It's no secret that London is a beautiful city and there are a lot of options when it comes to photoshoot locations, but it can also be overwhelming to narrow down exactly where you want to shoot. We've gathered our favourite shooting locations in London, so that you don't have to.
1) St Dunstan
St Dunstan in the East is a tranquil hidden treasure in London. This ancient church makes a stunning background for portraits, especially engagement sessions. It has a romantic feel and there often isn't too many people, giving way for some privacy. We love the whimsical plants that stretch about, which are great to hide between to give your photos some depth.
We've gathered some Instagram photos from Londoners who also love St Dunstan.
@veronica2802
@jessicalam17 @roeldevriesfoto @roeldevriesfoto
2) Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden is a quaint garden area and one of the oldest botanical gardens in London. It is often forgotten about, which means there usually isn't too many people getting in the way of your photos. We love this location for any type of session, but personally, I adore it for maternity photos. You do have to pay (not much) to get in, and it is worth seeking permission to take some photos if you are taking loads of gear.
@squarehare
@jkthe @clairesmuddyboots @clairesmuddyboots
3) Neal's Yard
Neal's Yard is a small alley way in London's Covent Garden. It's colourful with a lot of brick and greenery making it a quirky and fun location for any photo session. You may have to work around it being busy, but you can either let it add to the feel of the photos, or show up early in the morning.
@theislandlife
@moje.petra.holikova @searching4grace
4) Kings Cross - Light Tunnel
If you're looking for a moodier feel with some edge, try shooting at the light tunnel at Kings Cross. This 90 meter long tunnel is lined with colourful lights (usually purple), and although dark, you can get creative with long shutter speeds or flash.
@andykwhau @loumckew
5) Camden Town
In North West London, Camden is a bustling part of the city with eccentric shops, markets and the beautiful Regents Canal which make perfect backdrops for photos. Just one look and it's no wonder the famous Amy Winehouse called this town home.
@chanel.fortune @strictly_streetart
@anna_lipk @mechaselvoid
6) Little Green Street
This little street is very picturesque with an old town feel and colourful doors for pops of colour. It's usually pretty empty giving it a private feel and lots to work with. You can find it just off of Highgate Road in Kentish Town.
@vieirapablo @idasensei
7) Isabella Plantation
With 40 acres to explore Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is a stunning natural location perfect for family photos. You can find a variety of plant life and visit the ponds as well as a pretty little stream. I would advise getting early for some privacy, gates open at 7:00am in the Summer.
@brendon122000 @stellacassanelli
@londondreamtime
8) Leake Street
Leake Street, also affectionally known as Banksy Tunnel, is a dream for those who love shooting in urban and edgy locations. With it's colourful graffiti and artwork it has a very artsy feel and would be perfect for a fashion or editorial shoot. It can get quite dark so flash photography is recommended.
@graciegras1 @urban_london_street_art
@the_kiwi_steppa @mathildevsy
9) Barbican Conservatory
If you can get permission, the Barbican Conservatory can be a beautiful location to shoot in, especially if it is raining outside. It is only open on Sundays, but it's tropical plants and exotic fish give it a fantastic vibe and great backdrops.
@lottie.whyman @jwfairey
@kellyfrost91 @kalemmichael
10) Brick Lane
Brick Lane is an eccentric and unique area with many trendy shops, restaurants, and a variety of urban backdrops of graffiti. It is usually busy, but is a great location for fashion or portraits.
@oadventures @vojtech_tkac
@berkeleysqb @higaelle
11) Syon Park and Conservatory
Beautiful both inside and out the Great Conservatory in Syon park has an elegant and romantic feel. It is a great location if you are wanting to avoid the English rain, or to explore the surrounding areas on the occasional sunny day. Find everything from ponds to fields and grasslands. You'll often see weddings planned here or fellow bloggers taking some snaps.
@wendycure @one.nine.eight.eight
12) Mayfield Lavender Farm
You've probably seen the influx of lavender field photos on Instagram lately and may be wondering where they were taken. Mayfield Lavender Farm is a wonderful farm that allows the public to explore their fields, and for professional photographers to rent out spots/times to avoid the crowds and for business and commercial purposes. Their fees are very reasonable the the staff are super helpful.
@tingii_c @xoshaynaj
13) Five Arches River
The Five Arches are found in Foots Cray Meadows, a beautiful park spanning 240 acres, a mixture of fields and forest. It is a beautiful natural location with a lot of greenery and open space.
@clairelowe76 @ked_wards
@bonnie182
14) Holland Park
Holland Park in Kensington-Chelsea London is a lovely little park featuring the Kyoto Garden Waterfall by a Japanese designer, as well as woodlands. You can also find the Holland House. It is a tranquil location which is usually quiet and perfect for family sessions.
@jessicarubiniaruzza @begumzar
@anaisradiere
15) Little Venice
Little Venice is a very scenic area near Camden with stunning canals and waterways. It is lined with quirky cafes, restaurants and shops. It can be quite busy so I suggest going early in the morning.
@outfitteuze @florenciasanna
What are your favourite shooting locations? Have you shot at any of these? How did you find it? Let us know!
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A special thank you to all of the talented Instagrammers who allowed us to feature their photos.
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Hi.
Super nice places!
I was just wondering, how do you deal with location fees? If you take professional photos, or even photos of your friends for your website and their use? I just called for saint Dustan and it’s like 300 pounds at least to be allowed to shoot there