Family Photographer Cornwall

I love family photography especially in my home county of Cornwall but regularly travel further afield. I use the same unique, natural, reportage photographic style as I do when photographing a wedding, so the photographs are authentic; they look and feel real – because they are real.

My relaxed, natural, reportage approach to family photography is a world away from formal studio photography.

How I work on family photography projects

The idea is to spend a morning or afternoon with you all and simply photograph what happens – naturally and unobtrusively. Mornings are generally better for children as everyone is fresh, fed & ready to go. Afternoons can work, particularly if the children are older – plus there is the advantage of better light later in the day. Either way, I will capture a mix of spontaneous moments – reportage photography – as well as any posed group shots…which I try to make as fun and dynamic as possible!

I try to book both a primary and secondary date in my diary – so that we have options. I can’t always 100% guarantee the secondary date as it depends on my working diary…but I do my best to provide some flexibility however some of the best family photo shoots I have done have been in the pouring rain… 

I am lucky enough to live in a beautiful Cornwall where many families come on holiday, so many of my family shoots are centred around the beach, using lovely Cornish light and capturing those idyllic childhood moments.

Often it’s a rare multi-generational meeting involving grandparents, parents and grandchildren….or a big group of cousins….or the celebration of a big family anniversary – all of which warrant photography to capture this rare coming-together. Either way it’s always huge fun capturing everyone. I think my record is four generations in one group photograph…which I’m unlikely to beat!

“Carole and I just wanted to put in writing how very pleased we were with the family photography shoot. For our golden wedding celebration with the family we chose to be at Watergate Bay because we all love it, particularly the grandchildren. We were particularly keen to employ a photographer who was an expert in informal family photo shoots and you certainly proved to be so. We wanted as a memento of that special occasion – a series of informal group shots incorporating the whole family . The ultimate aim being to have that special shot of all of us adorn our wall at home, and to give framed photos to our children and other family members and close friends. Besides the photos we also have the abiding memory of an hour’s fun that you engendered and we all enjoyed, especially the grandchildren. Your pictures have captured all the various personalities involved! We would certainly recommend your services to any family wanting what we hoped for and got.”
John & Carole Field

Family photography portfolio

I hope you enjoy the selection of real family photography commissions below. They should give you a feel of my reportage style and how I capture the essence of family life. 

Many families come on holiday to Cornwall, so many of my family shoots are centred around the beach, using lovely Cornish light and capturing those idyllic childhood moments. 

WC Fields once famously declared “never work with children or animals. They are scene stealing and completely unpredictable.” Ironically this is exactly what I love about photographing families.

Family photography is challenging but always so rewarding, especially when you capture that special family moment which would otherwise become a distant memory. Photographing children and families, you never know what’s going to happen next, which is just the perfect recipe for an exciting, interesting set of photographs to treasure forever.

“We all had such a fun time when James came and spent the day with us. There was a huge amount of laughter from our two boys as James captured their real characters jumping off sand dunes, surfing and climbing trees – we had never met James before but he put us all at ease and we almost forgot he was photographing us which made for fantastic, natural photos which we absolutely love.”
Ben & Tamzin Tricky