Business Details
16 Years
experience
Award-Winning Maternity & Family Photography
Established over 15 years ago, Photography By Sonya Harrap is a multi-award-winning studio founded by Sonya Harrap, a qualified member of the Master Photographers Association and the Guild of Professional Photographers. Our expertise lies in capturing life's milestone moments through maternity, newborn, child, and family photography, with a focus on natural, emotive storytelling. Based in Welwyn Garden City, we serve clients across the UK and mainland Europe, combining artistic vision with technical precision to deliver timeless imagery.Our studio's commitment to quality has earned recognition as Maternity Photographer of the Year (2025, 2024, 2022) and Photographer of the Year (2022), reflecting our dedication to excellence. We maintain rigorous ethical standards through recyclable props and sustainable practices, creating a relaxed environment where clients feel comfortable and confident throughout their photography experience.
Services
Maternity photography
Newborn portraits
Cake smash sessions
Child photography
Family portraits
Wedding photography
Maternity award winner
Modest maternity
Headshots
Branding photography
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- 15+ years professional photography experience
- Maternity Photographer of the Year 2025, 2024 & 2022
- Relaxed studio environment with client-focused approach
- Sustainable practices with reusable/recyclable props
- Personalized viewing and ordering sessions
Associations and certifications
- The Guild of Professional Photographers
- Master Photographers Association
- Societies of Photographers
What people say
Talented photographer
Best photography experience
Made us feel relaxed
Beautifully captured memories
Quick turnaround time
Services
Maternity photography
Our maternity photography captures the beauty and strength of pregnancy with artistic compositions. Clients receive 1.5 hours studio time, access to over 100 outfit options, and 4 edited digital images. The session includes face-to-face viewing and ordering guidance, with optional gold foil treatments available for enhanced visual effects. All sessions take place in our Welwyn Garden City studio, designed for comfort and creative expression.
Newborn photography
Specialised newborn sessions focus on natural poses and timeless compositions, ensuring safety throughout. The up to 3-hour session includes parent-child interactions, sibling photos, and professional editing. Clients receive 4 high-resolution digital files plus matching prints, with optional wall art and albums available. Booking is recommended before birth to secure preferred dates within the crucial 6-21 day window.
Cake smash sessions
Celebratory 1st birthday sessions combine cake smashing with bath splash photography, capturing genuine emotions and milestones. The package includes themed setups, prop access, and 4 edited digital images. Unique selling points include eco-friendly decorations and immediate family inclusion. Sessions typically last 2 hours, with digital delivery within a week of shooting.
Family portraits
Our family photography sessions create cohesive portraits for multi-generational groups. The 1.5-hour studio session includes multiple setup changes and professional editing for 4 selected images. Packages incorporate matching prints and display options, with flexible scheduling accommodating both immediate and extended families in a welcoming environment.
Wedding photography
Full-day wedding coverage captures key moments with documentary-style photography. Services include pre-wedding consultation, timeline coordination, and over 600 edited images delivered digitally. The studio's awards recognize both technical excellence and client rapport, with packages available for ceremonies in Hertfordshire and surrounding regions.
People
Sonya Harrap
Principal Photographer
With over 15 years' experience and multiple national awards, Sonya Harrap specialises in capturing milestone moments with authentic emotion. She holds professional qualifications from the Master Photographers Association and leads sessions personally, ensuring consistent quality and client comfort.
Questions
When should I book my maternity photoshoot?
Book after your 20-week scan, ideally for sessions between 30-35 weeks. Last-minute bookings may be accommodated based on availability.
What's included in newborn photography packages?
3-hour session covering solo baby shots, parent/child portraits, and sibling interactions with props, outfits, and 4 edited images plus prints.
Can family members participate in photography sessions?
Yes, partners and siblings are welcome at no extra charge across maternity, newborn, and family photography sessions.
What safety measures exist for newborn photography?
All poses follow strict safety guidelines with constant supervision. Sessions use professional props designed for infant safety and comfort.
How long does it take to receive completed photos?
Digital files delivered within 1 week of session, with viewing appointments available for print and album selections.
Do you offer styled setups for cake smash sessions?
Yes, we provide themed decorations and outfits with eco-friendly materials, including paper fans instead of balloon arches.
Reviews (7)
Abby Ellington
Dec 23, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I would highly recommend Sonya her work is just perfect me and my partner went with our daughter for her 1st bday cake smash and mini family shoot. My daughter loved every moment all due to the way Sonya interacted with her to get the most beautiful and perfect pictures!!
I would highly recommend Sonya her work is just perfect me and my partner went with our daughter for her 1st bday cake smash and mini family shoot. My daughter loved every moment all due to the way Sonya interacted with her to get the most beautiful and perfect pictures!!
Kirsty Roberts
Dec 20, 2021
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We are so pleased with ours sons cake smash photos. Sonya was so friendly and professional and really helped to make us feel welcome and relaxed during the time at her studio. The quality of the photos are amazing and we would definitely recommend her services to anyone
Jodie Darn
Dec 03, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Whole experience was lovely from beginning to end. We had a memorable 3 hours having our newborn and family photos taken and the end results.. wow. Just amazing. Couldnt recommend more!
Whole experience was lovely from beginning to end. We had a memorable 3 hours having our newborn and family photos taken and the end results.. wow. Just amazing. Couldnt recommend more!
TheHoneyPlays
Dec 01, 2021
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Positive:Quality,Responsiveness
Sonya is very lovely and kind. We had a great experience for our daughters 1st Xmas shoot and the photos turned out amazing!
Sonya is very lovely and kind. We had a great experience for our daughters 1st Xmas shoot and the photos turned out amazing!
Nicola Khan
Oct 17, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
We booked a new born photoshoot with Sonya. She made us feel so welcome. She was calm and professional and the end result was amazing. She had lots of props and outfits for us to choose from also. Would definitely use again and recommend.
We booked a new born photoshoot with Sonya. She made us feel so welcome. She was calm and professional and the end result was amazing. She had lots of props and outfits for us to choose from also. Would definitely use again and recommend.
Jazmin Samm
Sep 20, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
I visited Sonya for a cake smash photoshoot in July 2021, she was amazing through the shoot and was so good with my little boy. He loved the session especially the bath shoot at the end, the photos she captured were also amazing! I couldn't recommend her enough, i will defiantly book Sonya again.
I visited Sonya for a cake smash photoshoot in July 2021, she was amazing through the shoot and was so good with my little boy. He loved the session especially the bath shoot at the end, the photos she captured were also amazing! I couldn't recommend her enough, i will defiantly book Sonya again.
Vanessa Aslett
Jul 31, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
I contacted Sonya to do a cake smash session for my daughter for her 1st birthday. Sonya was very professional and we were very pleased with the pictures she took. All in all a great service and experience for us all.
I contacted Sonya to do a cake smash session for my daughter for her 1st birthday. Sonya was very professional and we were very pleased with the pictures she took. All in all a great service and experience for us all.
