Yana Skakun
Portsmouth · Hampshire · South Downs
Family Photographer Portsmouth
Southsea · Portchester Castle · Queen Elizabeth Country Park · Hayling Island
Family Photography in Portsmouth
Portsmouth is surrounded by extraordinary settings for family photography: the wide south coast seafront looking over the Solent towards the Isle of Wight, the Roman and Norman walls of Portchester Castle rising from Portsmouth Harbour, and the open chalk downland of the South Downs national park just 20 minutes north. Within the city, Southsea Common stretches for a mile along the seafront — grass, beach, ramparts, and the sea.
I take a relaxed, documentary approach to family sessions. No formal poses, no staged group shots unless specifically requested. Instead, I follow the children — exploring the grounds at Portchester, running on Southsea beach, walking the ridge at Queen Elizabeth Country Park — and photograph what naturally happens. These are the photographs families return to for decades.
The Hampshire south coast has some of the sunniest, most reliable weather in England. Summer evening sessions along the Solent coast — when the sun descends behind Portsmouth and the water glows — are particularly beautiful. Winter sessions at Portchester have a more dramatic, quieter character.
Portsmouth Family Packages
Mini Session
£150
30 minutes · 20+ images
- 1 Portsmouth or Hampshire location
- Up to 2 adults + children
- Fully edited gallery
- Online delivery within 7 days
Standard Session
£250
1 hour · 40+ images
- 1 location with full exploration
- Family & individual portraits
- Coastal golden hour available
- Gallery within 7 days
Most Popular
Extended Session
£350
2 hours · 75+ images
- 2 locations or extended single
- Multiple portrait combinations
- Coast and downland variety
- Gallery within 7 days
Favourite Portsmouth Locations
Southsea Common & Beach · PO4
Portsmouth's wide south-facing seafront common — open grass, castle ramparts, shingle beach, and views to the Isle of Wight across the Solent
Portchester Castle · PO16
Roman fort walls and Norman keep on the edge of Portsmouth Harbour — extraordinary heritage setting with water and marshland views
Queen Elizabeth Country Park · PO8
Open chalk downland and ancient yew woodland on the South Downs — sweeping open ridge walks with wide Hampshire sky
Hayling Island Beach · PO11
A long south-facing shingle and sand beach west of Chichester — wide Atlantic views, dune grassland, and very popular for family outings
Farlington Marshes · PO6
A nature reserve peninsula jutting into Langstone Harbour — wide skies, saltmarsh, and the masts of Chichester visible across the water
South Downs Way · GU31
Open chalk ridge walks above Petersfield and the Meon Valley — ancient trackways, panoramic views, and quiet downland wildflower meadows
Questions
What are the best family photography locations near Portsmouth?+
Southsea Common and seafront is the classic Portsmouth location — the sea is right there, the Southsea Castle ramparts give a heritage foreground, and the Isle of Wight sits on the southern horizon. For families who want more open space, Queen Elizabeth Country Park on the South Downs above Petersfield has extensive chalk grassland and woodland walks. Portchester Castle gives a completely different, more dramatic heritage feel with its Roman walls and Norman keep rising from the harbour shoreline.
Can we do a beach session at Hayling Island?+
Yes — Hayling Island is a great family beach session location. The south beach faces the English Channel with a wide open sky, and the west coast has views across Langstone Harbour towards Portsea Island. Children love the beach environment and it naturally produces relaxed, playful photographs. Hayling Island golden hour in summer (the sun setting behind Portsmouth to the west) is particularly beautiful in late afternoon.
Is Portchester Castle a good backdrop for family photos?+
Portchester is genuinely exceptional. The Roman outer walls (the best-preserved Roman shore fort in northern Europe) and the Norman inner bailey create an extraordinary visual setting — ancient stonework, water, marshland. It is also very child-friendly: children can safely explore the outer ward, and the keep overlook gives panoramic views. For families who want something distinctive and memorable rather than a conventional park session, Portchester is one of the finest options in the south.
Do you cover Fareham, Gosport, and Chichester?+
Yes — I cover Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Havant, Waterlooville, Hayling Island, and west into Chichester and the West Sussex coast. Travel within 25 miles of Portsmouth is included in session fees.
What time of year is best for Portsmouth family photography?+
The south-facing Hampshire coast has some of the most reliable sunshine in England. Summer golden hour (the sun descending west over the Solent) is beautiful on Southsea seafront around 8–9pm in June. Spring and autumn sessions at Queen Elizabeth Country Park on the South Downs are lovely — the chalk downland has wildflowers in spring and beautiful autumn light. Winter sessions at Portchester Castle have a dramatic, atmospheric quality.
Get in Touch
Book Your Portsmouth Family Session
Coast, downland, or Roman walls — let's find the perfect Hampshire setting for your family portraits.