Photographers in Southampton

The old town has the most character. The grey stone walls along Western Esplanade include a run of medieval arches, known as the Arcades, built into the wall itself. The wall faces west, so it catches the late afternoon sun, and the arches frame couples and portraits neatly. The Bargate's towers, Tudor House beside St Michael's Square and the cobbled lanes nearby give a historic feel without the crowds of Winchester or Oxford.

The waterfront is modern and open. Mayflower Park faces the docks and Southampton Water, with cruise ships often moored close by, a big, surprising backdrop when one is in. Ocean Village has a marina and contemporary buildings that suit corporate and personal branding portraits.

Southampton Common is a large area of woodland, meadow and ponds, with space for families and relaxed couple sessions.

Netley Abbey, a roofless thirteenth-century Cistercian ruin a few miles south-east of the centre, gives tall Gothic arches and lawns. Next to it, Royal Victoria Country Park has open grass and a shoreline along Southampton Water.

Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, taking roughly an hour and a quarter, and Southampton Airport Parkway serves the airport. Trains also run along the coast to Portsmouth and Bournemouth.

Southampton Central is about ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the old town walls. The walls, Mayflower Park, the Bargate and Ocean Village can be linked on foot in one session. The Common is a short bus ride or drive north, and Netley Abbey is around twenty minutes' drive, or a train ride to Netley station.

Southampton is also a gateway to the New Forest and to the ferries to the Isle of Wight.

Southampton is less crowded than the south coast's resort towns, which makes weekend sessions easier to plan. Cruise-ship turnaround days bring traffic around the docks; the same ships make a dramatic backdrop from Mayflower Park.

The waterfront is open to the wind, so bring a layer. Working port areas are not publicly accessible, and your photographer will keep to public ground.

English Heritage sites, private marinas, offices and hotels each have their own rules on professional photography, and your photographer will confirm what applies. For rain, the arches along the old town walls give a little shelter, but an indoor venue or a new date is usually the answer.

For office headshots, book a room with good window light and a clear half-hour per small group.

Corporate headshots start from £150, event photography from £350 and couple sessions from £250. For business sessions at your office, the quote reflects the number of people, whether a portable backdrop or lighting is needed, and parking at the venue. Travel from outside the photographer's included area is quoted separately.