Fantasy & Fairytale Photography in Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire

5 Aug

Wild hearted magic, storytelling, and a touch of the extraordinary.

Ever wanted to step into a storybook? To feel like a wild woodland queen, a fierce warrior with a sword, or a dreamy little forest sprite with tangled hair and muddy boots?

Welcome to Fairytale Photography with Marley & The Wildlings Photography, where fantasy meets freedom, and play meets portraiture. These are movement based, joy filled, relaxed sessions designed to unlock imagination, embrace nature, and create imagery that feels like pure magic.

What is Fairytale Photography?

It’s a little bit fantasy, a little bit folklore, and a whole lot of freedom. Think long dresses flowing through ancient trees, children chasing light through wildflower meadows, or grown ups rediscovering their inner wildlings.

Fairytale sessions combine:

Relaxed, documentary style photography
Play and natural movement
Simple costumes or styled looks
Magical, cinematic editing for that extra glow

And yes, if you want to wield a sword, let’s organise that. Honestly, I insist.

Who Are These Sessions For?

These sessions are for anyone, all ages, all stories, all identities.

Children who live in a world of dragons, fairies, and imagination
Adults who never lost their sense of wonder (or want to reconnect with it)
Families who want portraits that feel like wild adventures
Mamas to be who want to feel like goddesses
Creative souls who just want something a little different

Whether you come in costume or in a floaty dress and boots, this session is about capturing your magic, your way.

fairytale photography nottingham — A Fairytale Photoshoot in the Peak District by Marley & The Wildlings Photography

What to Expect from a Fairytale Photography Session

Forget awkward posing. These sessions are designed for movement, emotion, and expression, just with a little more styling than usual, and a touch of storybook in the edit.

You can expect:

Gentle direction and natural prompts, never stiff
Beautiful locations with wild backdrops
Flowing fabrics, simple props, bare feet (optional!), and weather worn magic
Cinematic editing to add that glow, warmth, or subtle fantasy feel

These are photos that feel like film stills, like a moment captured from a myth or dream.

Costumes, Props & Styling

Costumes don’t need to be complicated or fancy. Sometimes it’s just a flowing dress, a velvet cloak, or a crown of twigs and flowers. Other times, it’s full Viking energy with a sword in hand.

I can help you style the shoot, suggest what to bring or source, and even bring along a few pieces from my collection of fabrics, accessories, and props.

Ideas include:

Long dresses in jewel tones or earth tones
Velvet capes or woollen cloaks
Lanterns, spellbooks, swords, or mirrors
Crowns, antlers, flower circlets
Barefoot or boots, it all works

Bring whatever helps you step into the character or version of yourself you’re imagining.

Enchanted Locations Across Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire

I’m always scouting for wild, whimsical spots that feel straight out of a fairytale. I mainly use quieter, less known outdoor locations, however, some of my favourite places to shoot include:

Clumber Park – Forest trails, ancient trees, and open space
Newstead Abbey – Gothic ruins and secret gardens
Creswell Crags – Dramatic cliffs and ancient stories
Peak District corners – Windy, rugged, and utterly epic

Or we can keep it local to you and discover the magic in your nearby woods, hills, or even your garden at golden hour.

A Little More Magic in the Edits

These sessions come with a touch more post production love. Expect:

Rich tones and soft glows
A hint of fantasy editing, nothing too heavy, but just enough to make it feel enchanted
Black and white options for timeless storytelling

No AI weirdness. Just real photos, real people, and editing that enhances rather than transforms.

What You Get with a Fairytale Session

Pre-shoot styling support + location ideas
Around 60–120 minutes of relaxed, natural photography
A mix of close, emotive portraits and wide, cinematic shots
A private online gallery of hand-edited high-resolution images
Optional print shop and keepsake album upgrades

Solo, family, or creative sessions welcome. These make beautiful gifts, celebrations of self, or soul sessions just because.

Why Book a Fairytale Photography Session?

Because life is short, and play matters.

Because you deserve to feel powerful, wild, beautiful, and free.

Because one day you’ll look back and remember the feeling, not just the image, but the way the air smelled in the woods, the laughter that echoed through the trees, the way your child looked at you in a crown made of leaves.

These aren’t just portraits. They’re modern folklore, your story told with magic.