Zachte zwangerschapsreportage in Utrecht: aanstaande moeder gefotografeerd met natuurlijk licht.

For the beginnings that are too important to forget

Parenthood isn’t perfect, but it is beautiful in all its raw power, love, and challenges. I document your journey exactly as it is: honestly, softly, and intimately.

 

Welcome, I’m Nora.

 

Nora van Arkel, documentaire fotograaf voor zwangerschap geboorte kraamtijd en newborn regio Leiden en Den Haag

Becoming a parent changes everything. One moment you feel invincible, the next completely insecure—and often, both at the same time. This transition is a period of immense love, but also of finding your footing in a new version of reality.


As a mother of a baby and a toddler, I understand this transition deeply. I am here to capture your first chapters just as they unfold. You don't have to prove anything here; there is no need for "Instagram perfection." Just the honest, beautiful truth of your family.

Pregnancy & Newborn Sessions

Man kneeling on beach kissing pregnant woman's belly at golden sunset, romantic maternity photo.

Whether it’s the quiet anticipation of your pregnancy or the first few weeks with your baby, I capture these fleeting moments during a softly guided session. We can meet at your home or in a beautiful outdoor location (forest, dunes, or heathland). I always follow the rhythm of you and your baby. Does the baby need to feed, be changed, or sleep? That is not a "break" in our session—it’s part of the story, and it often makes for the most beautiful, authentic pictures.


Sessions from €275

 

The Postpartum Story (Kraamtijd)

 

Happy parents smiling and bonding with their newborn baby wrapped in a teal blanket at home.

The first weeks with a baby are a hazy, beautiful, and sometimes overwhelming "bubble." In the Netherlands, we call this kraamtijd. I document the precious, real moments of this fleeting period: the feedings, the first baths, the recovery, and the tired but proud smiles.


During these sessions, I stay quietly in the background while you go about your new everyday. I don't ask you to do anything differently. To support your recovery, I also bring a home-cooked meal for your fridge, so you can focus entirely on your baby.


Reportages from €899 (Includes a high-quality linen album)

Birth Photography

Close-up view of hands folding origami paper in a step-by-step sequence showing the creasing technique.

The most intense and human performance you will ever give, documented with love and care. I am on-call from 37 weeks onwards and present from active labor until a few hours after birth to capture those life-changing first encounters.


Birth reportage: €1499 (Includes a high-quality linen album)

 

Crumpled beige paper texture background with soft shadows and wrinkled surface details.

 

Investment & Details

 

Every session is an investment in a loving, intimate time capsule. For a full overview of all my sessions and bundles, please visit my Dutch Investment page or send me a message to discuss the possibilities. I speak fluent English and would love to hear your story.

Available for sessions throughout the Randstad area, including Leiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.