This November our spotlight is on England! The United Kingdom, of which England is a part, recently changed its entry requirements, making it easier for tourists to visit. And given that this part of the world is especially stunning during autumn and winter if you haven’t done any international travel this year, or you’re ready for some more, England is a great place to head.

To start our England series, we’re starting in the magical university city of Oxford, where you’re immersed in the honey-colored limestone of centuries-old colleges, winding lanes, and sparkling rivers, and a vibrant student body that studies hard and plays even harder!

We’ll chat with Oxford photographer, Maria, to learn why Oxford is the perfect setting for an autumn photoshoot and what you don’t want to miss while visiting!

“Oxford is meant to be photographed in autumn!” 

I met up with Maria in front of Hertford Bridge, one of the city’s most notable landmarks, a beautiful skyway that spans New College Lane and connects two parts of Hertford College for its students and faculty. 

She snapped some pictures of me, then we strolled over to the iconic, domed Radcliffe Camera, one of the university’s many libraries. Visiting Oxford as a solo traveler, it was amazing to have some professional pictures to capture my memories.

Finally, we settled in front of a fireplace at the cozy bar of The Randolph Hotel for some English gimlet cocktails and a chat about Oxford, photography, and Maria’s dream photoshoot...perhaps with one of you!  

Me: What’s one word you’d use to describe yourself?

Maria: Enthusiastic!

How did you end up in Oxford? 

I’m from Russia but my husband is English. He’s originally from Essex, but he studied at Oxford University and wanted to move back to his dream city. So we did!

What made you fall in love with photography?

I’m not in love with photography, in general. I’m in love with people and portrait photography. That’s what drew me to photography. It’s a great way to interact with people and help them build their self-confidence.

I’m quite an artistic person. From a young age, I was into music and performing on stage, singing, and playing the piano. When I first got my DSLR camera it was actually to record my singing videos for YouTube. But if you have a DSLR you’re going to want to take pictures. I started taking pictures of my travels to bring back amazing memories, which you can then post on social media and make everyone jealous. [She laughs] 

At the same time having a camera was good motivation. With everything, you do you should have a purpose. So I started shooting pictures of my husband and of events at the school where I work. I work with teenagers and I wanted to make them feel good about themselves. I offered to do a Russian-style yearbook for them, with formal portraits of each student. Some were excited, others thought they were too cool for it, but at the end of the day, everybody loved the pictures of themselves. Most didn’t expect they could look so nice!

Tell us about your photography style.

My style is to show people looking lovely and happy, giving them great photos that capture memories!

I’m very relaxed and calm. I like outdoor photos for ambiance and I’m lucky to live in Oxford where there are so many amazing backgrounds. You always find another angle or another beautiful spot. And that makes it memorable for your clients too.

I have a Nikon and I mainly shoot with two lenses. My preference is 35mm. They say it’s not for portraits, but I say it’s for “portraits with ambiance.” 

What are your favorite spots to shoot in Oxford?

I like to start on Broad Street which has beautiful houses with ivy growing on the walls. Very Oxford. It looks like a movie set! Then cross the street to Blackwell bookshop, the Sheldonian Theater, and the columns of the Clarendon Building. Nearby is the Bodleian Library and from there is the “Bridge of Sighs” and a traditional red telephone box and old street lamps and lovely college buildings. And I can’t forget all the bicycles, which are such a unique part of Oxford. I love bicycles in my photos.

Really you don’t have to walk far to get the beautiful walls, sculptures, and architecture of Oxford. Within a 10 minute walk, you can do a 2-hour photoshoot! And everywhere in the city is this beautiful light, because the stones are like a reflector. And the natural beige colors go with everything. 

Why is it a good time to visit England?

It’s a good time to travel if you can because we have fewer tourists than usual. Oxford can be a very busy place, so busy that you can hardly cross the road and you don’t notice how beautiful the city is and it’s difficult to take a decent picture unless you’re shooting at 7 am in the morning. Right now it’s still much less busy than before Covid.

Why is it the perfect time for a photoshoot in Oxford?

Oxford is meant to be photographed in Autumn. It’s amazing this time of year because the beige and brown colors of the stone walls throughout the city go perfectly with all the autumnal colors. And you can wear lovely autumn fashion and be outside without it being too cold. 

Every city should have a season, and Oxford’s season is definitely autumn.

What’s a dream photoshoot you’re longing to do?

Well, Shoot My Travel photoshoots are definitely a dream type of photoshoot for me. I like getting to know people and showing them the city. And I love tourism because I like to travel and people. Now I’m just waiting for travelers to come to Oxford and book a photoshoot! 

A particular photoshoot I would love is something romantic, a surprise proposal or a couple dressed up and dancing in the city. I’d also love to shoot a dancer or gymnast, someone doing cool jumps, like ballet, with an amazing, flowing dress and perhaps with a quite urban background.

How do you help your clients have a successful, relaxed photoshoot? 

I’m a lifestyle photographer. I like working with everyday people doing everyday things, but at the same time enjoying a special moment. I want them to be aware and part of the photoshoot, but be relaxed.

First I try to advise them on what to wear and what to avoid. I recommend they bring a change of clothes, something easy, for example, a top or blouse and then put a sweater or jacket on top. That way you end up with photos with different looks: hair up, hair down, coat on, coat off. It gives you more photos to share and enjoy. It looks like you’ve had multiple shoots!

Being comfortable is really important. Many women want to wear their most amazing shoes ever but then can’t walk long or get tired after five minutes. Wear the most comfortable shoes possible. You can always bring your amazing shoes and we can do some full-length pictures.

I also like to help clients with props during the shoot. Like how we used your bookbag and a nearby bicycle this evening. Props let you act more naturally. Sometimes I use magazines, newspapers, and books. Some people really like how they look when they read. Or holding a drink or umbrella. Or taking off their glasses or scarf. All these keep your hands busy and give you something to do. 

Photographers don’t expect clients to know how to model, and modeling has nothing to do with what you look like. It’s how relaxed you are. And for non-models, it’s the role of the photographer to relax you and guide you. 

What’s next for you with photography? 

Photography is something in which you never stop learning. I want to learn more about speedlights and flashes, for event photography. I’ll keep working with models here and in London to build my portfolio. I’d like to write IG posts about how to prepare for photoshoots, with tips on makeup and how to relax. I’m also interested in food photography. I make chocolates and look forward to photographing and marketing my product! 

We hope you enjoyed meeting Maria here on our blog, and that you’ll soon meet her for an amazing photoshoot in Oxford! Check out her portfolio and book her here.

Wondering what else you can do in Oxford while visiting? Here are ten of my personal favorites!

10 things to do in Oxford

• Have a pint amongst students at Turf Tavern, one of the most historic pubs in the city.

• Take a tour of the Bodleian, a collection of beautiful libraries founded in 1602.

• Visit as many of the 39 colleges around the city as possible, the oldest dating back to the 13th century!

• Climb the tower of the University Church to see gargoyles and a 360 degree view of the city and surrounding countryside.

• Stroll the 1.2 mile path around Christ Church Meadow to see squirrels, swans, cows and even students practicing their rowing on the Cherwell.

• Rent a punt (boat) at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse and float down the river for an hour. Bring a bottle of champagne to celebrate with graduating students!

• Explore the treasures of the Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s first public museum opened in 1683.

• Have afternoon tea at The Grand Cafe, reputed to be England’s first coffee house, opening in 1650.

• Eat at Hassan’s street truck on Broad Street, a student staple that’s open every night of term from 7pm to 3am. (I recommend a chicken wrap with garlic sauce or chips / fries topped with cheese, chicken strips and hot sauce!) 

• Stay in student accommodations at one of the colleges, where you’ll be able to enjoy the grounds and breakfast in the great hall (remember Harry Potter?!) like a student.