Family Photography in Crystal Palace
Family Photography in Crystal Palace Park
I grew up in South London and have childhood memories of the Crystal Palace dinosaurs, yet I had hardly ever been there to take photographs. That changed this August when I went twice in two weeks to Crystal Palace Park for family photography.
I was thrilled to return and both photo shoots were amazing fun. Today, I’ll be sharing the first of them, a wonderful family photography session in Crystal Palace with a family I have photographed three times now. Each time has been a complete joy. I am looking forward to sharing a few favourite images here as a preview for my clients and also to give new visitors to the blog an idea of what they could expect if they book me for their own Crystal Palace family photography session. I know how hard it can be to choose a photographer and I hope this blog helps with that, showing a selection of favourite images so you can be confident that you will get beautiful pictures too.
Crystal Palace Dinosaurs for Family Photography
No visit to Crystal Palace is complete without seeing the dinosaurs and that was where we headed first. They were hidden behind large red fencing but luckily, the calming power of black and white, along with a little photoshop to remove the more distracting elements, meant we could create the perfect dinosaur image.
As a child I am sure I remember running around the dinosaurs, although they must always have been behind fences. It is amazing what tricks our memories play. They are still brilliant though, wonderful feats of Victorian craft and so impressive even as an adult.
Playful Family Photography with Dinosaurs in Crystal Palace
The best thing about the dinosaurs is how they spark the imagination, another reason Crystal Palace Park is such a great location for family photography. Soon we were all being dinosaurs, then the children became dinosaurs, and then the parents put on a dinosaur show. It led to beautiful happy images of the children sitting together in the dinosaur theatre watching the T-Rex show below.
When asked how I photograph children together, my answer is often to make it part of a game. Real genuine smiles are always a joy.
Hide and Seek
Another game I love to play is hide and seek, something that works brilliantly for family photography in Crystal Palace. Finding the perfect spot can be a challenge but a willow tree is always a win. The children loved it and it made for wonderful images.
Nature’s Playground
The open spaces and woodland in Crystal Palace Park act as a natural playground, with a lovely variety of areas that work beautifully for family photography. Exploring, climbing, balancing, there are so many options and all look wonderful in the soft light under the trees.
I loved watching how the children interacted together and how the eldest looked after her younger brother. There were so many glorious moments as she took his hand and led him to the next adventure. When I left she was jumping for joy at the prospect of a sleepover in her brother’s room. It was wonderful to see such a strong sibling bond and I hope that our active day meant that both children went to sleep quickly that night, a win for parents and children alike.
Nature’s Playground in Crystal Palace Park Family Photography
The open spaces and woodland in Crystal Palace Park act as a natural playground, with a lovely variety of areas that work beautifully for family photography. Exploring, climbing, balancing, there are so many options and all look wonderful in the soft light under the trees.
I loved watching how the children interacted together and how the eldest looked after her younger brother. There were so many glorious moments as she took his hand and led him to the next adventure. When I left she was jumping for joy at the prospect of a sleepover in her brother’s room. It was wonderful to see such a strong sibling bond and I hope that our active day meant that both children went to sleep quickly that night, a win for parents and children alike.
Playground Fun in Crystal Palace Family Photography
The weather has been unpredictable recently and I have had my share of wind and rain on summer family photography sessions. As it began to drizzle we headed to the playground. It was not the kind of rain to stop play and the children hardly noticed. I was in awe of their balance skills on the roundabout.
Swings are always a favourite for children and photographers alike. I love photographing children at play and Crystal Palace has such a great playground for it.
Relaxed At Home Family Photography in Crystal Palace
Towards the end of the morning we headed back to the house for at home family photography in Crystal Palace. I always enjoy mixing indoor and outdoor images as they have such a different feel and together build a lovely picture of the day.
My favourite image of the day, and the one I opened this blog post with, is of my littlest subject travelling safely backwards down the stairs. I love shots like this as they capture a fleeting stage of childhood. Using the lines of the carpet and the banister created a strong composition that draws the eye in.
A quiet game of trains, some crafting, a bacon sandwich lunch and a few last pictures in the garden brought the Crystal Palace family photo shoot to a perfect close. I am so happy with the photographs we created together.
Book Your Family Photography Session in Crystal Palace
The diary is already very busy for the rest of 2025 so if you would like to book a Crystal Palace family photography session please get in touch soon to avoid disappointment. Send me a message through the contact form or give me a call and together we can plan the perfect family photography experience.
