Christmas Holiday Family Photoshoot London | Mayfair

Andrea Whelan is a London family photographer based in Greenwich, South East London. She photographs families, newborns, maternity, and visiting families across London and beyond.

best-london-family-photographer-mum-and-daughter-the-audley-04.jpg

Christmas Family Photoshoot London: Three Generations

If you want a Christmas family photoshoot, London in December rarely does it better than this. Picture three generations, a red-brick pub dressed in fairy lights and a pot of tea waiting inside. This family was visiting from San Francisco for the holidays. So we met at The Audley on Mount Street, right in the middle of Mayfair.

Everything we needed was a few steps from that front door. That matters with older grandparents, because nobody wants a long trek on a cold day. So they headed indoors to keep warm after their turn. Meanwhile, the rest of us got to work outside.

Three generations of one family lined up outside The Audley pub, grandson leaning off the end
Parents walking with their son and daughter along a Mayfair pavement in December

Starting with the Christmas trees


The Audley puts on a proper show at Christmas. First, mum and her daughter walked up and down past the arches. They did it again, because the second pass is always looser. By the third lap, they were running and we made some great photographs on each take. Her red shoes flashed across the wet pavement, and her mum’s coat flew out behind her. Little trees line the pavement, each one wrapped in warm lights. It feels elegant rather than garish, with not an inflatable reindeer in sight.

Christmas family photoshoot London, mum and daughter walking past The Audley pub and its Christmas trees


Dad, a tartan shirt and a lot of swinging


Next it was dad’s turn with his little boy. They wore matching green tartan, which I appreciated more than I can say. He stood behind his son for about four seconds. After that, the hug became a lift, and the lift became a swing.

Kids this age rarely stand still, and I wouldn’t want them to. Instead, I give them something to do, like a walk, a race or a hug. The laughing follows on its own.

Meanwhile, the grandparents had found the best table by the window. Of course, the little one found the window seat too. He stretched out across it and threw me a peace sign through the glass.

Dad swinging his giggling son sideways outside a red-brick pub with Christmas trees

A Christmas family photoshoot London locals would recognise

Once everyone was together, we took a slow walk along Mount Street. It’s one of my favourite Mayfair streets at Christmas. The shop windows glow, the awnings are deep green, and the pavements are wide. Plus, there’s space for small people to run ahead.

And then the sun came out. Low winter sun skims along the street and warms everything it touches.

We found a row of red-brick arches for a family portrait. Then the siblings spotted two doorways side by side. One door each, which kept the peace nicely.

Family of four standing together in low winter sun beside red-brick arches in Mayfair
Mum pointing ahead as the family walks along a sunny Mayfair street in winter

Back inside for tea and cuddles

By now, a warm pub booth looked very inviting. The Audley’s panelled walls and little lamps make a beautiful winter backdrop. So we moved inside and let everyone thaw out.

Mum sat with her son in a leather booth. Dad got a surprise cuddle from his daughter, who leaned her head right onto his. He laughed so hard he nearly slid off the seat.

Finally, the grandparents came out for their own portraits. They stood arm in arm under the fairy lights, and they were naturals. Then all six of them lined up together. Well, five lined up. The youngest leaned out of the end like he was about to make a break for it. It’s my favourite frame of the day.

Mum sitting in a leather pub booth smiling up at her son on the window ledge
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Planning a Christmas family photoshoot in London

A Christmas family photoshoot in London books up quickly, so it helps to plan early. Here are a few things I’ve learned over many London Christmases.

  • Daylight is short in December. An earlier start gives us more light to play with.
  • Pubs and restaurants get busy in the run up to Christmas. If you’d like indoor photos, check with the venue first.
  • Coordinate colours rather than matching exactly. Deep greens, browns, tartan and a pop of red look lovely against red brick.
  • Pack warm layers and gloves for between frames. Little hands get cold fast.
  • Try not to worry about grey skies. They’re soft and flattering, and fairy lights glow brighter against them.

Visiting for the holidays? A Christmas family photoshoot in London gathers everyone in one place. You can see more of my family photography sessions in London on my website. Better still, just tell me where you’re staying and who’s coming. Grandparents very much included. Get in touch through my contact page, and we’ll plan something cosy together.

Black and white photo of mum and daughter crossing a Mayfair road with black cabs behind them

  • Parents walking with their son and daughter along a Mayfair pavement in December
  • Girl in a checked coat looking back as she holds her mum's hand outside a London shop
  • Three generations of one family lined up outside The Audley pub, grandson leaning off the end
  • Black and white photo of mum and daughter skipping hand in hand across a London street
  • Dad lifting his laughing son into a hug beside fairy-lit trees on a London street
  • Smiling grandparents in winter coats outside the arched windows of a London pub
  • best-london-family-photographer-grandparents-tea-the-audley-17.jpg
  • Mum and daughter walking in warm golden light with dad following behind on a Mayfair street
  • Girl in a checked coat and red shoes stepping out with her mum on a Mayfair pavement
  • Mum in a long brown coat walking hand in hand with her daughter outside The Audley
  • Mum sitting in a leather pub booth smiling up at her son on the window ledge
  • Little boy in a tartan jacket laughing in the doorway of a terracotta London pub
  • Little boy stretched across a pub window seat with a peace sign, grandparents at the table inside
  • Black and white photo of mum and daughter crossing a Mayfair road with black cabs behind them
  • Black and white portrait of mum in sunglasses with her daughter beside her on a London street
  • Black and white photo of the family walking into bright winter sunlight on a London street
  • Black and white portrait of a dad and his daughter snuggled together in a pub booth
  • Christmas family photoshoot London, mum and daughter walking past The Audley pub and its Christmas trees
  • Daughter resting her head on her laughing dad in a wood-panelled London pub booth
  • Dad standing behind his young son in front of fairy-lit Christmas trees outside a Mayfair pub
  • Dad and young son walking side by side past the arched windows of The Audley
  • Mum pointing ahead as the family walks along a sunny Mayfair street in winter
  • Dad swinging his giggling son sideways outside a red-brick pub with Christmas trees
  • Family of four standing together in low winter sun beside red-brick arches in Mayfair
  • Parents walking with their son and daughter along a Mayfair pavement in December
  • Family walking past green-awninged shopfronts on Mount Street, the little boy running ahead
  • Mum and daughter holding hands in front of glowing shop windows, dad and son just behind
  • Mum and daughter crossing a quiet Mayfair street in front of The Audley at Christmas
  • Mum and daughter holding hands beside fairy-lit Christmas trees outside a red-brick London pub
  • best-london-family-photographer-mum-and-daughter-the-audley-04.jpg
  • Mum and daughter running and laughing past The Audley pub, hair flying
  • Mum sitting in a leather pub booth smiling up at her son on the window ledge
  • siblings-in-pub-window-christmas-lights-andrea-whelan-photography-29.jpg
  • Brother and sister each standing in their own arched red-brick doorway on a London street

FAQ

Got Questions?

Absolutely. We can keep the route short, with places to sit and warm up between photos.

Choose warm coats you like being photographed in. Burgundy, green, navy and neutrals work beautifully. Bring gloves for between shots.

Daylight works best for my style of photography. We’ll choose a time around your family and the locations.

Yes, with the venue’s permission. They are usually happy as long as we purchase whatever they’re selling!

We allow for warm-up breaks. If heavy rain is forecast, we’ll discuss the options before your session.

No, this is a full family session with time to explore, take breaks and enjoy London’s festive backdrop.

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