favourite family photography locations in norfolk
Norfolk has some great locations for relaxed natural photography of families and each have their own pros and cons so I thought I’d write a quick guide to help you pick where you might like to go. Have a read if you’re stuck for ideas and drop me a line to book a shoot. Of course if you have any ideas as to where would make a great portrait location or if you feel I’ve missed any places out please get in touch. Remember you can always have a session at home too, as particularly for very young members of your family home can often provide a comfortable place for photographs to be taken.
If you’d like to see some of Norfolk’s lovely locations and the type of photographs I take at each then click on this link: Norfolk Photographer Family Portraits
NORTH WEST NORFOLK– Hunstanton is a great town and the gem that is Old Hunstanton beach is one of my personal favourite locations to visit for lifestyle portrait shoots. Beautiful beach with the famous Hunstanton cliffs not too distant, lots of beautiful beach huts set amongst a nice sheltered area of sand dunes and sea that you can have a paddle in, great fun.
NORTH NORFOLK–Wells next the Sea and Holkham boast some of the most dramatic scenery and it’s no wonder that their beaches make for lovely days out with a mix of pine woodland, vast expanses of beach and even some lovely beach hut backgrounds for good measure. Further along the North Norfolk coast great sea-side villages such as Cley next to the Sea and Blakeney make for great places for lifestyle shoots with a salt marsh background and lovely low sunlight that you can make the most of even in the winter months. Further inland there’s great parkland at Holkham Hall and don’t forget that there’s a great woodland park at Holt in addition to the Holt to Sheringham Railway line in all it’s vintage splendour.
NORTH EAST NORFOLK-The Victorian beach side resort of Cromer has to be the jewel in the crown of this area with beach and coastal walks but don’t forget the beaches and coastline at Sheringham and East Runton. Further inland Felbrigg hall shouldn’t be missed for it’s wooded and open parkland walks and if we can count it as a member of the North East Norfolk set Blickling Hall‘s parkland is also very beautiful particularly in autumn.
EAST NORFOLK–Bacton Woods starts my perusal of the east coast of Norfolk, it’s a fine bit of woodland and I’ve had many lovely family shoots here amongst the avenues of beech trees and pine trees. Further south along the east coast you’ll find great beaches from Happisburgh with it’s beautiful lighthouse down to Winterton beach with it’s gorgeous dunes and beach which is another personal favourite.
MID-NORFOLK-The central area of Norfolk dominated by Norwich and it’s surrounds holds some beautiful woods which include Foxley Woods to the North, Mousehold Heath on the very edge of Norwich, and various small woodlands offering exceptional displays of bluebells in the spring. Parkland includes Whitlingham Country Park which has a good mix of environments from open grassland to lakeside and even a bit of lovely woodland walk too. We must not forget some of Norwich’s urban parks too, there are some crackers ideal for short family portrait sessions when you don’t want to travel to far and of course the University of East Anglia also has some great parkland.
WEST NORFOLK-West Norfolk is dominated by Breckland and Thetford forest, gorgeous opportunities to say the least from places such as Lynford Aboretum to historical villages like Castle Acre, there’s pine forest galore and more at Thetford Forest itself.
SOUTH NORFOLK-South Norfolk is dominated by agriculture land but there are small woodlands supplying great short walks in picturesque environments and one such example would be Fritton woods although arguably this could be said to be as East as it is South Norfolk. However when you get to the Norfolk and Suffolk border the landscape improves and becomes a delightful environment for photographs
SUFFOLK EAST COAST-There is a reason that the east coast of Suffolk is popular from Southwold with it’s pier and beach south through some wild a lovely coastal scenery to Dunwich and Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.
NORTH SUFFOLK-Thornham Walks is a delightful park in North Suffolk woodland dominates but it’s a bit magical on occasion and has amenities.
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To the website of Norfolk Family Photographer Phil Barnes. I've been a full time professional for over 10 years and during that time I've photographed hundreds of families. I really enjoy my work and hopefully it shows. I enjoy maternity, baby, family and special event photography and photograph people in their own homes, out on location, and at special gatherings and holiday homes. My work takes place in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for the most part but occasionally I'm asked to travel even further. Drop me a line I'd love to hear from you...