places for autumn family photos in or near Marlow
The long, hot summer holidays are drawing to a close, and it's nearly back to school time! It's very bitter-sweet for me this year as my youngest is starting Reception- how did we get here already? I'm excited for him- I know he's so keen to follow in his brother's foot steps and become a proper school boy, but I can't help but feel that it's all happening a little too quickly...
If you're feeling like time is going by too fast, the best way I've found to try to hold onto right now is to capture this season of your life together in photographs, and autumn is my absolute favourite season to photograph in! The sun is lower in the sky, so it creates beautiful golden light and less harsh shadows, the vibrant colours of nature as the leaves change colour are the perfect back-drop for photographs- and family adventures together.
I love finding spots where there is plenty for children to explore- that way they don't notice it's a photo session- it's just an adventure!
Here are some of my favourite local locations for shoots at this time of year (these are very close to me in Marlow, feel free to reach out if you live further afield too and we can discuss options nearer to you).
I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers
L.M. Montgomery.
1 Marlow Common
Marlow Common is stunning in the autumn. The beech trees turn from green to yellow, orange and then coppery red-brown and because these trees retain some of their leaves throughout winter, there’s always a beautiful canopy above, filtering the light. Children often love swinging on the rope swings in the trees, and it's a perfect place to bring your dog too if you'd like your pet to feature in your family photographs.
Marlow Common is where I hold my autumn mini-sessions.... on select weekends in September, October & November- £100 - 30 mins including 5 digital downloads.
2 Higginson Park
Marlow's riverside park is lovely in the summer, but I think it's even more beautiful in the autumn. There's plenty to do: feeding the ducks and swans, grabbing a hot chocolate on the terrace at the M cafe and walking along the river path towards Marlow Bridge. When the fog rises from the river, it creates a very special kind of magic.
3 West Wycombe
This lovely National Trust-owned village is a great place for a day out, and a perfect location for a family photoshoot. Flying kites on Wycombe Hill, walking past the imposing Dashwood Mausoleum, stopping for a slice of cake at the Walled Garden, where there's a fun playground for the little ones.
4 Hambleden
This pretty village of brick and flint cottages sits in one of the most beautiful valleys, and it comes to life at this time of year when the Chilterns' autumn colours out. From the field behind The Stag & Huntsman, there are beautiful open vistas which look stunning at this time of year.
5 BURNHAM BEECHES
This nature reserve is filled with majestic ancient trees with pockets of heathland and bog. The mix of trees but also open spaces is perfect for photoshoots, as there is always good light to be found.
6 Braywick nature reserve
Braywick provides a lovely mixture of open grassland and covered walkways surrounded by trees. The village of Bray also has a number of locations which are beautiful for photoshoots.
7 The River path near Dorney, Maidenhead
The river path near Dorney is a beautiful place for exploring, with lovely tree canopied parts of the towpath, a wooden bridge over the river, as well as points where you can go down right by the water to explore. On misty mornings, this can be especially magical.
If you're keen to capture this stage of your family's life together, autumn is the perfect time to do so. Use my contact form to get in touch- weekend slots fill up quickly this time of year.
Getting family photos taken in the next few months means you'll be able to use the images to create prints or wall art as Christmas gifts for grandparents too!
