Planning a Destination Vacation? Why We Booked a Photographer in London
When you’re traveling somewhere meaningful, whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, or simply a trip you never want to forget, there’s something powerful about choosing to document it intentionally. For our 10th wedding anniversary, my husband and I celebrated in London (one of our favorite cities in the world), just as the October fall leaves were beginning to turn. We knew we wanted to document this milestone anniversary in a special way instead of relying on iPhone selfies, so hired a local photographer I found on Instagram. Not only did we come home with beautiful images, but the experience itself became one of the most meaningful and memorable parts of our trip! If you’re considering a destination photoshoot of your own, I can’t recommend it enough, and I’m sharing exactly why, along with how I planned our outfits to make the entire session feel timeless and true to us.
WHY WE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN LONDON
One of the best decisions we made for our anniversary trip was choosing to hire a professional photographer. At first it felt a little indulgent, but 10 years was such a special milestone that we wanted to capture in a meaningful way. We could have attempted to take pictures ourselves, but we didn’t want rushed selfies or tripod shots that felt staged and stressful. We wanted to be present.
We wanted to walk through the city without worrying about angles or timers. We wanted to laugh naturally, take in the architecture, and let someone else guide the experience. And because we found a local photographer who knew the city so well, he led us to the most beautiful corners, from the iconic views near Big Ben to St. James Park at golden hour with the sun peeking through the trees.
Booking someone local also made the entire experience seamless. I found Will Fuller on Instagram after researching London-based photographers and I immediately fell in love with the warm and timeless aesthetic of his photos. I knew that his style was a perfect match for us, and from the first message, he was incredibly kind and helpful! He offered location suggestions based on where we were staying, timing recommendations (golden hour was absolutely the right choice), and made us feel completely at ease the moment we met. What could have felt awkward or overly posed instead felt relaxed and fun, like we were simply on a romantic walk through the city, with someone quietly documenting it.
When we got the photos back I squealed with excitement for several minutes and began favoriting every photo like it was a “no-skips” Taylor Swift album. I immediately began planning which ones we’d print to hang on our wall to show off to our guests 😂 I was truly so impressed with the quality and quantity of photos we received, and they are something we will treasure forever.
If you’re traveling somewhere meaningful, especially for a milestone, I truly believe this is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make. The memories may fade over time, but you’ll have photos to look back on for a lifetime.
How I Planned Our Outfits for Our London Anniversary Photoshoot
Because we were investing in professional photos, I knew I didn’t want to treat our outfits as an afterthought. I planned both looks months before our trip (shocker lol) because for me, styling was part of the experience, and I wanted our photos to feel timeless, cohesive, and true to our style.
When you’re shooting in a city like London, the architecture does a lot of the work for you. The stone buildings, historic landmarks, and elegant streets already feel classic. So instead of competing with that backdrop, I leaned into it.
1. I Dressed for the Location, Not Just the Occasion
London calls for structure and polish. I avoided anything overly trendy or loud and focused on silhouettes that felt refined and feminine. I opted for tailored lines, elevated fabrics, and a color palette that complemented the neutral tones of the city.
During the planning process, I asked myself:
Will this still look beautiful in 10 years?
Does it harmonize with the architecture?
Does it feel like me?
That filter helped me make decisions more clearly.
2. We Coordinated, We Didn’t Match
I chose my outfits first (of course), then built my husband’s looks around mine. Instead of matching colors exactly, we stayed within the same tonal family so everything felt cohesive without being overly styled. The goal was to look connected, not coordinated.
That said, seeing the final gallery taught me something. The blazer I wore with my denim look photographed very similarly in tone to Freddy’s brown sweater, and paired with his brown trousers, it ended up reading as a lot of brown overall. I still genuinely love how the photos turned out, but if I could tweak one thing, I would have created a bit more contrast either by choosing a different sweater for him or steering away from brown altogether in my own look.
It was a good reminder that what feels subtly different in person can sometimes blend together more than expected on camera.
3. I Planned Two Outfit Changes for Variety
If you’re investing in a destination photoshoot, I highly recommend bringing two looks. It completely changes the energy of your gallery and gives you so much more versatility in the final images.
For a couple of months, I went back and forth on whether we should actually commit to two outfits. I worried about the logistics — where would we change? Would we have to carry a backpack around? Would it feel like too much? (Even though our photographer graciously offered to carry everything and assured us it was no problem.)
But deep down, I knew I would regret not having that variety. And I’m so glad we went for it. The contrast between the two looks made the gallery feel dynamic and intentional instead of repetitive, and changing in the public bathrooms at St. James Park went so smoothly - it all ended up being 100% worth it!
Outfit One: Academia Meets Classic London
For our first look, I wore a cozy neutral sweater paired with a brown tailored mini skirt, sheer tights, and loafers with ankle socks; a combination that felt equal parts polished and approachable. It had that subtle “academia meets classic London” energy that felt so fitting for the historic streets around us. As much as I would have loved to wear a pair of heeled boots, comfort took priority with all the walking we were going to be doing!
More than anything, I wanted this outfit to feel timeless. I chose pieces I knew I would still love years from now. Nothing overly trendy, nothing that would feel dated when we look back on these photos a decade from now. It felt feminine, structured, and completely me, which, in my opinion, is the most important part of planning any photoshoot outfit.
Outfit Two: The Chic, Casual City Look
For our second look, I wanted something a bit more structured and polished to play off of the refined curve of Regent Street at dusk. I wore mid-wash jeans, a classic white tee, a houndstooth blazer, and Mary Jane flats, a chic yet effortless combination that’s truly a staple in my fall wardrobe.
This look felt a little more modern and city-forward while still staying timeless. The blazer added structure against the historic architecture, while the denim and flats kept it relaxed and wearable. I love that it’s an outfit I would genuinely reach for at home, which made it feel even more special to wear for our anniversary shoot.
4. I Considered Practicality (Because Cobblestones Are Real)
London streets are beautiful…and uneven. I made sure my shoes were walkable and that both outfits allowed movement. Nothing ruins confidence faster than feeling uncomfortable in what you’re wearing.
Comfort = confidence = better photos.
TIPS FOR BOOKING A DESTINATION PHOTOSHOOT
If you’re planning a milestone trip and considering booking a photographer, here are a few things I learned from our experience in London that made the entire process seamless:
1. Do Your Research & Use Instagram Intentionally
I found our photographer by researching London-based photographers on Instagram and taking the time to look through the style of their work. Pay attention to how they capture movement, light, and emotion, not just posed portraits. I also read reviews and made sure their style aligned with what I envisioned for our anniversary session. When you’re documenting something meaningful, you want someone whose work feels timeless.
2. Book Earlier Than You Think You Need To
We booked our photographer five months in advance and I’m so glad we did! Popular cities fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Booking early not only secures your date but also gives you time to coordinate locations, outfits, and timing without feeling rushed. It made the entire experience feel calm instead of rushed.
3. Shoot Near Where You’re Staying
We stayed in Westminster near St. James Park, which meant we could easily walk to several iconic locations without adding unnecessary stress. Choosing shoot spots close to your hotel or Airbnb keeps the day relaxed and allows you to enjoy the experience instead of worrying about transportation or tight timelines. Our photoshoot journey began at Big Ben (this was one of my must-have locations!) and then we wandered through St. James Park and made our way towards Buckingham Palace, just when the sun started to peek through the clouds, before ending at the iconic Regent Street.
4. Trust Your Photographer
This might be the most important one. Once you’ve done your research and chosen someone whose work you love, let them guide you. Our photographer knew the best angles, how to navigate crowds, and had expert timing to try and optimize golden hour (which isn’t a guarantee in London depending on the time of year!) as much as possible. He made us feel completely at ease, which shows in the photos more than anything else. The magic happens when you stop trying to control every detail and simply enjoy the moment.
Ten years of marriage felt too meaningful to leave to selfies and hurried snapshots. Hiring a professional photographer in London wasn’t just about getting beautiful images, it was about celebrating the first decade our marriage with intention. The experience itself became one of our favorite memories from the trip - we’re still talking about it a year and a half later!
If you’re traveling somewhere special, whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, or just a chapter you want to remember, I can’t recommend this enough. Choose the destination, plan the outfits, do the research, and then let someone capture the moments that will turn into beautiful memories.
Years from now, you’ll be so grateful you did! 🤍