A woman in a billowing white dress standing among granite outcrops on a hilltop under a cloudy blue sky

Dartmoor Portrait Photographer

Outdoor Portraits & Themed Photoshoots in Devon

Portrait Shoots on Dartmoor

I'm not going to give you a ton of spiel about how Dartmoor is really so very ancient and powerful and truly transformative, anybody who's ever been there will already know that. If you didn't, you wouldn't be here in the first place.

I'm a walker foremost and a photographer when the mood suits me, I know the moor well enough to get us to some genuinely interesting spots without either of us breaking a leg or falling in a bog (though no guarantees on the second one), and I absolutely know how to make photographs that don't look like they were taken by someone who spent about ten minutes flicking through Pinterest and Instagram beforehand.

My sessions suit people who have a clear sense of who they are and what they want their photographs to reflect, not some over-lit studio renditions with masses of filters. Artists, writers, healers, poets, performers, people who work in and love the outdoors, people who live life a wee bit differently.

If you're often described as an "awkward subject", challenge accepted.

My sessions are completely bespoke. We talk (at length if needed) or in short spurts whenever inspiration greets you. You let me know what you'd like from your photographs, and what you'd like to portray, and I'll let you know whether I can deliver.

I shoot mostly with old adapted lenses with all their beautiful flaws. They do things that modern glass just isn't capable of, adding a softness in the edges or a quality to the light that makes the landscape and subject feel like they belong together. Whether this appeals to you aesthetically or philosophically, it definitely tends to produce portraits that look like no one else's.

See the sittings and prices Enquire about a sitting

Themed Photoshoots on Dartmoor

Find yourself immersed in a truly unique photography experience with one of my themed photoshoots. My goal is to create images that thrill the imagination and resonate like stills from a movie where you play the lead role.

I shoot mostly on Dartmoor National Park. I am based close to Okehampton and have travelled to Plymouth, Tavistock, Exeter and beyond for my themed photoshoots.

Together we can work to combine creativity, atmosphere, and the untamed beauty of the moor to achieve something with a distinct visual style that will make your portraits stand out from the ordinary

I’ve often been told that my images look like they might be still’s from a film, and I’ve always loved that compliment (I’m presuming it was meant as a compliment!).

Whether you’re after some cinematic storytelling, a fairy tale inspired session, or a creative portrait for your business, my themed shoots are designed (along with you) to bring your ideas to life and create some memorable images.

Dartmoor Portrait Photography Packages and Prices

Sessions start at £300. Four ways to work together, from a short single-location sitting to a full production day:

See the full details of every package, or get in touch if you would like something fully custom: custom packages are my thing.

Portrait Photography Across Devon & Dartmoor - Who I Shoot

My portrait work is deliberately hard to categorise. Over many years I've photographed authors, poets, actors, musicians, storytellers, artists, wellness practitioners, business owners, archaeologists, conservationists, farriers, beekeepers, families, and couples, as well as a significant amount of themed and fantasy work that sits somewhere between portrait photography and cinematic art direction.

What unites all of my portrait work is an emphasis on character. Whether you're an actor or performer needing atmospheric promotional shots, a creative professional wanting something more distinctive than a standard headshot, or merely someone who just fancies a day on Dartmoor doing something a bit different. I'm the photographer you are looking for.

I'm based close to Okehampton and I love to shoot on Dartmoor National Park and Devon, though I’m happy to travel. Plymouth, Tavistock, Exeter, Torrington, Crediton and beyond. If you'd prefer me to come to you, you need only ask

Themed & Fantasy Portrait Photography on Dartmoor

I find that Dartmoor becomes the perfect backdrop for my themed portrait work. Its ancient tors, misty oak woodland, rivers, gorges and industrial ruins have an atmosphere that you can’t achieve in a studio. I personal love the adventure that shooting outside in all weathers adds to the excitement of a photoshoot.

I've worked on so many different themed photoshoots, Arthurian legends, Viking warriors, Witcher-inspired shoots, Pre-Raphaelite underwater portraits, Steampunk, shamanic and pagan themes, Gothic and Dark Fantasy, fairy tale narratives, 1930s period shoots, and much, much more.

If you have something in mind that isn't on that list, I'll most definitely be interested in hearing from you. The more unusual the better.

Professional & Creative Portrait Photography - Authors, Actors & Artists

Alongside my themed portrait work, I also love to make portraits of creative professionals. People who need images that reflect their personality and work rather than just their face. Poets, novelists, actors, storytellers, musicians, and business owners are all well represented in my portfolio, and I'm increasingly being asked for author and performer headshots that have a more lived-in and genuine feel, rather than appearing clinical or corporate.

Notable subjects include Dartmoor author Max Piper, poet Susan Taylor, Dartmoor guide and historian Paul Rendell, actress Megan Tarrant, author and witch Rebecca Beattie, conservationist Adrian Colston, and storyteller Cliff the Travelling Talesman. I've also shot promotional portraits for small businesses and creative enterprises including Gorse & The Wild and Dartmoor Sheepskins.

If you're an author, performer, or creative professional based in Devon or the South West and need portraits that actually look like you on a good day, get in touch.

He was such a dream to work with; easy going, had a great eye for shots, and genuinely a good bloke to be around.
— Timothy Hoad

He worked amazingly with me and my model to create an atmosphere and really reinforced the character with his photographs. Please do go with Paul if you need a great photographer!
— Emmett Harry Wadham

Bringing imagination to life

The day of the shoot was fabulous - I felt like I was simply going out for a walk with an old friend, who happened to bring a camera along
— Rebecca Beattie

What My Portrait Clients Say

What truly sets Paul apart is his cinematic quality and skill-set, nothing short of mastery. Each image is like a carefully crafted still from a film, composed with atmospheric cloudscape and the natural world. Lichen, moss, twisted ancient oaks, storms and wind are his tools which he captures and cleverly uses to highlight and bring forth the essence of who you are and the immersive visual narratives you are co creating. The photos are both timeless and yet also romantically gothic, evoking a poets heart as he translates and transforms like the true magician he is. I highly recommend hiring Paul if you are looking for unique, beautiful, authentically composed pieces of art.
Tara Beckerley-Chung, Spiritual Teacher

I met Paul for the first time at a location we had both agreed on Dartmoor. Paul is fantastic at communicating and getting plans organised - I felt very reassured by this. Paul and I had discussed my requirements and I gave Paul a rough briefing of what type of images I would like for my website - to say he captured my essence is an understatement. I can often feel a little camera shy but Paul was wonderful at enabling me to feel at ease, relaxed and not forced, with his easy going and friendly nature. Paul captured my true spirit with his exceptional photographic skills, I have come away with so many images I absolutely love and now have the difficult task of choosing which ones to use for my website. Paul dedicates so much of his time and effort into his work, it is so clear to see his passion and adoration for what he does - and rightly so, he is absolutely fantastic. I hope to work with Paul again and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking beautiful photographs.
Jessica, Shamanic Intuitive Healer, Yoga Teacher & Reiki Master

I’ve know Paul for the best part of a decade now, from day one I knew I could trust his vision and that he would be easy to work with. As someone who loves gothic imagery Paul has suggested some fantastic locations to shoot in over the years. He’s got an amazing knowledge of Devon and Dartmoor and you can tell how passionate he is about capturing the beauty of the great outdoors as well as his models. I’ve always felt safe and comfortable with Paul even when the elements have been against us he’s very friendly and makes every shoot enjoyable. I would love to shoot with Paul again in the future and will always suggest him to colleagues friends and family for his beautiful photography.
Lemmi Swayze, Cabaret Artist & Content Creator

I first started working with Paul eight years ago, and he is one of the most creative photographers I know. What initially drew me to work with him was his distinctive fantasy style shoots, each one built around its own background story, as well as Paul’s deep love of Dartmoor and his willingness to shoot in wild, rugged environments. Before every shoot, we would discuss the intended look and overall theme. On the day, we would meet at the location and walk to the site together, with Paul often discovering and selecting shooting spots as we went. I have always found Paul to be helpful and supportive in directing me as a model, while also being excellent at capturing natural, unposed moments. Because of this, he has created some of the best images of me that I have ever had taken. After each shoot, Paul has always stayed in contact and sent images through as he edited them, which I really appreciated. Paul works with a wide range of cameras and old-school adapted lenses, which he interchanges to give each image a completely bespoke look, making his work truly unique. He is also one of the few photographers I know who is comfortable shooting on film. I can’t wait to work with Paul again.
Lisa Marie, View fullsize

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Paul a number of times and his eye for detail and planning always impress me. He takes the time to talk through what is wanted from a photographic shoot and guides the choice of location accordingly. His knowledge of Dartmoor is particularly impressive and I found he knew just how to make the most of the light and scenery, whatever the weather on the day, in order to bring a captivating and magical edge to the photos. Paul is a master of light and perspective, able to shift between having myself as the focus in his shots to bringing nature and the Dartmoor scenery more into the foreground. Some of his most interesting images have trees and mosses taking on more of a starring role, which was a perfect response to my brief that I wanted the shoot to capture a magical blending between human and nature. I will certainly be working with Paul again and I very much trust him to understand my creative vision. He is adept at growing an idea without taking over, as well as being flexible, punctual and well organised. Throughout our shoots, even in poor weather in the middle of Dartmoor, I have felt safe and positive and I’ve consistently been delighted with the photos he has chosen, edited and sent afterwards.
Helen JR Bruce, Author & Communications Officer for Dartmoor Preservation Association

What people say about Glavind Strachan Photography portrait shoots

Friendly, easy to work with, and very personable
Open to creative and unusual ideas
Easy going and humorous
Responsive and communicative both before and after shoots
Devon-based photographer with a very personable vibe

Every Portrait Shoot Is Unique

You tell me what you'd like to achieve and I try my best to deliver. We can discuss locations, costumes, props: it's your shoot. You tell me what you want (I'll bring along a load of half-baked ideas and a few extras, and we'll see what we can come up with together). It all begins with an idea, and then we work together to make that idea a reality.

Booking and Deposits

Every shoot is planned in detail before we meet: location, concept, timing, and often costume and props. To secure your date I ask for a deposit, which comes straight off the final balance and is only kept if you cancel at short notice. It keeps things fair on both sides and means the time I set aside for you is genuinely yours. The packages page has the details.

Portrait Shoots FAQs

Where do you shoot portraits?

Mostly on Dartmoor National Park and all across Devon, but I'm happy to travel. I've shot in Plymouth, Tavistock, Exeter, Torrington, on Wembury Beach and beyond. If you'd like me to come to a location that's meaningful to you, that's absolutely fine, I actively encourage you to be involved in all aspects of a shoot.

Does it have to be a themed shoot?

Absolutely not. I shoot authors, actors, musicians, business owners, families, couples and individuals who simply want a great portrait. One of my themed photoshoots is an option, not a requirement.

Can I bring my own costume and props?

Of course, in fact for the mid-range “Mizzle & The Majesty” package that's exactly how it works. You handle costume, makeup and props; I handle the rest. Everything I do is bespoke, we can work together to create what you have imagined.

Do you shoot in all weathers?

Within reason. I believe that Dartmoor's moody weather is often an asset rather than a problem. Mist, and dramatic overcast skies are things I actively relish. Genuinely unsafe conditions or torrential rain and hurricane winds are the only real fun stoppers. I always have a rescheduling plan in place.

I have a creative idea that might sound a bit mad - is that okay?

That’s more than okay. Unusual briefs are way more interesting to me. I've been asked to shoot pretty much everything over the years. Please don't self-censor on my behalf, get in touch and let's talk about it.

Do you shoot couples or handfastings?

Yes. I've shot handfasting ceremonies and have experience making those intimate, often outdoor ceremonies feel natural and unposed rather than staged. I am definitely not a wedding photographer

What areas of Devon do you cover?

I'm based near Okehampton so the whole of northern and western Dartmoor is very accessible. However I regularly shoot across the wider Dartmoor National Park, and cover parts of Cornwall, Plymouth, Tavistock, Exeter, Torrington and the broader Devon area, even, on occasion into darkest Somerset. Travel further afield is possible for the right project.