FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER IN LONDON
OUTDOOR FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
Booking your session is simple. Simply send a message through my contact page or email amanda@familyoftheforest.com, and we'll find a date that works for your family.
Before we meet, we can have a relaxed video call so I can get to know you. I'll learn about your children, what they love doing, and the little details that make your family unique.
Together, we'll choose a beautiful outdoor location and plan a session that feels completely you.
On the day, there's no pressure to perform or smile on cue. We'll wander through woodland paths, climb fallen logs, throw stones in streams or stop for a snack if that's what's needed.
A typical outdoor family photo session naturally unfolds like this:
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We begin with adventure. Candid photographs of your family exploring, playing and simply enjoying time together.
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Then come the quieter moments. Natural sibling, parent-and-child and individual portraits as everyone settles into the session.
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We finish with the photograph for the wall—created once everyone has forgotten about the camera and feels completely at ease.
Candid MOMENTS
Some of the best photographs happen when eyes are engaging with the world rather than the camera. They happen when someone discovers the perfect climbing branch, stops to inspect a ladybird, or dissolves into laughter over something only your family understands.
I plan every session around natural spaces and beautiful light, but never around a fixed idea of how your family should behave. Some children race ahead. Others take their time. Some want to explore every path, while others are happiest curled up in your lap. However your family moves through the world, that's the story we'll tell.
The photographs we create won't just remind you what your children looked like. They'll remind you who they were.
Sibling & Individual Portraits
As we wander, I naturally photograph your family in all its different relationships.
Siblings instinctively reaching for each other. Parents sharing a quiet glance while the children race ahead. A hand held without thinking. The small moments that often pass unnoticed in the busyness of family life.
I also take time to photograph each person on their own, celebrating the little things that make them unmistakably themselves—the determined explorer, the thoughtful observer, the child who can spend half an hour turning sticks into an imaginary world.
By the end of the session, you'll have a collection of photographs that celebrates not only your family together, but the unique personality of every person within it.
The Photo for the Wall
Of course, we'll create the classic shot where everyone is together and facing the camera.
The difference is that we don't begin there—we end there. By this point, the children have explored, played and settled into the session, and everyone feels far more relaxed than they did when they first arrived.
I'll gently guide you into natural positions, making small adjustments while keeping everything easy and unhurried. The result is a family portrait that feels effortless.
It's the photograph that will happily live on your wall for years to come, while always reminding you of the adventure that came before it.
Planning your Outdoor Family Photography Session
WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST FOR FAMILY OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY IN NORTH LONDON?
Golden Hour or Midday?
Golden hour is often considered the ideal time for outdoor photography, thanks to its warm, gentle light. But for many families, it also falls right in the middle of dinner, bath time or bedtime.
That's why most of my family sessions take place in the morning or early afternoon, when children are well rested, happy and ready to explore. In my experience, relaxed, just-fed children always make for more natural photographs than perfect light ever could.
London's parks and woodlands are also wonderfully suited to daytime photography. Beneath the trees, we find beautiful, soft light throughout the day, while golden hour can actually leave woodland locations feeling darker than you'd expect.
Rather than chasing the clock, I choose the time and location that will suit your family best—creating natural, timeless photographs in light that feels beautiful all year round.
When Golden Hour Is the Right Choice
Golden hour is perfect for maternity sessions or couples, where we have the flexibility to follow the light without little ones worrying about bedtime.
Over the years, I've found some wonderful locations around London where the evening sun filters through the landscape, creating that soft, golden glow people love.
The best golden hour locations are open spaces, such as beaches, meadows and rolling countryside, where the light can reach the horizon without being hidden by trees.
WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON (AND WEATHER) FOR OUTDOOR FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN LONDON?
Summer
Winter
It’s natural to hope for bright sunshine and clear blue skies on the day of your family photoshoot in London.
And yes — sunshine can be beautiful.
But in wide, open spaces at midday, strong sunlight can also be harsh, creating heavy shadows and high contrast. That’s why choosing the right location matters just as much as the weather.
Under tree canopies — in places like Hampstead Heath or Highgate Wood — we get the best of both worlds. Cool shade, balanced light, and space for your family to relax naturally.
Sunlight is a big part of my signature style.
I specialise in dappled light — where sunlight filters gently through leaves — and in backlighting, where the sun sits behind you to create a soft, glowing effect. The key is making sure faces are always beautifully lit while still capturing that warm atmosphere.
What if it’s Cloudy?
Grey skies aren’t something to worry about.
Clouds gently diffuse the light and remove harsh shadows, which gives incredibly flattering, even tones across the face, perfect for natural family photography.
Some of the most timeless outdoor family photoshoots in London happen on overcast days.
The colours are richer, the light is softer, and everything feels balanced.
Snow is my favourite time to photograph families outdoors. Because it's rare in London and snow transforms light.
It reflects from every angle, brightening the scene and adds a magical sparkle to the background. It also brings out something special in children — excitement, playfulness, and genuine joy that’s perfect for candid photo's.
The only challenge is what to wear.
Winter styling takes a bit more thought, it’s easy to default to bulky coats and oversized layers. While practical, these can hide shape and make it harder to create flattering silhouettes in photographs.
The key is balance:
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Warm, but well-fitted layers
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Coordinated tones rather than heavy patterns
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Texture (like wool, knits, scarves) to add depth without bulk.
Spring
Autumn
Parks and woodlands transform into rich backdrops of golden, orange, and red leaves — perfect for warm, natural-looking images.
It’s also the time of year when many families start thinking about Christmas cards, making autumn one of the most popular seasons for outdoor family photography in London.
The sun sits lower in the sky, creating softer, more flattering light throughout the day — without the harshness of summer.
Temperatures are usually mild, making it comfortable for everyone, especially young children.
It’s also a great season to bring a sense of activity into your shoot. Think relaxed, natural moments like:
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Apple picking
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Pumpkin patches
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Walking through fallen leaves
The one trade-off with autumn is the loss of greenery. If you love lush, vibrant greens, spring and summer may suit you better. But in return, autumn gives you warmth, texture, and a cosy, seasonal feel that many families love.
March and early April are — perhaps surprisingly — my quietest times of year for outdoor family photoshoots in London.
At this point, much of the landscape is still waking up. Trees can look quite bare, and outdoor locations don’t yet have that full, vibrant feel. This is why I often focus more on indoor newborn sessions and brand photography during early spring.
But things change quickly.
Late April is when London Comes to Life
Bluebells begin to bloom, trees fill out with fresh green leaves, and some of the most beautiful seasonal backdrops appear across the city.
It’s also the perfect time to capture cherry blossoms in locations like Alexandra Palace. These short-lived blossoms create soft, romantic settings that are ideal for natural family photographs in London.
May Is One of the Best Months
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Fresh greenery and colour
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Comfortable temperatures
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Longer days without the intensity of peak summer heat
The only thing you might not have yet… is your summer tan.
Golden Hour in Spring
Spring is an ideal time for golden hour sessions.
Unlike summer, when sunset can be very late, spring evenings are more family-friendly — making golden hour family photoshoots in London much easier to plan around children’s routines.
Rain
A little rain doesn’t have to ruin your family photoshoot.
Light drizzle gives a beautifully soft, atmospheric look. Think wellies, umbrellas, and children fully embracing the moment — often these turn into the most playful and authentic photographs.
When Do We Reschedule?
If there’s heavy rain or strong winds forecast, we’ll simply reschedule your session. Your experience — and your photographs — are always the priority, and I want you to feel relaxed and confident going into your shoot.
