Photography by Petra

Photography by Petra Family and newborn photographer & personal branding for businesses
Leigh on Sea, Essex Hi! I am Petra, I am a photographer and mum of 3. I appreciate them.

Life is busy but not sure I would have it any other way. I am lucky enough to work from home (in Leigh on Sea) but I do location and shoots in client’s homes too. I have been in the photography industry since 2006 and found a love for newborns in 2011 when my first was born. Portraiture is what I do best however I get excited just about any project, big or small. I dipped my toe into birth photogr

aphy 6 years ago and was lucky enough to capture some amazing moments for parents meeting their babies for the first time. I am hoping to continue this journey once my littlest is a bit bigger. I'm people photographer and offer maternity, newborn and family photoshoots, and I also do commercial work (see my other account ). I use natural light in my work (99% of the time). My mission is to capture real, authentic images that will remind you of what once was and will be shared and passed onto your children. Every photographer have a style and it will always shine through but listening to my clients' vision and ideas is important to me. They are your images, right? I always hope that my work will evoke emotions in my clients and the moments we capture together will have lasting effect and put smile on their faces every time they get a glance of their images. Photos give me the feeling that I could hold an instant of time, emotion and memory right there. Less is definitely more for me and keeps the collection of images interesting and more captivating. To me photographs are a beautiful reminder of what life once was. I have so many I look back on with such gratitude! It’s so easy to forget those times, whatever, whoever and whenever you were, so let me capture those precious moments for you. To check availability please contact me here.

07/09/2026

Last Autumn, the people who walked through the door of Launchpad in Southend for my Headshot day were quite a mix. A PMU artist, mortgage broker, IT manager, a forensic medicine graduate student, a fiction author, an equity release broker and fitness coach (my husband closed the day). The day was not boring!

All different businesses with different briefs, same goal - a great headshot and obviously centre stage is my stool that comes with me to every headshot session IYKYK

My upcoming Headshot day is set to 22 September and I have 1 slot already taken. The link to all details and booking is in my bio. Would love if you join me!

Headshot day in Launchpad Southend
Headshot mini session in Southend Essex

Despite the 12 hour journey back from France last night, we made it on time, with breakfast eaten at the table - I’m gue...
03/09/2026

Despite the 12 hour journey back from France last night, we made it on time, with breakfast eaten at the table - I’m guessing we only decline from now on.

This summer was a new one to me - with two teenagers spending more time with friends than at home, our holiday was about less screen time (for the first time we didn’t get WiFi access 😱) and more time doing things together, we even experienced times when no one was baiting anyone from boredom or lack of patience 🫣 and we had a stable and at peace existence for prolonged hours.

Teenagers are actually really funny and I’m starting to see it differently and enjoy their know-it-all conversations just to pitch in different perspective (when my own patience is not running our or I’m not rage-baited instead).
The one part on this holiday I didn’t enjoy so much was them having a say what I can and can’t photograph (and how!!!)- I guess the digital world is at their fingerprints and they don’t grasp the idea of documenting memories in a way my own, much more sentimental self can but I stole a few clicks on my phone whilst they were not looking so I feel I preserved something.

So no fun reel from our holiday this year, I’m rather grateful for us and the fun time we had ❤️

(I’m also thankful for Bernard - the plant I impromptu bought that just about fit in the car boot and didn’t hit anyone on their head - it’s tall but I fell in love at first sight. Clive the cactus that I couldn’t resist because it was just like in the painting I did - just paint by numbers that Ivy didn’t bother with since Christmas so I took it on holiday to paint with my morning coffee and it was the best mindful thing I did the whole time. Freddy the fossil - a massive 10kg stone we found on the beach and the boys carried about a mile to bring with us 👀)

lifestylefamilyphotographerinleighonsea

04/08/2026

No reformer studio is the same and Katy at based in has all the gear and all the ideas 🙌

We added some BTS footage of her group classes, 121s and her own practice to her photoshoot and honestly, the gorgeous views are just the perfect backdrop to the kind of place you want to come back time and time again.

More from her photoshoot soon!

Video content for Pilates studio
Brand photoshoot for Pilates studio
Marketing on social media
Personal brand photographer in Leigh on Sea in Essex

31/07/2026

So I switched stills for the video for once again and this is what a fitness photoshoot at entirely private studio looks like.

This shoot was the end of a 6-months long - very different journeys for each. For some, it wasn’t their first time and they knew what to expect and for the rest it was their fellow participants that helped with struggles alongside. It showed how comfortable everyone felt around each other, the community that’s built in preparation.

I’m always in awe of all their achievements 👏👏 and I’m looking forward to capture the next shoot which will also include a watershoot too 👀

💪
📷
🍊
📹

Content creation BTS content Video content
Fitness photoshoot preparation Fitness transformation Fitness coaching
Multiple setup private gym studio

Maybe an unpopular opinion but overcasts are so underrated in family photography 👀We love beautiful light and sunsets bu...
28/07/2026

Maybe an unpopular opinion but overcasts are so underrated in family photography 👀

We love beautiful light and sunsets but with children who likes to take the lead and parents who are more than happy to allow the direction the wind takes us, it gives us the freedom of movement the sunshine wouldn’t.

I photographed this family since the boys were babies and I’m sure their past experiences play a huge part in the approach they take at each session - yes to a few photos looking at the camera which we take first and then let the moment unfold as they happen, no real control or script, just little guidance for good composition if that.

And isn’t that the epitome of family photos? ‘Do you remember when…’ happens when we let go of the ideals for the outcome, what we should look like in photos and allow the dynamics to shine through (I can help with that to get you going) and all it takes is the willingness to play.

As my client wrote after seeing their gallery:”Despite the clouds, injuries and excitable children, the photos captured our family perfectly. I tried and failed to cut them down without sacrificing those that show some of the lovely moments of fun and silliness.”

I’m now booking Autumn photoshoots. DM me to start planning your family session. And PS: they don’t have to be in woodland!

Lifestyle family photographer in Leigh on Sea
Southend Essex

23/07/2026

Team of 35. 2 headshots each. Candid shots from their team building day. All in under 6 hours.

I must admit, these were not the most ideal conditions to get well acquainted, nor we had the time for an easy conversations to make each person feel more comfortable in front of the camera and yet, by the end of the day, everyone had two headshots they approved of on the back of my camera. Well, if I’m honest, at the time I mostly heard “that will do” 🤣 which I’d never take too personally putting someone on the spot!

The very next day, I received a message from the person who organised this shoot with me saying:

“Hi Petra,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for Tuesday!

I’ve had such wonderful feedback from the team about how comfortable and at ease you made everyone feel, and some people are even excited to see the final photos! In fact, someone has already asked whether they’ll be able to use their headshot in a workshop PowerPoint at the end of the month, so I’d say that’s a real success!
Emily”

I’d say so too!

📷 for a community based health service based in London and Essex. A real pioneers in making difference differently.

Team headshots Corporate events and individual headshot sessions available across Essex and beyond. DM for more info.

Newborns at home ❤️ A little announcement incoming but know that all you need for lifestyle newborn photoshoot at home i...
21/07/2026

Newborns at home ❤️ A little announcement incoming but know that all you need for lifestyle newborn photoshoot at home is a window (this whole session was photographed in one room).

A dog is optional and very welcome to join in though I haven’t met a dog like Marley before who was rather keen to be in every shot possible.

📣 I haven’t been too vocal about my new website yet, lots of snags to iron out which will take longer with school holidays already here but you will notice that my studio newborn sessions are no longer available.
It was a decision I haven’t made lightly as they literally launched my own photography business at the time when not many offered it. Though if I learned anything in those 15 years is that you should always do what brings you joy the most and not be afraid to change things around.
The reason wasn’t that I enjoyed them less but because I got more inquiries for at-home photoshoots and I only found myself explaining the difference between the two.

My studio is still very much a working studio for corporate headshots, maternity, motherhood and little personalities sessions during the year and Christmas mini sessions before Christmas period.

You can find more details about my newborn shoots on my website, including the pricing and when to book ideally - although reach out to check availability even if your baby is already here. Don’t miss out on those snuggly shots. DM to chat.

Award-winning newborn photographer in Leigh on Sea, Southend, Essex

Here is hat makes these sessions so special (take 2!) And if your little person is transitioning from preschool to schoo...
16/07/2026

Here is hat makes these sessions so special (take 2!) And if your little person is transitioning from preschool to school, these could be captured too - either from preschool uniform or to school uniform 😍

Booking link in my bio or DM for more details.

Littlepersonalitiesgridseries gridportraits childrenportraiture childrenfineartphotography studioportraitsforkids

Address

Dundonald Drive
Leigh-on-Sea
SS91NA

Telephone

+447857348755

Website

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