Where is the best place for a London Photoshoot? | Family & Couples Photographer

A summer sunset photoshoot along the Southbank of the Thames

You are visiting London for the holiday of a lifetime and you want gorgeous photos that capture you, enjoying everything about your exciting adventure, but where exactly is the best place for your London family photoshoot?

The options can seem overwhelming - London is after all a huge and exciting place!

If you are stuck for a location, you have come to the right place! Here’s how to decide where to have your photoshoot:

The very first thing you need to decide is what you want in the background of your photos.

Do you want them to feature a major, iconic London landmark?

Or would you prefer one of our beautiful green parks?

Would you like to take in the views of one of London’s famous areas, like Notting Hill, Little Venice or Camden market?

Or perhaps one of our special secret spaces?

Here is what each of those options might look like for you:

Is an iconic London landmark the best place for a London Photoshoot?

If you want your photos to be instantly, recognisably London, then having your shoot around some of its most iconic sights is the best place for a London Photoshoot.

I always ask my clients which one stands out the most in their minds as definitively and iconically London, and then we can plan a shoot around that location; be it Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (finally free of scaffolding for the first time in five years), Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards Parade, Tower Bridge (that iconic London bridge), St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Camden Market or Covent Garden to name a few!

A photoshoot in Hyde Park

Is a park the best place for a London Photoshoot?

I know many people come to London from lovely hot places and for them, the best place for a London Photoshoot is in one of our lovely green parks. We do have some truly beautiful green spaces around the capital, and they are awash with bright colours and beautiful blooms from late February, right through to the Autumn.

I’ve done shoots in Hyde Park and around Kensington Palace (click here to see an Autumn shoot in Hyde Park), in St James’s Park (close to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament), in Regent’s Park (yes, that is also where London Zoo is!) and further afield in Richmond Park (lots of deer, open spaces and secret gardens), on Hampstead Heath (with beautiful photos to be had in the north London village itself as well).

To be honest, the options are endless. Most of these parks are next to, or have views of, a famous London landmark, so I do always try to include both in most of my photoshoots. (Click here for more photos in parks around London)

Photoshoots at St Dunstan In The East

Is one of London’s secret spaces the best place for a London Photoshoot?

If you have done your research, you’ll know that London is full is secret spaces, and one of these might be the best place for your London photoshoot.

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that one of my favourite places to take clients is the ruins of an 11th Century church right by Tower Bridge, turned into a gorgeous public garden. Small, but mightily breathtaking, St Dunstan In The East is definitely a place you must visit while in London.

There are lots more secret gardens scattered around the capital, if you fancy looking down on London’s sights from above, whilst surrounded by lush greenery then a visit to the Sky Garden on Fenchurch street is where you want to be (it’s free to get in, but you have to book an entry time), and the Barbican’s lush, indoor rainforest also offers a unique place for some gorgeous photos.

I’ll admit, there is a definite garden theme going on with my suggestions here, but another favourite (slightly out of the city centre) include the Pergola on Hampstead Heath (pictured above) - an extravagant, sprawling terraced garden a 10-minute walk from the north London village.

Head south of the river there to enjoy the Isabella Plantation, right in the middle of Richmond park (especially beautiful in Spring and early summer) Click here to see what a Spring shoot there looks like.

A photoshoot in the Isabella Plantation

Is Notting Hill the best place for a London Photoshoot?

If you on holiday with your other half, and one of you adores that classic romantic film with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant (you KNOW the one I’m talking about), then chances are, you’ll ask me about having a shoot around Notting Hill.

And it’s a great choice. Yes, we can take photos infront of THAT door, but there is also lots of bohemian charm in the beautiful buildings, blossom-lined streets, picturesque shops, garlanded cafes and lovely little parks to have some beautiful photos in around that area.

Other lovely photo-rich areas include: Little Venice (a picturesque canal district right by Paddington station); Camden Loch (for street art, a bustling market, beautiful buildings, and famously and alternative emo/goth vibe); Shoreditch (eclectic street art, Georgian facades, Spitalfields market and Columbia Road flower market are all must-sees).

Do I just have to choose one location for my photoshoot? Can I have all of these settings?

Unless you book one of my mid-week mini sessions, I do cover more than one setting in all my other London Photoshoots.

For example, a one-hour photoshoot around Tower Bridge will also include St Dunstan In The East, St Katharine’s Docks or Shad Thames and City Hall. (Click here to see what one of these shoots looks like)

My shoots around Big Ben can also include St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace.

And if you want a shoot on the Southbank, we’ll likely include St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as all those beautiful views over the Thames (pictured above).

If you book my longer 2.5 hour photoshoot, then our options widen even further and our options become endless! (Click here to see an extended photoshoot around London)

If you book a photoshoot with me, then I’m always available to talk through each of your options.

Views of the City over the Thames (near Tower Bridge)

What packages do you offer for a London Photoshoot?

I offer three different photoshoots for visitors to London. These are:

Mid-week mini sessions (20minutes, Monday to Thursday only)

Single Location Personal Paparazzi photoshoots (One hour, any day of the week)

Multiple Location Personal Paparazzi photoshoots (2.5 hours, any day of the week)

How much does a London Photoshoot cost?

My photoshoots start at £525. If you want to book with me, I ask for a £175 deposit to secure your date and time, with the rest of the fee due the day before your photoshoot takes place.

You will have your photos within 14 days of our photoshoot.

How do I book a London Photoshoot?

Easy! Simply contact me here or by clicking on the button below and we can get ready to plan a part of your London adventure!

A Photoshoot on the Southbank

Can we travel outside of London as part of our London photoshoot booking?

I do sometimes get asked to take photos in iconic locations outside of London, which I most certainly can do. I charge extra for travel and (if necessary) accommodation costs.

Contact me for more information.