Ania at Catching Dreams Photography is a Hayling Island family specialist. She creates relaxed studio and outdoor family, newborn and children portraits that feel natural and timeless.
I'm Ania, the photographer behind Catching Dreams Photography, and family photography is at the heart of what I do. Based on Hayling Island, I specialise in creating relaxed, timeless family portraits that celebrate the small everyday moments alongside the big milestones — from newborn cuddles to playful children’s sessions and joyful cake-smash first birthdays. My approach is gentle and personal. I work from a cosy home studio where newborns and little ones feel safe, and I love heading outdoors to capture families against the natural beauty of Hayling Island and nearby Hampshire locations. Whether you want the soft intimacy of studio lighting or the seasonal colours of blossom, lavender fields or autumnal woods, I aim to create images that are both authentic and beautiful. I bring more than a camera to each session — years of portrait experience, training with leading newborn and maternity specialists in the UK, and a background in modern dance that helps me guide poses with ease and confidence. If you’re unsure how to stand, sit or interact on camera, I’ll give clear, calm direction so everyone feels comfortable and looks their best. My goal is to help you relax, have fun, and leave with portraits you’ll be proud to display at home. Family sessions with me are about connection and story. I focus on genuine interactions — cuddles, laughter, whispered secrets — and I look for those fleeting expressions that reveal personality and bond. Newborn sessions are handled with extra care and patience, and children’s portraits are always approached playfully to capture their true character. I also offer celebration sessions such as cake-smash shoots for first birthdays, designed to be fun and stress-free for parents and babies alike. Beyond the shoot, I love helping families turn images into lasting keepsakes. From wall art to framed prints, I can advise on display choices that complement your home and keep those memories visible for years. If you’re in Hayling Island or elsewhere in Hampshire and want relaxed, emotive family photography that reflects who you are, I’d love to hear your story and help you preserve these precious moments.