After navigating the highs and lows of early motherhood, including a traumatic birth and a global pandemic, Rebecca Kelly discovered healing and purpose behind the lens of her camera. What began as a way to capture her children’s fleeting moments soon grew into a heartfelt photography business, dedicated to celebrating families in all their beautiful, messy and authentic forms. Today, she specialises in creating calm, inclusive spaces where every child, especially those with additional needs, can be seen, understood and celebrated just as they are. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Rebecca Kelly Photography, how she balances work and family life, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Motherhood changed everything. Not just my days, or my sleep, or my body, but me.
After a traumatic birth, one that still lingers in my mind and lives on in my body, I felt like a shell of myself. Recovery wasn’t quick. It wasn’t tidy and just as I was trying to heal, the world shut down. A newborn in my arms, a pandemic outside my door and a mind full of fog. I was exhausted, aching and quietly drowning in the day-to-day. I felt so alone.
Like so many mums, I gave my everything to my children – every ounce of energy, love, patience, but I had no idea who I was anymore. My degree, my masters degree, my background in early years and education, I just didn’t know where I fit or what to do.
And then one day, I picked up my camera…
At first, it was just to freeze the tiny moments: the milky cuddles, the milk drunk eyes, the tiny toes, the epic train tracks taking over the lounge, the cheeky grins smeared with baby food. But somewhere in the middle of all those snaps, something shifted.
Photography started bringing me back to me. I started to actually feel a tiny bit proud of my work.
It helped me slow down and see again, not just the mess (although there is never-ending mess, let’s not go there) or the tiredness or the relentless routines, but the joy, the beauty and the magic tucked between the tantrums and toast crusts. It reminded me I was more than “Mummy”. I still had a voice, a perspective, a way of seeing the world that was mine.
A huge part of this journey was my son, Jasper, who is autistic.
He’s my thoughtful little engineer, a marble-run mastermind with a heart full of wonder. But when he was diagnosed, my heart cracked open. Not because of him, he is exactly who he’s meant to be, rather, because I worried the world wouldn’t see him the way I do.
I didn’t want photos of him just being told to smile or sit still. I wanted to honour his way of being, his focus, his joy, his unique rhythm. And when I couldn’t find that kind of photography for us, I knew I had to create it. A space where neurodivergent children and their families feel seen, safe and celebrated. Not managed, not measured, just met with understanding and love.
Then there’s my daughter, my little firecracker. Full of sass and imagination, she lights up every corner of our home with her make-believe worlds. One moment she’s a butterfly, the next a baby frog, or a “mummy”, lovingly tending to Jasper and her twin cousins. She reminds me every single day how colourful, chaotic and beautifully alive childhood really is.
Motherhood broke me down. But it also built something new.
Through my camera, I’ve found healing. Not just for myself, but for the families I now get to photograph. Families who know what it feels like to be different, to feel unseen, to crave something honest and real.
I don’t just take pictures. I hold spaces, I freeze time, and in doing that, I’ve found my way home to myself.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
The launch of my photography business happened almost overnight. For so long, I’d been saying, “I’ll do a shoot today, I’ll start advertising soon”, but nothing ever quite happened. Then one day, I told myself, enough is enough. With encouragement from friends, I finally took the leap.
To my surprise, the response was incredible. Within a few days, I had clients, and in that very first week, I photographed six shoots. It felt like a whirlwind, rebuilding my portfolio, watching my work come to life and feeling that fire inside me truly ignite.
At times, I almost went too fast. I found myself with a backlog of edits and the pressure of wanting every photo to be perfect. Editing can be tiring, but it’s also where the magic happens. I get carried away in the details, adjusting the light, setting the right tone, and making sure every image highlights what matters most: a bump, an expression, a fleeting little moment.
I also had the opportunity to capture a special needs colour walk, within a couple of weeks of rebranding and launching the business. This was both an honour and a huge responsibility. The pressure was immense, but I knew in my heart that I wanted and needed to do it. This was something so close to me personally, and I felt determined to give it everything I had.
The day itself was a whirlwind. Bright colours filled the air, laughter and smiles were everywhere, and I found myself constantly on the move, running up and down, trying to capture every little moment. It was exhausting, but in the best way! The pressure was crazy, but I reminded myself why I was there: to embrace this opportunity, to document something meaningful and to celebrate families who deserve to be seen. And in the end, that’s exactly what made every step, every photo, every second worth it.
What I love most is the variety. Whether it’s a beautifully posed maternity shoot or a goofy, joy-filled family session, my goal is always the same: to bring each family’s vision to life and capture memories they’ll treasure forever.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for me has been recognising the importance of showcasing special needs families. I realised there wasn’t much out there in terms of truly inclusive photography – a gentle, calm photoshoot that is centred entirely on each family and what they need.
So often, we see “perfect” images: straight lines, posed smiles, carefully curated moments. While some families may want that, my focus is on showing that you don’t need perfection to create a beautiful photograph. What matters is capturing connection, personality and the essence of a family as they really are.
To make that possible, I’ve been developing resources that support families before the session even begins. I’m currently working on tailored social stories to include in my sessions, alongside “about me” questionnaires, so I can understand each child and family before I even pick up the camera. These small but meaningful steps help make the whole process calmer, easier and most importantly, more fun.
