Autumn and Winter Photoshoots in London: A Seasonal Guide
Winter evening vacation photoshoot in Westminster, London with Big Ben and city night lights.
Why autumn and winter are London's best-kept secret for photoshoots
Most people picture a London photoshoot in high summer. I would gently argue for the other half of the year. From late September to February the light drops low and soft, the parks turn gold, the crowds thin out, and by mid-November the whole city is lit up for Christmas.
I am a London photographer based in SW1, and most of the sessions I shoot are for visitors, mostly families and couples from the US on vacation. Autumn (fall, if you are reading this in New York or Chicago) and winter are when many of my favourite pictures happen. This guide covers what changes month by month, where I like to shoot, what to wear, and how to time your session so the light works for you rather than against you.
If you are already planning a trip, you can see how my sessions work on my London vacation photographer page.
Autumn photoshoots in London (September to November)
Late October to mid-November is usually the peak for autumn colour in London's parks. The exact week shifts with the weather, so I watch the trees and tell clients what I am seeing as their date gets closer.
September: summer light, fewer crowds
Early autumn still feels like summer. The days are long, the parks are green, and the school holidays are over, so the big landmarks are noticeably quieter on weekdays. It is a forgiving month for a London vacation photoshoot if you want warmth without the August crowds.
October: the light starts to turn
October is when the sun sits lower and the light gets that warm, raking quality photographers wait all year for. The first leaves turn in St James's Park and Green Park. One practical note: the clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, so sunset jumps an hour earlier overnight. A session booked for 5pm one week can be in the dark the next.
November: peak autumn colour in London
Early November is often the best fall foliage in London. The plane trees along The Mall and around St James's Park turn yellow and copper, and fallen leaves give children something to throw (which always makes for natural, unposed family photos). Mid-November also brings the first Christmas lights, so a late-November session can catch the end of autumn and the start of the festive season in one walk.
Winter and Christmas photoshoots in London (December to February)
Winter is the most underrated season for portraits in London, because the sun never climbs high. In December it peaks at roughly 15 degrees above the horizon at midday, so the light stays low, directional and flattering for most of the day. There is no harsh overhead sun to fight, which means more of the day is usable.
December: Christmas in London
A Christmas photoshoot in London is one of the most requested sessions I do. The festive lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street usually go up in mid-November, the Norwegian Christmas tree arrives in Trafalgar Square in early December, and the streets of Belgravia fill with wreaths, garlands and decorated shopfronts. Blue hour, the twenty minutes or so after sunset, is when Christmas lights look their best on camera, and in December that falls around 4pm, early enough for young children.
The trade-off is busyness. Shopping streets are packed on December weekends, so I steer clients towards quieter residential streets and weekday sessions where possible.
January: quiet streets, crisp light
January is the calmest month of the year at most London landmarks. On a clear cold morning, the light is crisp and clean, and Westminster can feel almost empty early in the day. It suits couples who want the classic London photos without a crowd in the background.
February: the turn towards spring
By February the days are visibly longer, and crocuses and early daffodils start to appear in the Royal Parks. It is a good month for a Valentine's couples photoshoot in London, and still quiet enough to have the city largely to yourselves.
The best London photoshoot locations for autumn and winter
Most of my sessions happen across SW1, where the parks, palaces and white stucco streets sit within a short walk of each other. That matters in winter: less time walking between spots means more time in good light.
St James's Park
My favourite autumn location in London. The lake, the views towards Horse Guards and Buckingham Palace, and the avenues of golden plane trees in November make it ideal for a family photoshoot. Little ones love the pelicans, and chasing leaves gives me relaxed, natural pictures rather than stiff poses. See more on my London family photographer page.
Green Park and The Mall
Green Park is almost entirely trees and grass, which makes it simple and elegant in autumn: long avenues, a carpet of leaves and soft light filtering through. The Mall, lined with plane trees, leads you straight to Buckingham Palace for a classic London shot.
Belgravia
In winter, Belgravia is hard to beat. Cream stucco terraces, quiet mews and, in December, beautifully dressed doorways and shopfronts. It photographs well even on a grey day, and it is far calmer than the West End during the Christmas rush. It is a lovely backdrop for a couples photoshoot in London.
Westminster
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the river are what many visitors want in their photos, and autumn and winter are the best time to get them without heavy crowds. I shoot here early in the day, before the tour groups arrive.
Somewhere that means something to you
The best location is not always a landmark. If you got engaged on a bridge or had your first date in a particular café, that place will mean more in twenty years than any postcard view. I wrote about this in Couples Photoshoot in London: shoot where you met.
What to wear for an autumn or winter photoshoot in London
The short answer: layers, texture and colours that sit with the season rather than fight it.
- Coats are part of the outfit. In November and December you will spend most of the session in your coat, so choose it as carefully as what is underneath. A camel, navy or charcoal wool coat photographs beautifully against stone and autumn leaves.
- Texture over logos. Knitwear, wool, corduroy and scarves add depth in soft light. Large logos and busy prints date quickly and pull the eye away from faces.
- Autumn palette. Rust, mustard, olive, burgundy, cream and denim all work with golden leaves. Avoid bright neon, which casts colour onto skin.
- Winter palette. Deep greens, burgundy, navy and cream look rich next to Christmas lights. A single red scarf or hat can be a lovely accent.
- Coordinate, don't match. For a family photoshoot, pick two or three colours and share them out across everyone, rather than dressing the whole family identically.
- Comfortable shoes. We will walk between locations, and leaves get slippery after rain.
- Hidden warmth. Thermal layers under clothes, gloves for between shots, and hand warmers in pockets keep children happy, and happy children make the best photos.
What if it rains?
London weather is changeable, and I plan for it. Light rain often looks wonderful: wet pavements reflect light, umbrellas add colour, and overcast skies give soft, even skin tones. If heavy rain is forecast, I keep in touch before the day, and we can move the session time or date where the schedule allows. Bring a clear or plain-coloured umbrella just in case; it photographs far better than a branded one.
When to book: golden hour, sunset times and beating the crowds
In autumn and winter, the time of your session matters more than the date. Sunset in London moves by more than three hours between September and December, so I plan every session around the light.
| September | Sunset about 7.15pm Early morning, or the 90 minutes before sunset |
|---|---|
| October | Sunset about 6.10pm (before the clocks go back) Morning, or late afternoon into golden hour |
| November | Sunset about 4.15pm Late morning, or 2pm into sunset for autumn leaves |
| December | Sunset about 3.50pm Midday onwards, finishing with Christmas lights at blue hour |
| January | Sunset about 4.20pm Mid-morning to early afternoon |
| February | Sunset about 5.15pm Late morning, or mid-afternoon into golden hour |
Times are approximate and change by a few minutes each day; I confirm exact timings once you book.
A few more scheduling tips for a London vacation photoshoot:
- Book early in your trip. If the weather turns, we have time to reschedule before you fly home.
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends at Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the Christmas markets.
- Mornings suit landmarks. Westminster and the river are calmest before 9am.
- Work around jet lag. Many US visitors wake early for the first few days, which makes a crisp morning session easier than it sounds.
- Children first. In winter, a session that ends at sunset still finishes before teatime, so family photos fit naturally into the day.
Autumn and winter photoshoot FAQs
When is the best time for autumn leaves in London?
Usually from late October to mid-November. The plane trees in St James's Park, Green Park and along The Mall tend to peak in early November, though a warm or windy autumn can shift this by a week or two.
Is winter a good time for a photoshoot in London?
Yes. The low winter sun gives soft, flattering light for much of the day, landmarks are quieter, and December adds Christmas lights and decorations. You just need to start earlier, as sunset is around 4pm.
When do the Christmas lights go up in London?
The main West End lights, including Regent Street and Oxford Street, usually switch on in mid-November and stay up until early January. Many streets in Belgravia and Mayfair are decorated from late November.
What should we wear for a family photoshoot in London in the fall?
Warm layers in two or three coordinating colours, such as rust, olive, cream and navy, with a good coat, since you will wear it for most of the session. Texture like knitwear photographs beautifully in autumn light.
What happens if it rains on the day of our photoshoot?
Light rain can make lovely photos, with reflections and umbrellas. If heavy rain is forecast, I will be in touch beforehand to talk through moving the time or date.
How far in advance should we book a Christmas photoshoot in London?
December weekends book up first, so I recommend reserving your date as soon as your travel plans are fixed.
Book your autumn or winter photoshoot in London
Autumn and winter give you London at its most atmospheric: golden parks, low gentle light, quiet landmarks and, in December, a city dressed for Christmas. With a little planning around the light and the weather, they are some of the best months of the year for a photoshoot.
Whether you are visiting with family, celebrating as a couple, or travelling solo, I would love to show you this side of the city. Have a look at my London vacation photographer, family photography and couples photoshoot pages.
Looking for a Christmas present? Couples photoshoot gift certificates are available for both the Standard and Extended sessions, and make a thoughtful gift for anyone planning a trip to London.
