Specialist family photographer in Carlisle — Rachel Notman captures natural, timeless family and maternity portraits in a warm, relaxed studio. Personal consultations and gallery viewings ensure images you’ll cherish.
I’m Rachel Notman — a family photography specialist based in Carlisle, offering relaxed, heartfelt family and maternity portraits from my warm, friendly studio. I trained with my Dad as a wedding photographer over 20 years ago and retrained as a family photographer about 13 years ago, so I bring decades of experience to every session. My aim is simple: to create timeless images that reflect your family’s personality and the connection between you. What sets my family photography apart is the way I combine a calm, unhurried approach with a clear artistic eye. My studio is a ‘home from home’ where parents can relax while I work — there’s no rush, no strict time limit, and plenty of opportunity for natural moments to unfold. Whether you want candid sibling interaction, gentle posed portraits, or a maternity session that celebrates this special stage, I tailor each session to suit your family’s style and comfort. I start with a friendly consultation to understand what matters most to you — colours, themes, special requests — then create a session that suits your child’s age and temperament. During the shoot I use gentle direction, subtle props and comfortable backdrops to bring out genuine expressions rather than forced poses. My experience with families means I know how to make shy or camera-wary children feel at ease and how to capture those fleeting, spontaneous moments that become treasured keepsakes. After your session you’ll enjoy a personalised gallery viewing where I guide you through selecting images and offer advice on prints, frames and wall art mock-ups so your portraits look stunning in your home. I also provide support on sizing and display options to help you create heirloom pieces from your favourite photographs. If you’re in Carlisle or the surrounding area and want family portraits that are relaxed, authentic and beautifully finished, I’d love to help. My style is timeless and warm, focused on storytelling through honest, emotive photography — memories you and your family will return to for years to come.
Choose the perfect package for your special day
Mini newborn session (up to 1 hour) with 2 neutral setups and a gallery of up to 10 images. Limited to a few slots monthly.
Mini newborn session with 3 digital images emailed (budget-friendly option).
Sitter and older-baby sessions with studio props/backdrops and a gallery of edited images. Higher tiers available with more digitals/prints.
Everything listed for newborn sessions plus 5 digital images emailed and 5 6x9 prints.
Family and children sessions (studio or location) with gallery viewing, ordering guidance and options for prints and wall art.
Everything listed for newborn sessions plus 10 digital images emailed, 10 6x9 prints and a 10x12 print.
Everything listed for newborn sessions plus 20 digital images on a keepsake USB, mounted prints, slideshow, Facebook cover art and discounts on wall art or sitter sessions.