Joanna May Photography
Storytelling photography, across South Wales and beyond
Every story deserves to be told with honesty and warmth. Based in South Wales, I capture real moments in a natural, relaxed style — whether close to home or a little further afield.
The Work I Offer
Photography rooted in connection
Whether it's the quiet emotion of a wedding day, the tender early days of motherhood, or the quiet confidence of seeing yourself differently.
Motherhood
Gentle photography for the early days, from bump to baby.
Family
Unhurried family sessions — wherever feels most like you.
Weddings
Relaxed, documentary coverage of your day as it unfolds.
Empowerment
A calm, confidence-building experience rooted in connection.
The experience
How we'll work together
A calm, guided process from our first message to the moment your gallery lands — gentle at every step, with no pressure and no surprises.
A conversation first
Tell me a little about what you're looking for and we'll find the session that suits you best. No pressure, no hard sell.
Booking made simple
Once you're ready, everything is handled in one place — contract, questionnaire, and retainer, all calm and unhurried.
Preparation, your way
I'll send a thoughtful guide in the lead-up and we'll chat through anything you're unsure about before your session.
Your images, delivered with care
A private gallery shared within a few weeks, ready for you to revisit whenever you like.
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Your photograph will appear here once image uploads are live.
Your Private Space
A client portal that feels personal
View your gallery, select favourites, download images, and revisit your story — all in a beautiful, private space built just for you.
Hello, Sophie
Bluebell Session · April 2026
Sophie & Lottie — Bluebell Session
Limited Availability
Seasonal sessions
Short, joyful mini sessions in beautiful seasonal locations. Limited slots so everyone gets a relaxed, unhurried experience.
Mother & Me Paint Sessions
Cosmeston Lakes
A relaxed outdoor session for mums and their children, with a little creativity mixed in. You'll spend a few quiet minutes painting together while the moments are captured as they unfold — the concentration, the laughter, the messy hands. The focus isn't on the painting. It's on the connection between you and your child.
Milk & Motherhood Sessions
Cardiff — location confirmed on booking
A quiet, gentle session for mums with babies, held in a calm, light-filled indoor space. Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or somewhere in between, these sessions simply document the connection between you and your baby — the holding, the feeding, the settling — as it naturally unfolds.
In Bloom Sessions
Cardiff — location confirmed on booking
A summer empowerment session for women who want to feel seen. Shot in a relaxed, unhurried way, these sessions are about confidence and connection with yourself — nothing forced, nothing performative. Wear what feels like you. Bring what makes you feel good. The rest takes care of itself.
Kind Words
What my clients say
“I wanted to create a boudoir photo album for my husband to be. I fell in love with Joanna's style and she made me feel at ease from her first message. Our pre-meet was a great way for me to understand the process and get to know Joanna more. I loved how she was just as excited as me for the shoot, and had already prepared a mood board of ideas which were completely in line with my own. The shoot itself was one of my favourite days in the lead up to my wedding. It felt like having a friend behind the camera who wanted you to not only look amazing, but to feel it... And I did feel amazing. I had sneak peeks of the photos a day later and within 3 weeks had the full set. I loved every single picture, as well as how all the photos came together with different contrasts and colours. I would recommend Joanna's boudoir shoot to anyone - the confidence and self-empowerment I feel looking back at my pictures is priceless. 💗”
Carrie
Bridal Boudoir
“Just want to say a huge thank you for such an incredible experience. You've photographed my journey from pregnancy to a few weeks after the birth of my beautiful baby boy River and captured some stunning moments that I will cherish forever. Being photographed is not something I usually feel comfortable with but you helped me feel so relaxed and confident during my beautiful maternity shoot which is such a vulnerable time for Mums to be. You also helped my partner and mum feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera for our newborn shoot with River. You've captured his innocent gorgeous facial features so well. I can't wait to book you again for future shoots!”
Laura
Bump to Baby Package
“We had the most wonderful experience during our beach photoshoot. From start to finish, it felt so natural and relaxed - just us being ourselves as a family, rather than stiffly posing for the camera. It was such a refreshing change! When we received our gallery, we were genuinely blown away. The photos were not only beautifully captured, but they looked like they belonged in a magazine... so stunning! Joanna was absolutely lovely. She was warm, professional, and incredibly talented. She made us feel completely at ease, was fantastic with our dog, and captured the most precious moments. If you’re someone who feels a bit awkward in front of the camera or prefers natural shots over traditional posing, I HIGHLY recommend booking with Joanna. She has a real gift for capturing special moments just as they are. Thank you again for such a magical experience, we’ll treasure these photos forever ❤️”
Sian
Beach Sessions
From the Blog
Stories & inspiration
March 2026 · Session Guides
What to Wear for Your Maternity Session
Your wardrobe choices can transform your session. Here are my favourite styling tips for expecting mothers who want to feel comfortable and beautiful.
February 2026 · Behind the Lens
Why I Photograph Weddings Differently
Documentary wedding photography isn't about perfection — it's about truth. Here's what that looks like in practice.
January 2026 · News
Spring Mini Sessions Are Open!
Bluebell season is just around the corner. Here's everything you need to know about booking your family's spring session.
Let's create something beautiful
Whether you're planning a wedding, expecting a new arrival, or simply want to celebrate who you are — I'd love to hear from you.