Artistic & Authentic Family Photographer in Reading
Capturing your family’s joy in Reading’s most stunning locations, or in your home.
Natural Family Portraits in Reading
Hello! Looking for a Reading family photographer with an easygoing vibe? That’s me. I am Cristina, and I love helping families create artistic, natural portraits of their happiest moments together, set against the backdrop of Reading’s beauty spots, or in their own homes.
My style is modern and elegant, but most importantly it is focused on documenting those simple but meaningful connections that tell REAL family stories.
Why Choose Me for Your Reading Family Photos?
A Smooth Experience
I want you to be happy! You can expect great communication at all stages, an enjoyable shoot, a swift turnaround, and perfectionist quality control over your images and every aspect of your order.
Great Local Knowledge
I know all the best places to shoot in Reading, and the times of day and year that they photograph best. We can shoot any time, any place – and places that have meaning to you are the best of all!
Photos You Can Touch
I believe in the power of printed portraits. In addition to digital packages, you can choose from great range of premium products, from hand-designed albums to framed wall art.
Where to Take Family Photos in Reading
You may not immediately associate Reading with picturesque sights for photography, but it is in fact a treasure trove of beautiful locations for family pictures, as it is placed right in the centre of the Thames Valley, a stone’s throw away from beautiful woodland, nature reserves, stately homes, picturesque villages and of course a lively urban area with plenty of city scapes. Here are some ideas on where we might go for your perfect family photoshoot.
Thames Valley Nature Reserve
A quiet, tucked-away stretch of lakes, meadows, and birdlife, Thames Valley Nature Reserve offers a peaceful, natural backdrop year-round. Spring and early summer bring soft greens and wildflowers, and the open space and reflections from the water make this location particularly suited to golden hour sessions.
Silchester Roman Walls
This is a strong favourite of mine, where we combine family portraits with some fascinating ancient history. Silchester Roman Walls have a magic aura to them, their quiet location contributing to that feeling that you’ve stepped back in time. Your photos will have a distinctive, earthy texture and weathered stone walls in the background. There’s a lovely circular walk, so we can shoot as we wander. Bonus: kids love running along the old walls pretending they’re on a quest.
Dinton Pastures Country Park
Dinton Pastures is a local favourite for good reason, and somewhere I have photographed families many times, in every season. It’s a mix of open space, woodlands, and lakeside paths. It’s great for younger children and has plenty of variety for photos, so your gallery will feel rich and full of colour and tones. Accessible, scenic, and with a cafe right on the doorstep.
Stately Homes
Right on our doorstep in Reading, we have access to some breathtaking historical houses like Basildon Park, the Englefield Estate, and Mapledurham Estate to name just a few. They offer landscaped gardens, enchanting woodland with wild-growing seasonal flowers like daffodils and bluebells, and of course their beautiful architecture – both the main houses and outbuildings make great backdrops to family portraits. Shooting at these locations often requires a permit, which is an additional (but worthwhile) cost. I can organise this for us ahead of our visit.
Your Home!
Don’t forget that your home is always an option! Shooting in your own space creates a very easygoing atmosphere, and produces a portrait gallery that is completely unique to you. We won’t be at the mercy of the weather, meaning we can shoot all year round. If you have babies or younger children, they may also feel more at-ease in a familiar environment. Home shoots feature lots of playtime moments inside and in the garden, capturing snippets of your daily life as it unfolds.
What It’s Like to Book a Family Shoot in Reading
If there is one thing you need to know about working with me, is that it is easy and enjoyable. My sessions are completely built around your family, taking into account your needs and personalities, and most of all not forcing situations or smiles. Here is what you can expect when you book your family session in Reading with me…
A pre-session chat – We will have a chat prior to the session so you can tell me more about your family and your goals for your images. This helps me make suggestions on where we go – we might choose an outdoor location near you like Dinton Pastures or Silchester Roman Walls, or we might keep it low-key and have a cosy morning capturing those key moments at your home. I am always on hand to help with outfit choices, too – my WhatsApp is always open.
A relaxed photoshoot – The session unfolds at your pace, and we will capture your connections and interactions in a completely natural way. We will certainly capture the classic group shots, but there will be plenty of candids and quieter moments to make your family’s story truly authentic. Your session will last around two hours, although I don’t watch the clock and will always allow for breaks whenever needed.
After the shoot, comes the editing. I will hand-pick and edit a gallery of your best 50+ portraits, which we will review together at my studio or via an online video call. I will help you choose your favourites to turn into family heirlooms – fine art albums and framed prints are all available, as well as digital packages.
The photoshoot was really enjoyable and fun, for both my daughter and me – a beautiful memory that will always be close to my heart.
Cristina is very patient, helpful, professional and full of enthusiasm, as well as being a beautiful, kind person. The pictures are gorgeous, printing and presentation sublime.
S.A.
Reading
Reading Family Photography Pricing
I value the relationship we build over the years, so I offer a unique multi-session formula called The Full Story. We start with a single session, and from there, continue to capture the chapters of your family’s evolving narrative over the coming months and years.
Investment
Creation Fee – £250 weekdays / £295 weekends & bank holidays (images not included)
Image Packages – Purchased separately after each session, allowing flexibility based on your budget and preferences. A wide range of wall art, albums and digital packages is available to purchase at your Reveal appointment after the session. Most families allow between £800 and £5,000 on digital images, albums and/or a collection of their favorite artwork to display in their home.
What’s Included
Initial Session – A bespoke photoshoot tailored to your family’s unique dynamics, whether at home, outdoors, or in my natural light studio.
Ongoing Sessions – After the initial session fee, all future sessions are complimentary. You only invest in the images you love.
Personalised Experience – From planning to the final reveal at my studio, I’m with you every step, to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable photo experience that yields exactly the results you’ve wished for.
Please contact me using the form below for your copy of my Pricing Guide.
Let’s Talk!
I hope this page has been helpful in giving you some background info on how my Reading family photoshoots work, and to show you what’s possible.
If it resonated, I would love to hear from you. Pop your contacts below and I’ll be in touch very soon.