Auckland Family Photographer

Natural and timeless family photography for Auckland families

Lucy Rose - Auckland Family Photographer

I'm Lucy, a natural family photographer based in East Auckland, specialising in relaxed outdoor and lifestyle family photography across Auckland. I photograph families in beautiful Auckland locations including East Auckland, Howick, Bucklands Beach, Maraetai, Beachlands, Whitford, Cornwall Park and beyond, creating natural photographs that capture the connection, personalities and little moments that make your family unique.

Natural Family Photography in Auckland

My approach is relaxed and child-led rather than heavily posed. Whether we're exploring the beach at golden hour, wandering through a park or documenting your family in the comfort of your home, I'll gently guide you while allowing the genuine moments between you to unfold naturally.

Family Photography Sessions

Outdoor and beach sessions allow children to play, explore and interact naturally, while lifestyle sessions at home document everyday moments such as cuddles, stories and family time.

Extended family sessions bring multiple generations together, combining group portraits with smaller moments of connection. I also photograph in-home newborn and maternity sessions, capturing your growing family, new beginnings and the special relationships between you, your partner and your children.

What to Expect

Your family photography session is designed to feel relaxed, natural and FUN, rather than like a formal photoshoot. Before your session, we'll chat about your family, the location you're considering and what you're hoping to capture, so I can make sure your session feels personal to you.

On the day, I'll gently guide you while allowing plenty of space for your children to simply be themselves. There will be some beautiful portraits, but there will also be plenty of movement, cuddles, games, laughter and little moments happening in between. Here is where I get to show off my prior experience as a trained teacher / au-pair / child-whisperer.

After your session, I'll carefully select and edit the best images from our time together, preserving the natural colours, connection and emotion of your photographs. You'll receive a beautiful collection of images that tells the story of your family at this particular stage of life.

A Relaxed Approach to Photographing Children

I believe the best family photographs happen when children aren't expected to sit still and smile on command. My approach is relaxed and child-led, allowing your little ones to move, play, explore and show their personalities while I capture the connections that naturally unfold.

Having worked with young children for many years, I understand that every child is different. Some will happily run straight into the action, while others need a little more time to warm up. There is no pressure for your children to behave a certain way during your session, we'll work with their personalities rather than against them.

Auckland Family Photography Locations

Choosing the right location can make a huge difference to the feel of your family photographs. Auckland has an incredible variety of beautiful beaches, parks and natural spaces, from the coastline of East Auckland to the wide open spaces of Cornwall Park. I've put together a guide to some of my favourite family photography locations in East Auckland. Each location offers something a little different, and I'll help you choose the perfect setting based on your family, the ages of your children and the style of photographs you're looking for.

[Explore my guide to the best family photography locations in East Auckland →]

What to Wear for Family Photos

Choosing what to wear for your family photography session doesn't need to be stressful. I recommend soft, earthy and neutral tones that complement Auckland's natural surroundings and work beautifully with my light, natural photography style. I've put together a complete guide with practical tips and inspiration to help you plan your family's outfits, including what colours work well together, what to avoid and how to create a cohesive look without everyone looking overly coordinated.

[Read my guide to what to wear for your Auckland family photoshoot →]

Auckland Family Photographer Reviews

‘We loved every second of our evening session with Lucy. She’s extremely talented behind the lens, with a calm and fun aura that made my son and I feel relaxed and comfortable. Feeling beyond grateful to have these special memories to cherish, we are already looking forward to future family photos.’
- Eden
‘We felt at ease with Lucy as soon as we met her, the kids were comfortable from the get go and the shoot was easy! The photos that we received were so special and captured the moment perfectly.’
- Steph
‘Lucy did our newborn pics for us, so it was very special to book in another session. It felt totally relaxed and carefree, yet Lucy was definitely helping to guide us to get all the right shots. I loved how she encouraged my boy to show his toddler energy, and let the photos happen around him. Highly recommend!’
- Kate
‘We had a great time with Lucy, she was professional, friendly and obviously loves her job. Her photos were just what we were looking for, natural and high quality. Would highly recommend if you’re after an experienced photographer.’
- Jess

A dreamy and timeless photo of a young girl in a white dress sitting outdoors in tall grass, holding a small flower, gazing upward with a smile.

A woman and a young girl have their foreheads touching, smiling on a beach in black and white.

A young child with dark hair, wearing a striped shirt and dark shorts, sitting on a tree branch at the beach, smiling and enjoying the outdoors.

A woman with short brown hair and a wide-open mouth, sitting outdoors in a grassy area with a background of trees, holding a young baby with light hair and blue eyes, wearing a beige striped shirt and patterned purple pants.

Black and white photo of three boys at the beach, sitting on the sand with tall grass in the foreground and trees in the background. The boys are smiling and appear happy, wearing casual shirts and t-shirts.

Family of four, two children and two adults, spending fun time outdoors in nature, with the kids sitting on the parents' shoulders and smiling.

A young boy with short dark hair and a striped shirt smiling while climbing on tree branches outdoors.

A woman and a young boy are smiling and interacting joyfully at the beach, with the woman holding the boy and they are pointing at each other.

A woman and a young girl sitting on a rock by the beach, laughing and playing together, with ocean and cliffs in the background.

A man and young girl playing in water during sunset, with boats on the water and a distant mountain in the background.

A young girl with long, curly brown hair and big brown eyes, wearing a light-colored, checkered dress, standing outdoors in a wooded area.

A black-and-white photograph of a family of five standing on a grassy trail surrounded by trees and bushes, smiling and embracing each other.

A family of four holding hands and standing in the shallow water at the beach during sunset.

A young boy smiling and running outdoors at sunset with a woman blurred in the background.

A family of five standing by the water during sunset, with a man carrying a boy on his shoulders and a woman holding a girl, all smiling.

Two young girls in gingham dresses playing under large, twisting tree on sandy ground

A happy young boy playing in the shallow water at the beach, wearing a striped t-shirt and shorts, with a joyful expression and reflection on the water.

As an East Auckland family photographer (who was also born and raised here!), I've spent years exploring locations that offer beautiful light, space for children to play naturally, and stunning scenery that provides the perfect backdrop for beautiful images. Click here to discover some of my favourite locations!
An in-home newborn photography session with Lucy Rose Photography is a relaxed experience tailored to the fresh newborn bubble. Operating out of East Auckland, I travel directly to your home to capture natural, organic lifestyle portraits focused on your family's newest arrival. To read more about this process, click here.
Toddlers can be wonderfully unpredictable, and it's completely normal to feel a little nervous before a family photography session. The first thing I want you to know is this: I've seen it all! After working with children for over 15 years, I can confidently say that nothing will surprise me. To read more about how best to prepare your toddler before a photo session, click here.
Choosing what to wear for your family photoshoot can feel a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Taking some time to thoughtfully plan your outfits can make a huge difference to the final images and help everyone feel comfortable and confident during your session. Read more