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

See some of my Shoots

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.

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 😍

Does it have to be a Themed Shoot?

No, I shoot authors, poets, all manner of professionals as well as family groups. You have the option of getting creative, or just being yourself.

Fully custom packages are my thing!

Drop me a line

Does the shoot have to be on Dartmoor?

No, feel free to have me come to you.

Or we can meet somewhere you feel most comfortable.

I’m happy to travel.

Contact Me

What if my idea is rather crazy?

I love a challenge!

Open to all ideas the madder the better.

I’m not saying I can necessarily achieve actual miracles, but I’m more than happy to discuss ideas that might require a little more planning, costume, prop making or general shenanigans.

Get In Touch

The Dartmoor Snapshot

Me, a camera - an hour of shooting you in a nice convenient location for both of us 😁
The Mizzle & The Majesty

A fantastic location shoot … the knowledge you’re safe and will get the images you asked for. You do the legwork (costume/makeup/props) and we both do the walking 😍
The Mist The Myth & The Magic

After discussing your requirements, I’ll organise the location, the costume, hair, makeup and props. You turn up and just be your wonderful self.

More Details

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 photshoot.

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.

Autumn Moods with Hanna by Torrington, Devon

Witcher Theme shot on Combestone Tor, Dartmoor

Artist Kate Gold at Black-a-Tor Copse on Dartmoor

The Italian - a photoshoot for portfolio images

Laura - Viking Themed Shoot shot on Dartmoor

Sakura - A Little Bit Cheeky in the River Dart, Dartmoor

Charlie - Lady of the Lake Inspired Shoot, shot near Kings Tor on Dartmoor

Poet & Writer Simon Williams shot at Venford Falls on Dartmoor

Rebecca Beattie - Author, Teacher, Witch

Adrian Colston - PhD. Conservationist - now a rural social scientist worrying about uplands, wildlife & hill-farmers

Moor Performers (Paul hiding behind a plague mask)

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

Lisa getting cold and wet for me on Wembury Beach

Steampunk at Fagins with the lovely Jules

Wedding Themed Shoot for The Flower Forest

Sky Valentine - Amazing Model from Cornwall

My portraits and my themed work tend to merge

A Rare Studio Shot - The beautiful Kirsty

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

Portrait Shoots FAQ’s

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 🤣
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.