Recently, I met the Kennada family from Arizona, who contacted me to book a family photography shoot whilst they were staying on holiday at Coworth Park. They were looking for a shoot that was quintessentially British and so using the backdrop of Coworth Park where they were staying was the absolutely, perfect setting! They were on a trip around Europe and had also booked photo shoots in Paris and St. Tropez, so I know they were looking for something special! I am sooo excited to share some of their photos here from the photo shoot….
Located in the heart of Berkshire’s Crown Estate, Coworth Park is typically British. As part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, this Georgian manor house has an estate of 240 acres set English countryside in Ascot, Berkshire just 30 minutes from London, complete with polo fields, beautiful gardens, and gorgeous white architecture.
For luxury family photography, Coworth Park is the perfect landscape. The estate’s classical white balcony and honey-coloured stone create a timeless backdrop. The formal gardens, the meadow, cypress avenue and polo fields and the iconic British telephone box within steps of each other make this a great place for family photo shoots.e.
The Photo Shoot
The Kennada family were so lovely from the moment I met them – we started chatting easily, and finalised the plan for the shoot; then whilst getting to know the children we started the photo shoot outside on the terrace. It was great to hear about who they were and hearing about what they had planned for their extended trip in Europe. The children were naturals and loved sitting on the steps and exploring the gardens through the shoot, the parents were completely at ease and so this made it possible to get natural laughter, some cosy unposed photos alongside some composed portraits. It was lovely to see the parents playing with their children and making them laugh!
I worked with the family to help create their vision for the photos, who then trusted me as I am often taking photos at the hotel and know the best spots! I work collaboratively with families to plan their shoot ahead of the day, so they enjoy the shoot day and get the photos that they were looking for.
The family’s wardrobe coordination was perfect, they chose a colour palette of classic black, navy and camel which had a great British feel especially when they added in the Burberry check for the children. It’s always good to use timeless outfits for a photo shoot that won’t date in five years’ time! I loved the classic black dress that Brittnay, the mum wore and then we added a camel coat in some of the photos. All perfect for the shoot at Coworth Park.
The Polo Pony which the children loved!
Coworth Park is the home to the prestigious Guards Polo Club, and polo heritage is very much part of the hotel’s history! We arranged to include one of the estate’s polo ponies in the session and this is the result:
The children loved meeting the polo pony and it was a lovely to take unposed natural photos of the family whilst they petted the pony. The daughter was learning to ride horses so was happy to hold onto the pony’s harness, this is one of the photos of them together near the cypress avenue. Adding the pony made the shoot very English and sophisticated!
Photo Shoot for families on holiday in the UK
For families visiting from abroad, particularly from Arizona where the landscape couldn’t be more different, Coworth Park offers an authentically British experience. The mature trees lining the pathways, the sculptured hedges, the classical architecture, and the opportunity to interact with genuine polo ponies – these elements create that storybook English countryside perfect for anyone visiting from abroad.
We incorporated quintessentially British elements throughout the session: the polo pony, the red telephone box provided playful moments, the formal fountains, and terrace. Each location told a different part of their English story that they were looking for in the UK part of their trip.
Frequently Asked Questions: Family Photography at Coworth Park
Do we need to be hotel guests to photograph at Coworth Park? You will need to either be staying at the hotel at a family event of having lunch or afternoon tea. We will need to confirm the shoot with the hotel, just in case there is an event going on and there are areas that we might not be able to access.
How long does a typical Coworth Park session last? I recommend 90-120 minutes for luxury family sessions. This allows time to explore the different locations on the estate, and capture both composed portraits and candid moments without feeling rushed.
How far in advance should we book our Coworth Park session? For optimal scheduling flexibility, especially if you’d like to include polo ponies, I recommend booking about weeks in advance, particularly during peak seasons (May-September). However, I often accommodate shorter timelines for traveling families with limited availability.
Do you photograph families from abroad regularly? Yes! I work with many international families visiting Berkshire, particularly those staying at luxury properties like Coworth Park, and The Fairmont. I understand the unique needs of traveling families and can provide expedited gallery delivery for those returning home quickly.
What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate? British weather is famously unpredictable! Light rain can create gorgeous atmospheric images. For severe weather, we’ll reschedule.
How many edited images can we expect? Your session will include around 150 images or more professionally edited, high-resolution images to choose from. This includes a mix of composed family portraits, parent-child combinations, sibling shots, and candid moments. Every image includes my signature editing process.
Can we add grandparents or extended family? Absolutely! Coworth Park’s spacious locations work are great for extended family sessions. Multi-generational sessions require additional time, which we can discuss during planning.
Ready to book your own family photography session in Ascot or Berkshire? Whether you’re planning a celebration at Coworth Park or another beautiful local venue, I’d love to hear from you.
Visit debbieharephotography.co.uk to see more of my work and get in touch about capturing your family’s special moments.Telephone: 07976 397638 or Email: Hello@debbieharephotography.co.uk
