How Much Does a Family Photographer Cost in London?
By ANDREA WHELAN – a London Family Photographer since 2011
If you’re wondering how much a family photographer costs in London, you’re not alone.
It’s one of the first questions I get asked. It’s also surprisingly hard to find a straight answer online. So here’s mine, with real numbers, from someone who has photographed London families since 2011.
I’m Andrea, a London family photographer based in Greenwich. Below, I’ll explain what goes into the price, what mine are, and how to choose what’s right for your family.
The short answer
Family photographer prices in London vary a lot. A short mini session might cost a few hundred pounds. A full session with every image and printed products can run well over £2000.
Most of that difference comes down to three things: how long the session lasts, how many images you receive, and whether prints or albums are included and your photographers experience.
What affects the cost of a family photographer in London
Time with your family. A 20-minute point and shoot mini session is very different from a relaxed hour and a half. Longer sessions give your family time to settle, and that’s when the best photos tend to happen.
How many images you get. Some photographers include a small set of images. Others give you the full gallery. Always check what’s included before you book.
Processing. How each image is finished makes a big difference to how it looks and lasts. Careful processing takes far longer than the session itself, and it’s a big part of what you’re paying for.
Experience. An experienced photographer knows how to handle a toddler meltdown, bad weather or a crowded location. That calm confidence shows in the photos.
Prints and albums. Some packages include printed products. Others offer them separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What my family sessions cost
My clients usually spend on average £1295, including the session fee. You can see everything on my pricing page.
I keep my pricing simple, and it’s all on my website. Every booking starts with a £350 session fee. This secures your date and covers around 90 minutes of photography, plus processing your full gallery.
After your session, you choose one of three collections.
Essential, £595. Fifteen high-resolution images, with a print release. It suits families who want a small set of favourites.
Signature, £895. Every finished image from your session, usually 60 or more. It’s for families who can’t bear to choose.
Heirloom, £1,250. The full gallery, plus three fine art prints ready to frame.
What you’re actually paying for
If you’re comparing prices, you’ll notice they vary widely across London. A big part of the difference is what happens after the session.
This is where I spend most of my time. I process every image myself, working on colour, tone and light until each photo feels rich and true to the day. Skin looks natural, London’s greens look like real greens, and golden hour actually looks golden.
It’s the part you never see, but it’s what gives my work its depth. The images feel timeless rather than filtered. They’ll look just as good on your wall in twenty years as they do on your phone today.
Your gallery arrives within two to four weeks, because this isn’t a part I rush.
What makes my photos different
If you’re after bright, big-smile photos in front of the landmarks, there are lovely London photographers who do that brilliantly. My work is quieter. It’s more like a magazine story about your family, full of the moments in between.
An editorial eye. I love London’s streets, doorways and architecture as much as its parks. So your photos look stylish and distinctly London, while still looking like you.
Led by your children. I don’t line everyone up and ask for smiles. Instead, I follow the children and gently guide when it helps with light or angles. The result is real expressions and real connection.
Calm and unhurried. Lots of people feel awkward in front of a camera. I keep things relaxed, so you soon forget I’m there.
Fifteen years of London knowledge. I know which corners of Greenwich Park glow at sunset. I also know which Marylebone streets stay quiet on a Saturday morning. That local knowledge makes a real difference to the final images.
One family visiting from the US told me there wasn’t a single photo they didn’t love. Some of their favourites weren’t the planned portraits at all. They were the small moments, like crossing the street, chatting to a stranger about their dog, and their son’s fascination with a scooter on the pavement. Those are the photos I’m always looking for.
How to choose the right collection
Think about what you’ll do with the photos. If you mainly want a few for the wall and for grandparents, Essential works well. If you’d love to see the whole afternoon unfold, choose Signature. Choosing just fifteen can be hard, so it’s worth thinking about before your session.
Do your photos tend to stay on your phone? Heirloom solves that. The prints arrive ready to frame, so they actually make it onto the wall.
Is a family photographer worth it?
That’s for you to decide, of course. Children change so quickly, and a phone rarely gets everyone in the picture. Parents, in particular, are often missing from the family album.
A good session gives you photos of all of you together, looking like yourselves. Years from now, those are the ones you’ll reach for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a family photographer cost in London?
Prices vary widely. A mini session can cost a few hundred pounds, while a full session with all images can be over £2000. My family sessions start from £945, including the session fee.
Why is there a session fee and a separate collection?
The session fee secures your date and covers the shoot and processing. After seeing your photos, you choose a collection. That way, you only pay for the images you want.
How long is a family photo session?
My sessions last around 90 minutes. This gives children time to relax and warm up, so it never feels rushed.
When will we receive our photos?
Your gallery arrives within two to four weeks of your session.
Can we order prints and albums?
Yes. Once you’ve chosen your collection, you can order prints, frames and albums through your online gallery.
Where can our session take place?
Anywhere that feels like you. Many families choose their own home, a local park or a favourite London street. My guide to the best photography locations in London is a good place to start.
Ready to book?
If you’d like a session, get in touch with a few dates in mind and the ages of your children. I’ll come back to you with availability and help you plan the rest.
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