Some family photographs begin with everyone standing neatly together. This one began with two energetic little explorers and somewhere beautiful to roam.
We met the Beaumont family at Trelissick Gardens, a National Trust estate near Truro. With its winding paths, open spaces and views around the Fal Estuary, it gave the children room to move—and gave the whole family something to enjoy together.
The family had never done anything like this before and arrived with some understandable anxiety. Our first job was not to make photographs—it was to help everyone feel at ease.
That freedom shaped the session. We offered gentle guidance when it helped, but never asked the children to stay still or the family to perform for the camera. We walked, explored, laughed and paused when the right moments appeared.
Letting children be children
Parents often worry that their children will be too energetic for a family photoshoot. In our experience, movement is rarely a problem. It is often where the story begins.
The laughter, big smiles and beautiful chaos of this afternoon were not interruptions to the photographs. They were the photographs.
Our job was to create enough structure for everyone to feel confident while leaving space for the children to be themselves. As Tom later wrote, nothing felt “contrived or made to feel performative.” With two photographers, one of us could guide the family while the other watched for the smaller, unplanned moments happening alongside it.
The result is a gallery that feels lively and affectionate: photographs of the whole family together, alongside the expressions, gestures and adventures that made the afternoon theirs.
Why Trelissick worked for this family
The best location is not simply the prettiest one. It needs to suit the people being photographed.
For this family, Trelissick offered variety without turning the session into a performance. The children could keep moving, the walk gave the afternoon a natural rhythm, and the Cornish landscape became part of the story rather than a decorative background.
We consider light, weather, access, walking distance and children’s ages before recommending a location. Trelissick was a particularly good fit for a family who wanted their photographs to feel outdoorsy, playful and full of life.
Their response
“Having never done anything like this before, we had some anxiety—but from the moment we arrived, Annie and Dan made our boys (and us) feel completely at ease.
They gently guided us when needed, but nothing was contrived or made to feel performative—we were free to simply be ourselves. The whole experience felt entirely natural, and they perfectly captured the bouncy, chaotic fun and laughter that we had together as a family that day.
From start to finish, they have been so easy to communicate with, even accommodating some last-minute changes to our plans. Annie and Dan obviously enjoy what they do (and are some of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet!) and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Folkship. We’re already considering booking them again!”
Tom Beaumont — five-star Google review
That is what we want a Family Story to preserve: not only how a family looked, but the pleasure of being together in that particular season of life. Feeling at ease, being free to be themselves and already thinking about doing it again matter just as much as the finished photographs.
Planning your own Family Story
If you are looking for a family photographer in Cornwall, you do not need to arrive knowing where to stand, how your children will behave or which location will work best.
We will learn a little about your family, recommend somewhere that suits you and guide the experience without asking your children to become anyone other than themselves.
Discover Folkship Family Stories →
