Why should you book me as your family photographer?

Many years of experience – established in 2006
Family photography with me is relaxed, friendly and fun
I guide you with ideas to help give you the very best and most natural looking family photos
Lots of positive reviews from families I have photographed
Quick turnaround of your photos
Free online gallery that makes selecting your photos really easy
Still not sure? Scroll down to watch the video and view photos I have taken

Outdoor family photography

Family photos at an outdoor location allows more for you to interact with. The photos could be taken on your favourite walk, where you grew up, or simply your garden if some family members aren’t very mobile. Rather than a more formal portrait, you may like to be engaged in an activity like a picnic or a ball game. Just let me know what you envisage and we can work from there.

Here’s a nice outdoor family photoshoot I did on Kilve Beach in Somerset.

The British weather

Outdoor photography provides infinite background choices, giving you a greater variety of photos, and I can work quicker, more creatively, and with much larger groups. You will also find yourself more relaxed on an outdoor location shoot, as you will be in a more natural environment. Outdoor family photoshoots are weather dependent however, but I am flexible with the date of the shoot if the weather is uncooperative.

I’ve a lot of experience providing family photography in numerous locations and settings. You can view some of my family photography shoots below.

Important notes

A fee will be charged to book the date of the photoshoot, but will not be refunded if cancelled. If the date is moved due to poor weather, I will accommodate a new date without charge, subject to availability.
Weekend bookings more than 3 weeks away will be booked at the discretion of Moment Photography (depending on demand for wedding bookings).
The remaining payment must be paid at the time of the shoot.
I charge by the time taken to capture the photos. But for every hour taking the photos, usually it takes up to 3x that to edit and process them. I take a lot of care to make the images colourful and really stand out.

Where I offer family photography

Based in Bridgwater, I am mostly booked for family photography in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Burnham and Wellington, but I am happy to travel as far as Lyme Regis, Exmoor and Bristol.

Quick links

Making you look good
Steps to book me as your family photographer
Family photography prices
Family photography top tips
Great locations for family photos
Gallery

“I hate having my photo taken”

Probably half of the family photoshoots I do, people initially say they hate having their photo taken, or they give the impression it is not their favourite thing. They are usually having their photo taken as it’s a special family occasion such as a birthday or an anniversary and they are doing it for some special memories.

However, the reason lots of people don’t enjoy having their photo taken is because their friends who normally take their photo, do a terrible job!

Here is a real life comparison of how a photo looks when taken by a friend on an iPhone, and how a professional photo looks.

The friend’s photo:

Hard shadows, bad composition, poor body positioning, distracting and ugly backgrounds, poorly timed, halfhearted smiles, completely unflattering, boring

The professional photo:

When I take a photo of you, I am deciding on how to utilise different backgrounds and manipulate them to suit, where to place you, how the light is falling on you, your posture, clothing adjustments, placement of arms and legs, any props such as a tree, wall, chair, swing etc. If there are other people in the photo too, I will arrange everyone together in the most pleasing manner. The result far surpasses a friend’s photo in every way.

Contact me with your proposed shoot date and pay the £100 booking fee* to secure it. After the shoot, either visit me to view the images on a large screen, or view them online. If you choose a viewing, any products selected must be paid for on the day of the viewing. The images will be ready 1-2 weeks after the shoot.

*This is a non refundable booking fee, not a deposit.

What photography option should I choose?

I can take photos outside and in a more relaxed manner, or I can take photos indoors and use studio lighting

Relaxed location photography (mostly outdoors)

This could be photos taken at your favourite beauty spot (or one I suggest), in your garden or at an Air BnB that you are staying at. The photos can be indoors or outdoors, but they will be more relaxed and quicker outdoors as I won’t have to get as technical with lighting, which would slow everything down. Typically these photos are a lot more free, fun and a little less traditional.

Indoor studio photography (in your home)

If you are lucky to have a lot of space in your home (or you are staying in a large holiday accommodation), this option is for people who like more traditional family photos that you would expect to find on a wall in your home for years to come. Professional studio lighting will be used and everyone is arranged in the photo with care and a little patience on your part so that everyone is looking their best for their posed photos.

I start with the largest group and then can do smaller family groups and couples after that. This more structured and slower approach means I can take more time with the details of each photo. I need a minimum clear space of 3×4 metres if I am to set up studio lighting indoors. More space will be required for larger groups.

Indoor studio photography (set location)

This is the same as above except that I hire a hall and I have more options for lighting and backgrounds. I also have more space available than if I used your home space. This option takes more time and there is a built in cost hiring the hall, hence the higher price. This option is for people who expect to be posing in front of a camera and are comfortable doing that. It is a slower approach compared to an outdoor photoshoot, but it allows for higher quality more structured images with more attention to detail.

Family photography
Option 1
£150

Best for group photos in one location with a handful of candids.

NOTE: Saturday bookings more than a month away cannot be guaranteed due to weddings

Within 25 miles of Bridgwater

Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1 hour of photography
• 10 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 2 – £250

Best for group photos in one location with a handful of candids.

NOTE: Saturday bookings more than a month away cannot be guaranteed due to weddings

Within 25 miles of Bridgwater

Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1 hour of photography
• 25 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 3 – £350

Best for more natural candid photos, not just groups, and you want two locations.

Within 45 miles of Bridgwater

Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1-3 hours of photography
• Up to 50 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 4 – £450

Best for more natural candid photos, not just groups, and you want two locations.

Within 45 miles of Bridgwater

Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1-3 hours of photography
• 200-400 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 1 – £150

Best for a handful of small family groups

NOTE: Saturday bookings more
than a month away cannot be
guaranteed due to weddings

Within 25 miles of Bridgwater
Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1 hour of photography
• 10 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 2 – £250

Best for a handful of small family groups

NOTE: Saturday bookings more
than a month away cannot be
guaranteed due to weddings

Within 25 miles of Bridgwater
Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1 hour of photography
• 25 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 3 – £350

Best for multiple family groups

NOTE: Saturday bookings more
than a month away cannot be
guaranteed due to weddings

Within 45 miles of Bridgwater
Charges apply beyond this

• Location shoot
• 1-3 hours of photography
• Up to 50 edited digital images

Family photography
Option 1 – £300

• Studio shoot
• 2x 12″x8″ prints
• 1 hour of photography
• 10 edited digital images

Extra images £20 each, or 10 for £150

Family photography
Option 2 – £350

• Studio shoot
• 2x 12″x8″ prints
• 1-3 hours of photography
• 25 edited digital images

Extra images £20 each, or 10 for £150

Family photography
Option 3 – £450

• Studio shoot
• 24″x24″ canvas
• 10x 12″x8″ prints
• 1-3 hours of photography
• 50 edited digital images

Extra images £20 each, or 10 for £150

Family event photography

A family event could be a reunion, birthday, anniversary or maybe a new baby has been born to add to the family. Having a family photography session at a celebratory event is a lovely memory to have, especially for large families. One of those rare times when family come together from busy their lives and have a good time having their photograph taken at a location that they love. It’s history in the making and photographs that will be enjoyed for decades. If you would like your own family photography at your event, get in contact and we can arrange a suitable date.

Couples photography

Couples photography can be a number of things. Maybe there is a place that you first met that you would like to use as a backdrop to keep the memories alive. Maybe you want some fun photos, some romantic photos or a mixture of both. Or maybe you want something a bit more reserved but photos set against an elegant background. What ever type of couples photography you would like, we can discuss your ideas so I can give you the very best results.

“We don’t want lots of posed family photos”

I know many people don’t want posed family photos……but they also do! Posed family photos are more of a necessity than a desire. When you have a big family and you want everyone to be in the photo, it’s inevitable that it is going to be a “posed family photo.” If it isn’t an organised family photo, kids look the wrong way, someone blinks, yawns or frowns, or there is someone stood behind someone. Often all of that happens all at once!

So I am often told “we don’t want lots of posed family photos,” but then on the day of the photo shoot I am asked: “oh could we just have a photo of all of us?” Then…. “oh we must get one of the aunts and uncles,”……”can we have one of the kids?”…….”I’d like a photo of me and my sister, we haven’t seen each other for 3 years”………..”oh and Bob’s side of the family”……..”let’s have one on the balcony”………..etc, etc.

Before you know it, time is marching on, and 1 hour later the “natural” family photos haven’t happened yet.

Manage your expectations

So I guess I am saying, I am on your side, posed family photos are artistically boring, but they are necessary. Most people’s idea of taking a family photo will involve everyone haphazardly bundled together quickly in front of a smartphone, that generally results in it looking very disorganised and unflattering/poorly lit.

The expectation is instant results these days. However to get everyone into place properly still takes a while, and multiply that “quick photo” several times of all the groups you want, and things get a bit out of control.

So manage your time expectations, do you really need every family combination that has just popped into your head? Leave plenty of time for relaxed photos of you involved in an activity.

What to wear for your outdoor family photoshoot

Don’t worry I am not going to stipulate you all have to wear white tops and jeans. Just apply a little common sense. Big bright logos on clothing will be distracting and detract from the family photo. Bright colours are great, but as long as you aren’t wearing a bright red t-shirt and everyone else is in muted colours. A pretty blouse is likely to look more interesting than a plain t-shirt. Likewise for the men, a shirt will look better than a plain t-shirt. So basically if you want a great family photo, wear some nice but comfortable clothing and make sure no person or item of clothing stands out from everybody else (unless you really want that of course).

Other things to consider are removing bulky phones and keys from your pockets. If your watch draws too much attention, you may want to remove that too.

Try to adopt good posture by avoiding rolling your shoulders inwards. Also, you don’t have to always face front on to the camera. You can look over either of my shoulders as if there is something interesting behind me you are smiling at.

The best ways to get natural family photos

A “natural” photo will likely only look natural if you have something to do. It’s not about me taking photos like a ninja and “catching you unaware,” it’s about your focus being on something other than me and the camera.

In the gallery above, the photos that look most natural are the ones where people are involved in an activity outside, having a conversation, looking at old family photos together, playing games etc. Of course they were all fully aware that I was there, but I asked them to ignore me and carry on enjoying themselves. Once people know they don’t have to perform, they relax and they are themselves, and it is their “natural” selves that people want to see in the photos.

Usually the only thing that stops me from getting more natural photos is being confronted with requests for group photos first, lack of time, lack of activities, or a nice environment for people to interact with.

How to get the best out of photos of your youngest children

Young children are always a challenge to photograph. They easily get bored and frequently get upset or grumpy. It’s best to try and keep things interesting for them to maximise their attention span. Here are a few things to consider:

Help them find something that activates their imagination like rocks, flowers, toadstools, squirrels etc. Anything that you can pick up, point at, or get them to explore will help hold their attention a little longer. It will also mean I can get photos of you together as you both enjoy looking at something and not at the camera.
Get down on their level. Little children are just that, little, and if you are standing next to them, you draw attention away from them.
Give them an activity to help them burn off energy and keep things fun. Throwing fallen leaves, jumping in puddles and jumping across small gaps, or racing their siblings gives them something to do that is not boring like smiling for the camera.
Set them challenges and use reverse psychology. “I bet you can’t run to that tree in 5 seconds.” “I bet daddy is faster than you at running.” “How many times can you jump up and down?” “How far can you throw that stone?”
Interact with them as much as possible such as walking them along low walls, piggy back rides and mum and dad swinging them by their arms.
Your young children are likely to be a handful when trying to get them to look great for the camera. The last thing you want to also have to deal with is a hairstyle that will get in your face if it is windy. Long hair looks great, but just make sure it is easily managed or you have checked the weather forecast. Otherwise the kids could all be looking at the camera smiling, but that is the very time you are pulling windswept hair from your face and a photo is missed.
I often do walking shots as they look natural and are easy to do. Try to avoid walking right in front of each other though as that won’t make a great photo.
If I ask you to crouch down with your child, try and keep both your gaze forwards rather than at the floor as otherwise I’ll get a photo of your hairstyle rather than your faces.
Do the unexpected. Kids get bored lining up in a big group waiting for the moment to smile. Firstly bring them in last, then as they start to tire of smiling, mix it up a bit and say: “Ok everyone, 1,2,3, bottoms!” or “Daddy smells.” Something silly that will catch the kids off guard and bring out a smile…..in the adults too!
When you are trying to get your children to smile for a posed photo, it often means you are looking at them. Just as they start to smile, you are now looking the wrong way. Try and keep looking at the camera and let me be the one that gets their attention so that way we have everybody looking at the camera at the same time. Obviously for more candid moments that are not posed, this is not so important.

Outdoor family photography activity ideas for great photos

The best photos are natural photos. Here are some ideas of activities that will help keep you focused on each other and enjoying yourselves rather than feeling uncomfortable in front of a camera.

Water pistol/balloon fight
Wheelbarrow racing carrying small children
Racing a human wheelbarrow
Piggy back racing
Riding bikes
Stone skimming
Sandcastle making
Walking the dog
Bubble blowing
Family picnic
Hula hoop
Family tea party
Looking for insect wildlife with a magnifying glass
Feeding the ducks
Keeping a football in the air
Sitting on or swinging from a tree branch
‘Forced perspective’ photos (ask me about this or google it)
And so many more!

Many a time families have booked me for family photos as they are on holiday together and staying at a hotel or airbnb. As families visiting Somerset won’t always be familiar with what there is to offer for good photography locations, below are a few suggestions for great places to have your outdoor family photography session.

Kilve Beach

Truly amazing rock formations and backgrounds for family photography. Great for kids fossil hunting and looking in rock pools. Seemingly endless possibilities for beautiful family photos. Most suitable for able bodied people as there are lots of rocks to walk across. Be especially careful when you park to leave within the time you have paid for.

Lyme Regis

Colourful beach huts, a pebbly beach, a pretty harbour and a lovely park full of flowers. Get an ice cream or fish and chips for that true seaside feel in the photos. Here is just one of a few outdoor family photography sessions I have done at Lyme Regis.

Holford forest walk

Dappled light through the leaves, big twisty trees, plenty of natural organic backgrounds and things to lean on or sit on. Free parking at the start of the walk.

Ramscombe Great Wood

Wide open grassy space surrounded by trees. Great for a picnic, kicking a ball about or throwing a frisbee. Natural outdoor family photo opportunities as you enjoy having fun together. Parking right nearby as well as toilets.

Farmer’s field (with permission)

Maybe you have a friend who has a field of wheat or corn? A fantastic background for family photography.

Burrow Mump

Similar to Glastonbury Tor but with easier parking and no crowds. A lovely spot for outdoor family photos where you get a nice view at the top and lower down there are trees to use as a background. It’s an easy, small hill, but suitable only for able bodied members of the family.

Apex Leisure Park

A lovely park in Burnham On Sea with a lake. A great family photography spot that has free parking, level pathways and is wheelchair friendly. Lots of opportunities for cute family photos of the kids feeding the ducks or playing on the climbing frames. There are also plenty of trees and often long grass that works really well for family photos. A great place for your outdoor family photoshoot. Note: please don’t feed the birds bread, it is bad for them, take bird seed instead.

Vivary Park – Taunton

A sizeable public park with a colourful fountain, lots of park benches, large kids play area, crazy golf, large open spaces, flowerbeds, trees that provide shade and texture for photos, wide wheelchair friendly walkways and a waterway that is great for feeding the ducks. Here’s some family photography I have captured at Vivary Park.

Note: please don’t feed the birds bread, it is bad for them, take bird seed instead.

The Walled Gardens of Cannington

In summer time the gardens are a delightful place to visit with lots of small gardens close together. Lots of colour, texture and various interesting features. There is a charge to enter, but there is also a large glasshouse, plant shop and cafe. If you are a large family group, it may be a good idea to contact the gardens asking permission for your family photos to be taken there, in case they are worried a big group might cause disruption to other visitors to the gardens.