Cornwall Archives - Marianne Taylor Photography | Portrait & Family Photographer in Cornwall

Solo Portraits: Johanna on Crantock Beach in north Cornwall

June 22, 2026 · Leave a Comment

As I dust off the corners of this blog, I keep finding little sessions that I’ve done here and there over the years that I never blogged. It seems that I wasn’t THAT dormant after all, it’s like I’ve been regularly getting hits of portrait sessions to keep my need for working with humans satiated!

Johanna is a photographer based in Finland, and one of my oldest dearest friends. When she was updating her materials, she needed new portraits, so when she came to Cornwall for a visit, it seemed obvious that we needed to head down to the beach for this session.

If you’re looking for a portrait session in Cornwall, Crantock beach with its gentle dunes and magical evening light never disappoint!

Jonnie: male model portfolio session on Fistral Beach in Newquay

April 28, 2019 · 1 Comment

On a still slightly chilly spring day, we had a commercial shoot booked in with Jonnie, and since he drove five hours (!) to come all the way to Cornwall, we decided to also shoot a little beachy portfolio session – would have felt like a waste of all that traveling otherwise! Even though we didn’t see the sun, we did get an almost empty beach to play on!

‘For me, Cornwall is a getaway, somewhere I associate with freedom. Having moved there for the better part of 6 months, which was originally supposed to be only 2 months, it played a significant role in forming my opinions on things such as the environment, as the Cornish coastlines offers some of the best views I’ve seen in this country (best experienced on a surfboard at 5am!). I am still amazed whenever I visit at how much diversity is catered for, as the range of lifestyles and cultures I have come across here is so broad. I tend to visit every couple of months to visit family but if I was not tied up at home I’d be there every other week!’

– Jonnie

I had such a lovely time on this shoot, and, as you can see from the quote above, Cornwall means a lot to Jonnie, so it felt like a privilege to get to capture him in the environment he loves so much.

Lydia : autumnal Cornish model portfolio shoot in the dunes

October 30, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Cornwall provides such a gorgeous backdrop to photography and creating portfolio images for local models is something that I really enjoy doing. I love the autumnal beachy tones and warm light that we captured in this portfolio session with Lydia.

‘I found my relationship with Cornwall very early on in my life. For years my mum and dad would bring me down here for the perfect summer get away. But three years stuck out in particular when me, mum and my brother would stuff our rucksacks to the brim, find our way down to the coast and walk the perimeter of cornwall wild camping and finding every beach we possibly could. I still dream of the mornings we would wake up and find seals greeting us in the sea and the warm Cornish sun finding its way over the horizon. Is it any wonder I fell in love with this place?’

– Lydia

Thanks for sharing your Cornish Love Story and for making my job such a dream, Lydia!

The Ling Family : Family fun on the beach

October 8, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Over the years, we’ve had a few photographic adventures with Wendy and Martin in places like Paris and London. Now, after having grown into a family of four, they came down to Cornwall for a family shoot on the beach. It was special to get to still feel connected to their journey, as well as spending time on my home turf.

‘There’s nothing better than lovely beaches and beautiful sceneries in Cornwall, not to mention the Cornish Pasty! Since we first visited 3 years ago, we have made it our annual summer getaway from the hustle and bustle of busy cities just to relax and enjoy the sea breeze.’

– Wendy & Martin

Wendy and Marin, it was such a pleasure to meet your growing family, and get to spend time with you in my beautiful Cornwall. I’m sure there will be many more shoots to come in the years to come!

Halloween Bride in the cornfield

October 30, 2017 · 5 Comments

Happy Halloween! Here’s something in equal measures spooky and cute (I don’t really do scary and grim :D) for you. Lucie, whom I work with regularly, has been pleading for us to do a Halloween-themed shoot for ages, and finally, I relented! My only wish was that we’d keep things on the pretty side, and that’s where make-up artist Abi Murray came in. She created this gorgeous pink toned candy skull make-up for Lucie, which played on the theme beautifully without being too gruesome.

Whether you love Halloween or not, I hope you’ll enjoy this candy skull bride in her cornfield kingdom!

THE TEAM

Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Make-up: Abi Murray

Cliffside Engagement Session in Cornwall

July 26, 2017 · 4 Comments

Technically, these two cuties are already married, but because of the timing of their nuptials, they didn’t have an opportunity to arrange a proper wedding party until now. While the ceremony on the day will be called a Vow Renewal, the day is most definitely a genuine wedding day for them and their family. They even travelled down to Cornwall for their engagement session, which I couldn’t have been happier about!

These two are possibly the sweetest couple I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with, and I can’t wait for their London wedding day in just a few weeks!

Editorial Portraits : sunset surf

April 10, 2017 · 1 Comment

A sure sign of summer approaching Cornwall is when the evenings get longer and it’s warm enough to pop out for a sunset surf under a perfectly pink sky. This shoot felt like blowing off of the cobwebs of winter, and feeling alive again! Just how amazing is that sky?

THE TEAM

Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Swimwear: Protest

Romance in Cornwall with the Cornish Concierge

March 14, 2017 · 5 Comments

I’m so so excited to be working in collaboration with the fabulous Cornish Concierge to bring you the ultimate couples weekend in Cornwall! Combining a photo shoot with hairstyling, a makeup artist, a private chauffeur and lots of little luxury touches, this experience is perfect for a pre-wedding shoot, engagement celebration, or an anniversary getaway.

Come enjoy the best that the gorgeous Cornish coast can offer, and experience the ultimate way to create beautiful photographs to last a lifetime. See more details over on the Cornish Concierge website!

Wintery Family Session in Cornwall

January 26, 2017 · 2 Comments

Lydia got in touch to arrange a Family Session, as she had managed to gather her whole family, who are spread over great distances, together in order to spend Christmas in Cornwall. On a slightly damp and grey day, we made full use of the beautiful garden outside their rented cottage and captured this special moment in time. The weather might have a been a bit on the chilly side, but all the jokes and laughter made for a warm couple of hours spent together!

A birthday celebration at Padstow Kitchen Garden

September 13, 2016 · 4 Comments

How about a surprise birthday party on a working farm in Cornwall, where you get flown in by a helicopter and where the ingredients of your birthday meal come from within a few miles? That’s exactly how Jo’s birthday party played out, and it certainly was an affair to remember!

Held in the cutest tepee at Padstow Kitchen Garden, planned to perfection by The Cornish Concierge, it was just the most amazing setting for a family gathering in Jo’s honour. There were wildly gorgeous flower arrangements by This Rugged Coast, beautiful stationery by Ariadne Creative and a spectacular cake made into the spitting image of Jo’s dog by Peboryon, all accompanied by acoustic music by Toby Lobb aka Loveridgemusic.

Farmer Ross Geach (who also writes a column for the Telegraph) took the birthday party for a tour of the farm, where the hors d’oeuvres were prepared fresh right in front of them. After working up an appetite doing archery and other activities, it was time to sit down for a three-course meal prepared in the outdoor kitchen by Jackson Bristow.

It was such a pleasure to get to photograph this intimate party and get to spend a day in such a beautiful setting, I really hope the pictures convey the relaxed and joyous atmosphere!

The Magic of Cornwall: surfer lifestyle portraits

July 19, 2016 · 5 Comments

Seeing that there’s a heatwave sweeping across the UK, I thought it appropriate to share these sunny Cornish lifestyle portraits!

Lucie is a surfer and surfing instructor based down here in Newquay, North Cornwall. These portraits were taken as a part of a shoot inspired by the laid-back surfer lifestyle of the Cornish coast. The Atlantic Ocean calls surfers to its embrace no matter what time of year it is, and Lucie is an example of someone who lives for the sea, and of it. Her passion is truly infectious! I hope you enjoy this shoot, and perhaps get inspired to come down to Cornwall for a lifestyle shoot (or a surf!) of your own!

THE TEAM

Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Hair: Severin Hepburn of Hepburn Collection
Jewellery: Jane’s Handmade Jewellery
Surfboard: Adam’s surfboards
Accessories: Roo’s Beach
BTS video (coming soon!): The Storycatchers

Rose & Robin : Joyful anniversary session by the sea

July 18, 2016 · 5 Comments

It’s crazy to think it’s four years since Rose & Robin’s wedding day! To celebrate, these lovely souls travelled to Cornwall for an anniversary photography session by the sea. It was just the loveliest to get to share some giggles and beautiful moments with Rose & Robin again, and to see that four years on, they are as madly in love as ever!

I really wouldn’t mind if I got to spend the rest of my life standing on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, taking pictures of people in love. That would be just fine with me.

(Also, hydrangea game in Cornwall = strong)

Jeannie & Billy : Coastal pre-wedding session in Cornwall

May 31, 2016 · 12 Comments

Jeannie & Billy, who are getting married in Hong Kong later this year, knew they wanted to have engagement photos taken in the UK. But since they were open to other locations than London I, of course, jumped at the chance to get to do their pre-wedding session in Cornwall!

Pre-wedding sessions are a common thing in certain countries where the wedding day locations (and huge sizes of the weddings themselves) don’t necessarily allow for a proper portrait session on the day itself. So, many couples opt for having a longer engagement session during which they’ll change into a few different looks, including a wedding gown, and often these images will be then displayed on the wedding day. I’ve been shooting pre-wedding sessions in London for many years, but now that I’m down in Cornwall I really hope my clients will see the potential of the amazing landscape here and travel down for some truly magical backdrops for their images!

Before getting started, Sally Orchard worked her make-up magic on Jeannie and Alice Jane Hair Design was in charge of the two different hairstyles of the day. During our three-part session, we managed to visit cute little villages, as well as some of my favourite beaches and majestic cliff tops. We also experienced a wide variety of weather from sunny and summery to full on fog during the same day!

P. S. I know there are a lot of images, but I’m finding hard to narrow them down further, I just loved every minute of this shoot, and I love all the photos!

The Siren of the Sea : Elli

May 18, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I met Elli for the first time when she was just 3 months old. A few years later, she was the subject of one of my favourite portraits I’ve ever taken. Now, at thirteen, she is turning into such a beautiful and gentle young woman, and I couldn’t be happier that I had the chance to photograph her here in my beloved Cornwall! I don’t know what it is, but my soul is at its happiest doing these shoots, feeling the wind and hearing the roar of the ocean.

If you want to have your own Siren of the Sea portrait shoot down here in North Cornwall, do get in touch! (Likewise, if you have a woman or a girl in your life you’d like to treat to a beautiful experience & some pretty magical images!)

The Magic of Cornwall: The Siren of the Sea

March 31, 2016 · 12 Comments

Ever since I moved to Cornwall, I’ve yearned to do a shoot that incorporated some of the stunning scenery here, from the beautiful beaches to the magnificent cliffs with views over the majestic Atlantic Ocean, combined with the kind of portrait photography I want to do more of in the future. When I came across Lucie, who’s a local surfer and a model, I knew she was a ready-made Siren of the Sea, and I couldn’t wait to photograph her!

Putting this shoot together was also a chance to get to know and work with some of the incredibly talented suppliers in the local area, and I really couldn’t have been happier with our little team. Here’s to creating many more beautiful things together in the future!

I hope you’ll enjoy these images, and perhaps even get inspired to travel down to the breathtaking North Cornwall to have your very own day as a Siren!

The Team

Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Hair: Joanne Einnis of Gold Bird Hair Design
Make-up: Chloe Drew
Flower crown: Elle Grime of Inspire Hire
Gowns: Minna

The year in pictures

December 31, 2015 · 7 Comments

Favourite images from 2015 by Marianne Taylor Photography.

What a strange and wonderful year 2015 has been! When we were leaving Cornwall after a short stay last December, I remember saying a silent goodbye to the ocean and wishing I never had to leave… It’s kind of mindblowing that now, a year later, we actually live here!

Most of 2015 got swept up by the whole rigmarole of selling our old home, finding and purchasing not only a new house in Cornwall, but also a little ‘city base’ closer to London, and everything that goes with it, including two moves. We’re still trying to figure out the new rhythm of life, when to be where, how to get used to the travelling, but there’s one thing that’s certain – I’m never happier than under the Cornish sky, watching my beloved ocean.

Despite the year being a bit of a whirlwind with lots of new challenges on all fronts, I did get to take photos of some wonderful people and beautiful events, while also mentoring many incredible photographers via Her Lovely Heart. I hope you’ll enjoy this small collection of my favourite photos from 2015!

Coastline in Cornwall, UK.

Photographer in Cornwall.

Family Beloved Together Photography in Bushy Park London by Marianne Taylor.

Fine art destination wedding photography in the South of France by Marianne Taylor. Click through to see more.

Creative wedding reportage photography by Marianne Taylor

Coastline in Cornwall, UK.

Are you a photographer or an aspiring creative business owner? Her Lovely Heart is my way of helping heart-led creatives to run their businesses with purpose, freedom, and joy. By subscribing to the Inspire Your Inbox letters, you’ll gain access to a library of free resources and worksheets, plus regular letters of inspiration from me straight to your inbox. Click here to join and receive instant access to The Library.

The Magic of Cornwall: family fun in the sun

June 22, 2015 · 1 Comment

Plan a family photography session in Cornwall. Click through for tips for places to stay and see!

Unfortunately a family photo shoot is too often a stressful dreaded date on the annual calendar, involving uncomfortable Sunday best clothes and awkward poses. But it doesn’t have to be! I’ve rather fallen in love with relaxed Family Together Sessions, and can’t wait to start doing more down in Cornwall. Wouldn’t you rather capture moments together while on a family weekend away to one of the most beautiful places the UK has to offer? Let me do your family shoot in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, and let’s make natural happy family memories to treasure together.

FAMILY-PORTRAIT-PHOTOGRAPHER-CORNWALL-0017
Cornwall photography by Marianne Taylor.

Things to Do

There’s so much to do for each member of the family. North Cornwall offers some brilliant family days out, including kite-surfing, cycling, rock pools and bird parks – read this article for some great ideas for the active family. Don’t forget Newquay if you are looking for a surfing weekend, and lots to do in a trendy yet family friendly destination.

FAMILY-PORTRAIT-PHOTOGRAPHER-CORNWALL-0003

Some images from a Family Together Session in Rock with The Millard Family.

FAMILY-PORTRAIT-PHOTOGRAPHER-CORNWALL-0004

Places to Stay

Here are some family friendly accommodation recommendations.

Sands Resort
A family run resort offering 2 roomed family accommodation, excellent facilities and complimentary family activities.

Beach Retreats
Self-catering accommodation on the Cornish coast offering a choice in size and price to suit your requirements. Pets are also accommodated and as a bonus, you can pre-order groceries which will be ready for you when you arrive.

Watergate Bay Hotel
On a spectacular beach in North Cornwall, this hotel offers a beach holiday complete with the ability to get active in the swim club or learn a new sport with the extreme academy offering lessons in surfing, kitesurfing, waveski, stand-up paddlesurf and handplaning.

Headland Hotel
An iconic family owned hotel and cottages in Newquay, offering a host of specials throughout the year to accommodate families – well worth checking out.

The Park at Mawgan Porth
Whatever your style of family holiday from camping to cottages to luxury summerhouses – you can find it all here. Close to one of the best beaches, with plenty of things to do, this is a great option for families and friends to get away together.

Perran Springs
Keen on camping, caravanning and getting back to nature for your holiday? Then this holiday park is just right for you. With different fishing options and nature trails, there is so much on offer here. For more holiday park options have a read here.

Cornwall photography by Marianne Taylor.

The iconic Headland Hotel in Newquay.

FAMILY-PORTRAIT-PHOTOGRAPHER-CORNWALL-0008

Cornwall photography by Marianne Taylor.

A Cornish sunset is the perfect way to end a day on the beach.

If you fancy combining a family holiday with a Family Together session, get in touch with me here and let’s talk!

The magic of Cornwall: cliff-top weddings by the sea

June 1, 2015 · 3 Comments

Plan your dream wedding in Cornwall. Click through for our recommendations for venues & vendors!

Over the years I’ve been so lucky to return to Cornwall over and over again for some of my favourite weddings, I have to pinch myself when I think that I will be living there permanently, and that these sort of affairs will be ‘the norm’! Cornwall offers many spectacular wedding venues with stunning sea views, gorgeous beach receptions, and cliff top wedding options like Trevose Head, which is my idea of wedding paradise. Here are some of my favourite memories from Cornish weddings.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0002 Beach-Wedding-In-Cornwall-Cliff-Top-0002

Jo & Tom’s wedding at Trevose Head.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0011

Some recommendations for wedding venues & places to stay in the North Cornwall area:

Watergate Bay
Looking for a beach side wedding venue with a gorgeous 2 mile long sandy beach as a backdrop, plus beautiful rooms and incredible restaurants? Perfectly suited for intimate weddings.

The Scarlet
A unique and informal atmosphere catering for intimate weddings for 6, as well as larger weddings up to 78 people. The packages include the ceremony and a meal with spectacular sea views, plus the rooms are to die for.

Fistral Beach Hotel
Get married overlooking Newquay’s epic Fistral Beach – the perfect venue for a laid back relaxed wedding with breathtaking scenery.

Headland Hotel
Organising luxury weddings to suit everyones budget, style and size, this iconic seaside venue allows you to create your perfect bespoke wedding.

Trevone Farm
Planning an intimate family wedding, or looking for a unique place for your guests to stay? These 4 luxury houses will accommodate 26 people and are perfectly positioned for a romantic retreat.

Lewinnick Lodge
If you’re looking for a breathtaking but intimate reception and honeymoon venue, look no further. Sea views, romance and luxury in modern contemporary rooms.

The Park at Mawgan Porth
A unique place with amazing food, and variety of cool accommodation options to suit every budget and every requirement.

Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall
Offering a stylish wedding venue with views across Watergate Bay, dance the night away after a lavish feast and an unforgettable wedding day.

The Smugglers Den Inn
Offering views of the valley towards Holywell Bay, this versatile dining venue offers everything you may need for your special occasion including private parking, a separate bar area, and enclosed terrace overlooking the dunes.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0012

Cathryn & Alex’s wedding at Lantallack Farm.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0021

Rebecca & Andi’s wedding in Mawgan Porth.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0005

Penny & Alex’s wedding at Trevose Head.

Wedding-In-Cornwall-on-clifftop-beach-0075

Some lovely people I’ve worked with in Cornwall:

Bespoke Humanist ceremonies by Zena Birch
Organically grown Flowers by The Garden Gate Flower Company
Handmade bespoke Cakes by The Natural Cake Company
Bespoke hand illustrated stationery on eco friendly paper by Charlie Scribble
Rustic and vintage wedding prop hire by Rustic Wedding Hire

Cornish cliff-top weddings are part of the reason I love Cornwall so much, as wedding photography is my passion – capturing the moments when people are at their happiest is such a privilege!

Contact me here for your wedding photography requirements in Cornwall.

The magic of Cornwall: plan a romantic getaway

May 25, 2015 · 1 Comment

As I’m getting closer to the BIG MOVE over to Cornwall (woop!), I thought I’d share some of my recommendations for romantic getaways. Whether you’re planning an engagement, pre-wedding or anniversary shoot, you couldn’t ask for a prettier setting than the quintessentially British seaside town of Padstow, or the wild and rugged coastline around Newquay, with its multiple beaches, such as Watergate Bay, which is the perfect place to stay if one or both of you would like to try your hand at surfing!

Cornwall is a stunning county, set on a peninsula completely surrounded by the sea, with a dramatic coastline, stunning cliff-tops, miles of sandy beaches and picturesque fishing harbours. It offers so many things for a perfect couple’s getaway – from the art scene to the food scene, walking trails, water-sports and amazing Celtic history. It’s also easy to reach by air with its own airport and regular flights from London and other European cities (with Exeter airport only a short drive away with even more flight destinations), or by train and car.

The picturesque fishing town of Padstow.

Kelly & Nik’s anniversary session in Fowey.

St. Ives, a gorgeous seaside town brimming with arts, culture and Cornish atmosphere.

My recommendations for romantic places to stay in the north Cornwall area (where I’ll be based) include:

Watergate Bay Hotel
Perfect for a beach holiday, especially for keen surfers – this hotel offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Be active or just chill and enjoy – everything is designed to offer you the best of Cornish hospitality.

Scarlet Hotel
Cornwall’s escape for adults only, offering luxurious rooms each with their own individual outside space, is your chance to get away to for a private romantic break. Stunning views of gardens, cliffs, sea and sky, great food at the Scarlet restaurant and the in house Spa treatments on offer will go a long way to recharging your batteries.

Beach Retreats
Self catering holiday homes with that extra touch help you make the most of your break away. Pre-order groceries for your holiday and arrive to everything packed away and ready for you.

Fistral Beach Hotel
Breath-taking cliff top views from luxurious rooms with your choice of added extras to make that special occasion just that little bit extra special. Check out the special break packages on offer and book your seaside adventure now.

Headland Hotel
A family owned hotel or self catering cottages with spectacular views, Cornwalls only 5 bubble spa and fine dining available – there is something to suit everyone’s requirements for the perfect romantic get-away.

Pen & Cam’s anniversary session on Pentire Head in Newquay.

Whether you’re a first-timer, or an avid Cornwall visitor, I guarantee your time there will hold precious memories. Let me capture those memories in a Together Session, while you are relaxed and enjoying a special time away. I can showcase your love story and create timeless memories to treasure forever. No matter what the occasion is, it’s all about the two of you together, focusing on one another and celebrating your love.

Contact me here for your Together Session in Cornwall.

Pen & Cam | Together

February 25, 2015 · 9 Comments

Here’s a session that’s super close to my heart. Not only do I completely adore Pen & Cam, but I got to capture their Anniversary Together Session at Pentire Head in Newquay, Cornwall, which is one of the most beautiful places on earth (and soon to be right at my doorstep!). The wind might have been bracing, but these two rays of happiness brought their own microclimate to this portrait shoot, challenging even the sun to come out to play. This is the kind of photography I could do all day every day with a huge smile on my face.