London Photographer – Everything you need to know about booking Professional Portrait Photography in London
If you are looking for a professional London photographer for memories of you and the people you love the most, in one of the most incredible cities in the world, you are in the right place!
With almost a decade of experience and more than 1,000 photoshoots across London, I know all the best places to capture incredible photos for your London photoshoot.
As a London Photographer, I work with families enjoying an unforgettable vacation in this iconic city, couples who are getting engaged or individuals who want portraits that celebrate them in some iconic backgrounds.
And I’ve distilled all this knowledge into one place.
This guide explains how to choose the right London photographer, what it costs, where to shoot, and what to expect from your session.
Why should you hire a Professional London Photographer?
As a professional London photographer I do far more than just take pictures.
I understand how to use London’s ever-changing light, eye-catching architecture, and iconic locations to create portraits that feel natural, flattering, and above all, personal to you.
My 9 years of experience also means I know how to direct you so you feel comfortable in front of my camera — even if you’ve never done a photoshoot before.
What does a London photographer actually do?
As a London Photographer I help my clients choose the perfect location for their photoshoots. I don’t have a studio, I work on location in some of the most iconic and beautiful places in London.
When you enquire I am interested in knowing whether you want an indoor or outdoor photoshoot. Whether you would like your photos in one of London’s incredible parks, or with some iconic landmarks in the background.
As a London photographer, my very first job is helping you plan your perfect London photoshoot.
The difference between a professional London Photographer and an amateur
It seems like everyone has a great camera these days, but here’s the thing; a great photograph has more to do with the person behind the camera than the equipment itself.
Of course a professional London photographer should have good equipment (and I do, I shoot with a Canon 5D MkIV and a Canon R6 if you are interested). But I also know how to use it properly in all kinds of light, at different times of the day and in a variety of different locations.
An experienced professional London photographer should have a website showcasing a varied portfolio of their work with a consistent photographic style AND editing/finish.
As a professional London photographer, I’ve honed my style over 9 years of photoshoots all sorts of different locations, with different lighting and at different times of the day. And I can confidently deliver consistent and beautiful images no matter what scenario I find myself in.
If you are looking for a photographer and the photography style is not consistent or the editing/finish looks different on every photo, this shows a lack of experience.
When should you book a professional London photographer?
As a professional London photographer I firmly believe in having lots of great, vibrant photos of you with the people you love the most, printed out and displayed in your home. It’s a great self-esteem boost and helps you to remember special moments you have experienced in your life.
My clients book a London photographer for a number of reasons, but it all boils down to wanting tangible memories for the future.
Whether that is you and your family enjoying an incredible vacation in one of the most iconic cities in the world, or simply updating photos of your family in the place they are growing up (before your kids grow and change yet again!)
I have photographed couples who book a professional London photographer because they are getting engaged, celebrating an anniversary, or simply enjoying time together in a beautiful location (tap here to learn more about my proposal photoshoots).
And I photograph individuals (both men and women) who are solo travellers wanting memories of their London trips, or who want photos for dating profiles, professional reasons, or who simply want to celebrate who they are and where they are at in their lives, in a certain moment (tap here to see a stunning Quinceañera photoshoot).
How to Choose the Right London Photographer for Your Photoshoot
Choosing the right London photographer isn’t just about price or a nice Instagram feed. You should look for a consistent portfolio quality, proven experience in lots of different London locations, and someone whose style matches how you want to look in your photos.
Your very first step when booking a London Photographer is to head on over to their website and and look at their portfolio.
Do their photos make you stop and look again? As a London photographer, I’m firmly of the view that great photography shouldn’t just look lovely, it should make you feel something, right in the pit of your stomach.
Can you see their work on your walls or in an album?
Does their style match your vision? (are their photos posed or more natural?)
Do they have a wide and varied portfolio? Are they posting regularly on social media? These sound like simple things but you want to know that the photographer you choose is able to consistently produce beautiful, high quality images with the same tone and feel.
And finally, do you get a sense of their personality? Is this someone you can see yourself feeling comfortable with?
As a London photographer, it is vitally important to me that my clients trust me to create incredible memories for them. That way, during the photoshoot, they can relax and enjoy the experience.
This is why I urge people to follow me on Instagram and have a look through my feed and stories before deciding to book with me. You’ll get an idea of the kind of person I am and decide if you want to work with me.
As well as examples of my work, I post ‘behind the scenes’ videos and images in my Instagram and Facebook stories. Like most photographers, I put my heart and soul into planning, carrying out and editing your photoshoot and I love showing you how I work (and just how much I really adore my job!)
Follow me on instagram by tapping here!
If you aren’t on social media, then why not call your chosen London photographer? Most photographers will be happy to talk about how they work and what their sessions are like and what you can expect from them.
Questions to ask before booking a London Photographer
The two most important questions to ask are how much your chosen London photographer charges for their services, and also what packages they offer, you will want to know exactly what you will get for your money.
Then you want to know about their refund/cancellation policy and also what contingency plans there are for rainy/bad weather.
You’ll also want to find out how long you have to wait to receive your photos and what format they will be delivered in.
Ask to see a contract, which should clearly lay out all of these details.
As a London photographer, I have a very clear cancellation and refund policy, I offer packages based on time (how long you want your photoshoot to last, 30-minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours). I keep space in my schedule incase we need to shift our photoshoot due to bad weather and I deliver all edited photos digitally, via a private online gallery, within 10 days of the photoshoot.
If your chosen London photographer has no contract, no clear cancellation policy, is vague in their communication or has an inconsistent portfolio you do not want to be booking with them!
How much does a London Photographer cost?
The cost of hiring a London photographer typically depends on their experience, the session length, and what’s included after the shoot.
In London, professional portrait sessions can vary wildly.
Less experienced London photographers and those building their portfolios will have a lower price point than London photographers who have been in the business for a while.
Booking a cheap photographer may be good for your budget, but do be aware that their style may not be consistent and they may struggle to get good photographs in difficult lighting or crowded areas. They also may not know the different areas of London as well as someone more experienced.
London Photographers at the top end of the pricing spectrum will have invested time and money in their education and equipment as well as editing techniques and knowledge.
They will generally tailor a bespoke experience for you, giving you lots of help and advice leading up to the shoot.
As an experienced, award-winning London photographer my pricing ranges from £500 to £1200 depending on how long you want your photoshoot to last.
The Best Locations for a Photoshoot with a London Photographer
One of the biggest advantages of hiring an experienced London photographer is that they will know the very best locations for your photoshoot and the best time of day to photograph in them.
From iconic landmarks to quiet hidden streets, the right setting, use of light and location can completely transform how your portraits look.
As a London Photographer I know that most of my clients want a mix of iconic landmarks and hidden spaces, so their photos look and feel completely unique.
Whether you want identifiable landmarks like Big Ben or Tower Bridge front and centre in your London photoshoot or quiet cobbled and quirky streets or a serene park setting, I can recommend the perfect spot for your photoshoot.
Want to know more? Tap here for the best places in London for your photoshoot.
What to Expect During Your Photoshoot with a London Photographer
If you’ve never had a professional photoshoot before, you might feel nervous. A good London photographer will guide you through the entire process, from choosing locations to posing naturally during the session.
As a professional London photographer it is absolutely vital to me that my clients feel happy and relaxed during their photoshoot.
If you book your photoshoot with me, you will get a guide explaining how the shoot works along with tips on what to wear. I’m on hand to help with styling advice in the run up to your session.
I’ll get you to fill in a questionnaire, so that I know the names of everyone involved in the photoshoot and the ages of any children. And also any likes/dislikes and must have photos.
This helps me to prepare a bespoke experience specifically for you, so that you get unique photos full of fun and personality.
You’ll get a google map link showing you where to meet me for the start of your photoshoot and I keep an eye on the weather in the run up to your photoshoot, so you don’t have to worry about the weather.
Plus I am on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your photoshoot.
The very best compliment I can receive is “I can’t believe our photoshoot is over already!” I aim to make sure that my clients are enjoying every minute of their time with me, so that it feels like pure fun and not like awkwardly grinning at the camera every few minutes. During the photoshoot, I’ll be pointing out interesting London landmarks, making up games to keep your kids entertained and showing you bits of the city you have never seen before, all while capturing incredible memories for you to treasure forever.
After the shoot, I aim to get you a little sneak peek of your photos within 24 hours and your full gallery of edited digital images will be delivered via an private, online link within 10 days of your photoshoot. You then have 4 weeks to download all of your favourite photos and start sharing them with every one you know!
What to Wear for a Photoshoot with a London Photographer
Choosing the right outfit can make a huge difference in how your photos look. Certain colours, textures, and styles work beautifully with London’s streets, parks, and architecture.
Outfit ideas for your photoshoot with a London Photographer
The right outfits can really enhance your photos and ensure they are works of art you want to keep looking at time and again. As an experienced London Photographer, I am on hand in the run up to your session to help you decide on what to wear and how to co-ordinate the whole family.
If you have booked a photoshoot where we are visiting more than one setting, do wear comfortable shoes! Sore feet are guaranteed to make anyone feel less than their best (which is not what we want in our photos!)
I always advise my families to co-ordinate their outfits rather than choosing matching clothes and colours (nothing is more cheesy than the jeans and white shirt look…)
As a London photographer, I really want your faces and features to stand out in your photoshoot - so I suggest avoiding:
The matchy-matchy look (everyone is black t-shirts and denim will seriously date your photos).
Large brand names or logos on clothing as they can be distracting.
Neon colours
Lots of busy patterns
Sportswear
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a London Photographer
If you are looking to hire a London photographer, you’ll inevitably have a lot of questions! Here are some of the questions I get asked most often:
How far in advance should I book a London photographer?
The answer here is the sooner, the better! As a professional London photographer I get booked up very quickly in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. And dates around Christmas are usually booked up months in advance. While I do sometimes have last minute availability, I suggest getting in touch at least a month in advance if you want to book a photoshoot with me.
Can a London photographer help me choose locations?
Absolutely! Helping plan your photoshoot is one of my favourite things to do! When you decide to book me as your London photographer, I’ll help you choose the best place to have your photos, whether its in an iconic location, your favourite local park or in one of London’s incredible green spaces. I photograph all over the city and have lots and lots of great locations I love.
Do London photographers edit photos?
This very much depends on the photographer! I personally edit all of the photos that I take. I edit for colour and contrast and remove distracting people and objects in the background. So the photos you see in your gallery are all ready to download, print and share straight away.
How many photos will I receive in my gallery?
This very much depends on how long your photoshoot lasts and how many people are involved. I edit all of the photos I take (apart from duplicates etc), so while I can’t give you an exact number, you can expect a minimum of 15 images from a 30-minute photoshoot and 40 images from a 1-hour photoshoot.
When we will get our photos?
Every single photo you see in your final gallery has been custom-edited by me in my own style. I do both colour and black and white edits (where possible). It takes me up to 10 hours to edit each gallery.
I work very hard to ensure I never have a backlog of editing to do. This means that I can start work on your gallery almost as soon as our session is finished and I aim to get your photo gallery to you within 10 days.
What if it rains in London on the day of our photoshoot?
I keep a very close eye on the weather forecast in the run up to your photoshoot. If rain looks inevitable then we will rearrange the session at a time to suit you. If it is merely overcast then we will go ahead with the session. At certain times of day, overcast skies are actually preferable for photographers, those clouds keep the harsh sunlight off people's faces and if there are lovely flowers or bright colours about, they really pop in that even light.
How do you book a London Photographer?
This is the easy bit! All you have to do to book me as your London Photographer is tap the button below and fill out my contact form. I get these into my email straight away and I’ll reply within a few hours.
What are you waiting for?! I can’t wait to capture some incredible memories of you in the most incredible city in the world!
