Beautiful, natural family sessions in Derbyshire & Leicestershire — discover my go-to locations for candid photography.

Where the Story Unfolds


There’s something about a place that holds space for connection — where you can breathe, be yourselves, and forget the camera is even there. That’s what I look for when helping families choose the perfect spot for their photo session.

Whether it’s an overgrown ruin kissed by the evening sun, an open field where your kids can run wild, or the familiar light of your own home — each place brings its own kind of magic.

Here are my favourite places to photograph families in Derbyshire — places that let the real moments shine.

Parents and children running hand-in-hand through long grass at sunset during a relaxed family photo shoot in Derbyshire. Captured mid-laugh
A family of four smiling through a stone archway at Grace Dieu Priory near Coalville. A cosy, close-up portrait filled with warmth, love, an
A family of four holding hands and laughing as they run through a golden field near Coalville during an outdoor storytelling session. A play
A family of four walking hand in hand beneath a stone archway at Grace Dieu Priory near Coalville, with soft evening light filtering through
A mother carrying her baby while walking barefoot along a stream surrounded by wild greenery near Coalville. A quiet, natural moment during
Two young boys exploring a tall grassy field in Derbyshire during a golden hour family photo shoot. A candid, adventurous moment filled with

A Quiet Nature Spot near Coalville


This spot is always my first thought when a family asks where we should go. Tucked just outside Coalville, it has everything — gentle woodland paths, open fields to run across, quiet streams for splashing in wellies, and the most beautiful old ruins that seem made for hide and seek. It’s the kind of place where kids don’t even realise they’re “on a photo shoot” — they’re just playing, exploring, being themselves.

There’s something here for everyone. We follow where your children’s curiosity leads — chasing the light through the trees, stopping to throw stones in the water, ducking behind the stone walls for a giggle, and ending up with windswept hair and muddy boots and memories that feel a little bit like magic.

One of the things I love most is how peaceful it is. It never feels too busy, and more often than not, it’s like having the whole place to ourselves. No pressure, no distractions — just time to slow down and be present with your family.

Why I love it:

  • So many places to explore in one spot — woods, water, fields, and ruins
  • A real sense of adventure for little ones
  • It’s often so quiet, it feels like your own private space
  • Beautiful golden light near sunset
  • Relaxed, natural setting that’s perfect for storytelling photos


A female artist sits peacefully at an outdoor table near a pond, painting with watercolours beside a vase of tulips and a glass of pink lemo
A toddler exploring a field of long grass, holding a wildflower close to her face, lost in curiosity during a natural outdoor family session
Parents lifting a light blanket above their daughter on a forest path, creating a moment of play and connection during a relaxed family sess
A barefoot woman in a floral dress walks across a quiet meadow, looking back over her shoulder, captured in soft black and white during a ge
A couple standing close together in a wildflower-filled field, sharing a quiet moment during a maternity session surrounded by soft summer g
A close-up of a pregnant woman’s belly, gently cradled by her hand, surrounded by tall purple wildflowers in a peaceful outdoor field — a qu

A Flower-Filled Forest Hideaway


This is one of those places that feels like it was made for slow moments. Just beyond the treeline, fields open up and soft little paths wind through tall grass and wildflowers. It’s peaceful, quiet, and full of delicate details — the kind of place where you can walk barefoot, watch butterflies float past, or lie back and listen to the breeze.

I love this spot for all kinds of sessions — from dreamy maternity walks to slow, snuggly newborn cuddles, and even relaxed branding shoots. It’s not a place for rushing. It’s for those who want their photos to feel soft and romantic, full of connection and calm.

Some families come here for something more reflective — a gentle story told in whispers and stillness. Others bring their little ones to pick daisies and chase the light. However you move through it, the setting always gives back something beautifully honest.

Why I love it:

  • Wildflowers, long grass, and winding paths that feel untouched
  • A calm, romantic energy perfect for storytelling
  • Works beautifully for maternity, newborn, branding and family sessions
  • A slower pace that invites deep connection and presence


A pregnant woman stands peacefully by a lake near Measham, cradling her bump and gazing into the soft, muted water — a quiet maternity momen
A couple stands forehead to forehead by the water, smiling and holding their baby scan photo during a maternity session near Measham. A warm
A couple stands side by side, looking out across the lake during their maternity session in Measham. Her hands rest on her bump while his ar
A couple sits together on a mossy log in a quiet woodland area near Measham, dressed in relaxed dark tones, sharing a moment of calm during
A playful moment between a couple walking through the woods near Measham, captured mid-conversation beneath a canopy of trees during a relax
A couple sits close together at the base of a tree in Measham woodland, smiling softly with arms wrapped around each other — a cosy, candid

A Quiet Woodland and Lakeside Retreat


Just outside Measham, there’s a little spot that always feels like a secret. A soft woodland path leads to the edge of a peaceful lake, and the moment you arrive, everything feels a little quieter — like the rest of the world is on pause.

This is one of my favourite places for maternity and couples sessions. It’s not wild or adventurous — it’s tender, slow, and gentle. There’s space to just be with one another, to wrap up in a warm hug, share a laugh, or simply breathe in the stillness around you. Whether you're expecting your first baby or just celebrating being together, it offers the perfect space to connect without distraction.

We wander through the trees, pause by the water, and let the calm do the rest. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need much — the love and connection between you brings it all to life.

Why I love it:

  • A peaceful woodland trail leading to a still lakeside
  • Quiet and intimate — ideal for slow, emotive sessions
  • Beautiful natural light filtered through the trees
  • Perfect for maternity and couples who want a calm, reflective feel
  • A space that feels tucked away from the world


A close-up of a baby held in their mother’s arms, gazing up with curiosity and wonder during an in-home newborn session in Leicestershire.
Tiny baby feet resting on a floral blanket as their mother reads a children’s book during a calm and cosy in-home family session in Leiceste
A mother breastfeeding her baby while wrapped together on the bed in soft light, captured during an intimate and gentle lifestyle session at
A family of four reading together on the bed during a relaxed in-home photo shoot in Leicestershire, surrounded by soft natural light and co
A mother smiling down at her newborn as they lie together on the bed, captured in a quiet, tender moment during an in-home lifestyle newborn
A family cuddled close on the bed — the older sibling kissing the baby while both parents look on lovingly — during an honest and emotional

The Comfort of Home


There’s nowhere more personal than home. It’s where your babies were born, where the bedtime stories live, where the everyday mess and magic unfold side by side. In-home sessions hold a kind of beauty that can’t be found anywhere else — it’s in the way your toddler climbs into your lap mid-story, the softness of your newborn against your chest, or the quiet look you share with your partner over the chaos.

Home sessions are calm, slow, and honest. You don’t have to pack a bag or chase the weather. You can stay barefoot, wear something soft, and just be yourselves in the space that already knows you best. Whether we’re curled up on the sofa, gathered on the bed, or soaking in the light by the window, it’s not about posing — it’s about preserving real moments as they are.

These are the sessions that often surprise people the most. Because when you see your own love, your own rhythm, your own everyday — it’s deeply moving. And it lasts.

Why I love it:

  • Full of emotion, comfort, and real-life beauty
  • Perfect for newborns, toddlers, and slow family mornings
  • No pressure to perform or be “ready” — you already are
  • Beautiful natural storytelling, right where you live
  • Every detail captured as it truly is — honest, loving, and enough


These are just a few of my favourite places — ones I return to again and again because they hold space for real moments to unfold. But the truth is, I have a whole list of special locations I love to suggest, each with its own feeling, its own light, its own story to tell. And if you have somewhere meaningful in mind — a family walk, your own garden, or just a place that feels like home — I’d love to hear about it.

When we plan your session, I’ll help you find the perfect fit — not just the right location, but the best time of day and the most beautiful season for what you’re dreaming of. Every detail matters, and I’m here to guide you through all of it with care.

Because where your memories are made matters just as much as the moments themselves.

Ready to plan your own storytelling session?


Let’s find the perfect place for your story — whether it’s out in the fields, tucked in the woods, or right at home.


Inquires:

Simona.grintina@outlook.com