How to Choose Your Photo Shoot location, South Devon Maternity, Motherhood & Family Sessions

The location of your shoot is as important as the styling when it comes to making your images unique and showing your family’s character. It also gives you an opportunity to have your photos taken in a place that is meaningful and special to you.

Some ideas might include where you first met, first dated, got married, places that you used to take your babies, where your baby took their first steps, where you used to go when pregnant with them, where you ‘exercised’ during lockdown, your own garden, beautiful parks and areas near you, grandparent’s houses… think of places that will enhance the images meaning to you.

For example- my own family photos (above). We moved house to a gorgeous location, found that out the back of our home had the most striking sunsets for our daily dog walks and voila!

You can find beautiful places everywhere- we are so lucky to live in Devon which has more than most (see Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth, above). Even if you aren’t near a coast but crave water photos, look for local streams and lakes (below).

Woodlands and parks are stunning all through the year- woodlands in particular are fantastic if you are unable to commit to an evening/golden hour shoot as the trees diffuse the light so well so shoots can be beautiful even during less optimal times in the day. Luckily for use down here in Devon, Dartmoor has so many stunning ancient woodlands (Whistman’s is a current favourite of mine).

Coastal paths and cliffs along the south coast of Devon and Cornwall (see below)- there are less people here than on beaches, stunning views, a beautiful clifftop breeze to add drama and movement to your photos. These are always a fast favourite for me.

Without a doubt, most of my favourite shoots have been at home. This is a way to make your images completely and utterly personal to your family. It captures a real snapshot of family life and your home in that moment and makes your shoot really special.