10 Photogenic Coastal Locations for Family Portraits in the North West

A coastal location is one of my favourite scenes for a family portrait session. Whatever the time of year, getting out to the coast is good for the soul and it presents some cracking family portrait opportunities too!

Creating a sense of place in photographs is something I feel really passionate about. And for many of the families I photograph, there’s a beach or a seafront which holds special memories and sentiment.

There are numerous reasons why holding your portrait session along the coast works so well, such as:

·       Abundant natural light – which produces such a dreamy quality in photographs, especially on film;

·       Space for the kids – allowing them the freedom to run and play without boundaries;

·       A year-round beauty spot – whether you’re wrapped up warm on a cold winter’s day or dipping your toes into the sea in summer, the coast is free and open in every season;

·       A relaxing environment – “breathe in the sea air”, “blow away the cobwebs”, “feet-in-the-sand”; so many of our wellbeing sayings centre around the natural relaxation we all find when beside the seaside, and that relaxation supports beautifully candid portraits;

·       A mixture of backdrops – a coastal location is great for offering a variety of views within walking distance, from dunes to pine forests, promenades to boating lakes; it’s not all sea and sand!

·       Ideal for your family dog – lots of the coastline, particularly here in the north-west, is dog-friendly. So if your pet is joining in with the family photos, a coastal location can be a good spot for your portrait session;

·       Perfect for wholesome (and photogenic!) activities – from kite flying to sand castle building, the beach naturally encourages families to play those timeless games that create honest family photos.

If you do decide that coastal photos are for you, here is my guide to family portraits on the beach or at the coast:

·       Check the conditions beforehand – this is something I’ll be on top of too, but for obvious reasons you’ll need to be assured of dryer weather and, if we’re planning to be on the beach, for the tide to be at a stage where it’s not unsafe for us to venture onto the sand or be restricted in our location.

·       Consider the lack of facilities – if you have younger children, remember that facilities such as toilets and a place to get a drink might not be easily accessible in some coastal areas.  

·       Bring back-up clothing – a spare change of clothes, footwear and a towel are a good idea, regardless of the time of year, just in case! I’d also recommend a picnic blanket with a waterproof underside so you have a dry place to put your bags.

·       Think about access – parking can be notoriously difficult along the coast. So if you have younger children then be sure to leave enough time to park as close as you can to where the session is taking place, and think about access for buggies if required.

Based in the north-west, I know that finding the perfect beach to have your family portrait session can be a challenge. While we’re blessed with plenty of coastline in this glorious corner of England, much of it is inaccessible or, dare I say it, not particularly photogenic.

So with that in mind, I thought I’d suggest my top 10 beaches for family photography in the north-west, as well as a few that are a short hop over the border into North Wales. All of them are within an hour(ish!) of Chester and ideal for an outdoor family portrait session:

1.     West Kirby

The West Kirby Marine Lake and promenade on the north-western edge of the Wirral peninsular looks out towards Hilbre Island and the Irish Sea. Because it’s west-facing, the early evening light and sunsets here can be glorious, and there is plenty of interest for a portrait session; like the rocks to clamber on, a circular walking route around the lake, and a good stretch of beach too.

2.     Parkgate

There’s no place like home. For me that place is Parkgate. I grew up there and I know every inch of it like the back of my hand! This village on the marsh has views west over the Dee Estuary, which is a protected nature reserve home to skylarks and redshanks.

I know I’m biased but the promenade at Parkgate is such a special spot for family photos. And if you have reluctant models, you can always dangle the carrot of fish & chips (so good!) and award-winning ice cream as a post-session treat!

3.     Leasowe Beach

On the northern end of the Wirral peninsular, Leasowe is a sandy beach which makes it great for dog walking. Backed by dunes and famous for its cockle harvest, did you know that the Leasowe Lighthouse on the common is the UK’s oldest brick-built lighthouse?

4.     Formby Beach

As family-friendly beaches in the north-west of England go, Formby is hard to beat. Why? Well because there is so much more than just beach here.

Children can try and spot red squirrels in the pine forest reserve; run up and down the sand dunes; and paddle in the Irish Sea.

What’s more, the boardwalk, through some of north-west Europe’s most important sand dune habitats, is a particularly beautiful Formby spot for photos.

5.     Talacre

Over into North Wales, Talacre beach in Flintshire is also renowned for its sand dunes, as well as its beautiful grade II-listed Point of Ayr lighthouse.

At low tide there is so much space for the kids to run around. Plus there’s a superb ice cream shop (it’s all about the ice cream!) in the village itself for a well-earned scoop or two before heading home!

6.     Llandudno

Every time I go to Llandudno I get that sense of nostalgia I always feel in old seaside towns that makes me want to stroll along the prom, prom, prom!

It’s such a cute spot for a day out with the kids, and photography-wise there’s lots of interest for a family photo session close to the beach; like the 19th-century pier, historic Great Orme Tramway and the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland sculptures in the Happy Valley.

7.     Thurstaston Beach

The sandy shore of this Dee Estuary beach on the Wirral is often quieter than its neighbouring beaches, making it a popular spot with locals. What I love most about this beach for a family photo session is that it’s relatively unspoilt in comparison to other beaches in the north-west. What’s more, there is the parkland, parking and picnic area of the adjoining Wirral Country Park, making Thustaston a family-friendly choice for a portrait experience.  

8.     Crosby Beach

Some 22 miles of Sefton Coastline creates the well-known Crosby Beach, a popular stop-off for tourists visiting the north-west because of its famous Antony Gormley figures.

With views of North Wales and the Wirral to the west, Crosby Beach is often noted as one of the best places in the UK to watch the sunset.

Thanks to Gormley’s 100 cast-iron figures set in the sand and facing the sea, it’s a unique coastal place to set your family portrait experience.

9.     Ainsdale Beach

The blustery shores of Ainsdale Beach are a bit of a hidden gem in the north-west. South of Formby, it’s the only beach in the area to have been awarded a coveted Blue Flag.

Here the open space and sand dunes are ideal for capturing children at play, while the nature reserve behind the beach is lovely for kids to explore.

10.  Colwyn Bay

With its traditional white railings along the promenade and beach of sand and shingle, this three mile bay offers plenty of scope for a family photography session.

You can often find a parking spot right on the front, making it an easy choice with younger kids, plus there are accessible facilities up and down the beach.

Don’t forget to pop your scooters in the boot too, as the promenade is brilliant for kids to whizz up and down!

Before my babies turned my world upside down, I was the volunteer Press Officer for Hoylake Lifeboat Station and I’m really passionate about the RNLI’s mission to keep us all safe beside the sea. So if you’re thinking of heading to the coast for photos or simply for a day out, I’d recommend taking a look at the RNLI’s website first for information about visiting safely with children.

And if you fancy having unique family portraits captured on film at a coastal spot near you, get in touch. I’d love to know where your family’s favourite coastal spot is and why it holds such importance for you?