Family Photography in West Wittering, West Sussex
Seaside family photography in West Sussex
Helen Bartlett is a London-based family photographer with over 20 years’ experience, a Canon Ambassador, and one of the UK’s most decorated family photographers. She travels across the UK for family photography sessions, including this beach session on the West Sussex coast. This post shares a sneak preview from a family photography session on the beaches of West Wittering and East Wittering, West Sussex, booked by a London-based family to celebrate a special birthday.
A summer family photo shoot across two West Sussex beaches, West Wittering and East Wittering, with an early start, sea splashing, beach huts, and cooking with grandma, photographed by Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador and family photographer.
Session at a glance
West Wittering and East Wittering, West Sussex
Family beach photography, booked to celebrate a birthday
Two beaches, plus the family’s holiday home
Summer
Early morning beach photos, sea play, beach huts, cooking with grandma, indoor family time
Natural, documentary, lifestyle, black and white
An early start through to mid afternoon
Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador, 20+ years’ experience
Today on the blog I’m sharing a few pictures from one of my favourite photo shoots of the year so far, a wonderful family photography session in West Wittering and East Wittering Beach in West Sussex.
This family booked the session to celebrate a special birthday, and I hope it will be a gift that brings so much joy for many years to come. It was a special day filled with wonderful family moments and countless photo opportunities. I felt so privileged to have been invited to share the celebration and spend the day taking family photos on the beaches of West Wittering and East Wittering, both of which are incredible spots for photography.
An early start for our seaside pictures
Always when photographing on the beach, and particularly this summer with the hot weather we have had, early starts are a must. We want to be up and out before the sun is too high in the sky and before it gets unbearably hot.
Because I’m based in North London, a photo shoot in West Wittering required staying overnight nearby. This is often the best plan when sessions are out of London, as a night in a nearby Premier Inn can mean a very early start is achievable, and we are rewarded by great light and better pictures.
Arriving at 7am in the morning I was greeted by cheerful children and coffee, the best start to the day it’s possible to have.
Family photos on East Wittering beach
Showing our ‘city kid’ credentials the day before (the family were visiting the area but are London based like me), we realised we needed to check the tides. It didn’t take long to discover that our plan for an early start on West Wittering beach needed adjustment, as the beach would be under water.
Instead, we jumped in the car and headed to nearby East Wittering, which was absolutely perfect, the most incredible spot to start the day. Often these little curveballs give great results, as it meant we visited West Wittering later in the day, giving us two different beaches in one.
It’s a lesson I’ve learned over many beach sessions: the West Wittering Estate’s own beach information is always worth a check before an early start, since these beaches change so much with the tide.
Joy and laughter on the beach
I love how little ones engage with the natural world, and there is nothing quite like the sea. Grabbing a few family shots on the way down to the water, we were soon splashing in the shallows, leaping over waves, and having the most incredible time.
Shallow water meant I could easily keep my camera dry even when kneeling down to get great angles. I love working in this way, feeling I’m part of the game as I take beautiful family photos.
Beach huts
We took a break in the shade of a beach hut, which made a lovely spot for some pictures of the girls playing together. The beach was empty at this early hour, and it felt incredibly special being out in the early morning sunshine.
Nap time and cooking with grandma
By this point naptime was beckoning for the youngest member of the party, so we headed home to regroup. The family had the most incredible holiday home, with stunning light and a beautiful kitchen. The plan was for the eldest to make waffles with grandma, a family favourite and the treat of choice for birthday parties of years gone by.
It’s so nice when you get to do activities that are really photogenic, but which also have a story behind them. I love to think that when these pictures are looked back on in the future, there will be more than one birthday that comes to mind.
Cooking with grandma was such fun, and the interaction was an absolute joy to behold. I wish I had pictures like these with my own granny.
Indoor play
When the little one woke up it was time for lunch, and everyone had a real feast. Waffles, pizza, and cherry tomatoes, all the essential food groups and the perfect fuel for some afternoon fun. I loved how much the children enjoyed their food, spooning half their yoghurt into their mouths and half around their faces in joyful abandon.
We spent a bit more time playing in the house and garden while we digested our food, and to avoid the worst of the 38-degree heat.
West Wittering beach for family photos
Of course, I couldn’t have come all the way to West Wittering to take family photos on the beach and then not take family photos on West Wittering beach. So, before I headed home, we decided to dip our toes into the sea one last time, and I’m so glad we did.
It was such fun to run back into the surf, to play, to jump, to laugh. Truly this is the stuff of childhood memories, and the kind of day that makes me glad to be alive and very glad to be a family photographer.
It was a tired and happy photographer who slept on the way home, and I am so pleased with the pictures from this wonderful family photo shoot in West Wittering, West Sussex.
About Helen Bartlett
- Professional family photographer since 2003. Over twenty years experience.
- Canon Ambassador since 2017, the only family photographer in the EMEA region to hold this title
- Over 20 years’ experience photographing families across London and the UK, exclusively in black and white
- Recent winner of LuxLife Best Family Photographer UK 2025, and 100 Businesses Best Black and White Family Photographer 2026 multi-award-winning across 20+ years
- Work published nationally and internationally
- Over 400 blog postsdemonstrating the quality and consistency of the work across more than two decades.
- Countless reviews from happy clientsover two decades.
- Many clients return year on year, from their first newborn session through to their children’s teenage years.  You can see some examples in my growing up galleries.
Family photography in West Wittering and West Sussex
If you’re based in West Wittering, East Wittering, Chichester, or anywhere along the West Sussex coast, or you’re a London family planning a seaside trip, I’d love to hear from you. Beach sessions like this one, with early starts, real sea play, and time back at home or in a holiday let, are exactly the kind of family photography I love to create. I travel across the UK for sessions like this, so do take a look at my family photography gallery and the blog for more examples.
If you would like to book a family photo shoot this autumn, on the beach or back in London, do get in touch and I can check the diary. There is still some availability, although dates that involve travel are becoming very limited. Drop me a line via the contact form and we can have a chat and work out the best plan for your family.
In the meantime, enjoy this sneak preview from our family photo shoot in West Wittering and East Wittering, West Sussex. I can’t wait to see which pictures are the family’s favourites when they have had their viewing session in a couple of weeks’ time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I love photographing on this stretch of the West Sussex coast. West Wittering and East Wittering both offer wide sandy beaches and beautiful early morning light, and I am happy to travel down from London for sessions here.
An early start means softer light, a quieter beach, and cooler temperatures, especially in summer. Arriving around 7am also means we usually have the whole beach to ourselves, which makes for much more relaxed and natural photographs.
It’s always worth checking the tides the day before. On this session, West Wittering beach was underwater at our planned start time, so we simply moved to East Wittering first and came back to West Wittering later in the day. A little flexibility usually turns into two beaches instead of one.
I do. I’m based in North London, but I regularly travel across the UK for family sessions, including seaside locations like West Wittering. For sessions further afield, I usually stay nearby the night before so we can start early. Additional charges apply so contact me and we can look at the logistics together.
Just yourselves and whatever you’d normally take to the beach. The most natural photographs come from real play, whether that’s paddling, building sandcastles, or simply sitting together on the sand.
As early as you can, particularly for sessions involving travel, since those dates are the first to fill up. I’d recommend getting in touch a few months ahead if you have a particular season or occasion in mind.
