Seven surprising spots for incredible family images in SW London | Family photographer

Spring sunset photoshoot in Cannizaro Park

Where is the best place to have your outdoor London family photoshoot?

Whether you are after gorgeous golden light, breath-taking backdrops or beautiful blooms, you can find the perfect place for your family photoshoot, right here in London.

Don’t believe me? Read on…

Summer Sunset Photoshoot in Wimbledon Common

1. Wimbledon Common

Most photographers prefer the more manicured Cannizaro Park for family photoshoots, and while it IS beautiful, there is something about the wild beauty of Wimbledon Common that has me returning, time and time again.

Best time of year for your Wimbledon Common Photoshoot?

The gorgeous wooded areas, open fields, ponds, yellow gorse and secret pathways, make for a gorgeous backdrop to your photos at any time of year. It is simply one of the best places to go on a fun-filled adventure.

Best time of day?

And the best time of day to get the most out of this location is in the two hours before sunset.

So if you are considering Wimbledon Common for a shoot, then you’ll definitely want to think about booking your session during golden hour.

2. Cannizzaro Park

Autumn mini sessions in Cannizaro Park

Ok, I have to admit that I DO love Cannizaro Park. Located next to the Common on the grounds of Hotel Du Vin, it boasts beautifully tended gardens, wild wooded areas, and a pond, making the variety of scenery perfect for your family photos.

Best time of year for a shoot in Cannizaro Park?

Gorgeous Rhododendron bushes, azaleas, cherry blossom and bluebells make it the perfect spot for my Spring sessions.

And it is the only place I hold my Autumn mini sessions - I think the photos above speak for themselves!

Best time of day?

I like to have my sessions here earlier in the morning (from 9:30am to 11am) and later on in the afternoon (from 3:30pm), depending on the season. The grounds tend to be less crowded and the light is beautiful for the soft back-light glow I favour.

3. Wandsworth Common

Summer sunset photoshoot in Wandsworth Common

If you live in South West London, chances are you’ve visited this common and spent a lot of time feeding the ducks on the ponds there.

A lot of my clients are surprised that it also makes a great location for a family photoshoot. I love exploring the area around the ponds, playing games on the stone bridge and exploring the hidden paths in the woods that ring the open fields.

Best time of year for a family photoshoot on Wandsworth Common?

This Common is a great choice for a family photoshoot at any time of year. Spring, summer and even extended family photoshoots in winter.

Best time of day?

Because of the lack of colourful seasonal flowers, I suggest a late afternoon or sunset shoot in this location. The lovely golden light transforms this familiar scenery into something simply MAGICAL, especially around the ponds.

Winter extended family photoshoot on Wandsworth Common

4. Tooting Common

Autumn Family Sunset Shoot on Tooting Common

I know that this Common doesn’t seem like an ideal place for photoshoots, but what if I told you it was one of my go-to places for sunset shoots? This is one of the few places in the area where you get the most gorgeous golden light JUST as the sun is setting. There are lots of trees to filter the light through, and the ponds make for a great setting later on in the day.

Best time of year for a shoot on Tooting Common?

Another all-year-rounder. Lots of lovely yellow gorse in spring and beautiful colours around the ponds in Autumn. Perfect for sunset shoots in Summer.

Best time of day?

There isn’t much variety in the colours of the foliage here, but if you time your shoot in the hour before sunset, the scenery on this common is transformed into something special. As far as locations go, you simply cannot get better golden light in the 15 minutes before the sun sets anywhere else!

An early Autumn maternity shoot on Tooting Common

5. Morden Hall Park

The Wandle in full flow, beautiful streams and bridges and the wild wetland walkway, all make for a beautiful backdrop for family photoshoots in the this location. And it is another firm favourite of mine.

Best time of year for a photoshoot in Morden Hall Park?

An all year-rounder. Lots of lovely daffodils around in Spring, gorgeous roses bloom through summer and the wooded and wild wetland area makes beautiful photos in Autumn/winter.

Best time of day

There is a lot of lovely light here earlier in the morning and later on in the afternoon. Summers shoots can be booked at around 9:30am and from 4pm onwards. I also highly recommend this area for shoots at any time of day in the winter.

Spring photoshoot in Morden Hall Park

6. Richmond Park

Not only is this a great place to spend an entire day, it provides lots of gorgeous scenery for some truly stunning photos. Plus there is the added wonder of discovering wild animals. There is nothing more beautiful that the sight of the deer emerging from the woods, or watching the swans, ducks and geese on the ponds.

Best time of year for family photos in Richmond Park?

Great for shoots at any time of year

Best time of day?

I prefer to shoot later on in the afternoon or just before sunset in this gorgeous venue. The park is less likely to be crowded at this time of day, and the deer are also more active, so there is a good chance to get some photos with the local wildlife in the background. My favouroite place for sunset shoots is the area around Pen Ponds - especially beautiful in the Autumn.

Silhouette at sunset in Richmond Park

7. Battersea Park

Another place you can spend a whole day exploring! And the thing I love most about this park, is that there is such a great variety of scenery. From the path overlooking the Thames, to the impressive Pagoda, the lovely boating lake and the bandstand in the middle of the park.

Best time of year?

I have been to this park at all times of the year, and I find something different to fall in love with at each visit. A great place to have your photos in any season.

Best time of day?

Another place to visit in the early morning or late afternoon to make the most of the seasonal light.

Of course this is just a small selection of places I recommend, based on where you live. But I’m always excited to discover new locations. And I work all over London, not just in the south west.

So where would you like to have your family photoshoot?