Christmas is one of my favourite time of year to photograph couples in London.
The lights start appearing in November, and for a few weeks streets you've walked a hundred times suddenly look completely different.
If you're planning a Christmas photoshoot in London, December fills up first. Most couples book around a month ahead. Last minute is sometimes possible, so ask anyway.
Where to Take Christmas Photos in London?
Bond Street!
My most requested Christmas location, and probably the one I'd suggest if you're only doing one.
The lights are the obvious reason to come, but what I like is how much there is to work with in a fairly small area. Decorated shopfronts, quieter side streets, and plenty of corners to stop at without every photo looking the same.
It's also an easy walk towards Mayfair, so we can usually carry on that way.
Family portrait session under Christmas lights on Bond Street, London
Portrait photoshoot on Bond Street during Christmas season, London
Couple portrait session under Christmas lights on Bond Street, London
Regent Street
The classic London Christmas shot.
The angels above Regent Street are probably some of the most recognisable Christmas lights in London.
It's also one of the busiest places on this list, so timing matters. I'll usually suggest when we should go rather than having us fight through the biggest crowds.
Couple portrait session under Christmas lights on Bond Street, London
Close-up of couple with Regent Street Christmas angels overhead, London
Covent Garden
Covent Garden goes big at Christmas.
There's the tree in the piazza, the market hall and all the surrounding streets, with decorations changing a little every year.
It's a good choice if you want your photos to feel unmistakably like Christmas in London. I usually work around the arcades and Floral Street as well as the piazza itself, so we're not standing in one spot for the whole session.
Couple portrait under Covent Garden Christmas baubles, London
Engagement photoshoot at Covent Garden Christmas market, London
Close-up of couple beneath Covent Garden giant Christmas baubles, London
Chelsea
Chelsea is the quieter option.
The decorations tend to be a little more understated, the streets aren't as packed, and the shops and restaurants around the King's Road each do their own thing for Christmas. Ralph Lauren is normally worth a stop too.
It's one of my favourites if you want Christmas in London without every photo being about a famous landmark.
portrait under Chelsea Christmas lights, London
Portrait session under Chelsea Christmas lights, London
Close-up portrait of woman with Chelsea Christmas lights, London
A Few Others Worth Considering
Carnaby Street does something different every year and it's rarely subtle.
Seven Dials is smaller, but the lights sit quite low, which works really well for portraits.
Leadenhall Market is another good option, especially if you want something that feels a little different from the usual West End Christmas photos.
When Should We Shoot?
It depends on whether you want the lights glowing or the crowds thin, because you can't completely have both.
After dark gives you the Christmas lights at their best. Late afternoon gives us a bit of softer natural light before everything starts glowing, while weekday mornings are usually much quieter.
Once we've picked the locations, I'll suggest a start time that makes sense for the kind of photos you want.
What Should We Wear?
Coats do most of the work in these photos, so wear one you actually like being photographed in.
And bring gloves. We'll be outside for a couple of hours and London in December is usually colder than you think.
Christmas Photoshoot Pricing
Full pricing and session options are on the [Investment page].
Not Sure Where to Go for Christmas Photoshoot?
You don't need to plan the route yourself.
Tell me what you're after, classic London, Christmas lights everywhere, somewhere quieter, or a bit of everything, and I'll put a route together.
Then we walk, take photos, and stop somewhere warm on the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the London Christmas lights come on?
Most of London's main Christmas displays switch on during November and stay up into early January. Exact dates change each year, so I'll check what's on when we're planning your session.
How long is a Christmas photoshoot?
Sessions run from around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the package. That's usually enough time to cover two or three nearby locations without rushing between them.
How far ahead should we book?
December dates go first, particularly weekends. Booking around a month ahead is a good idea.
If you're reading this in December, still ask. I sometimes have gaps.
Will it be too dark for photos?
No. Shooting after dark is part of what makes Christmas sessions look the way they do, and we'll plan the route and timing around the available light.
Can we take photos at more than one Christmas location?
Yes. In fact, I usually prefer it.
We'll choose locations that work well together so we can walk between them rather than spending half the session travelling across London.
What if it rains?
We can still shoot.
Rain can actually look really good at Christmas, especially when the lights reflect off wet streets.
Can you help us choose the locations?
Of course. You don't need to know London or arrive with a route planned.
Tell me what kind of photos you like and I'll suggest locations that make sense together.
Christmas in London, With the Two of You in It
You don't need to know how to pose, and we don't need to spend the whole session ticking landmarks off a list.
We'll pick a route, walk around London, and let the evening happen around us.
If that sounds like your kind of Christmas photoshoot, I'd love to hear from you.
