The best parks for your London photoshoot

Summer is coming and a lot of you are planning family photoshoots in one of London’s amazing parks. 

But which park is the best for your London photoshoot?

We are so lucky to have so many brilliant green spaces in London.

Here are some of my favourite options:

Is Regent's Park the best Park for a London photoshoot?

If you want gorgeously manicured flower beds and meticulously planted and colour-coordinated blooms in the background of your photos, then Regent's Park has to be my top pick as the best park for a London photoshoot.

I usually start these photoshoots near the English gardens section of the park. These are always beautifully presented throughout the year. The colour-coordinated blooms and beautiful fountains, work wonderfully in the Spring and Summer. 

And the avenue of trees which runs along the centre path is always absolutely stunning in the Autumn.

From late Spring and throughout the summer, we move onto Queen Mary's rose garden. With more than 12000 roses blooming every year, it not only smells heavenly, it also provides a gorgeous background for some wonderful photos.

And then if we have time, a wander around Regent's Park Inner Circle is always worth it. There are lots of unexpected and beautiful spaces, including the beautiful Japanese garden pond and bridges.

Is St James's Park the best park for a London photoshoot?

St James’s Park is the best park for a London photoshoot if you also want to include a major iconic London landmark in your session. 

It is right around the corner from Parliament Square, with views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. And it is overlooked by Buckingham Palace and Horseguards parade.

Trafalgar Square is also just a short walk away.

There are fewer flower beds in this park compared with Regent's park, but they are always beautifully presented. And Duck cottage has a lovely English garden which makes for some fantastic photos.

In the Spring, daffodils and cherry blossom dominate, making for some gorgeous photos. And the Autumn colours in this park are among my favourite in London.

Is Hyde Park the best park for a London photoshoot?

A lot of people ask for photoshoots in Hyde park/Kensington Palace gardens, especially in the summer. 

But I personally feel that it doesn't have as much colour and character as Regent's Park as the flower beds in this park are mostly fenced in.

That said, Hyde Park has a lot of wide open spaces, green fields and trees, which look wonderful in the golden hour before sunset. And this also makes it the perfect location for an Autumn photoshoot when the leaves on the trees turn orange and gold.

It is also a great option if you want to include some incredible architectural features in your photos. The Italian water gardens have beautiful stone fountains and buildings and boasts wonderful views over the Serpentine river. 

And a wander through the park towards Kensington will bring you out by the impressive Albert Memorial with fantastic views of Royal Albert Hall.

Is Holland Park the best London Park for a family photoshoot?

Holland Park is just a short walk around the corner from Notting Hill and Kensington Palace and is a lovely option for photoshoots all year round.

The Kyoto garden waterfall provides a beautiful, romantic background for proposals, engagement photoshoots as well as family photoshoots.

And the beautifully planted Dutch garden across the way, makes for a lovely background for photos all through the year.

In the Autumn, there are lots of beautiful spots around this park which show off all the wonderful Autumn colours.

Is Richmond Park the best park for a London photoshoot?

If you want to venture further afield, then Richmond Park in southwest London is the best park for a London photoshoot. 

It's my preferred spot for sunset photoshoots around Pen Ponds, and also late afternoon Autumn photoshoots (especially if the local deer make an appearance).

And it has beautiful managed gardens which are wonderful in the Spring (especially with bluebells and blossom) and in the Summer.

The park itself is lovely to ramble around and nearby Richmond - which sits right on the banks of the Thames - is also worth a visit.

Is Hampstead Heath the best park for a London photoshoot?

This sprawling green space in north London has a lot of wonderful places for photoshoots.

The Heath itself is best visited at sunset and I usually photograph local families around here, who all have their favourite spots they like to visit.

Hampstead itself has lots of lovely spots for photos, and the Hill Garden and Pergola is very popular for proposals and couples photoshoots. Although I have mostly photographed families in this lovely location.

Is Greenwich Park the bestpark for a London photoshoot?

This is another spot that is a bit out of the way but absolutely worth a visit if you have the time.

I prefer to photograph in Greenwich Park on slightly overcast days, because you get the most amazing views over Canary Wharf from Greenwich Royal Observatory (where the Prime Meridian line begins).

There are beautiful photos to be had by the Observatory and also at the bottom of the hill around the National Maritime Museum with its ornate walkways and beautiful architecture.

This is just a small selection of London's many amazing parks and green spaces. If you are considering one for your photoshoot, do get in touch. I am always happy to advise on the best backgrounds and time of day to get amazing photos in each of these locations!