How to Choose the Right Family Photographer in Exeter & East Devon
(and What Really Matters)
If you’re looking for a family photographer in Exeter or East Devon, you’ll quickly realise there are lots of different styles, packages, and approaches out there.
And if you’re a parent, you’re probably not just thinking about “nice photos”.
You’re thinking about:
Will we feel comfortable?
Will the children behave?
Will this actually feel relaxed or stressful?
And most importantly…
Will we regret our choice later?
So how do you actually choose the right family photographer?
Here’s what really matters.
1. You Should Feel Comfortable With the Photographer (More Than Anything Else)
Before you even look at pricing or portfolios, ask yourself this:
Do I feel relaxed around this person?
Because family photography isn’t about stiff posing or perfect behaviour.
It’s about real connection.
Whether it’s a newborn session, baby milestone, or full family shoot, the experience should feel:
Calm
Easy
Unrushed
Natural
If you feel pressured or awkward, that will carry through into your photos.
The right photographer will help you feel at ease within minutes, not add to your stress.
2. Look for a Relaxed, Natural Approach (Not Over-Posed Images)
Every photographer works differently.
Some focus heavily on posing and structured setups. Others work in a more natural, unposed way.
For most families in Exeter and East Devon, the most meaningful images tend to come from relaxed sessions where:
Children are allowed to be themselves
There’s space for movement and play
Nothing feels forced or rushed
This is especially important with young children and babies. You can’t always direct them, and you shouldn’t need to.
3. Experience With Babies and Children Really Matters
It’s one thing to take photos.
It’s another to understand children.
A good family photographer will know:
When to pause instead of push
How to work with different ages and personalities
How to keep the atmosphere calm, even if things feel chaotic
Whether it’s a sleepy newborn or a busy toddler, experience makes the session flow much more naturally.
And that directly affects how your photos feel.
4. Think About the Long-Term Style (Not Just Right Now)
Trends come and go quickly in photography.
But your images will last for years.
That’s why many families choose a more timeless, natural style:
Soft light
Neutral tones
Simple, uncluttered compositions
These images don’t date and they still feel just as meaningful years later.
5. Read Reviews (They Tell You What the Photos Don’t)
A portfolio shows you the final images.
But reviews tell you the experience.
When reading feedback from families, look for words like:
“Relaxed”
“Patient”
“Felt comfortable”
“Easy with the children”
Because family photography is not just about the outcome, it’s about how the whole session felt.
And that feeling is what people remember most.
6. Flexibility Is Key (Especially With Children and Babies)
Real family life isn’t predictable.
Children need breaks. Babies need feeding. Sometimes everyone needs a moment to reset.
A good family photographer understands this and builds sessions around it, not against it.
That’s why relaxed sessions often produce the best results. There’s space to pause, reset, and let things unfold naturally.
7. The Experience Should Feel Easy for Everyone (Including Parents)
A family photoshoot shouldn’t feel like something you have to manage.
It should feel like:
A short break from routine
A chance to just enjoy your children
Someone else taking care of the “capturing”
When parents are relaxed, children naturally relax too.
And that’s when the most honest, beautiful images happen.
So… How Do You Choose the Right Family Photographer?
If you’re searching for a family photographer in Exeter or East Devon, the best choice is usually the one that makes you feel:
Comfortable
Understood
And confident that your family will be looked after
Not just photographed.
Because the best images come from real connection, not perfect posing.
A Final Thought
Most families don’t regret what photographer they chose.
They regret feeling stressed during the experience or not being present enough in the moment.
That’s why the experience matters just as much as the images themselves.
Looking for a Relaxed Family Photographer in Exeter & East Devon?
If you’re drawn to a natural style of photography that captures real connection whether that’s newborn, baby, or full family sessions, you’re exactly who I work with.
Sessions are relaxed, unhurried, and designed to feel easy for everyone involved. You can pose or not. It’s all about the connection, laughter and fun.
Because the best family photos don’t feel staged…
They feel like you. You can view some of my work here.