Region · South West
Photographers in Devon
Two coastlines and two national parks: red cliffs and estuaries in the south, surf beaches in the north, and the granite tors of Dartmoor in between.
Devon has two separate coastlines — the English Channel to the south, the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic to the north — and a photoshoot here can look completely different depending on where you go. The south has red sandstone cliffs, estuary towns such as Dartmouth and Salcombe, and tidal Burgh Island; the north has wide surf beaches at Woolacombe and Saunton Sands, the car-free village of Clovelly and the cliffs around Lynton. In between, Dartmoor gives open moorland, granite tors and free-roaming ponies.
That range suits couples and elopements looking for wild landscape, and families on holiday who want a beach session. For towns, see our pages on Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay; the East Devon cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast.
Tell us where you are staying and we will look for a suitable independent photographer who can cover that part of the county.
Quick answer
Snapshire is a photography matching service that helps you book photography for proposals, couples, families, weddings, portraits, events and businesses in Devon with an independent professional photographer. Photography starts from £200; the final price depends on the photographer, date, location, duration and what you need. Tell us what you need, where and when; we reply with availability and a written quote. Enquiring is free, and nothing is booked until you accept the quote.
- Place
- Devon, South West
- Popular here
- Couples, Elopements, Families
- Starting price
- From £200
- How to book
- Free enquiry form
Photographing Devon
Dartmoor is the dramatic heart. Granite tors such as Haytor and Hound Tor rise out of open moor, giving high viewpoints and huge skies. Mist, low cloud and changeable light are part of its character, and the ponies add life to wide frames. In late summer the heather turns parts of the moor purple, and winter can bring snow to the high ground.
The coasts give colour. In the south, red cliffs meet the sea around Dawlish and Sidmouth, and the estuaries at Salcombe and Dartmouth have pastel houses, boats and sheltered water. Burgh Island, off Bigbury-on-Sea, is cut off at high tide, with its white Art Deco hotel on top.
In the north, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands are long, west-facing beaches with dunes behind, so sunsets drop over the sea. Near Lynton, the Valley of Rocks has jagged rock ridges and feral goats above the Bristol Channel, inside Exmoor National Park.
Spring and autumn give softer light and quieter places, and long summer evenings on the north-coast beaches make golden hour easy to plan.
Where to take photos in Devon
Haytor, Dartmoor
A huge granite tor above open moorland with views towards the coast on clear days. Wild and windswept for couples and elopements.
- Best time:
- Golden hour, or a misty morning for mood
- Good to know:
- Exposed, with fast-changing weather. The ponies are wild and should not be fed. Parking areas get busy on sunny weekends.
Hound Tor
Jagged granite outcrops with the remains of a medieval village nearby. Moody and atmospheric, especially in mist.
- Good to know:
- Uneven ground; bring sturdy footwear to change into.
Burgh Island
A tidal island off Bigbury-on-Sea, reached across the sand at low tide, with a white Art Deco hotel. Distinctive for couples.
- Best time:
- Around low tide
- Good to know:
- The hotel and parts of the island are private. The island is cut off at high tide, so check tide times.
Clovelly
A privately owned fishing village where a steep, car-free cobbled street runs down to a small harbour. Full of character for couples and portraits.
- Good to know:
- Entry is through a visitor centre with an admission charge, and professional photography may need the estate's permission. The street is very steep.
Woolacombe and Saunton Sands
Long golden beaches backed by dunes on the north coast, facing west for sea sunsets. Relaxed and open for families and couples.
- Best time:
- Evening, for sunset over the sea
- Good to know:
- Busy in summer with surfers and holidaymakers; parking is paid.
Dartmouth
Pastel houses stacked up the hillside above the River Dart, with boats, ferries and Dartmouth Castle at the estuary mouth. Colourful and nautical.
- Good to know:
- Dartmouth Castle is English Heritage. Parking in town is very limited, and a park and ride helps in summer.
Valley of Rocks, Lynton
Rocky ridges and a coastal path above the Bristol Channel in Exmoor National Park. Dramatic for couples and engagement sessions.
- Good to know:
- Feral goats roam freely, and the cliff paths are steep.
Photography in Devon
Couples
From £250
A relaxed outdoor session for two, in a city street, a park or somewhere you are visiting.
Elopements
From £600
Photography for an intimate wedding or vow exchange, often somewhere wild or meaningful.
Families
From £200
Family portraits and candid moments, outdoors or at a suitable indoor location.
Engagements
From £300
A 60–90 minute couple session that tells the story of your engagement.
Proposals
From £250
A discreet photographer at your proposal, then a short couple session straight afterwards.
Weddings
From £1,200
Shorter wedding-day coverage, from the ceremony through portraits and the start of the celebration.
Maternity
From £250
A relaxed outdoor or studio-style session to mark pregnancy.
Getting there and around
Exeter is Devon's main gateway, with trains from London Paddington and London Waterloo. The line from Paddington continues along the coast past Dawlish to Newton Abbot and Plymouth, and branch lines reach Exmouth, Paignton and Barnstaple.
The M5 ends at Exeter; beyond it, the A38 runs to Plymouth, the A30 to Cornwall, and the A361 to North Devon. For Dartmoor and most of the coast you need a car. Moorland roads are unfenced, with animals on the road, and coastal lanes are narrow, so allow extra time.
Planning your shoot
Summer holidays bring heavy traffic, especially at weekends on the M5 and A38, and full car parks at the beaches. Late spring and September are good compromises. Dartmoor's weather can change within minutes, so pack waterproofs and warm layers even in summer, and have a lower-level backup such as a woodland or village.
Check tide times for Burgh Island and many coves. The Dartmoor National Park Authority and landowners have their own rules on commercial activity, and National Trust land and private estates such as Clovelly may require permission for professional photography. Your photographer will confirm what applies.
Prices and availability
Couple photoshoots start from £250, family sessions from £200 and elopements from £600. Devon is large, so travel from your photographer's base to Dartmoor or the north coast can add time and cost, quoted separately along with any parking, entry or permission fees. Summer holiday dates are in demand, so share yours early.
- Couple PhotoshootFrom £250
- Elopement PhotographyFrom £600
- Family PhotoshootFrom £200
- Engagement PhotographyFrom £300
- Proposal PhotographyFrom £250
- Wedding PhotographyFrom £1,200
Photographer availability. Snapshire works with independent photographers, and coverage varies by area and by date. When you enquire about Devon, we check who is available and tell you plainly if we can’t cover it — before you commit to anything.
Prices are indicative starting prices and may vary depending on the photographer, date, location, duration, deliverables, travel, and project requirements. Your final quotation will be confirmed before booking.
Areas of Devon
Photography in Devon: questions
Is Dartmoor a good setting for an elopement or couple shoot?
Yes, if you like wild landscape: open moor, granite tors and big skies. Be ready for changeable weather, and remember that in England the legal ceremony generally has to take place at a register office or approved venue. See elopement photography.
Which Devon beaches suit a sunset family shoot?
The west-facing north-coast beaches — Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands — have sunsets over the sea. South-coast beaches are more sheltered and suit morning or softer evening light.
Can we visit Burgh Island for photos?
The sands are open to walkers at low tide, but the hotel and parts of the island are private. Plan around the tides, and your photographer will check what is accessible.
Will we see ponies on Dartmoor?
Often, around places such as Haytor and Hound Tor. They are wild animals, so keep your distance and do not feed them.
Nearby and similar places
Last updated
Planning a shoot in Devon?
Tell us what, where and when. We’ll come back with suitable photographer options, availability and pricing — free, and with no obligation.
- Takes less than a minute
- A reply from a person, not a booking engine
- Nothing is booked until you say yes