Find out more about Valentina Rebeschini, founder of Twickenham-based Photography by Valentina.
I am Valentina Rebeschini, an Italian-born photographer based in Twickenham. My business, Photography by Valentina, specialises in maternity, newborn and women’s portraiture. I create timeless, heartfelt images that celebrate love, connection and self-empowerment.
I launched my business in 2010, and it has been run solely by me ever since. What started as a passion project soon grew into a full-time business that has now served hundreds of families and women across London and beyond.
Finding my path
My lightbulb moment came after becoming a mum. Experiencing motherhood changed everything. It opened my eyes to how powerful photography can be in preserving fleeting moments and helping women see their own strength and beauty.
Without any family support network here in the UK, I wanted to be around my daughter as much as possible, and building my business gave me that flexibility. Motherhood, and specifically breastfeeding my daughter, also planted the seed for my book, Milk Tales which I self-published a few months ago.
Once again, motherhood reminded me that we cannot do everything alone; having a support network ready to step in is essential.
A career I never planned
Before becoming a photographer, I worked in sales and marketing in both Italy and the UK. My background is actually in languages, not photography. When I was younger, I wanted to travel the world and work at trade fairs as an interpreter!
I never planned to become a photographer; photography found me. Once I picked up a camera, I fell in love with it and quickly realised I could build a business around what I love most: connecting with people and creating something lasting for them.
Starting from scratch
The early days were full of challenges. Starting from zero in a new country meant I had to build everything, clients, reputation, and confidence, from scratch. It was not easy, and there were plenty of moments of doubt.
I also had to learn every aspect of running a business - from building a website and understanding SEO to branding, marketing, and finances. It has been a constant learning curve and still is!
Another challenge has been standing out in such a saturated industry. Over time, I learned that the best way to do that is to stay true to my values. I built my business around emotion and authenticity rather than trends.
I realised that awards and recognition are lovely, but what really matters is the experience my clients have. That is why I now focus on creating printed artwork, beautiful, tangible keepsakes that families can treasure for years to come. I want my clients to leave with something real, not just digital files on a hard drive.
Growing through purpose
The smartest decision I made was to start something I love and to build it on purpose, not pressure. My best piece of advice came from a mentor who told me: “You can do anything, but not everything.” It is such a simple reminder, but one that helps me set boundaries and make space for what truly matters. It was not like that at the beginning though, I was trying to be everything to everyone!
A few years ago, I also started a very personal project that became a published book called Milk Tales. It is a collection of real breastfeeding stories and portraits that explore the emotional side of motherhood, the struggles, resilience and connection that often go unseen.
Creating that book was one of the most meaningful things I have ever done, and it deepened my belief that photography can be a form of storytelling and healing.
Building community and confidence
When I first started, I felt quite lonely. In 2010, there were not as many online resources or social media communities as there are today. I used to do markets, distribute leaflets, and rely purely on word of mouth. I built my business one client at a time, and I am still so grateful to those early families who trusted me and shared my name with friends.
Only in recent years have I discovered how much support is available locally, and Richmond has been such a great place for that. The Council’s business initiatives and networking opportunities have been invaluable in helping small businesses like mine feel seen and supported.
If there is one thing I would say to residents, it is this: hire someone local and talk about it. Word of mouth is so powerful. A simple recommendation, a review, or a share on social media can make a huge difference and it is completely free. Small actions really do make a big impact.
Three things I would tell my younger self
If I could do it all again, I would ask for help sooner and believe in myself earlier. When I started, I underestimated my work and took too long to recognise its value. Confidence comes with time, but passion and persistence are just as important as experience.
My top three tips for anyone thinking of starting a business?
- Start before you feel ready: perfectionism kills momentum (and I say that as a recovering perfectionist)
- Stay authentic and true to yourself: your story and values are what make you stand out
- Build connections: find people who inspire, support, and really understand your journey
I love being based in the Richmond area because…
It feels like home. I love its calm energy, the sense of community and the beautiful green spaces that constantly inspire my work. It is a wonderful place to live, to create and to grow, both as a person and as a business.
How can people find you?
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographybyValentina
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_valentina/
- Website: https://photographybyvalentina.com