Family Photographer Islington

Natural Sessions in Highbury, Canonbury & N1

Unposed family photography in Islington. Sisters throwing blossom in the air during their family photoshoot in the park on a Spring day.
Watercolor illustration of a leafy branch with light green leaves against a transparent background.

Authentic family lifestyle photography in Islington and North London

I create a family photography experience that feels effortless, capturing natural connection even for those who aren’t used to being in front of a camera.

Most people feel a bit awkward in front of a camera. My job is to get everyone relaxed enough that they stop thinking about it - and then photograph what happens next.

Sessions run for 1.5–2 hours, usually at Highbury Fields or at your home in N1, N5, or N7. We work at your family's pace, with time built in for snacks, breaks, and the occasional meltdown.

What to expect

✔️ Relaxed & natural: gentle guidance so you can just be yourselves at home, in Islington’s parks, along London’s streets, or wherever feels like you.

✔️ Playful connections: children can run, explore, and have fun while I capture the laughter, cuddles, and bonds that make your family unique.

✔️ Laid-back flow: with 1.5–2 hours, there’s time for breaks, play, and natural moments to unfold

✔️ Beautiful variety: a blend of candid storytelling images and a few relaxed family portraits.

Black background with a simple white line illustration of a leaf branch.

meet your Islington family photographer.

Hi, I’m Irma, an award-winning family & newborn photographer working all across North London.

I create natural, storytelling images that reflect who you are as a family.

Professional family and newborn photographer Irma Arrowsmith, based in Islington, North London.
Watercolor illustration of a eucalyptus branch with multiple light green oval-shaped leaves on a transparent background.
Black and white photograph of a person sitting on a bench, wearing a coat and hat, with trees in the background.

I've photographed families in homes all across N1, in Highbury Fields in every season, along the canal, and in the squares. Every session finds its own rhythm - my job is just to notice when something worth photographing is happening.

Award-winning newborn photographer with her own daughter Ivy. Natural at home newborn photography in Islington and all across London.

Highbury Fields

Highbury Fields is the most obvious choice for outdoor Islington sessions - large, well-kept, with enough variety that you can shoot for 90 minutes without repeating yourself.

The tree-lined paths on the west side photograph particularly well in autumn. The play areas make a natural gathering point for families with young children, and the tennis courts/pool building give you architectural backdrops if you want something more structured.

Barnsbury & Canonbury Squares

If you want something quieter and more intimate than Highbury Fields, the garden squares in Barnsbury and Canonbury are beautifully maintained and genuinely peaceful. You'll need a residents' key to access most of them, but if you have one, they're ideal for families who want a contained, calm setting rather than wide-open parkland.

Regent's Canal & Islington Tunnel

The canal towpath between Angel and King's Cross offers a completely different aesthetic - urban, linear, distinctly London. The Islington Tunnel entrance at Chapel Market makes for an atmospheric backdrop. Good for families who want images that feel rooted in the city rather than a generic park setting.

At home in Islington

Islington housing - particularly the Georgian and Victorian terraces around Barnsbury, Canonbury, and Upper Street - tends to have excellent natural light. High ceilings, large windows, period features. Many of my favourite Islington sessions have been entirely indoors. If you'd rather stay home than head to a park, that works just as well.

Where we shoot in Islington

A black and white illustration of a woman with long hair, wearing a dress, holding a flower, and standing on a patch of grass.
Family lifestyle portrait in black and white, unposed, by award-winning Islington family photographer working all across North London.
Portrait of mother and baby girl taken in Hampstead Heath in North London. Family mini photo sessions outdoor in the park in Highbury and Islington.

Islington and nearby areas I cover

As well as Islington itself (N1, N5, N7), I regularly photograph families in Highbury, Canonbury, Barnsbury, Holloway, Tufnell Park, Archway, and across North London.

If you're not sure whether I cover your postcode, just ask - I'm usually flexible for N postcodes.

Islington maternity photographer capturing oldest daughter, mother and husband in Highbury fields during their mini family photoshoot in the park.
  • “Thank you so much for the photoshoot we had such as great time- you made us feel so comfortable throughout the session and it shows in the photos. I watched the video with Riz this morning and I just burst into tears (joyful tears!) You captured our everyday moments and made them so special- we love the photos so much! Yay I finally have some nice picture with all four of us- truly special”

    Rosalind P. - Islington

  • “Irma joined us at my mother's 90th birthday celebration. We wanted to capture the occasion for all of us but particularly for my mother, to remember this special day. We had family members from the ages of 1 to 90 and we couldn't be happier with Irma's photos. We had asked for a mix of informal photos and more formal groups and both are perfect. She has captured the sense of fun and celebration and we all have photos that we will treasure.”

    Julia A. - Highbury

  • “Irma was a delight to work with. She responded quickly to our enquiry and scheduled a photoshoot that fit with our schedule. She put us at complete ease and captured treasured memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. Nothing was too much for her and we look forward to marking more milestones further down the line.”

    Zaza B. - Islington

WHY Islington FAMILIES CHOOSE ME

✔️ Highbury Fields or your living room

I work wherever feels most natural - the park, the canal, your home in Canonbury. No studio, no unfamiliar setting, no travelling with children.

✔️ Led by your children

Sessions move at your family's pace. If your toddler wants to climb every railing on Highbury Fields, we climb railings. If your baby needs feeding, we pause. The unforced moments in between are usually the best ones.

✔️ Nothing is staged (unless you'd like it to be)

I don't pose families - I watch how you already move together and photograph that. But if you want a few classic portraits where everyone's looking at the camera, we can do that too.

✔️ Images that last

Natural light, minimal editing, no heavy filters. In fifteen years these won't look dated - they'll still look like photographs of your family.

A simple black and white line drawing of a branch with leaves.
Watercolor illustration of a leafy branch with elongated leaves on a black background.

 Faqs

  • Absolutely! I love including your pets and additional family members, just let me know in advance so we can plan the session accordingly.

  • Yes! Lots of families choose to start at home for relaxed, natural lifestyle images, then head out to a favourite nearby spot for outdoor portraits. That might be Barnard Park, the playground, or another North London location you love. It gives a lovely mix of candid moments and more scenic family photographs.

  • I’m flexible! If the weather is truly awful on your scheduled day, we can easily reschedule to another date so you still get beautiful outdoor family photos in the best possible conditions.

  • Sessions typically run 1.5–2 hours, giving plenty of time for children to warm up, explore, and for natural, relaxed moments to unfold.

  • Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident! There’s no need for coordinated outfits, the most important thing is that your family feels like themselves. Simple, natural clothing that allows you to move, play, and enjoy the session works best. Of course, if you’d like to coordinate your outfits, that’s perfectly fine too.

  • You’ll normally receive your fully edited images via a private online gallery within 2–3 weeks of your session. During busier periods, such as Christmas and summer, it may take closer to a month.

  • Islington natural family photography, parents and little girl in Queens Park during their Spring Family Photoshoot.

    Family Photography

    Natural family photography in Islington. Just be yourselves, and I’ll capture the moments, connections, and emotions that make family life special.

    I photograph families at home and outdoors, usually without posing, but I might give gentle guidance for authentic shots.

    As an Islington family photographer, I enjoy exploring the city and often include local parks in my family photoshoots.

  • Newborn photographer Islington. Mum with smiling newborn baby and dog. Documentary family photography Islington. North London newborn photographer with a documentary approach. Unposed newborn photography in Islington.

    Newborn Photography

    Capture your newborn’s growth during their first months. I enjoy newborn photo shoots and feel honoured to be part of new families' journeys.

    If you want natural newborn photography with a documentary style, I’m your Islington newborn photographer!

    I take my time during the shoot, focusing on your baby’s needs. We can mostly do the session at home, but we can also go outside if you prefer.

  • Maternity photography in Islington. Islington maternity photographer capturing woman's pregnant belly at home, sitting in chair with cat.

    Maternity Photography

    Are you pregnant and considering a maternity photoshoot but feel uneasy about posing for the camera? A maternity session can be relaxed and enjoyable, with very little posing needed.

    I would love to capture this special moment naturally for you. I work all over London, including Islington, Stoke Newington, Hampstead and Queen’s Park.

  • Childrens party photographer Islington, North London. Birthday party photographer specialising in unposed party photography with a documentary approach to event photography.

    Childrens Party Photographer

    I can capture special moments like first birthdays, small weddings, anniversaries, and family milestones.

    My photos have a documentary style, and with my photojournalistic approach, you don't need to worry about anything.

    I shoot spontaneous moments, so there's nothing to prepare.

A person holding a newborn baby, with the child resting on the person's shoulder, showing the baby's back and tiny hand. The adult's tattooed arm and hand are visible. Award-winning Islington newborn baby photography.
A young girl in a swimsuit and pink headband standing on a sandy beach near the ocean, with weathered wooden posts casting shadows nearby, and a partly cloudy sky above. Captured by award-winning Islington family photographer.

ready to book your Islington family photo session?

I’d love to capture your family’s everyday moments and create images full of life and love.

Let’s chat about your session and plan something special.