Family & Portrait Guides

Family & Portrait Guides

20 family photography guides cover what parents and schools ask before booking in London: when to book a newborn or maternity shoot, what actually happens during the session, and how school photography works for a whole year group. Written from flats with poor light and toddlers who lasted four minutes, each guide answers one question plainly, including what to skip if budget is tight.

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What’s in this category

Twenty guides in all photography and videography guides cover family life in roughly the order it happens: maternity, newborn, first birthday, toddlers who won’t sit still, and school photography once the kids are old enough to have opinions about the photos.

Questions answered here include what actually happens at a newborn shoot, when to book a maternity session, and how the school photography model works when a whole year group needs doing in a morning. Most of this comes from flats with poor natural light in the room a client wanted the shoot in, and toddlers who lasted four minutes before nap time won.

Start here

what actually happens at a newborn shoot answers the question most new parents ask first. choosing a school photographer is for anyone booking on behalf of a school rather than a family, and it says plainly that safeguarding checks matter more than portfolio style. Both sit above family photography from £250, with current 2026 prices covering newborn and maternity separately.

Tell me the ages involved and roughly when through the contact page and I’ll suggest a session length and slot within one working day. School bookings are best arranged a term ahead so the date doesn’t clash with sports day.

Guides in this section publish shortly. In the meantime, see all published guides or ask directly.

01Weddings 02Business & Headshots 03Property 04Food & Hospitality 05Video 06Products & E-commerce 07Pricing & Practical

Frequently asked questions

How much does a family photoshoot cost in London?

Family photography starts at £250, and maternity sessions start at the same £250. Newborn shoots sit within the family photography page too. Portrait sessions for one or two people start lower, from £200. The final price depends mostly on group size and location.

When should I book a newborn or maternity photoshoot?

Maternity sessions usually work best between 30 and 36 weeks, before it gets uncomfortable to hold a pose for long. Newborn shoots are typically booked for the first two weeks, though it's fine to wait longer if that suits your family better; there's no hard deadline that ruins the photos.

What happens at a family photoshoot with young children?

Sessions are kept short and flexible around nap times and attention spans, usually 45 minutes to an hour rather than a fixed slot. I'd rather get twenty minutes of relaxed, genuine photos than force an hour that turns into a battle. Snacks and a favourite toy help more than any prop I bring.

Does my child's school need to approve a school photography session?

Yes, school photography is arranged directly with the school, and safeguarding checks and DBS requirements vary by trust, so these get agreed before the booking rather than assumed. Ask your school's office what their policy requires, and I'll provide whatever documentation they ask for.

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