London Family Photoshoot Guide: Locations, Prices, and Tips

A London family photoshoot in brief

A London family photoshoot works best somewhere with space for children to move, a few natural backdrops within a short walk, and toilets and a café not too far away. That points to the big parks and the quieter stretches of riverside rather than the landmarks, and to mornings rather than afternoons.

Family sessions through Snapshire start from £200. The rest of this guide covers where to go, what it costs, how to plan around your children's ages, what to wear, and what to do when it rains. For how we arrange sessions in the city, see our London family photography page.

Locations that suit children

The list below favours places where small children can run about safely and where you can move between backdrops without a long walk.

Greenwich Park

The hilltop beside the Royal Observatory looks over the Queen's House and the river to Canary Wharf, and the lawns below give plenty of room to run. It works well for families who want one recognisable London view and plenty of relaxed, playful photographs. The climb is steep, so plan to start at the top or bring a carrier for toddlers. More about Greenwich.

Richmond Park

Wide grassland, bracken and ancient oaks give a countryside feel, especially in autumn. The Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden inside the park, is known for its azaleas and rhododendrons, usually at their brightest in late April and May. The deer are wild: keep children well back, and take particular care during the autumn rut and in early summer when the young are born. More about Richmond.

Hampstead Heath

Long grass, wildflower meadows and woodland paths suit families who want natural, unposed photographs. Parliament Hill adds a view of the City skyline. The heath is large and easy to get lost on, so agree a precise meeting point with your photographer. More about Hampstead.

Regent's Park and Primrose Hill

Regent's Park has formal gardens and wide lawns; Primrose Hill, just to the north, gives a well-known view over central London. Together they offer variety within a short walk. Both are Royal Parks.

Holland Park

Smaller and more sheltered than the big parks, with woodland paths and the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden with a waterfall and a pond. It suits calmer children and smaller families; the paths can feel narrow for a larger group. More about Kensington.

The South Bank

For families who want the city in the background, the riverside walk gives bridges, the river and the skyline. Go early: by late morning it is busy, and it is not the place for toddlers who run off. More about the South Bank.

Permits

Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, Regent's Park, Primrose Hill and Kensington Gardens are Royal Parks, where professional photography may need a permit. Other parks and gardens have their own rules. You do not need to arrange this: your photographer will confirm what applies and include any fee in your quote.

What a family photoshoot costs in London

The final price depends on the length of the session, the number of people (grandparents and cousins take longer), the location, travel, any permit fees and what you want delivered. London can cost more than elsewhere because of travel time across the city, parking and permits; our guide to photographer costs in England explains this in more detail. Your photographer confirms the price in a written quote before anything is booked.

Planning around your children's ages

The single most useful thing you can do is schedule the session around your children, not around the ideal light.

• Babies under one. Plan the session just after a feed and a nap. For very young babies, a newborn session at home is often easier than a park.
• Toddlers. Mornings are usually best. Keep the session short, bring snacks that do not stain, and let them explore. Some of the nicest photographs come from chasing them across the grass.
• Children aged four to ten. Give them a job, such as leading the way or finding the tallest tree. A small reward afterwards works better than a bribe during.
• Teenagers. Ask their opinion on the location and what they wear. Keep posed photos brief and let them be themselves.
• Three generations. Choose somewhere with benches and level paths, and do the big group photo first while everyone is fresh.

Weekday mornings are quietest in most parks. At weekends, aim to start early. In summer, early evening light is lovely, but it may be too close to bedtime for younger children.

What to wear

• Coordinate, do not match. Choose two or three colours that go together and spread them across the family. Identical outfits tend to look stiff.
• Soft, muted colours work well against green parks and grey city stone. Very bright colours and neon can reflect onto faces.
• Avoid large logos and busy slogans, which draw the eye away from faces.
• Think about texture: knitwear, denim and linen add interest without clashing.
• Dress for the weather and the ground. Layers in spring and autumn, and shoes that can cope with wet grass.
• Bring a spare outfit for small children, and wipes.

Our what to wear guide is written for couples, but most of the advice applies to families too.

Rain plans

London weather rarely wrecks a family session, but it helps to have a plan.

• Light rain or drizzle can be fun. Wellies, umbrellas and puddles often make the most natural photos of the day, and parks empty out.
• Heavy rain calls for a covered alternative or a new date. Your photographer can suggest somewhere sheltered near your chosen location.
• A session at home is a good alternative for families with babies and toddlers, and works in any weather.
• Rescheduling. Ask what notice is needed to move the date and whether it costs anything. This should be written into your quote.

For more ideas, read our guide to rainy-day photography in England.

On the day

• Arrive ten minutes early and use the park toilets and café before you start, not halfway through.
• Bring a bag of essentials: snacks, water, wipes, a spare top for each small child and a muslin or small towel for wet benches.
• Let your photographer lead. They will turn posing into games, such as races, whispering secrets or swinging a toddler between two parents. Go along with it even if it feels silly.
• Get in the photos yourself. Parents often hang back, then regret having no pictures with their children. Ask for a few with each parent on their own.
• Do not worry about tears or tantrums. A short break and a snack usually reset things, and some of the most honest photographs come from the moments just after.
• Leave phones in a pocket unless the photographer suggests otherwise, so the children look at each other rather than at a screen.

What you will receive

Your photos are delivered as professionally edited digital images in a private online gallery. The number of images and the turnaround vary by photographer and session, and both are confirmed in your quote. See how many photos you receive from a professional photoshoot for what to expect. Prints and albums can usually be ordered after you have seen the gallery.

Book your London family photoshoot

Tell us where you would like to go, roughly when, and who will be in the photographs, and we will match you with a suitable photographer and come back with availability and a personalised quote. Send your family request here. It is free, and nothing is booked until you accept the quote.