Relaxed Photo Shoot with Teenagers at Cliveden
Helen Bartlett is a London-based family photographer with 23 years’ experience, a Canon Ambassador, and a multi-award-winning documentary photographer specialising in natural, black and white photography. This post is a sneak preview of a relaxed teenage photo shoot at Cliveden, the National Trust estate in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, with two sisters Helen has been photographing since 2011, joined for part of the day by their four-year-old god-daughter.
A relaxed morning photographing two teenage sisters and their young god-daughter across the grounds of Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, including a boat trip on the River Thames. Published September 2026
Session at a glance
Cliveden, Taplow, Buckinghamshire
Teenagers photographed outdoors in a relaxed setting
Two teenagers, joined later by a four-year-old
A boat trip on the River Thames, woodland and garden walks
Natural, black and white, documentary
Helen Bartlett – Canon Ambassador, 23 years’ experience, working with this family since 2011
I spent a wonderful morning recently with a family I’ve been working with since 2011. For our sixteenth session together, we decided on a relaxed morning out at a nearby stately home. We wanted somewhere where we could have a walk around, find some beautiful backgrounds, and also some quiet areas so the teenagers could relax and enjoy themselves, spending time together as a family. Cliveden fitted the bill for our photo shoot with teenagers.
We were also joined by their little god-daughter for the second half of the session, a wonderful whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm who brought such dynamism and laughter to the day.
It was such fun, and I’m thrilled with the images. They really show the love between these two amazing sisters and the fun they have together.
The early bird has the world to themselves
We started early so that we would beat the crowds. This is especially important when photographing teenagers, who can be self-conscious if there are a lot of other people around. It’s still worth getting out and about for our sessions though, as wide open spaces always help subjects to relax, and being away from home and the distractions of everyday life means we can lean into the process, chat and laugh together, and create meaningful images to treasure. We had a brilliant time on our photo shoot with teenagers at Cliveden.
Adding an activity at Cliveden
I was thrilled to hear that a boat had been booked for part of the session, an activity to add a bit of fun to the day and to create some interesting and different pictures. It was such great fun. The girls loved driving the boat, and the ensuing discussions about everyone’s different approaches to speed and driving skills led to a lot of laughter. I think the level of laughter meant we were too noisy to spot any kingfishers, which are apparently sometimes seen along the bank, but you can’t win them all, and I love the relaxed expressions in these pictures. For our youngest, it was so relaxing she took a short nap – pictures to treasure that sum up the teenage years so well.
Beautiful backgrounds in the Cliveden grounds
There were so many beautiful backgrounds to choose from at Cliveden, and I love the process of finding a spot and then letting my subjects relax into the space, leaning and chatting as I take pictures.
Hide and seek with the little one
The girls’ god-daughter joined us for lunch, and then the action picked up pace, as it tends to do with a four-year-old. An excited game of hide and seek ensued, and I love the interaction on show. It’s wonderful to see such strong relationships, and what lovely images for everyone to enjoy.
Book an autumn photo shoot for you and your family
It was a wonderful day, and we had such fun. If you have liked what you have seen here on the blog, with this sneak preview from a photo shoot with teenagers at Cliveden today, and would be interested in booking a family session for you and your family this autumn, then do get in touch. You can find out more about my family photography sessions and my photography with teenagers  too. Weekend dates are extremely busy, but I do have some at the end of October and early in November. There are also some midweek opportunities in October half-term. Drop me a line via the contact form, and I look forward to meeting you and your family soon.
This session will resonate with families who have teenagers and want relaxed, natural photography away from the distractions of home, and who don’t mind travelling outside London for the right setting. As a Canon Ambassador with 23 years’ experience, I love returning to families I’ve worked with for years, and I regularly travel to beautiful locations like Cliveden across the wider UK.
Frequently asked questions
I find teenagers relax best away from an audience, so I always start early to beat the crowds, and I choose wide open spaces where there’s no pressure to perform for a camera. The session usually unfolds as a walk and talk, with pictures happening naturally as we chat.
Yes, I regularly travel to locations across the UK. This session was at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, and I’m always happy to visit a stately home, a coastline, or a favourite family spot further afield.
Absolutely. In this session, the girls’ four-year-old god-daughter joined for the second half, and the change of energy created some of my favourite images of the day.
Adding an activity, like the boat trip at Cliveden, is a lovely way to bring natural fun and movement into a session. Games, sports, and even a gentle nap all make for pictures with real personality.
I’ve been working with this family since 2011, and this was our sixteenth session together. Returning relationships like this are one of my favourite parts of the job.
