Somerset House Wedding Photographer – Modern Editorial on the Strand
Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyards, colonnades and river views meet a modern, editorial approach — calm portraits, unobtrusive coverage and refined evening images that feel cinematic yet unhurried, whether you’re celebrating in the Portico Rooms, Navy Board Rooms or Spring.
I regularly photograph weddings and receptions at Somerset House and Spring, balancing its neoclassical courtyards and river terraces with calm, editorial portraits and refined evening coverage
“Stunning pictures of our wedding day...she made sure everyone had their pictures even when we were being a little difficult! Which only shows how experienced Kseniia is in what needs to be done on the day to get great pictures afterwards. The colours, the detail, the variety, all the pictures are great. Highly recommend.”
Why Somerset House
Somerset House is one of London’s most cinematic wedding settings: a neoclassical courtyard at its heart, river terraces overlooking the Thames and a network of historic rooms that feel both grand and welcoming. Between the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, the Portico and Navy Board Rooms, Seamen’s Hall and the River Terrace, you have architecture, light and city views in a single address — all right on the Strand.
It suits couples who love design, food and atmosphere as much as photographs: editorial black-tie dinners in the Navy Board Rooms, courtyard celebrations that spill into Spring Restaurant, or ceremonies that move from historic interiors to contemporary terraces as day turns into evening. Whether you’re planning a refined civil ceremony, a Greek-heritage celebration like Georgio and Saadia’s, or a winter wedding that leans into Somerset House’s evening mood, it rewards thoughtful planning and a calm, attentive eye.
My approach here is modern, editorial and quietly observant. I work primarily in digital with a film-inspired palette — soft tones, gentle contrast and a considered pace — and carefully introduce film when it serves the story and timing. We’ll plan a small number of portrait windows so you’re not away from guests for long, make the most of the courtyards, terraces and staircases, and keep group photographs efficient and elegant, rather than drawn-out.
Spring at Somerset House
Spring — Skye Gyngell’s restaurant in the New Wing — hosts intimate ceremonies and refined receptions. The Salon (garden dining room) suits up to 36 seated; the Main Dining Room hosts up to 116 seated (around 150 standing), with areas for a reception and dancing. Spring is also licensed for civil ceremonies. Its generous daylight, soft textures and seasonal styling photograph beautifully for an elegant, modern look
Spaces & layout
Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court sits at the heart of Somerset House: a broad, cobbled quadrangle framed by Sir William Chambers’ neoclassical façades. By day, it feels airy and architectural, perfect for arrival frames, courtyard portraits or drinks receptions that flow naturally between sun and shade. By night, especially in winter or under event lighting, it becomes more theatrical — a dramatic backdrop for evening portraits, confetti moments or a final, quiet walk together at the end of the night.
Portico Rooms
The Portico Rooms are a suite of elegant 18th-century spaces with high ceilings, tall windows and views both into the courtyard and out towards the Thames. They work beautifully for ceremonies and intimate dinners, often around the 80–100 guest mark, though capacities depend on your exact layout. In photographs, the Portico Rooms offer luminous, flattering light, architectural detail and a sense of calm — ideal for vows, speeches and evening frames that feel composed without being stiff.
River Terrace
The River Terrace runs along the outer edge of Somerset House, with the building’s façade behind you and the Thames, bridges and skyline ahead. In good weather it’s often used for drinks receptions and summer parties; in photography terms, it’s where we can open up the frame and let the city breathe around you. Later in the day, the terrace works well for relaxed, editorial portraits, with the soft evening light and city lights adding layers to the images.
Navy Board Rooms
Steeped in history, the Navy Board Rooms combine sweeping staircases, marble fireplaces and wooden floors with large sash windows that look towards the river. They are often used for ceremonies and dinners for up to around 100 guests, and lend themselves to layered, editorial storytelling — from preparations on the Nelson Staircase to candlelit toasts inside. The light changes throughout the day, but the rooms always photograph with a warm, considered atmosphere.
Seamen’s Hall
Seamen’s Hall sits at river level, with marble floors, Corinthian columns and large windows that look out to the Thames and terrace. It’s frequently used for receptions and dinners, often in conjunction with the River Terrace and Fountain Court, creating a natural flow between interior and exterior. For photography, it provides a classic, candlelit London backdrop: reflections on stone, warm light on skin and plenty of depth for compositions that feel both grand and intimate.
Somerset House - at a glance
Key spaces & typical capacities
Portico Rooms — up to 200 (events)
Navy Board Rooms — up to 100 (events)
River Terrace — up to 500 standing (events)
Seamen’s Hall — up to 200 (events)
East Wing — up to 299 (events)
Licensed for ceremonies: Portico Rooms & Navy Board Rooms (on-site).
Spring Restaurant (in Somerset House)
The Salon (garden dining room) — up to 36 seated
Main Dining Room — up to 116 seated / ~150 standing; licensed for civil ceremonies.
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All capacities above are a general guide only — always confirm exact numbers and configurations with Somerset House’s events team when planning your day
Logistics & Photo Flow
Most Somerset House weddings move between a handful of core spaces: ceremony and dinner in the Portico or Navy Board Rooms, drinks in the courtyard or on the River Terrace, and some time in Seamen’s Hall or Spring. We’ll build a simple photography plan that follows that flow, rather than adding extra complexity: a small portrait window after the ceremony, coverage of drinks as they naturally unfold, and a short evening session once the light softens or the courtyard is lit.
Because Somerset House is both a working arts centre and a private site, there are specific routes, timings and photography guidelines to respect. I’m used to working within those expectations: coordinating with your planner and the in-house events team, keeping flash discreet where needed, and ensuring we move between spaces in a way that feels smooth and unobtrusive for you and your guests. The aim is always to work with the building and its schedule, so the day feels seamless rather than stop-start.
Portraits are planned around your real timetable and the light on the day. In summer, that might mean a brief loop through the colonnades and courtyard between ceremony and dinner, with a second, softer session after sunset on the terrace. In winter or on rainy days, we’ll lean into the covered arches, staircases and interior spaces — making the most of reflections, doorway light and considered flash to keep everything flattering and atmospheric. You won’t be away from your guests for long; we’ll work quickly, with clear direction, then let you return to your celebration.
Somerset House can feel busy, especially around the courtyard and fountains. We’ll plan portraits for pockets of quieter time and use the colonnades, staircases and side courtyards so your images feel composed and calm, even when the building is alive around you.
Portrait spots in and around Somerset House
Arches and colonnades
The covered colonnades around the courtyard are some of the most versatile portrait locations at Somerset House. Their arches, shadows and repeating lines lend themselves to modern, editorial compositions in both sunshine and rain. On digital, they keep the palette soft and tonal; when film is appropriate, the texture of stone and the fall-off of light photograph beautifully here.
Staircases and galleries
From the Nelson Staircase to the internal corridors and galleries, there are staircases and passageways that feel quietly cinematic — sweeping curves, balustrades, pockets of window light. These spots are ideal for short portrait intervals between courses or before guests enter dinner, giving you a handful of structured yet intimate frames without needing to leave the building.
River-facing terraces and arches
The River Terrace and the arches that connect to it offer a completely different energy: open sky, bridges and the city running along the Thames. These locations work particularly well for couples who want a sense of “London” in their portraits without busy pavements or tourists. Here I tend to keep posing simple and let the wind, light and skyline do most of the work, using film or digital according to the conditions.
Surrounding streets and approach
The streets leading to Somerset House — along the Strand, towards the river and nearby lanes — can also be used sparingly for a few walking portraits or a quiet moment before you rejoin your guests. These frames tend to feel more spontaneous and documentary: crossing a road together, waiting at a crossing, or pausing by a doorway just off the main flow of the event.
Fountain Court and cobbles
When the fountains are running, the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court adds movement and light to the courtyard; when they are off, the cobbles and central space read as a grand, open stage. We can use the edges of the courtyard for portraits, keeping you slightly away from any public areas while still feeling the scale of the space. In the evening, with the building illuminated, even a five-minute step outside can produce some of the most memorable images of the day.
London wedding photography collections on the Pricing page
Somerset House & Spring gallery
FAQs
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For most weddings, 20–30 minutes is enough for a focused portrait session in the courtyard, colonnades or on the terrace, either straight after the ceremony or between courses. If you’d like both daytime and evening portraits, I recommend planning two shorter sessions rather than one long one, so you spend more of the day with your guests.
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Somerset House is very forgiving in bad weather: the arches, colonnades and interior staircases all work beautifully for sheltered portraits, and the reflections on the courtyard stones can look quietly cinematic. We’ll agree a rain-friendly version of the plan in advance and I’ll bring lighting that keeps everything flattering and atmospheric, without feeling like a studio.
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Whether a second photographer will genuinely add value depends on your plans. For more intimate Somerset House weddings, one photographer is often enough, especially if everything is in a single set of rooms. For larger guest numbers, multi-space days (for example, Navy Board Rooms plus River Terrace and Seamen’s Hall) or complex logistics, a second photographer can give us more angles and coverage without needing extra time in the schedule. I’ll always be honest in my proposal about whether it’s necessary
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Evening portraits in the courtyard, with the building lit and the fountains (if running) in the background, can be some of the most evocative images of the day. The exact timings and areas available will depend on your event schedule and any other activity in the space, so we’ll coordinate with your planner and Somerset House’s team. Often, slipping out briefly between courses or just after the first dance works well.
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Yes. Somerset House has generous covered colonnades, staircases and interior rooms that photograph beautifully in softer or wetter weather. We lean into those spaces — Portico Rooms, Navy Board Rooms, Seamen’s Hall and the arches around the courtyard — so your portraits feel calm and considered, even if the forecast is less than perfect.
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Prime dates and spaces at Somerset House often book out many months in advance, especially spring, early autumn and December. Most of my couples get in touch 9–18 months before their wedding; for weekday or off-peak dates, there can be more flexibility. Even if your date is soon, it’s always worth enquiring — I keep a limited number of dates open for venue-led celebrations like this.
Planning Somerset House or Spring? Let’s create something timeless
Share your date, spaces (Portico Rooms, Navy Board Rooms, River Terrace or Spring) and outline — I’ll send a bespoke proposal aligned to your timings and events. I reply personally, usually within one working day, and I’m happy to liaise with your planner from the start.