Business Details
11 Years
experience
Award-Winning London Family Photographer
Heather Neilson was founded in 2015 by Heather Neilson, a former lawyer turned award-winning family and maternity photographer. With over a decade of legal experience in London and the Cayman Islands, Heather transitioned to photography after completing a prestigious course in the US and working with leading studios. The business specialises in natural light portraiture, capturing authentic moments for families, children, and expectant parents across West, South West, and central London. Heather's expertise in toddler and newborn photography, combined with her signature use of soft, directional light, has earned her a reputation for creating timeless, artistic images. The company partners with boutique printers to produce museum-grade fine art prints and albums, ensuring clients receive heirloom-quality products.Featured in Practical Photography magazine and as a contributing photographer for Getty Images, the business combines technical excellence with a client-focused approach. Sessions are conducted outdoors in iconic London locations, with a flexible style that balances gentle direction and candid moments. The team prioritises transparency, offering clear pricing structures and a commitment to capturing genuine family connections. With a background in corporate law, Heather brings meticulous organisation and professionalism to every aspect of the business, from initial consultation to final delivery. The company's portfolio demonstrates a consistent ability to create emotionally resonant images that reflect each family's unique story.
Services
Family photography
Maternity photoshoots
Newborn photography
Outdoor baby portraits
Fine art prints
Yoga photography
Headshot photography
Portrait sessions
Luxury albums
Gift cards
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- Former lawyer with meticulous organisational skills ensuring seamless sessions
- Specialises in natural light techniques for soft, flattering family portraits
- Proven expertise with newborns and toddlers through 7+ years of dedicated practice
- Featured in Practical Photography magazine and as Getty Images contributor
- Offers luxury fine art prints with museum-grade archival quality
What people say
Beyond amazing
Thrilled with moments
Fantastic experience
Stunning natural light
Treasure forever
Services
Family photography
Outdoor family photography sessions in London's most picturesque locations. Specialising in capturing authentic interactions between parents, children, and extended family members. Uses natural light to create soft, timeless images that preserve genuine connections and developmental milestones. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes in preferred outdoor settings.
Maternity photoshoots
Flattering maternity portraits for expectant mothers between 30-35 weeks. Sessions include partners and older siblings, focusing on natural beauty and emotional connections. Conducted outdoors in scenic locations with soft directional light to accentuate the pregnancy journey while maintaining comfort and ease for clients.
Newborn photography
Specialised newborn photography for infants aged 5-12 months. Captures developmental milestones like first steps and sitting positions in natural outdoor environments. Uses gentle direction to create both posed and candid images that document early childhood moments with artistic sensitivity and technical precision.
Fine art prints
Luxury museum-grade fine art prints on archival paper for permanent display. Available in multiple sizes and finishes, produced through professional partnerships with boutique printers. Designed to maintain image integrity for generations, with careful colour calibration and archival longevity testing.
Yoga photography
Specialist yoga photography for practitioners and instructors. Captures movement and form in natural environments, focusing on alignment and grace. Designed for personal branding or studio marketing, with attention to compositional balance and the interplay between human form and natural surroundings.
People
Heather Neilson
Photographer & Founder
Former lawyer turned award-winning family photographer with 7 years' experience. Specialises in natural light portraiture after formal training in the US and Cayman Islands. Featured in Practical Photography magazine and as Getty Images contributor. Combines organisational skills from legal career with artistic vision to create timeless family portraits.
Questions
What locations do you use for London family photography?
I work in Holland Park, Battersea Park, Regents Park, Richmond Park, Chiswick House gardens and Fulham Palace, selecting locations based on seasonal light quality and client preferences.
How long does a typical family photoshoot last?
Sessions last up to one hour, with most children showing fatigue after approximately 45 minutes. I schedule sessions around nap times to maximise cooperation.
What should we wear for outdoor family portraits?
I provide detailed guidance on coordinating colours and textures that work well in natural light. Recommend soft, neutral tones that complement outdoor environments without distracting from subjects.
How are images delivered after the session?
Approximately 200 proof images are delivered through a private online gallery within one week. Selected images can be purchased as digital downloads or printed through our professional partners.
Do you offer black and white photography options?
Yes, I create classic monochrome portraits with rich tonal ranges. These are available as both digital images and luxury fine art prints on archival paper.
What happens if the weather is poor on the scheduled day?
I monitor weather forecasts closely and will suggest alternative dates if poor conditions threaten image quality. Cloudy days often provide excellent diffused light for portraits.
Reviews (6)
Philip Chan
Nov 06, 2019
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We had our family photo shoot session in the Regent's Park with Heather recently. Heather is very professional and knows how to deal with young children. The photos she took are brilliant and have captured so many great angles and natural moments. We especially like her way of using sunlight. I would highly recommend Heather.
An Thomann
Nov 03, 2019
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We just received the printed versions of our photos from our second shoot with Heather. We are absolutely blown away (once again) with them. Heather made us feel very comfortable and managed to capture some lovely moments which we will treasure forever! We look forward to booking again soon!
Francesca
Jun 06, 2019
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We had a family shoot with Heather in July and just couldn't be happier with the end result! She made us all feel very relaxed during the shoot and really captured my 14 month old daughters enormous personality - choosing the images has been near impossible as every photo Heather took is totally gorgeous. We would highly recommend her to any one wanting to treat themselves to memories that will last a lifetime!
Jessica Tiahrt Healy
May 22, 2019
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Heather took our first professional family photos with our 7-month-old in Hyde Park last month and we love the photos! We found Heather to be very warm and personable, which helped make us comfortable and confident during the shoot. She provided good direction to help get fantastic shots of everyone. She also turned the proofs and edited photos around very quickly. We highly recommend working with her!
Yunilay Lio
May 23, 2018
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Heather was such a pleasure to work with and made my maternity shoot really comfortable & easy in busy Hyde Park. Her pictures were amazing! She really knew where to go & how to capture the best lighting. She even took the best shots with our beloved first dog baby. Would highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone professional looking for beautiful photos to cherish forever.
Sanja
Dec 29, 2017
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Excellent experience doing my pregnancy shoot. Heather is friendly and professional, makes you very comfortable, responds quickly to emails and delivers the pictures timely. She was a real pleasure to work. The final photos were even better than expected. Absolutely stunning. I will be working with Heather on my baby photos as well.
