Outdoor Family Photography Near Ely: The Best Spots and What to Expect

For family portrait photography, Ely and the area around it offer something special: natural settings with a sense of space, history and light that is rare in the east of England. If you are based closer to the city, my family portrait photography in Cambridge guide covers the best spots there.

Most urban family photography sessions compete with traffic, strangers walking through the frame, and the general visual noise of busy environments. Ely, by contrast, offers calm. The cathedral city is small and walkable, the riverside is rarely crowded outside summer weekends, and the countryside immediately beyond the city edge opens into wide, photogenic fenland within minutes.

The light in the Fens is famously beautiful; painters have been drawn to Cambridgeshire’s skies for centuries. The flat terrain means the sky occupies a larger proportion of any photograph than it would in a hillier landscape, and when that sky is dramatic at golden hour, the results are extraordinary.

The meadows below Ely Cathedral, running along the Great Ouse riverbank, are our single most used family photography location near Ely. The combination of water, open grassland, willow trees and the cathedral in the background photographs beautifully in every season.

Children can run freely here. The environment encourages the natural movement and play that makes family photographs feel alive rather than posed. During spring and summer the grass is long and wildflowers are abundant; in autumn, fallen leaves and lower light create a completely different but equally beautiful mood. Free parking is available near the riverside. Best time: evening golden hour in summer from 8:00pm; mid-morning light in spring and autumn.

Wicken Fen is 16 miles north-east of Cambridge and just 10 miles south-east of Ely: an accessible and outstanding location for more adventurous family photography sessions. The ancient fen landscape of reeds, sedge fields, open water and wooden boardwalks creates a backdrop that feels genuinely wild and unique.

This location works particularly well for older children and families who enjoy being in nature. Younger children with wellies love the boardwalks and exploration. The wide, open terrain gives plenty of space to work with natural light from any direction. It is also a wonderful spot at golden hour, as I cover in my golden hour photography in Cambridgeshire guide.

The marina area on the Great Ouse provides a completely different feel from the meadows: boats, reflective water, and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere. This is a great choice for families who want variety and a slightly more contemporary feel to their images. Summer evenings here are particularly lovely, with golden light reflecting off the water and a warm, holiday atmosphere.

Cherry Hill is a small but elevated mound near the cathedral offering panoramic views across the fenland. While not spacious enough for active sessions with very young children, it works beautifully for parent-couple portraits or small family groups where the landscape backdrop is the priority.

The villages surrounding Ely, including Little Thetford, Stretham and Haddenham, offer charming rural backdrops: thatched cottages, village greens, meadows and country lanes. For families with a connection to these communities, incorporating local landmarks can make a session feel particularly personal.

Most outdoor family sessions run for 90 minutes to 2 hours. This allows time for everyone, particularly young children, to settle in, for natural moments to develop, and for a variety of locations and compositions. From a 90-minute session you can typically expect 60 to 90 edited images in high resolution, delivered via an online gallery within two weeks.

For Ely’s countryside and riverside settings, natural tones work beautifully: sage green, cream, terracotta, stone and navy all complement the fenland palette. Avoid bright neons or heavily branded clothing, and bring comfortable footwear, as riverside meadows can be uneven and occasionally muddy.

• Spring (March to May): blossom, new growth and soft morning light. Beautiful for young families.
• Summer (June to August): long evenings and golden hour sessions in meadows. The most popular period.
• Autumn (September to November): dramatic light, warm tones and fallen leaves. The most beautiful season for landscape.
• Winter (December to February): low winter sun, frost and clear fenland skies. Quieter, but capable of extraordinary images.

At Immortal Photography we offer family and portrait sessions at all of the locations described above, as well as further afield across Cambridge, Huntingdon and the wider Cambridgeshire area.

For further information on visiting Wicken Fen, the National Trust Wicken Fen page has everything you need. For camera and lens recommendations for outdoor family photography, Wex Photo Video offer an excellent range for every budget.