BOURNEMOUTH · POOLE · DORSET
Your family,
as it really feels.
Natural, documentary-led family photography across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. Relaxed shoots on location, shaped around your family and the way you are together.
Family Photographer Bournemouth & Poole
Natural family photography on location across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
Relaxed. Natural.
Completely your own.
Based in Bournemouth, with more than 25 years behind the camera, I photograph families across Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset area in a way that feels relaxed, unposed and shaped around you. My background is in photojournalism, which means I focus on real interaction, natural expressions and the small moments that bring a family shoot to life.
You can expect a set of photographs with warmth, personality and a genuine sense of who you are together.
This family photography page sits within my wider portrait photography work in Bournemouth, which also includes natural portraits for individuals and couples.
Family Photography Sessions, Bournemouth & Poole
Every family.
Every story.
Mini Shoot
from
£150
A focused shoot on location. Ideal for a family group, a small extended family, or photographs of the children, whether that is together, with a parent, or with a grandparent. Relaxed and personal, with time to create a thoughtful set of photographs that feels natural rather than rushed. A lovely option when you want something simple, meaningful and beautifully done.
From 20 to 45 minutes. Typically 5 to 15 edited images, delivered within one week.
Family Shoot
from
£250
The most popular choice. Time to photograph the full group, smaller combinations, the children together, and the natural moments in between. Long enough to settle into the shoot without feeling hurried, giving the photographs a more relaxed and varied feel. Ideal for families who want a fuller set of images while still keeping the experience easy and informal.
45 minutes to two hours. Typically 20 to 60 edited images, delivered within two weeks.
Adventure Shoot
from
£400
A documentary family shoot, photographed as the time unfolds rather than asking everyone to stop and perform for the camera.
It might be a walk on the coast, a morning somewhere you love, or time spent doing the things you naturally do together. I work quietly, watching for the moments that reveal something about your family. The way you connect. The way your children move through the world. The small things that, in ten years, you will be glad someone noticed.
This is where my background in photojournalism is most visible. Less direction, more observation. The photographs tend to feel especially personal because they are shaped by your family, not by a set routine.
One to two hours. Typically 40 to 80 edited images, delivered within two weeks.
Where We Shoot
Locations you
already love.
Sessions take place on location across the area. If you already have somewhere in mind: a beach the children love, a park you visit most weekends, your own garden. It usually works better than anywhere I could suggest. Otherwise, these are the spots that consistently produce strong family photographs.
Bournemouth beach & seafront. Space, good evening light and an atmosphere children tend to come alive in. Works year-round.
Hengistbury Head. Heathland, open coastline and wide skies. One of the best spots in the area, especially at golden hour.
Sandbanks. Clean, open beach with consistently good late-afternoon light. Works particularly well in the quieter months.
Upton Country Park, Poole. Woodland, formal gardens and open parkland within a single location. One of the more underused spots in the area.
Canford Heath. Heathland on the edge of Poole. Gorse, open sky and a feel that is genuinely distinctive from a coastal shoot.
Family Photography Gift Vouchers
Looking for a genuinely personal gift? Family photography gift vouchers are a thoughtful choice for anyone who would love a relaxed, natural portrait session together.
Whether it’s for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas or simply a way to mark this stage of family life, a voucher offers more than a present. It gives them time together and photographs they can keep for years. Available for all three shoot types, with a beautifully designed digital or printed voucher included.
Large Family Group Sessions
Groups of three
to thirty-plus.
I have photographed extended family groups of twenty, thirty or more. Larger groups need a slightly different approach: time to work through the important combinations, clear direction for the main group photograph, and enough space for the natural, candid moments that often become the most memorable images.
The aim is to create a useful mix: the full family group, smaller family combinations, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, cousins and the little in-between moments that happen once everyone relaxes. Some photographs may be more gently arranged, especially with larger groups, but the overall feel can still be warm, natural and full of personality.
For a multigenerational shoot, family reunion or gathering with a wide range of ages, get in touch with the group size and I’ll advise on the best session format and how to make good use of the time.
Granny’s 90th.
Mum’s 60th.
One of the most common enquiries I receive is from someone organising a milestone birthday, a 60th, 70th or 90th, where the whole family is already gathering and they want a few photographs to mark it properly. Not a big formal production, just a handful of considered group shots, some smaller family combinations and a few natural moments from the occasion.
It tends to work well. The occasion gives everyone a reason to be together and in good spirits, which means the group photographs feel purposeful rather than forced. Once the main combinations are photographed, there is usually space for the lighter, more relaxed moments that give the images warmth and personality.
Some families also book a group shoot without a particular occasion attached, simply as a way of keeping a record of how everyone changes from year to year. The format for both is essentially the same: a relaxed session shaped around who is there, what matters most and what the day calls for.
Get in touch with a bit of context and I’ll suggest the right approach. If you are also looking for documentary coverage of the celebration itself, take a look at the party and celebration photography service.
Planning Your Family Shoot
Every session starts with a quick conversation about what you have in mind, where the shoot will take place and who will be involved. It helps me understand the family, plan the timing properly and make the best use of the location.
On the day, the approach is relaxed but organised. I give gentle direction where it helps, keep things moving at an easy pace and leave space for the natural moments that happen in between.
Family Photography Questions
How much does a family photographer cost in Bournemouth?
How long does a family photography session take?
It depends on the shoot type. Mini Shoots run from around 20 to 45 minutes. Family Shoots run from 45 minutes to two hours. Adventure Shoots run from one to two hours. I’ll always talk through timing with you beforehand so you can plan the day around it.
Where do family photo shoots take place in Bournemouth and Poole?
Sessions take place on location across Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset area. Popular spots include Bournemouth beach and seafront, Hengistbury Head, Sandbanks, Upton Country Park and Canford Heath. If you have a specific location in mind, somewhere your family already loves, we can usually make it work. Family homes also make excellent locations for a more intimate, documentary-style shoot.
What should we wear for a family photoshoot?
There is no strict dress code, but a little coordination can make a real difference. Complementary tones usually photograph better than everyone matching exactly, especially outdoors. Natural, softer colours tend to sit well in the landscape, while very bold or neon shades can draw attention away from the people. The main thing is that everyone feels comfortable and recognisably themselves. When people feel at ease in what they are wearing, it always comes through in the photographs.
When is the best time of year for a family photoshoot in Dorset?
Outdoor family shoots work well year-round in Dorset, with each season offering something different. Late spring and early summer bring long evenings, greenery and plenty of warmth. Autumn has softer golden light, colour and texture. Winter can be dramatic and atmospheric, particularly on the coast, in woodland or across heathland.
The best time of day depends on the season. In spring and summer, early morning or the couple of hours before sunset usually works best, as the light is softer, more flattering and outdoor locations tend to be quieter. In autumn and winter, the sun sits lower in the sky, so the light is naturally softer and shoot times can be a little more flexible.
How many photos will we receive?
Mini Shoots typically deliver 5 to 15 edited images within one week. Family Shoots typically deliver 20 to 60 images within two weeks. Adventure Shoots typically deliver 40 to 80 images within two weeks. All images are professionally edited, colour-graded and delivered as high-resolution files via a private online gallery.
Can you photograph large family groups?
Yes. I have photographed extended family groups of twenty, thirty and more. Larger groups work best with a Family or Adventure Shoot, which gives enough time to cover the various combinations: group shots, smaller family clusters and the natural candid moments that often produce the most memorable images. Get in touch with your group size and I will advise on the right approach.
Do you photograph milestone birthday and special occasion groups?
Yes. Milestone birthdays are one of the most common reasons families get in touch. A 60th, 70th, 80th or 90th often brings everyone together in one place, and a short shoot alongside the celebration is a simple way to create photographs the family will actually keep.
Get in touch with the details, including the location, group size and rough timings, and I’ll suggest the right format.
How do I book a family photoshoot in Bournemouth or Poole?
Use the contact form below or call on 01202 937 529. Tell me a little about your family: group size, preferred location and approximate timing. I will come back to you to discuss availability and confirm the details.
Ready to book your family shoot?
Get in touch to check availability and find the right shoot for your family. Based in Bournemouth, photographing across Poole, Dorset and the South Coast. Mini Shoots from £150. Family Shoots from £250. Adventure Shoots from £400.
Check Availability
Bournemouth · Dorset · London · Nationwide