York Family Photography - The Cook Family

N O W P L A Y I N G : ‘I Just Love You’ by Roo Panes // Full disclosure, I’ve been meaning to blog for what feels like ten billion years. I’ve got a backlog of sessions to chat about that people have kindly let me share and I’ve been moving it over the bullet journal pages for a while now. I’m hoping that once I hit publish on this first post then the blogging drought will be over and it will give you plenty of inspiration for your own family photography sessions, whatever time of year you choose to update your family album.

Over on my socials I’ve been lamenting the weather - it has been absolutely all over the shop recently. April showers apparently! I’m a lover of photography in all seasons as this blog will eventually show, but even I can’t argue much of a case for persistent torrential rain. In the hope that we’ll get back to it at least being dry, I’m throwing it back to a family photography session in York with Laura and Mark, and their gorgeous boys Flynn and Elliott.

Museum Gardens is a popular spot for family photography in York and I will forever recommend it - you get so much of ‘York’ all around. You can read more about the history of the gardens on their website . I especially love to work here because of the close proximity to town, to the Minster and also to the river and the rowing club. It feels as quintessentially York as you’ll get and you’re really well positioned to wander into town afterwards.

If you’re considering having a family photography session and you think Museum Gardens might be the place for you, here are three things to keep in mind when you’re planning:

Go early to beat the crowds. Gates open at 9am and it doesn’t usually start to get too busy until around 10am.
Parking is usually straightforward at Marygate and just a couple of minutes from the back gate of the gardens.
Wear shoes that are comfortable for moving around easily - the ground is a mixture of path and grass and can be a little uneven. It’s also lovely to wander round the the whole place so you’ll be getting your steps in.

Finally, it’s always helpful to hear what the experience was like for the family, so here’s what Laura had to say about it…

“Sarah put us instantly at ease during the sunny morning shoot & definitely could tell she has experience of boys in her life which is a massive bonus! She kept as all moving which helped engage the little ones & it all felt very natural. The end photos look natural & relaxed are treasured memories of my pre-schoolers. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending her to anyone that wants to capture a moment in time & getting everyone in the photo. Laura”