Photographers in Portsmouth

Portsmouth's backgrounds are bold: flint and stone sea walls, the curved Spinnaker Tower, grey naval ships and wide water. Because the harbour entrance is so narrow, ferries, yachts and naval vessels pass close to the Round Tower, which adds movement and scale to a portrait.

The harbour mouth faces west across to Gosport, so evening light from Old Portsmouth comes in over the water and sunsets can be striking. Southsea's seafront faces south, bright through the middle of the day, with the Isle of Wight on the horizon on clear days.

Southsea is the softer side of the city. Its promenade runs past Southsea Castle, built for Henry VIII, and the Common's lawns sit behind, with a rose garden near the castle, good for family sessions with children and relaxed couple portraits.

Gunwharf Quays, on the site of the old naval ordnance wharf, has modern waterfront architecture that suits personal branding and corporate portraits. The Historic Dockyard, with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, is a ticketed attraction with its own rules. Portsmouth works year-round; winter storms on the sea walls are dramatic, and summer evenings on Southsea seafront are long and warm.

Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour in roughly an hour and a half, and trains also run along the coast from Brighton and Southampton. Portsmouth Harbour station is right beside Gunwharf Quays, the Historic Dockyard and the ferries to the Isle of Wight.

Old Portsmouth is a short walk from Portsmouth Harbour station. Southsea's seafront is further, around half an hour on foot from Old Portsmouth along the sea wall, or a short bus or taxi ride.

Car ferries, passenger ferries and a hovercraft cross to the Isle of Wight, which some couples combine with a session.

Wind is the usual challenge on Portsmouth's waterfront. Bring a layer, and think twice about hats, loose veils and very full skirts.

Summer weekends are busy at Gunwharf Quays and along Southsea seafront, and large events on Southsea Common, such as the Victorious Festival in late August, fill the area. Tides affect beach shots at Southsea and the Point, so your photographer will check tide times when planning.

Military and naval areas, the Historic Dockyard and privately managed spaces such as Gunwharf Quays have their own rules on professional photography; your photographer will confirm what applies. For rain, the covered walkways at Gunwharf give some shelter.

Couple sessions start from £250 and family sessions from £200. For business work, corporate headshots start from £150 and personal branding from £300. A session covering both Old Portsmouth and Southsea may need extra time because of the distance between them, from £100 per hour. Travel from outside the photographer's included area, parking and any venue permission are quoted separately.