White Cliffs of Dover Summer Poppy Field Portrait Session with Petra

Finding a field of poppies is a bit like a treasure hunt here in Kent, but after seeing so many inspirational photos from others this year, I wanted to try and find a field nearby and get some dramatic photos of my own. Luckily I came across this gorgeous field of poppies on the White Cliffs just outside of Dover, and I knew I had to do something with them!

I got in touch with Petra, who was one of the models for a styled wedding shoot a few years back, and we picked the perfect sunny day to get some photos amongst the wildflowers and tall grasses along the top of the cliff. This was also a test of some new lighting equipment, too. Needless to say it all worked flawlessly!

With the sun beating down on a beautiful June morning, and the English Channel and South Foreland Lighthouse as our backdrops, it proved pretty easy to get some truly stunning images amongst a sea of poppies. Petra, as before, was great to work with, having decided on a few choice outfits that would both make her stand out, and provide a striking colour contrast against the flowers.

Working outdoors in such bright conditions can be a challenge, as you want to balance making the scene nice and vibrant, but without casting too much shade over the face of your subject. This is where having powerful and portable lighting comes in! Using the sun to give her hair a lovely sheen, I was able to light up Petra's face from the opposite side and reduce those pesky shadows.

We were aware that this particular area of wildflowers had been planted to encourage wildlife and insects, so were extra careful and stuck to small clearings and paths that were already present when we arrived. Despite this, we were able to get some great angles and perspectives, and even had time for an outfit change!

It was super hard to pick my favourites for this post, as the colours and vibrancy of the scene was just incredible. It's a shame they only really bloom for such a short time. If you'd like to organise your own outdoor summer photo session amongst some wildflowers, head over to my portrait photography page for more details, or get in touch here to enquire.