How I Choose Outdoor Photoshoot Locations in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Beyond
When it comes to photographing the most tender and meaningful moments, whether it’s a maternity session, a soulful portrait, or a family gathering, the location matters just as much as the light or the lens. It sets the tone. It holds the emotion. It becomes part of the memory.
A Nottinghamshire woodland maternity photoshoot by Marley & The Wildlings Photography
As a Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire-based photographer, I spend a lot of time exploring local landscapes, always searching for those quietly beautiful places that feel like little pockets of magic. Places where people can truly relax, connect, and be themselves. My location choices are never random, they’re intentional. I choose spaces that speak to the mood of the session, and most of all, to the people in front of my camera.
What I Look For in a Photoshoot Location
Every shoot is unique, but over the years, I’ve learned to trust my instincts when scouting outdoor spots across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the surrounding areas. I’m always looking for places that feel raw and rich. Nature as it is, unpolished, a little wild, deeply soulful.
Here’s what I keep in mind:
1. Privacy and Peacefulness
Privacy is a huge priority, especially for more intimate or vulnerable sessions like maternity, soul portraits or elopements. I want you to feel completely safe to be yourself, to laugh, to cry, to move freely. That’s why I often avoid overly commercial or crowded locations. Instead, I seek out quiet corners: tucked away woodlands, hidden riversides, rolling fields, or quiet edges of the Peak District that aren’t on every walking route. These peaceful settings allow us to slow down and be fully present in the moment.
2. Unspoiled Natural Beauty
There’s nothing quite like the golden light hitting tall grass, or the way a gentle breeze moves through a forest of ferns. I’m drawn to locations that feel untouched, where nature has been allowed to grow freely and show off her textures, colours, and imperfections. These backdrops aren’t just beautiful, they’re grounding. They give depth to the images and reflect the earthy, honest tone I aim for in all of my work.
3. A Sense of Story
I’m always asking: Does this place hold a feeling? Is there a story already whispering through the leaves or flowing in the stream? Whether it’s a mossy footpath through ancient woodland in Nottinghamshire or a wide, open meadow in rural Derbyshire, I choose locations that feel like they belong to you, even if we’ve never stepped foot there before. My goal is for your images to feel like memories from a dream, something deeply familiar and personal.
4. Seasonal Shifts and Light
The same place can feel completely different depending on the season, and I often revisit my favourite spots throughout the year to notice how they change. Springtime blossom in local orchards, golden fields in late summer, glowing forest paths in autumn, or crisp, quiet meadows under winter light, I let nature guide the mood of each session, and I choose locations that hold that light beautifully.
Thoughtfully Chosen Locations for Every Session
Whether I’m photographing a family session in the Peak District, an elopement in Derbyshire, or a maternity session in a quiet Nottinghamshire meadow, every location I choose is selected with care. It’s not about flashy views or popularity, it’s about finding a place where you can breathe. Where the noise of the world drops away. Where your story can unfold gently, with space and soul.
So when you book a session with me, know that the location won’t just be a pretty backdrop. It will be part of the story. A soft place to land. A natural stage where your connection, your love, your light will be held with reverence.
If you’re dreaming of a relaxed outdoor photoshoot in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or the surrounding countryside, I’d love to find the perfect location with you, one that feels as honest and beautiful as your story deserves.
Let’s go somewhere quiet, somewhere wild, somewhere that feels like you.