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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.

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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.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. Booking made simple

    Once you're ready, everything is handled in one place — contract, questionnaire, and retainer, all calm and unhurried.

  3. 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.

  4. Your images, delivered with care

    A private gallery shared within a few weeks, ready for you to revisit whenever you like.

Joanna, the photographer

The person behind the lens

Hello, I'm Joanna.

I'm a South Wales photographer specialising in weddings and the early days of motherhood, with an empowered boudoir offering rooted in confidence and connection.

I photograph people as they are — calm, documentary-led, centred around connection. The quiet pauses, the in-between glances, and the moments you don't always realise you'll want to remember.

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.

clients.joannamayphotography.com/gallery

Your gallery

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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
28 June 2026

Mother & Me Paint Sessions

Tydu Community Hall, Tregwilym Road, Cefn, Rogerstone, Newport, Cymru / Wales, NP10 9EQ, United Kingdom

There’s something magical about watching little hands dip into paint for the first time - the concentration, the giggles, the inevitable moment it ends up on a nose. These sessions are designed to capture exactly that. Real, joyful, beautifully messy moments between you and your little ones, set against the fields of Rogerstone Community Grounds.

This is a session just for mum and the kids - a chance to slow down, get stuck in, and play together while I quietly capture it all. Easels, canvases, paints, and brushes are all provided. You just need to bring yourselves, ready to make some art and a bit of a mess. These sessions are suitable for children aged 18 months to 7 years and siblings welcome - just let me know in advance if it’s more than 4 children.

Investment

  • £125 for your session and 5 beautifully edited images.

  • Your full gallery will contain around 60-80 edited images.

  • After your viewing, you can either keep your 5 included images or upgrade to the full gallery for £120 - the best value way to take every moment home with you.

  • Secure your slot with a deposit or spread the cost interest-free with Klarna at checkout.

Your gallery

Your private online gallery will be ready within 2-4 weeks of your session.

A few important notes

This is a messy play session — and that’s the whole point. Paint will get on hands, faces, clothes, and possibly shoes. Please come dressed in something you don’t mind getting paint on, and avoid anything precious. While the paints I use are child-friendly, I cannot be held responsible for any staining, damage to clothing or shoes, or any individual reactions to the paint. If your child has known skin sensitivities or allergies, please let me know in advance and consider doing a small patch test before the session.

The best photos come from letting go and embracing the mess - so come ready to play.

£1256 slots remaining
Milk & Motherhood Sessions
14 July 2026

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.

£1205 slots remaining
In Bloom Sessions
24 July 2026

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.

£1355 slots remaining

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. 💗
C

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!
L

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 ❤️
S

Sian

Beach Sessions

From the blog

Stories & inspiration.

Get in touch

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.