Garden & Outdoor Space Photography: Selling the Lifestyle in Somerset

| Tips & Guides

A professional photographer's guide to making your garden and outdoor spaces shine in property listings. Learn about seasonal timing, staging...

As a property photographer with over 17 years of experience covering the beautiful landscapes of Somerset, Bristol, and Bath, I can tell you that a stunning garden is a huge selling point. It’s not just about showing the space; it’s about selling a lifestyle. Whether it’s a sprawling country garden in the heart of the Mendips or a chic, compact courtyard in Clifton, the right photographs can make a buyer fall in love before they even step through the door. Somerset gardens are some of the most beautiful in the country. As a property photographer in Somerset, I always make outdoor spaces a priority.

In this guide, I’ll share my top tips for garden and outdoor space photography, helping you to present your home’s exterior in its very best light.

The time of year you choose to photograph your garden can have a dramatic impact on the final images.

A little preparation goes a long way. Before I arrive to take the photos, I always advise my clients to do the following:

Staging isn’t just for interiors. Thoughtful staging can transform your outdoor space from a simple patch of grass into an aspirational lifestyle.

Light is everything in photography, and I’m a huge advocate for using natural light wherever possible. My HDR (High Dynamic Range) technique involves blending multiple exposures to capture the full detail in both the bright highlights and the deep shadows, which is perfect for the challenging lighting conditions of outdoor photography.

Don’t forget the appeal of an evening shot. If you have outdoor lighting, a well-lit garden at dusk can look incredibly magical and luxurious. It suggests a space that can be enjoyed at all hours, extending the living area of the home.

This is where drone photography really comes into its own. An overhead shot can show the full extent of the garden, its layout, and its relationship to the house. It can also highlight features that are difficult to appreciate from the ground, like a large, mature tree or an intricate planting scheme. All of my photography packages include drone shots as standard, because I believe they offer an invaluable perspective for potential buyers.

One of the things I love about working in this part of the world is the sheer variety of properties. From the sprawling gardens of country manors near Glastonbury to the cleverly designed courtyards of townhouses in Bath, each space has its own unique character. The key is to identify what makes your garden special and to make sure that’s what the photographs highlight. Is it the stunning view over the Somerset Levels? The sense of privacy and seclusion? The clever use of a small space? Whatever it is, that’s the story we need to tell.

Ultimately, great garden photography is about creating an emotional connection. It’s about helping potential buyers to imagine themselves in that space, enjoying a morning coffee on the patio, a summer barbecue with friends, or a quiet evening under the stars. If you’re thinking of selling your property in Somerset, Bristol, or the surrounding areas, get in touch to find out how I can help you capture the heart and soul of your home.

Timing is Everything: The Importance of Seasons

Preparing Your Garden for its Close-Up

Staging for Success: Selling the Dream

The Magic of Light: Day and Night

The Drone’s Eye View: Capturing the Bigger Picture

Somerset’s Gardens: From Rural Retreats to Urban Oases