one consultation to plan the mood, outfits and locations that best suit your home and your style. Shoots can take place in a hired studio in the Croydon area, in the comfort of your own home (I bring studio lights and portable backdrops to give you a true studio experience) or outdoors at a favourite park or London location. I use gentle direction rather than stiff posing — I want the moments between poses, the small gestures and intimate smiles, to be the focus. I recommend booking early in pregnancy (many clients reserve a slot around 20 weeks) and scheduling the shoot when your bump feels its best — typically between 24–32 weeks. If you’d like to include your partner or older children, I always encourage it; those connections add beautiful emotion to the images. I also offer combined maternity/newborn follow-ups and will advise you on newborn timing if you want a bundled approach. To make the experience effortless, I can recommend make-up artists trained by Charlotte Tilbury to help you feel camera-ready, and I’ll guide you on outfits and colour palettes so your final images fit beautifully in your home. During the shoot I show you images as we go on a secure weblink so you can see how things are unfolding and we can make adjustments together. I bring professional qualifications and a love of portraiture to every session — trained through The Photography Institute and recognised with awards on the judging circuit — but what matters most is the way I work with people: patiently, cheerfully and with an eye for timeless composition. Whether you prefer soft colour or dramatic black-and-white, I’ll craft a gallery of images you’ll treasure. After your shoot we’ll have a relaxed viewing where we choose your favourites and discuss framing and display options so your images become a lasting family heirloom. If you’re in Croydon or the wider London area and planning a maternity shoot, I’d love to talk through ideas and help you capture this special time with care and creativity.