The Best Locations for Your Family Photoshoot in Dorset
Planning a family photoshoot in Dorset and not sure where to have it?
Choosing the location can often feel like the hardest part — beach or woods, at home or out and about, somewhere quiet or somewhere with big open views?
I have a list of tried-and-tested locations I recommend to my clients, but I wanted to share some of my favourite places for a family photoshoot in Dorset to help you find the perfect spot for your own session.
Maybe you’re dreaming of barefoot cuddles at the beach, a cozy morning at home, or your kids running wild through the forest.
The good news? We’re completely spoiled for choice here.
Here are my favourite locations for a family photoshoot in Dorset (and nearby) — and how to choose the one that feels most you.
🌊 1. The Beach: Sandbanks, Studland & Hengistbury Head
If you’re dreaming of a relaxed, natural family photoshoot in Dorset, the beach is always a beautiful choice.
We are so lucky to have some of the most stunning coastline in the UK, and places like Sandbanks, Studland and Hengistbury Head make absolutely dreamy backdrops for family photos.
Hengistbury Head is especially gorgeous if you want something a little more wild and dramatic — with grassy paths, cliffs, and sea views all in one place.
The light is incredible, especially at sunset. The space feels calm and open. Kids can run, explore, paddle, cuddle — and nothing ever feels stiff or overly posed.
✅ Perfect for your family photoshoot in Dorset if you want:
- -A relaxed, natural, joy-filled session
- -Space for little ones to move freely
- -Soft, golden, glowy images that feel timeless
❌ Maybe not for you if:
- -You hate sand, wind, or bare feet 😅
- -Your more into very controlled, polished portraits
What to wear:
Flowy dresses, soft knits, neutral tones, bare feet. Think creams, soft blues, sage, warm browns — colours that move beautifully in the wind and suit the beachy, relaxed feel.
🌳 2. Forest & Woodland: The New Forest, Moors Valley & Upton Country Park
If you love a more earthy, cozy, storybook feel, a forest or woodland family photoshoot in Dorset (or just over the border in the New Forest) is just magic.
I regularly photograph families in The New Forest, Moors Valley Country Park, and Upton Country Park — all of which offer a beautiful mix of tall trees, dappled light, open clearings and little paths to wander.
And of course, in the New Forest, you often get the added magic of wild ponies in the background (which kids absolutely love).
These locations are especially stunning in spring, summer and autumn.
✅ Perfect for your family photoshoot in Dorset if you want:
- -A calm, natural setting
- -Kids who love to explore
- -A session that feels like a family walk rather than a “photoshoot”
❌ Maybe not for you if:
- -You want very clean, minimal backgrounds
- -Muddy shoes stress you out 😉
What to wear:
Earthy tones, knits, boots, soft layers, dresses that move. Think rust, beige, sage, oatmeal, denim, soft florals.
🏡 3. At Home: In-Home Family Sessions
An in-home family photoshoot in Dorset is one of the most meaningful and personal options you can choose.
In-home sessions are slow, relaxed, and full of the little details you’ll want to remember one day:
- -Reading stories on the sofa
- -Cuddles on the bed
- -Baking, playing, feeding the baby
- -Just being together in your own space
You don’t need a show-home. You don’t need a perfect house. You just need light, love, and a willingness to slow down.
✅ Perfect for your family photoshoot in Dorset if you want:
- -A cozy, intimate, real-life feel
- -Zero stress about getting everyone out the house
- -Photos that feel deeply personal and emotional
❌ Maybe not for you if:
- -Your home is very dark
- -You want very traditional “everyone looking and smiling” portraits
What to wear:
Soft, comfy, neutral. Think cozy knits, linen, bare feet, simple dresses, calm colours.
🌾 4. Open Fields & Countryside Spots
Dorset and the surrounding countryside (especially around the edges of the New Forest) have some gorgeous open fields and hidden spots that are perfect for a relaxed family photoshoot in Dorset.
These sessions feel open, peaceful, and golden in the evening light.
They’re especially beautiful in late spring and summer when everything is warm, wild and soft.
✅ Perfect for your family photoshoot in Dorset if you want:
- -Big skies and lots of space
- -A calm, simple, timeless backdrop
- -A more “editorial” countryside feel
❌ Maybe not for you if:
- -You prefer very structured, posed sessions
- -Your family doesn’t like uneven ground or the odd bug 🐝
What to wear:
Soft, flowing, neutral outfits. Dresses, linen, light layers, barefoot or boots depending on the season.
🏙️ 5. Old Town & Coastal Walks (Poole Old Town & Lulworth Cove)
If you want something a little more lifestyle-led for your family photoshoot in Dorset, places like Poole Old Town and Lulworth Cove make such beautiful, varied backdrops.
Poole Old Town is perfect for that relaxed, documentary feel — think wandering hand in hand along the cobbled streets, stopping for a coffee or ice cream, exploring the little independent shops, and just enjoying being together.
And then there’s Lulworth Cove — which is absolutely breathtaking if you want something a bit more wild, dramatic, and coastal. The cliffs, the curved bay, the sea… it feels really special and makes your photos look epic while still keeping everything natural and relaxed.
These sessions feel more like a little family adventure or day out than a photoshoot.
✅ Perfect for your family photoshoot in Dorset if you want:
- -Something a bit different
- -With a lifestyle, documentary feel
- -A location that means something to your family
- -A mix of charming town and dramatic coastal scenery
❌ Maybe not for you if:
- -You want quiet, empty backgrounds
- -Your little ones can get overwhelmed in busy places (especially in peak season)
What to wear:
Slightly more “styled” everyday outfits — still neutral and timeless, just a little more polished. Think comfy-but-lovely outfits you can walk, explore and cuddle in.
So… Where Should You Have Your Family Photoshoot in Dorset?
Dorset really does offer so many beautiful options for a family photoshoot — from beaches and forests to cozy homes and countryside fields.
The best advice I can give?
Go with the one that makes you feel something.
Which one did you instantly imagine your family in? That’s usually your answer.
If you’d like to see more examples of a family photoshoot in Dorset, you can [view my family portfolio here].
And if you’re ready to start planning your own relaxed, love-filled family photoshoot in Dorset, you can [get in touch with me here] and we’ll chat about the perfect location for you.