Where can I find a photographer in Devon who offers unique landscape and portrait sessions?

Glavind Strachan Photography, based near Okehampton in Devon, offers creative outdoor portrait sessions and moody landscape photography across Dartmoor and wider Devon. Sessions are unconventional, atmospheric, and tailored to each individual — no studios, no backdrops, just wild moorland and natural light.

What makes your portrait sessions different from a standard photographer?

There is no studio, no backdrop, and no artificial lighting. Portrait sessions take place outdoors — on moorland, amongst ancient stone circles, beside rivers — and are shaped around the individual: their personality, story, and vision. The goal is a portrait that looks genuinely like you, in a location that means something.

Are you available for portrait sessions across Devon, or only on Dartmoor?

Dartmoor is the home base, but sessions are available across Devon — Exmoor, the coast, woodland, or somewhere personally meaningful. If it is within reasonable reach of Okehampton, it is worth a conversation.

Do you offer drone photography and videography in Devon?

Yes. Glavind Strachan Photography holds a CAA flyer ID and operator ID and can fly legally and safely across much of Devon, including parts of Dartmoor. Drone services are available for landscape, property, and event photography.

Are Dartmoor landscape photography prints available as gifts?

Yes. Prints are produced on archival materials by professional printers, available in multiple sizes, and can be dispatched directly. Custom print requests for specific locations are also welcome.

What can I expect on a guided Dartmoor photography walk?

Guided photo walks include expert location guidance, help with composition and camera settings, and safe navigation across Dartmoor terrain. Each walk is tailored to your experience level and interests, whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer.

Do I need photography experience to join a workshop or guided walk?

No experience is required. Sessions are completely adapted to your skill level. More advanced photographers can focus on creative techniques and composition. Beginners are very welcome.

Can I book a themed portrait session on Dartmoor?

Yes. Creative, atmospheric portrait sessions are available, inspired by Dartmoor's landscape, mythology, and personality. These shoots are ideal for individuals, couples, artists, and anyone wanting unique portraits in a dramatic natural setting. Shoots can also take place closer to your home or at a personally meaningful location.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my booking?

Dartmoor's weather is part of its character and moody conditions often create the most atmospheric images. If conditions become unsafe or unsuitable, sessions can be rescheduled at a mutually agreeable time.

Who is Glavind Strachan Photography?

Glavind Strachan Photography is run by Paul Harris, a Devon-based photographer and fully qualified Hill and Moorland Leader, based near Northlew, Okehampton. Paul specialises in moody Dartmoor landscape photography, creative outdoor portrait sessions, guided photography walks, and workshops.

Dartmoor Portrait Photography Packages - Creative Outdoor Shoots in Devon

Photo: Hannah Durdin - Director of Moorland Guides on Bench Tor

If you're looking for a portrait photographer in Devon who'll actually listen to what you want, rather than plonking you in front of a white backdrop and telling you to "work it" … you're in the right place 😁

These are bespoke, outdoor portrait sessions on Dartmoor (and occasionally beyond), designed for people who want something genuinely different from their portrait photographs. Whether you're an artist, a writer, a performer, someone who needs a branding shoot, or just a person who fancies a cracking set of images without any of the usual corporate faff, there's a package for you.

Creative portrait photography in Devon doesn't have to mean a studio and a ring light. Dartmoor does it way better. 📷

Contact Me

Not your average Portrait Photographer

I’m a qualified Hill & Moorland Leader with an eye for detail that most photographers miss out on. If you’re looking for a portrait shoot on Dartmoor or anywhere in the South West of England and you want it to have that “wow” factor - drop me a line and we can work something out 💚📷

The Moor & The Moment

The “Snapshot” is perfect if you've always fancied some professional portraits but the whole idea feels a bit daunting. If you want something natural and totally unforced an hour or so in an amazing Dartmoor location, with absolutely no pressure and no awkward posing instructions. Just you, the landscape, and some genuinely great photographs to show for it. Ideal for a birthday treat, updated professional headshots with a little bit more personality, or anyone who just wants to a bit of fun in the fresh air 📷

Dartmoor Portrait Photographer

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The Mizzle and The Majesty - Dartmoor Photoshoot Package from Glavind Strachan photography

The Mizzle & The Majesty

This is the one most people end up going for, long enough to really get into it, short enough not to tire you out (yes it’s hard work!). Two and a half hours gives us time to explore locations properly, try different ideas, and get past the slightly awkward "am I doing this right?" phase that everyone invariably goes through in the first ten minutes of any shoot. We'll plan the desired vibe beforehand, whether that's cinematic and dramatic, soft and dreamlike, or something entirely of your own imagination. Then I can suggest a location (or two) and make it happen somewhere on Dartmoor that most people would never find. 📷

Devon Themed Portraits

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The Commission

The Commission is for when you arrive with a real vision, or want to build one with me. A full day, sometimes more, given over entirely to a single ambitious set of images: multiple locations, full concept development, styling and costume, hair and makeup arranged, and a finished piece to keep at the end. If you can picture it, we can build it.

Dartmoor Themes

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The Mist The Myth And The Magic - Dartmoor Photoshoot - Themed Devon Photoshoots

The Mist The Myth & The Magic

The full half-day (or more) is for people who have a proper vision, or want to build something special. Multiple locations, concept planning, optional extras like smoke, lighting, props, costume hire, hair and makeup. This is as close to a full on creative production as you can get without an actual film crew. I’ve shot Viking inspired portraits on the moor, underwater sessions in the River Dart, folklore inspired shoots in ancient woodland, and character shoots for authors and performers who needed something genuinely unlike anything their audience had seen before. If you can imagine it, we can work together to make it happen. 📷

Magical Dartmoor Portraits

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The Moor & The Moment

For when you just want some cracking photos without the added faff

Up to 60-90 minutes of shooting time
One easy location - anywhere up to 20 miles from my base and no more than 10 minutes walking distance from the road - I can suggest areas that will fit into your ideas.
Natural light, natural vibes, genuine smiles (no forced grins 😁)
You’ll get a full gallery of edited images - however many turn out great
Delivered to you in your own cloud based folder, ready to share, print, or show off

£300

Everything is tailored to you, so if you'd like to add time or an extra idea, we agree it up front.

Contact Me With Your Ideas

Think of it as the “no bells and no whistles, just great photography” option.

The Mizzle & The Majesty

For the mildly dramatic, the aesthetically inclined, those who like a bit of flair

Up to 2½ hours of shooting time
A bespoke, unique location of your choice - maybe involving a bit of hiking - let’s get creative!
Plenty of planning beforehand to workout the vibe you’re after : cinematic, fantastical, moody, dreamy. Let your imagination go!
Includes a generous, fully edited gallery of all the best shots
Images with real character, the kind people stop and ask about.

£450

Every shoot is built around you, so any extras are agreed up front, never a surprise on the day.

Contact Me With Your Ideas

The perfect middle child: looks expensive, feels effortless.

The Mist The Myth & The Magic

For those who want the full production - minus the film crew and catering truck

Half-day session (Plenty of actual shooting + whatever walking, chatting, and coffee-drinking and snacking we need)
Multiple locations within reasonable reach along our pre-planned route
Concept planning - themes, outfits, props, locations, wild ideas are most welcome
Optional lighting, smoke, sparkles, and general nonsense to fit the theme
Full gallery of edited images - every one that deserves to see the light of day 😍
Extras, such as hair, makeup and costume hire can be arranged at cost (or you can take control here)

£850

This is a full themed production, so we plan it properly and agree the final price, including any extras, before we start.

Contact Me With Your Ideas

For when the idea deserves the full production.

The Commission

For those who want the whole thing built from scratch, and built properly

A full day (or more) of shooting, planned in detail together beforehand
Multiple locations along a route we design around the concept
Full concept development: theme, styling, props, costume, the lot
Professional hair, makeup and costume arranged for you (charged at cost)
Optional lighting, smoke and effects to suit the idea
A complete gallery of edited images
A finished piece to keep: a printed folio, or a framed image for the wall

From £1500

- agreed in full once we've scoped the concept together. No surprises on the day.

Start A Commission

This is as close to a film production as portrait photography gets, and it's openly exactly that: an elaborate, well-made pretence for the camera. I've shot Viking sagas on the high moor and Lady-of-the-Lake scenes in the rivers. The magic is all in the picture, never a claim about the moor.

Photoshoot Packages - With a Free Sense of Humour (and No Hidden Extras)

No counting images, no upselling, no “each extra edit is £20”

You get “all the good ones”, properly edited, because that’s how it should be.

All shoots happen within a comfortable drive of the Okehampton area - as I’m not a fan of lining the pockets of the oil industry, and I also really like my own bed. That’s not to say I won’t travel, or that camping overnight for the perfect sunrise isn’t within the scope of the packages.

Every shoot is bespoke, so the price is fixed with you up front once we've agreed the plan. No hidden extras and no counting images: you get all the good ones, properly edited.

Every shoot in the gallery below is real. Real people, real Dartmoor locations, real concepts worked upon together. Viking-themed portraits on the high moor, underwater shoots in the River Dart, folkloric shoots in ancient woodland, branding sessions for artists, musicians and small businesses.

If you've a wild idea and you're not sure if it's possible, get in touch, the answer is almost certainly yes 😍

Contact Paul

The Fine Print

All shoots happen within easy driving distance of my base, generally 25 miles - shoots further afield can be discussed and mileage allowances (45p per mile) will have to be added to the cost.
I’m a fully qualified Hill & Moorland Leader (And Outdoor First Aider) you can be assured you will be safe when we shoot on Dartmoor
You’ll receive a link to a private cloud based folder to download, share, and enjoy your images. Provided in web and print formats no watermarks, no nonsense.
Every package includes editing, colour correction, and general magic-making.