Family photography in Cornwall
For families who want to remember how this chapter actually felt, not a posed version of it.
I'm Michelle, a family photographer based in mid Cornwall with thirteen years of experience. I photograph families as they really are - moving, laughing, exploring, occasionally unravelling - and find the beauty in all of it.
No two families are the same, and no two sessions go the same way. We go with the flow, follow what naturally unfolds, and let the day lead us.
“Michelle was so lovely and instantly put us all at ease. She couldn’t have been more helpful and accommodating. The photoshoot was great fun and enjoyed by us all. We’re so pleased with the photos - really relaxed and informal. Thank you.”
My approach to family photography
the story of your adventure
I think of every session as an adventure - a time to unplug and let moments unfold without pressure or expectation. Everything is kept simple and minimal, so that all you need to do is be while I capture the memories being made.
I’ve got thirteen years’ experience as a storytelling family photographer, with a deep love for images that capture real life honestly and beautifully. I’ll give plenty of direction when needed, but most often kids are great at leading the way!
Messiness and chaos is part of the beauty, and all emotions and moods are welcome. However, we’ll do all that we can to minimise friction and cause for upset and this is covered in the prep info.
Remember, we’re here to capture the heart of your memories - the real moments, not poses or perfection!
This time is so fleeting - none of you will ever be as you are today again - let’s relax and just enjoy whatever shows up. Trust me, there is so much beauty and magic in the ordinary.
The session itself is part of it - a morning out together, somewhere beautiful, without anyone staring at a screen.
When to book your family photoshoot
Time of day for outdoor sessions
Light is my most important consideration for any session. For outdoors, as near sunrise or sunset as possible is best to get that beautiful soft side light. This can mean very early in the morning or late evening during warm summer months.
We’ll make sure we plan it well to minimise the effect to routine disruptions (from breakfast boxes en-route to having PJ’s packed for the car trip home). It’s worth it, I promise.
Through the summer months (May - September) I prefer early morning sessions when it’s quiet and the beaches are clean.
If you can’t manage such an early or late start for your outdoor photoshoot, I can advise alternative locations to the beach, where open shade can provide an alternative to the golden hour.
When to book your outdoor photoshoot
I have very limited availability for these sessions so book as far in advance as possible.
Rescheduling around the weather
I keep a close eye on forecasts, and while I can’t guarantee you’ll have sunshine for your session, if it’s raining we’ll reschedule your photoshoot.
On holiday in Cornwall?
For families visiting Cornwall on holiday, we’ll schedule your session for early on during your stay so that there’s time to move it around if necessary based on weather forecasts. Your holiday accommodation may be a great plan B too.
Remote viewings or online selection galleries can be arranged for you.
“Michelle has an incredibly natural style which we were drawn to. She’s warm and has a great way of putting you at ease, you often don’t even realise she’s taking pictures! She interacted brilliantly with our 3 year old, and the photos she captured on both our photoshoots are just beautiful!”
Locations for Outdoor Family Photoshoots
Most family photoshoots take place outdoors in Cornwall - in locations like woodlands, beaches or even your own garden.
Beaches in Cornwall
I am located in Grampound in mid Cornwall. Beaches I often shoot at are on the Roseland Peninsula - Carne, Pendower and Porthluney Cove Beach are some of my regular spots as well as several sessions towards St Mawes and surrounds. For those willing to go a little more off the beaten track, I have some more secluded locations I can suggest in the region.
I regularly travel further afield, for sessions at Holywell Bay Beach, Fistral and Crantock in Newquay, Harlyn Bay, Watergate, Mawgan Porth and Porthtowan and Perranporth Beaches. When I have limited time available I may suggest the Roseland Peninsula or places like Charlestown or Porthpean in St Austell.
Countryside & woods
There are so many beautiful places in Cornwall, not just along the coast. I love the countryside and interesting landscapes, ever changing through the seasons. I have a few spots in areas of outstanding natural beauty I love to shoot in.
Another great alternative to the beach are woodlands - Cornwall has plenty and all can provide a splendid backdrop for your family photos.
at Home
Sometimes the best photos are the ones taken in your own home. You can plan a simple activity or we can just let it unfold as we would a normal outdoor session. We can venture into the garden or take a walk. Soak in a bubble bath or jump on the bed. Snuggle on the sofa or chase the dog. I love the endless possibilities for sweet, unfiltered moments that can happen during a simple home session.
This is a great back up option if you’re visiting Cornwall on holiday and we’re rained off the beach. The moments will matter just as much, and it will still be family holiday memories.
Studio
For smaller families, you are welcome to come to my home studio - it might not fit an extended family but I’ve had plenty of fun sessions here with families of up to 5.
What to expect at your family photoshoot
preparation
I like to prepare parents properly so that we arrive ready to roll and can all enjoy the session to the max.
On booking I’ll send you some styling tips and prep info, and we’ll make a time for a pre-session consultation video call to run over details, outfits etc before the shoot.
When planning your family photoshoot together, it’s the little details that make all the difference to your experience and resulting images and I believe in keeping things simple, and good planning to ensure a great session.
What to wear for a family photoshoot
I love styling with earthy fibres and natural tones. Full style guidance is provided in person but my main rules of thumb are to keep it simple, comfortable, and to make sure you all look like you belong together.
Preparing older kids for a session
The unpredictable factor is what moods will be like, but I advise parents to not build the session up as something the kids have to be good for, or do well at, but rather explain it as some family fun time where someone will be taking some pictures - but no pressure to perform.
The expectation should be that we’re just going to have some fun with a friend for a while, and she’ll have her camera. This is nothing like school photos and I don’t want fake ‘cheese’ smiles!
Make sure you’ve prepared appropriate outfits with warm layers and footwear that can be worn for photos, and arrive with faces clean.
the Session
Family photoshoots are fun and intuitive, allowing time for warming up for those who are a little camera shy. Once we get going I give plenty of direction when needed and prompts to help the moments along, but it’s also important that everyone’s true personalities are allowed to shine so I let youngsters lead the way a lot of the time.
We’ll play games, explore, race, cuddle and whatever feels right on the day, depending.
Remember, it’s a documentary style session and I don’t expect anyone to behave a certain way or perform for the camera. I am here to capture the laughter, cuddles and chaos of family life.
Delivery & Next Steps
After your family photoshoot I’ll get to work curating and editing a final gallery of images for you to view. This is ideally done in person (approximately 2 weeks later). If you’re on holiday in Cornwall and are having your family photoshoot before leaving, we’ll do the viewing via Zoom.
I’ll guide you through the options, wall art and album design, advising on prints and products that truly get the most from this experience so that you end up with something tangible, that will last a very long time.
Family Photography Pricing
Session Fee — £65
I charge a £65 session fee on booking to reserve your slot. This includes:
Preparation & style guides
Pre-session consultation (video call)
Family photography session with me*
A photo ordering appointment
*Supplementary fees are added for travel, weekend slots, extended families, entry fees & parking charges at locations etc.
What happens afterwards?
I will carefully hand edit and curate a gallery of images to present at your gallery viewing & ordering appointment, around 2–3 weeks after your session.
This is where you can decide on how your photographs will live - as prints, in frames on the wall or in an album. I’ll guide you through the options and full pricing is provided before you book.
Investment guidance
Most families spend around £600 - £900 on a combination of print & digital products.
All final decisions are made at your ordering appointment
All-inclusive collections are available, with payment plans from £64.80 per month
A-la-carte printed artwork and digital bundles start from £249
A quick note
The session fee does not include your images. You can choose what you truly love after seeing your photographs.
Your memories should live in print
These aren't just photos for your phone. They're the ones you'll find yourself looking at in ten years, remembering exactly how those days felt - and wondering how they went so fast.
Raw or unedited files are not provided, as finished images reflect the care, artistry, and quality you see throughout my work.
Digital Bundles
For peace of mind, the perfect accompaniment to your prints & products.
5 - £249
10 - £399
15 - £449
All - £599
packages
All-inclusive collections for a mixture of jpegs & print products/wall art.
From £64.80 per month
a-la-carte
Individual printed products such as wall art, framed prints & albums.
from £249
“Oh Michelle, these are so beautiful! Better than I had even hoped for. You’ve perfectly captured their personalities and that gorgeous beach - what an amazing set of photographs. There are so many we love... I can’t stop looking at them, and what a joy to have so many!”
“There are so many stunning photos from our shoot! Thank you so much for working with us Michelle. We loved every minute of our shoot and couldn’t be happier with the photos we received. Memories to treasure forever!”
Portfolio highlights - a glimpse at some recent family photography sessions in Cornwall…
Family photography session at Holywell Bay Beach, Newquay in Cornwall
FAQs
Where is your studio located?
My home studio is in Grampound, just on the A390 between Truro and St Austell.
When is the best time to book a family photoshoot?
It’s highly recommended to book as far in advance as possible. Availability for early mornings & evenings is very limited so book early for an outdoor session.
How to dress for an outdoor family photoshoot?
Casual and natural is the best way to go. As a general rule, any “natural” colour is usually a safe idea for family photo outfits. Earthy tones like sage green, various shades of brown and muted shades of yellow and orange won’t clash and usually photograph well.
We will cover this in your pre-session consultation and a style guide will be available too.
What time should photos be taken outside?
For outdoors, the best natural light is at the beginning or end of the day, during the golden hour. This can be tricky when the days are longer in the summer but worth breaking your routine if you can, or I’d suggest a studio session instead, which are timed between 10 - 2pm.
What if it rains?
In Cornwall you can have all the seasons in one day, so I’ve learnt to embrace wind, clouds, the odd shower and of course the sun! All have their beauty and challenges, but if it’s not suitable for photos we will reschedule to the nearest available slot.
How long does a family photoshoot last?
It depends on the session - usually around 60 - 90 minutes which is ample time for warming up, exploring and getting a lovely collection of creative, timeless images.
Can we include our pet in our family photoshoot?
Yes absolutely! We love including pets, and appropriate prep info will be available to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.
How much does a family photoshoot cost?
A £65 session fee covers all the preparation for your session and the time of the photoshoot - supplementary fees may be added to this such as travel charge, extended family fee, and entry charges for location sites.
Images are purchased separately and digital bundles and print products start from £249. All-inclusive packages start from £64.80 per month.
How long after the session will I see my images?
Approximately 2 weeks after your session we’ll meet back at the studio where you’ll see your photos for the first time and be able to choose the ones you’d like, and your wall art etc.
If you don’t live in Cornwall, we will arrange this via Zoom.
“Thanks for going through the photos with us. Really lovely photos which will be treasured memories. Thanks again for everything throughout the process.”
What happens next?
To book your family photography session, simply fill in the form below and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
About me
Although I’ve always had a love for art and photography, it’s only since having my first baby in 2013 that a deep passion for newborn & family photography took hold. My obsession has become my livelihood and I continue to grown and evolve with every session.
Over the years I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns, babies & families. I am mostly self-taught, with training on safety, approach and posing acquired from various top photographers in the field through online courses. I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons on the job - always striving for better, progressing, tweaking and over time developing my own style of seeing and shooting.
I hope I never tire of contributing my particular verse to the stories of my clients in this way. It’s a joy and an honour to capture such important and precious memories for people.
I’m a mum to two boys, and with each passing year my experience and understanding of what these moments mean will over time grows deeper. It’s less and less about getting the perfect pose, and more about capturing how the moments feel - that is what you will want to hold onto when they’re not little any more.
