A guide to spring outdoor sessions - Leeds, West Yorkshire

/ Kasia Soszka Photography/

The days are finally getting longer, the temperatures are slowly rising and it won’t be too long before I start planning my signature spring blossom outdoor sessions, happy days! If you love nature and outdoors, and are planning either a maternity, family or children photoshoot, these are for you! We are lucky to be spoiled for choice around Leeds, so which type of spring blossom shoot should you choose? Well, hopefully this visual guide will help you decide.

Cherry blossom sessions (and other flowering trees)

Little girl in pale blue dress posing for a photo surrounded by pink cherry blossom

So beautiful, yet so fleeting…There’s something so special about trees covered in masses of delicate pink blossoms. It’s one of nature’s greater spectacles, but it doesn’t last long, usually only around 2 weeks.

One of the best locations for a cherry blossom shoot is definitely the Stray in Harrogate (be prepared for the crowds though!) and I will be doing mini sessions there this year, probably on Saturday 30 April (however this will of course depend on the weather and the flowering season).

Apart from Harrogate, I also like shooting in Golden Acre Park, where you can find both pink and white blossoms.

Flowering time: late April/early May

family of 4 posing for a portrait under cherry blossom in Leeds, Yorkshire
pregnant mum, her husband and son during their spring blossom photoshoot in Leeds, Yorkshire
pretty blond girl holding a branch of cherry blossom during her photoshoot in Leeds, Yorkshire
Little girl with braids in a orchard filled with white blossoms, Leeds, Yorkshire

Bluebell Sessions

Imagine this - a woodland covered in a blanket of fragrant purple flowers, birds chirping and sunlight pouring through tree branches. If it doesn’t sound magical, I don’t know what would!

Once again, bluebell flowering season doesn’t last long and they are also very fragile, so it’s important not to trample them during the sessions. Spring woodlands usually tend to be rather muddy, so appropriate footwear is essential.

I will be doing Bluebell Mini Sessions on Saturday 7 May, but again, this might change depending on the weather and flowering season. This year’s location is still to be confirmed.

Flowering time: late April, early May

family of 7 posing for a family portrait surrounded by bluebells in Leeds, West Yorkshire

Rapeseed field sessions

If yellow is your colour, this is a session for you. It’s also great if you like an open feel to your photos or would love to have a golden hour or sunset photoshoot. The tricky thing about these sessions is that I have to look for new location each season, as the famers rotate their crops and I need a field with a public footpath access, to ensure we are not trespassing nor damaging any crops. This might not be the best option to you if you’re allergic to rapeseed or are sensitive to its smell.

Blooming time: usually second half of April and throughout May.

pregnancy lady posing for a maternity portrait in a rapeseed field as the sun goes down over Leeds, Wesy Yorkshire

Rhododendron sessions

pregnant woman in a blue dress sitting on a bench surrounded by pink rhododendrons in Leeds, West Yorkshire

Definitely one of my favourite sessions! So many different colours, all just stunning and everyone will find something they love.

Because I love them so much, I will be doing rhododendron mini sessions this year, most probably on Saturday 21 May. Sessions will take place in Temple Newsam, which is the place to go if you want to admire rhododendron in their full glory.

Flowering time: mid May to early June