A little bit of drizzle was never going to stop this family from having fun.
I met this lovely family of four — Mum, Dad and their two daughters — at Micheldever Woods, just outside Winchester, for a relaxed family photoshoot surrounded by the beautiful Hampshire countryside.
The weather wasn’t quite on our side, with a little drizzle following us through the woods, but I actually love photographing families on days like this. The soft, overcast light is beautiful for photographs, and once everyone starts exploring, playing and having fun, the weather quickly becomes part of the story.
A relaxed, child-led family photoshoot
My family sessions are never about asking children to stand still and smile at the camera. Instead, we spent our time wandering through the woods, running along the paths, exploring and, importantly, stopping for sweets!
With two little girls leading the way, there was plenty of movement and laughter. Giving children the freedom to run around and be themselves means I can capture those little expressions, interactions and connections that you simply can't recreate by asking everyone to pose.
Family photography whatever the weather
It can be tempting to worry when you see rain in the forecast before an outdoor photoshoot, but a grey sky or a little drizzle doesn't necessarily mean we need to cancel.
The woods looked beautiful in the soft light, and the slightly damp, autumnal feel gave the photographs a wonderfully cosy quality. Most importantly, this family embraced it. The result was a gallery filled with movement, connection and personality — exactly what I want my family photography to be about.
Family photography in Winchester & Hampshire
Micheldever Woods is a gorgeous location for a family photoshoot near Winchester, particularly for families who want their photographs to feel relaxed and natural. There’s plenty of space for little ones to explore and run around, while the woodland provides a beautiful, timeless backdrop throughout the year.
If you're looking for a family photographer in Winchester, Alresford or the surrounding Hampshire countryside, my sessions are relaxed, informal and child-led. Come ready to explore, cuddle, play and perhaps bring a few emergency sweets — I'll take care of the rest.
Is Micheldever Woods a good location for a family photoshoot?
Micheldever Woods is one of my favourite locations for outdoor family photography near Winchester. The woodland gives us plenty of variety without children having to walk huge distances, and there's lots of space for them to run, explore and play.
It also works beautifully across the seasons. In autumn you get those gorgeous earthy woodland tones, while spring brings fresh greens and the woodland's well-known bluebells.
For families with young children, locations like this work particularly well with my style of photography because nobody needs to stand still for long. We can walk, play and explore while I photograph the moments happening naturally along the way.
