Eighth Family Photo Shoot in Waterlow Park, Highgate
Helen Bartlett is an award-winning North London-based family photographer with over 20 years’ experience and a Canon Ambassador since 2017, specialising in natural, documentary-style black and white family photography. This post shares a sneak preview from an eighth family photo shoot with a long-standing Highgate client, combining portraits at home with an afternoon of trees, swings, and gymnastics in Waterlow Park.
An eighth family photo shoot with a returning Highgate family, capturing ten years of growing up at home and in Waterlow Park, from tree climbing to gymnastics.
Session at a Glance
Highgate home and Waterlow Park, North London
Family photography, at home and outdoors
Three, photographed regularly since 2016
Tree climbing, swings, gymnastics, family group shots
Natural, relaxed, black and white, documentary
Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador, 20+ years’ experience, award winning
I was thrilled to be booked for my eighth family photo shoot in Highgate and Waterlow Park with this lovely family. We had first met back in 2016, when the eldest were tiny, and since then we have done eight sessions recording the children growing up and creating a beautiful document of their lives.
For this session we decided on a combination of a few family group shots at home to start the morning, and then some time in Waterlow Park, a place all the children really enjoy and one we have been to before over the years. It’s so interesting to see the different types of images we take from one shoot to another, as the children grow and activities change. It’s amazing to think that it’s only seven years ago, on our second photo shoot, that the eldest two were tiny enough to fit into the hollow tree. So much change in the blink of an eye.
Family Portraits at Home in Highgate
We started with some pictures at home to get some family group shots in the bag. The light in this beautiful Highgate home is wonderful, and it was so nice to recreate some pictures from days gone by.
I love taking beautiful portraits as we were chatting. The girls are so confident in front of the camera, with natural smiles. It was lovely to see the youngest with her nose happily in an Asterix book. It’s ages since I’ve sat down to read an Asterix myself, but they were real favourites of mine growing up, and it’s lovely to be reminded of how much I enjoy them.
Climbing Trees in Waterlow Park
It was only moments into Waterlow Park before we found a great tree to climb. The children were up like monkeys, great skills at climbing and a great spot for some family shots.
The youngest also found a brilliant hollow bush to make into a house, an activity that has been a feature of a number of photo shoots over the years. She has such imagination, and it’s always lovely to hear her explain all the different rooms in her tree-home and the different soups available to those she invites in to dine.
The Swing at Waterlow Park
Waterlow Park has a brilliant swing, and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves there, with the kids ascending to the heavens as their dad pushed them higher and higher.
I have always loved a swing as a spot for a portrait, as there are so many different ways to approach them photographically, and I love taking the time to experiment as the children enjoy themselves.
Action Shots and a Fast-Paced Game of Chase
This is a family of athletes, and so energetic photographs are always a big part of our sessions. From fast running to football to gymnastics, there is always so much action and activity on our photo shoot, and this is such a joy for me, as there is nothing I like more than photographing action.
A fast-paced game of chase was such fun, and everyone had a lovely time.
Gymnastics to Finish the Session
We finished our session with an amazing gymnastics display. I remembered some great cartwheels from last year, but the skills had moved up a notch or ten since then, with some brilliant flips and stepovers. I could have photographed this for hours, but the end of the session beckoned, as the family had to get to a triathlon in the afternoon.
We were all tired and happy as we headed home after a brilliant morning, with lots of lovely new family portraits in Waterlow Park to add to the family’s documentation of the children’s lives so far.
Book Your Family Photo Shoot in Highgate
I can’t wait to see which pictures are everyone’s favourites in due course.
If you have enjoyed what you have seen on the blog here today from this family photography session in Waterlow Park in Highgate, North London, and you think you might like something similar for your family, then do drop me a line via the contact form or give me a call on 0345 603 1373, and together we can plan the perfect family photo shoot for you and your children.
This kind of session suits families who want to build a long-term record of their children growing up, whether that’s a single shoot or, as with this lovely Highgate family, a photo shoot returned to year after year. I’m based in North London and photograph families across Highgate, Waterlow Park, and the wider city, as well as further afield in the UK. As a Canon Ambassador with over 20 years’ experience, I’d love to start, or continue, that story with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and I love it when families come back year after year. This was my eighth session with this Highgate family, and watching children grow across so many shoots, from tiny tots to confident gymnasts, is one of the real joys of my work.
Waterlow Park is wonderful for family photography, with climbing trees, a lovely swing, open grass for games, and plenty of shade. Most sessions here combine some time at home with a stretch in the park, giving a real variety of images.
Absolutely. I often split a morning between a family home and a nearby park or green space. It gives a lovely mix of relaxed portraits indoors and more active, playful images outdoors.
Yes, very much so. Running, climbing, gymnastics, and games of chase are some of my favourite things to photograph. Families who are active and energetic, like this one, always give me wonderful material to work with.
I’d recommend getting in touch as early as you can, particularly for popular times of year, so we can find a date that suits your family and plan the right combination of locations for you.
