Photographers in Seven Sisters

The palette is simple and strong: white chalk, green downland turf, blue-grey sea. On a bright day the cliffs are almost dazzling; under cloud they turn soft and moody, which suits black-and-white work.

The classic view is from the Seaford Head side, looking east across the mouth of the Cuckmere to the coastguard cottages and the Sisters beyond. The cliff faces are lit from the west in the afternoon and evening, so that is when this view glows. It needs a longer lens and a photographer who knows where to stand safely back from the edge.

Inland, the Cuckmere River loops in wide meanders across flat meadows to the sea. From the High and Over viewpoint above the valley, or along the Country Park trail, those loops make a gentle setting for couples.

Hope Gap has steps down to a wave-cut chalk platform with rock pools at low tide, an unusual, textured setting. Birling Gap, at the eastern end, has steps to a shingle beach with the Sisters stretching away to the west.

Chalk grassland flowers in early summer, and winter brings low, raking light. Wind is a constant at any time of year.

The nearest stations are Seaford and Eastbourne. Regular buses on the A259 coast road between Brighton and Eastbourne stop at Seven Sisters Country Park at Exceat, and from there it is a flat walk of around half an hour or more down the valley to the beach.

Birling Gap has a National Trust car park, and Seaford Head is reached from the car park at South Hill Barn above Seaford. Parking is charged at most car parks, so check before you go.

The viewpoints are further apart than they look on a map. To cover more than one, allow extra time or drive between them. Eastbourne and Brighton are the nearest towns to stay in.

Safety shapes every session here. Stay well back from the cliff edge, which can be undercut and collapse without warning, and keep away from the foot of the cliffs, where rockfalls happen. Check tide times before going down to the beach at Hope Gap or Birling Gap, as the tide can cut off stretches of shore.

It is almost always windy on the cliff tops, and it can be cold even in summer. Wear sturdy shoes for the walk and change for photos. Sunny summer weekends are busy, and Birling Gap sees coach groups; weekday mornings and evenings are quieter.

The country park, the National Trust land at Birling Gap and the wider National Park each have their own rules on commercial photography, and drone flying is restricted at many of these sites. Your photographer will confirm what applies.

Elopement photography starts from £600, and couple sessions and proposals from £250. Because the viewpoints are spread out and involve walking, sessions here often run longer than a standard session; extra time is from £100 per hour. Travel to the coast from outside the photographer's included area, parking and any permission needed are quoted separately.