Rooted in Nature: The Best Backdrop for Honest, Beautiful Photography - Family Photography on Location.

Family Photoshoots on location with Nicola Pass Photography.

There’s something incredibly special about photographing families in outdoors - under wide open skies, beside ancient trees, among soft rolling hills. It’s not just about finding a beautiful backdrop (though we certainly have those in abundance). It’s about creating space - for connection, for calm, and for your story to unfold in the most natural way possible.

When I photograph on location, I’m not just taking pictures - I’m inviting you into an experience. An opportunity to slow down, connect with each other, and be fully present in a beautiful natural setting. The changing seasons offer ever-evolving backdrops, from golden autumn leaves to soft spring blooms. Each adding their own magic to your story. Having explored these locations for years, I know exactly where the best light falls, which spots offer the most beautiful views, and where the scenery truly frames your family in a way that feels natural, timeless, and meaningful.

Why the Outdoors?

I’ve always been drawn to open landscapes - there’s a quiet magic in their stillness, a sense of endless possibility. When we photograph in nature, something shifts. There are no walls to contain us, no artificial lights, no stiff poses. Just space to breathe. To move. To be.

Natural landscapes gently embrace families, wrapping them in light, colour, and calm. The environment becomes part of the story - you’re not placed in front of it, you’re within it. The result? Photographs that feel timeless, soulful, and honest.

We relax more in natural spaces. We smile differently. Children run, explore, giggle - and that’s exactly what I want to capture, those in-between moments of love, laughter, and connection.

Let’s be honest - the weather in the UK can be unpredictable. One moment it’s sunshine, the next it’s drizzle. But rather than seeing this as a downside, I’ve come to embrace it. Cloudy skies offer beautifully soft, diffused light that’s actually perfect for portraits, creating gentle tones. A few drops of rain can add atmosphere, puddles for children to jump in, and a feeling of spontaneity that studio backdrops just can’t replicate. Nature doesn’t need to be perfect - and neither do we. That’s the beauty of photographing outdoors: it reflects real life, and real connection, just as it is.

Three Of My Favourite Locations for Family Photoshoots

Over the years, I’ve found a few favourite spots that offer something truly special. The following are are just three of many beautiful locations I love to photograph in - each offering its own unique atmosphere, light, and sense of space. I always ask families if there’s a place that holds meaning for them, somewhere special they’d love to be photographed. If not, I have a thoughtfully curated list of stunning spots to choose from, all selected for their beauty, accessibility, and the way they help tell your family’s story in the most natural, heartfelt way.

Tatton Park

A breathtaking location with wide open meadows and peaceful woodlands. There’s a real sense of grandeur here, but also plenty of quiet corners to make your own.

• Best for: Open skies, soft meadows, colourful gardens.

• Parking: Pay on arrival, plenty of spaces available. NT members Free.

• Bonus tip: Easy to get to each area via car. Plenty of places to sit. Cafe on-site. Toilets.

Tatton Park

Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank feels like stepping into a storybook. There’s history, woodland trails, and the sound of the river weaving through it all. It’s a wonderful blend of structure and wild.

• Best for: Natural woodland, rustic textures, heritage feel.

• Parking: Free Parking.

• Bonus tip: The woodlands and stream offer lovely soft shade for portraits. Cafe on-site. Toilets.

  
  

Quarry Bank

Delamere Forest

Delamere is all about freedom. Towering trees, open clearings, winding paths. If your children love to explore, this is the place for you.

• Best for: Adventurous sessions, rich greens, calm woodland light.

• Parking: Free road side parking.

• Bonus tip: Beautiful backdrop of tall trees and long paths. Please note - No toliets of cafe in this section of the woods.

Delamere Forest

What Makes These Places Special?

Each location offers a unique feel — from the wide-open freedom of Tatton Park to the enclosed calm of Delamere Forest. But all three share something in common:

• Natural colours that complement skin tones and a range of wardrobes beautifully.

• Soft, flattering light that helps create timeless, warm photographs.

• A relaxed environment where families feel free to be themselves.

• Connection to the landscape that reflects the connection within your family.

And for me, that’s the heart of it all. Photography isn’t just about what we see. It’s about how we feel - and how we remember.

Ready to Take Your Story Outside?

One of the biggest joys of photographing on location is how natural it feels for children and for families as a whole. In open outdoor spaces, little ones can play freely with their parents, exploring, laughing, and simply enjoying each other’s company. This creates beautiful, candid moments filled with genuine connection. I gently guide you throughout the session, helping you feel comfortable while still allowing space for spontaneity and real emotion. Because we’re not in an enclosed studio, it’s easy to forget I’m even there, which helps everyone relax and truly be in the moment together.

Whether you’re dreaming of golden fields, dappled woodland, or windswept paths, photographing on location lets your family story unfold in a way that feels both grounded and expansive. Nature gives us the space to connect. And your photographs? They’ll reflect that - not just beautiful images, but memories you feel every time you look at them.

If you’d like help choosing the perfect setting, I’d be more than happy to guide you. Let’s find the place where your story wants to be told.

If you would like to chat about a family photoshoot, please do get in touch. I'd love to help! Send any questions here.

As always, thanks for stopping by,

NP x