Vacation photographer in London
Enjoy your visit to London without worrying about the family photos. Your adventures will be documented forever for you and your children.
And for once, you’ll be in the pictures too!
Create a photographic journal of your family holiday. London is a glorious location for a family photoshoot with its iconic landmarks, historic architecture, quirky backstreets and green parklands.
I know the city well and how to find great places to photograph – including snack stops and playgrounds with a view to keep little ones happy. I will photograph as you explore and can follow your itinerary, or suggest some fabulous locations for us to visit together.
Since 2009, I have documented London adventures for families from all across the globe, including the US, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait – and more!
“London is a special city for my husband and I and we wanted to capture some memories with our three boys on our recent visit. One chat with Antonina and I knew we would be in good hands. Antonina was a pro, a tour guide, and a friend!! We will forever treasure the pictures she took for us.” — Tara, USA
Visit London’s iconic landmarks
One of the many options for your vacation family photography session in London is booking a landmark photoshoot. We will chat ahead of your session and discuss which areas of London or landmarks you’d like to visit. Then I will suggest a walkabout route that includes some of your highlights.
Some of my clients love starting their London photoshoot at Big Ben or London Eye, and then continuing to walk along South Bank towards Millenium Bridge and Tate Modern. Or we can start at Tower Bridge and explore the historic cobbled streets of Shad Thames nearby. There are so many options, but I will help you choose a route that will make an amazing day out and include an essential stop for ice-cream.
Family photoshoots in London’s parks
Many of my clients prefer heading to one of London’s Royal Parks for their London family photoshoot. In the spring and summer, the parks are full of greenery and flowers so create a very English backdrop for family photos.
If you’re staying in Kensington or Notting Hill, then Hyde Park is a perfect option for you. If you’re in Hampstead or St John’s Wood, then Regent’s Park with its beautiful rose garden, or Hampstead Heath with its pretty wooded areas and views over the whole city are both beautiful locations.
“Loved every single photo that Antonina took! She was lovely to work with and we even forgot she was there sometimes!” — Fawz, Kuwait
London vacation photoshoot example
This was the second time I photographed this family from Singapore – on the previous visit to London their youngest was still a baby. We started their family photography session at a playground next to London Eye, and afterwards took a walk to St James’s Park, finishing on another playground. The parents brought bubble guns to play with the kids, and that added to the fun we were having.
“OMG Antonina! You are sooooo amazing! I am sitting here in tears at how beautiful these photos are!” — Maria, Australia
Best Family Photoshoot Locations in London
One of the questions I often get asked is “Where should we go to take our family photos in London”, especially by families planning a vacation family photoshoot while they are visiting London from overseas – or expats moving out and wanting to do a farewell photoshoot with a distinct London feel to it.
I usually recommend having your family photoshoot in a place that’s special to you, but if you’re just visiting and want to capture the essence of your vacation here in London – or create a unique set of images you can’t create back home – I’ve curated this list of some of my favourite locations for a family photoshoots in the city.
London Southbank with London Eye and Big Ben
The first thing that anyone thinks when they think London is probably Big Ben as well as the nearby London Eye (fun fact: London Eye was supposed to be a temporary structure). This area is great for those iconic London shots but beware the crowds – we’d need to start pretty early to be more comfortable exploring and walking between these two landmarks.
In addition to London Eye and Big Ben, there are plenty of other photographic opportunities nearby, from the iconic red telephone booths at Parliament Square, to the Southbank Centre and it’s ever changing installations (an urban beach and the “Appearing Rooms” fountain in the summer, a bustling Christmas market in November and December) and of course the street performers.
The Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Shad Thames
There are endless photographic opportunities around the Tower of London and Tower Bridge (and no it’s not called London Bridge – a common mistake).
At low tide, I love taking my clients right down the river where the kids can look for hidden treasure and throw stones in the river. Alternatively, there’s Shad Thames to explore – a historic cobbled street full of character (and souvenir shops) and we can finish off by eating ice cream at Potters Fields Park with views over Tower Bridge and the City of London.
St Paul’s Cathedral, Millenium Bridge and Tate Modern
This is definitely my top location for a vacation family photoshoot right now, with a lot of great variety – starting from St Paul’s Cathedral itself and the area around it (think London red buses, the City of London with it’s bustling streets), and then across the iconic Millenium Bridge and onto Southbank – here we have Tate Modern and can either take a boat to Tower Bridge to continue our adventures, or walk over to the famous Borough Market for refreshments and more photographs!
Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Horseguards Parade
Popular tourist destinations, these locations are usually full of people but that doesn’t mean I can’t create great photographs of you exploring and enjoying your time in London. Forget awkward posing – just enjoy yourself and the children’s reactions and let me capture the magic!
Central London’s Parks
If the greenery of London is what you love about this city, there’s no shortage of beautiful parks to choose from.
Many of my clients head over to Hyde Park (including Princess Diana’s Playground, the carousel, and the Memorial Fountain); Holland Park, a hidden gem in Notting Hill, Regents Park (full of flowers and hidden gardens – and then there’s also playgrounds and London Zoo) or stop by Green Park or St James’s Park in-between exploring famous landmarks to add visual variety to their photographs – and feed the ducks and the squirrels.
Hampstead Heath
If you’d like to avoid the hustle and bustle of Central London parks, travelling a little further afield of Hampstead Heath in North London is a fantastic option. With over 900 acres of heath and woodland, as well as the famous Parliament Hill, we will be spoilt for choice and can stay away from the crowds. Pack a picnic, take a kite, and make a day out of it!
Backstreets of Kensington and Notting Hill
The streets of Notting Hill and neighbouring Kensington make for a great backdrop for a family photoshoot full of London character. I know the best places for the colourful houses and well as the hidden cobbled mews to take you to.
London’s Museums
For many of my clients their days in London are absolutely packed with activities – and I happily slot into whatever you’re doing as a family, whether it’s a walking tour of London, a private tour of the British Museum, or the ceremony of the keys at the Tower of London.
London’s Red Buses & Black Cabs
Children (and adults!) love riding London’s double decker buses and it can make a fun opportunity for family photographs too. Or, if we need to travel from one location to another, taking a black cab is a great option – and the photoshoot doesn’t stop just because we are travelling!
Your home or hotel
Starting or finishing in your hotel suite or apartment is a brilliant option to complement the story of your stay in London. I’ve photographed at Hotel Cafe Royal, The Dorchester and Intercontinental Park Lane, as well as private and rental apartments in Mayfair and Notting Hill and the images completed the story beautifully.
Anywhere, really!
I can take great photos anywhere your adventures take you – whether it’s the back of a car, a random street in London or a cafe you’ve stopped at for refreshments. With every photoshoot, my aim is not to only capture what you look like and the locations you visit – but to document your and your children’s personalities with raw, authentic and timeless photographs.