Emma McDonald Photography


OutdooR   Portraits


Beautiful, natural portrait sessions along the North East coast

A young blonde mother with tattoos sits on a beach blanket, lovingly holding her baby dressed in white.

There is something so special about being outdoors together. The wind in your hair, the sand between your toes, the light catching your little one's face as they run ahead of you. These are the moments that feel most like you.


Our outdoor sessions are designed to capture your family exactly as you are, in beautiful, natural surroundings. Relaxed, unhurried, and beautifully real.



The way they reach for your hand. The laugh you can't contain. The look between you that says everything. These are the moments we capture.
Family of five sitting on sandy beach dunes, parents with three young children enjoying a sunny day outdoors.
A smiling couple embraces warmly in a sunlit forest, the woman hugging the bald man from behind among green trees.
A smiling man sits on a sandy beach blanket with two young boys stacked behind him in a playful pose.
Family of five walking barefoot on a sandy beach, with two boys in front and parents holding a baby behind.
Father crouching with young son at water's edge on rocky beach, looking at stones together.
Close-up of baby feet touching sand at the beach, held by tattooed adult hands in black and white.
Couple smiling and embracing on sandy beach dunes, woman with blonde hair leaning against man in white shirt on sunny day.
Two young boys playing with sand on a sunny beach, with the ocean visible in the background.
Black and white close-up of a couple gazing at each other tenderly outdoors.
Two children walk along a sunlit forest trail surrounded by green trees.
Smiling father sits on beach blanket with happy toddler boy dressed in white waffle outfit.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing on a sandy beach, woman leaning against man's chest.
Black and white photo of father carrying toddler on shoulders at sandy beach dunes.
A woman and young blonde girl explore ferns together on a woodland path.
A smiling young blonde boy sits confidently in the branches of a large tree in a sunny green outdoor setting.
Blonde mother with tattoo lifting smiling baby in white bonnet outdoors on sandy dunes.
A teenager holds a toddlers hand on a sandy beach, both barefoot wearing white tops and blue bottoms.
A smiling father lifts his baby joyfully on a sunny beach with blue ocean in the background.
Blonde mother sitting on beach blanket holding smiling baby in white bonnet and dress among sandy dunes.
Bald man kissing cheek of laughing young girl on rope swing in shaded woodland setting.
Two people standing barefoot on a rocky sandy beach shore with gentle ocean waves washing over their feet.
A mother tenderly kisses her baby girl wearing a white bonnet in a black and white portrait photo.
A mother and young daughter share a tender nose-to-nose moment in a sunlit forest, both wearing matching grey dresses.
A barefoot child runs through sandy beach dunes with green grass, wearing a white tee and blue jeans.
Young boy and toddler play together with sand on a sunny beach by the ocean.
Two young girls laughing and playing on a rope swing in a lush green forest setting.
Black and white portrait of smiling couple holding their baby in a white bonnet during an outdoor photoshoot.
Three smiling children hugging in a sunlit forest, surrounded by green plants and wildflowers.
Black and white photo of a mother holding a baby while a toddler walks beside her on a rocky beach.
Black and white photo of an older boy carrying a younger child on a sandy beach with dunes in the background.
Family of five sitting on sandy beach dunes, parents with newborn baby and two young boys on a blanket.
Laughing father gives toddler a shoulder ride as child reaches up for a high five at the beach.
A bald father lovingly holds his laughing blonde daughter in a sunlit forest setting.
Adorable toddler in white waffle outfit stands on sandy beach holding an adult hand by the ocean.
A bald man carries a laughing blonde girl on his shoulders along a sunlit forest path surrounded by green trees.
A couple standing on a beach, the woman holding a newborn baby dressed in white, sharing a tender moment.
A smiling blonde girl reaches for yellow wildflowers in a sunny garden.
Black and white photo of a father crouching with his young child on a rocky beach, sharing a tender moment by the ocean.
Smiling bald man holding young boy on rope swing in sunlit forest, both wearing white shirts.
Smiling father carries his young toddler on his shoulders on a sunny sandy beach.

Your Photographer


Meet   Annabelle

Our outdoor sessions are photographed by Annabelle, who trained with Emma and shoots under the Emma McDonald Photography brand. She brings the same warmth, quality, and attention to detail you'd expect from us, just in a gorgeous outdoor setting.


Annabelle is relaxed, friendly, and brilliant at putting families at ease. She knows the best spots, the best light, and exactly how to capture your family just being yourselves.


You're in really good hands.

 

Joyful parent and child playing together on white floor.

I’m Annabelle...

I'm a lifestyle photographer based in the North East.

I’ve always loved capturing photos of people and places, but it was my own children, Louis (5), and Annie (3), who inspired me to take photography seriously and focus on preserving meaningful moments.

From the excitement of pregnancy and newborn cuddles to the laughter, chaos and connection of the teenage years, I love capturing the different stages of family life as they naturally unfold.

I believe childhood goes far too fast, which is why I focus on the little things, the laughter, the smiles, the chaos, the comfort and the connection between loved ones.

My photographs are all about preserving honest memories that families can hold onto forever.



A toddler in white shirt and jeans plays energetically against a bright white background.

My approach is...

relaxed, flexible and completely centred around your family. I know that every child, parent and family dynamic is different, so my sessions are focused on allowing moments to unfold naturally, without stiff posing or pressure.


My priority is making sure everyone feels comfortable, calm and able to simply be themselves. I believe the most meaningful photographs come from genuine connection.


For me, a photoshoot is about more than simply taking photographs , it’s about creating a special experience for your family to slow down, spend time together and make memories in the moment, while capturing memories you’ll be able to look back on for years to come.


I can't wait to meet you and your family, and capture all those real, natural moments together.

love Annabelle x


Your Session


O u t d o o r  

P o r t r a i t s







 

£200

 

Duration

Up to 1.5 hours



Participants

Up to 5




Dogs

Welcome

 

Book Now

 

 

 

Locations





 

 

 

Blyth Beach

 

 

Druridge Bay

 

 

Seaton Sluice Beach

 

 

Longsands Beach

 

 

Whitley Bay Beach

 

 

Additional locations available on request. Autumn and winter woodland locations coming soon.

 

What's Included



25+ professionally edited images

Delivered in both colour and black & white

Full-resolution downloads

Private online gallery


No hidden extras. No sales appointments. No pressure.




£50 deposit to secure your booking. Remainder due on the day of the session.

           Klarna available to spread the cost.



You'll meet Annabelle at the agreed location, everything is relaxed and family-led. We move through the location naturally, capturing you as you walk, play, and explore together.


Annabelle will gently guide you into a few group setups throughout, nothing stiff or formal, just natural positioning in beautiful light.


We capture different combinations throughout. Each parent with each child, siblings together, couples, and individual portraits of the children. Plus all the real, unplanned moments in between.

What To Expect

A father lifts his toddler at the beach shoreline, waves gently washing over the sandy shore on a sunny day.

 

Good To Know

 


Weather

Sessions take place outdoors, so we keep a close eye on the forecast. If conditions aren't looking great, we'll be in touch to reschedule. We'd always rather wait for beautiful light and a relaxed session than push through bad weather.


What To Wear

Think soft, neutral tones that coordinate rather than match. Whites, creams, beiges, and earth tones all work beautifully outdoors. Avoid bold patterns and bright logos.


Timing

Whether it's soft golden evening light or a relaxed weekend daytime session, we'll find a time that suits your family. Exact timing is confirmed at booking.


LITTLE ONES

Sessions are available for families and children aged 6 months and up. There's no pressure for little ones to sit still or perform. We let them explore and be themselves, and that's when the best moments happen.

Book Now

From The Coast

 

 

Three smiling children hugging in a sunlit forest, surrounded by green plants and wildflowers.
Black and white photo of adult and child standing barefoot together on a sandy beach with gentle waves.
Mother with tattoos helping baby girl stand on sandy beach.
A woman and young blonde girl explore ferns together on a woodland path.
A parent and toddler holding hands on a sandy beach, both wearing white tops, with the ocean in the background.
A bald father lovingly holds his laughing blonde daughter in a sunlit forest setting.
Black and white photo of a smiling baby in a bonnet being held up by a blonde woman on a beach.
A smiling blonde girl reaches for yellow wildflowers in a sunny garden.
Two children walk along a sunlit forest trail surrounded by green trees.
Father lifting toddler at beach shoreline, waves washing over sandy shore on sunny day.
A smiling young blonde boy sits confidently in the branches of a large tree in a sunny green outdoor setting.
Family of five sitting on sandy beach dunes, parents with newborn baby and two young boys, smiling outdoors.
Bald man kissing cheek of laughing young girl on rope swing in shaded woodland setting.
Black and white photo of a mother kissing her baby girl wearing a white bonnet.
A mother and young daughter share a tender nose-to-nose moment in a sunlit forest, both wearing matching grey dresses.
A smiling couple embraces warmly in a sunlit forest, the woman hugging the bald man from behind among green trees.
Adorable toddler in white waffle outfit standing on sandy beach.
Father and young child crouch together on a rocky beach shoreline in a tender black and white photo.
A bald man carries a laughing blonde girl on his shoulders along a sunlit forest path surrounded by green trees.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple embracing on sandy beach dunes with grass in the background.
Smiling bald man holding young boy on rope swing in sunlit forest, both wearing white shirts.
Father joyfully lifts his young child overhead on a sunny beach with blue ocean waves in the background.
Two young girls laughing and playing on a rope swing in a lush green forest setting.
Black and white photo of a smiling man carrying a toddler on his shoulders, with the child reaching out.

 

We'd love to hear from you



If you'd like to find out more or you're ready to book your outdoor session, drop us a message. We're always happy to chat.

 

Get In Touch