Discovering the Best Photography Spots in London with Domi of Scalens Studio

In episode 94 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins is joined by Domi of Scalens Studio to discuss London's top 10 photography locations. 

Domi shares her expertise as a professional photographer and provides insider tips on the best spots for capturing iconic images. From the famous Tower Bridge to hidden gems in Notting Hill and beautiful views over London, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning a visit to the UK's capital.

Tracy and Domi also discuss the etiquette of taking photos at hotels and popular tourist spots and offer listeners a special discount code. 

Join them in exploring the stunning photography opportunities that London has to offer.

⭐️ Guest - Domi of Scalens Studio
📝 Show Notes -Episode #94

Listen to these episodes next:

• Episode #16 - London photoshoot with Domi of Scalens Studio
• Episode #54 - 10 Favourite London Experiences not to miss
• Episode #90 - How far ahead to book for London

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast. Your host is the founder of the UK Travel Planning website, tracey Collins. In this podcast, tracey shares destination guides, travel tips and itinerary ideas, as well as interviews with a variety of guests who share their knowledge and experience of UK travel to help you plan your perfect UK vacation. Join us as we explore the UK from cosmopolitan cities to quaint villages, from historic castles to beautiful islands, and from the picturesque countryside to seaside towns.

Speaker 2: 0:42

Hi everybody and welcome to episode 94 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast. Can you believe it? Episode 94. Doug and I have been very busy for the last few weeks doing our itinerary consults, so we know you guys have got some fantastic plans to visit the UK this summer and into the fall, autumn and winter, and we've even been talking to some of you about trips next year. But we do know that quite a few of you have booked with our favorite London photographer, domi of Scalene Studio, and Domi is here today.

Speaker 3: 1:13

Hello everybody. So I'm so happy for being here join our next episode, so thank you for having me.

Speaker 2: 1:20

It's always a pleasure to talk to you, domi, and for some of our listeners who have not heard the previous episodes with Domi, you can listen to Domi talk all about her photography and London photo shoot in episode 16. And also Domi has a feature in our episode 54, where I talk about my top experiences in London last summer, and one of those was to have another photo shoot with Domi, which Doug and I absolutely love to do when we're in London, and I had a wonderful solo photo shoot with Domi in Notting Hill last April, which I absolutely loved. They are some of the best photos I've ever had taken of myself. I absolutely love them and I don't say that often.

Speaker 2: 1:59

So I thought this episode it would be a great chance for Domi again to talk to you guys so you could get to know her a bit more, and also to share her knowledge and expertise around London and where the best spots are for photographs. So that's what Domi's here to talk about. She's got lots to share with you. So do you want to go ahead, domi, and start chatting all about where the best photography destinations are in London?

Speaker 3: 2:23

Of course, thank you much. And then so because London is famous for many spots, so let's start with the famous Tower Bridge. It's like a must-see spot and you can take amazing photos of each side of the bridge. If you are lucky, catching the bridge opening makes an awesome photo moment as well. And another spot you might also hear maybe less than tower bridge would be san paul cathedral, and then I will give you and share my tips I only share with my clients. There is a restaurant where I think this is 15th floor, one five and then get shots with the cathedral behind you is a super spot and view, so I always bring my clients over there to just catch these moments and as well, if you like, the restaurant for lunch, which is the modern European restaurant. And then also another spot you're going to see this everywhere is London Eye, and then here as well.

Speaker 3: 3:22

Another tip, because it depends of what time you're going to be, around Westminster or on London Eye, this is where you should go. So if this is a very sunny day and you're around like 7 am, you should go on the south of the river side and then the sun is going to be on your face and it's going to be beautiful and the lighting is going to be great. If you're on, like afternoon, around like 12 o'clock, you go on the westminster bridge, so the sun around like around a little bit and you're going to have the beautiful sun, the sight of the sun on the bridge, and then, like later it's special during summer when the day is very long early evening you should go on the north side of the river where you can take the pictures when the sun as well follow you and you're going to have the pictures just on your face. And this is important because when you're taking pictures like I am taking photos of my clients when the sun is on another side, it's just so harder to take pictures. It's not the same quality, so that's why this is very important.

Speaker 3: 4:23

I will add this information to you. Like london must know things about photos, so that would be my number one. Later I will show you more stuff about red phone box and all this kind of stuff. So how that sounds for you. We took all these pictures right. Maybe we are missing some power.

Speaker 2: 4:41

We should go there yeah, I was just thinking when you're saying that. So we have got some lovely pictures at Tower Bridge that you took and we also have some lovely photos that you took of myself and Doug last summer of the London Eye when we stood on Westminster Bridge, but we haven't got that wonderful picture with St Paul's in the background. I think we'll put that down for our next photo shoot, domi.

Speaker 3: 5:01

Yes, we see, I still have so many things for you that we didn't take the pictures and we have already like three photo shoot or four photo shoot, I feel like I think we've had four photo shoots now so yeah, guys, if someone who listen us and book already photo shoot with me, we have to meet again for our next session because l has so many places to discover and take the pictures.

Speaker 2: 5:25

So one of my favorite symbols of London and the UK is a red phone box, and I actually have an article on my website all about the best phone box locations. But we've actually had a photo shoot with you, domi, at probably one of the most famous set of red phone boxes in London and I know when we went went there was a big queue. But you kind of know the secret to that, don't you?

Speaker 3: 5:48

when you're on westminster station and you take exit four, you have to turn right and walk straight and you're going to realize this magic red phone box from far away because there are a very long line to wait to take pictures. And then, yes, this is like sometimes is like good one hour of waiting. But there is like three red phone box. So the first one, the closest one to the big pen, is the most busy one because this is the tourist seeing the red phone box. Oh wow, let's do that. But then when you look a little bit further, there's next red phone box and it's so much less people and it's even better because there is like less people. You don't have to wait in the line.

Speaker 3: 6:29

And secondly, around you is less people because on the first red phone box there's a cross line. So you so many people always crossing or waiting on the line or about the second one there is is no of this thing. So you don't have like 1,000 strangers, people on your photo with the magic spot. But also there is another thing if you don't like people I mean if you don't like people on the photos then I would suggest you to wake up like 6 am and reach the spot on the morning, early morning, when all tourists are still sleeping and relaxing, and then you can take these pictures 7 am with nobody. So this is what I suggest you. I always wake up for my clients so early because I want them to feel comfortable with nobody around and, as well, like to don't have the strangers on the phone.

Speaker 2: 7:19

Yeah, I know when we've been with photoshoot with you. You're very good at asking people to get out of the way and out of the picture.

Speaker 3: 7:26

I'm still doing this in a very kind way, right like I'm not oh, yeah, you're very good.

Speaker 2: 7:31

I'm not saying you're not rude or any, not aggressive or anything, you're just very kind of like. Could you just move out the photo, because I'm I'm just doing the photo shoot and you know what people are always fascinated and always really interested, and and because Doug and I have had so many photo shoots with you now we're quite comfortable having our photos taken in public. So it's a lot of fun and we do get a lot of questions, don't we, about, oh, you're having a photo shoot and then, and then you know they want to know about what you're doing and and yeah, it's always really really good fun yeah, they're always asking and they're looking at you guys like oh, who is the celebrity, who is?

Speaker 3: 8:03

Who is taking? Oh, maybe someone, I know some popular people. So I love when my clients like you guys, you are feeling so good in front of the camera and people around the strangers they're looking at you. But this was more like looking like oh, who is the people Like? Oh, maybe they are someone popular, so they look in this way?

Speaker 2: 8:21

Yeah, that's what I was going. It's yeah, that's what I was going is it's famous? It's tracy and doug from uk travel planning. We're really famous. Yes, that's so true. So so that's the main ones the red phone boxes near westminster and the london eye. But I have got some additional little suggestions on the website as well. So the next in the top 10, with a third place or kind of set of places that you may wish to have, a one of those iconic photos in London is actually somewhere with a view over London. So you've already mentioned the view that you've got over St Paul's, but where would you say would be the best spots to go for a good view over London?

Speaker 3: 8:59

So in London there is as well, many option and so many people might think about sky garden is the best, best option, and it's true and it's for free. So everybody likes free stuff, and me as well. But it's not the only one and not necessarily the best, because, in my opinion and like, when you have to book the reservation and you might like discover about sky gardenoye garden when you're in London and there are no free spots, so then I will suggest you to go with the garden 120. It's on the 15th floor and it's open, beautiful area you're going to see all around London and this is for free and you don't have to make bookings. So you just like, oh, you hear, spot our podcast when you're in London and then it's like, oh, let's go to the Garden 120. And you just can go, walk in. So this is so great because you don't have to book anything and you don't have to stress like, oh, they're not going to be spot, because this is open and you just come in. There are some security things, like you have to leave everything in the bag. It's something like in the airport and you just go and you go on the 15th floor and enjoy and special is a great place to visit when it's like sunny weather and you can like really take your book and read and enjoy your time in london.

Speaker 3: 10:16

And another option but you have to make a reservation is horizon 22. Horizon 22, horizon 22. Horizon 22 is the highest free view platform, offering 300 degrees view of London. It's a little bit more higher than the Garden 120 and it's so beautiful. But another thing what you have to pay attention because when you're on like on so high view and the weather is not good, you're not going to see anything. Last time I went there twice and one time the first time, when the weather is not good, you're not going to see anything. Last time I went there twice and one time. The first time, when the weather was not good, I couldn't see really anything. But another time I booked this place and it was so beautiful weather, so you might have different experience. So just take a look when you choose the date. Take a look at the weather and I would do afternoon or evening, so then you have the date. Take a look at the weather and I would do afternoon or evening, so then you have the chance for the sunset.

Speaker 2: 11:10

Now the next category that we're going to talk about is those Instagram worthy spots in London, and the first one that you're going to talk about I have not yet been to. I can't believe that I actually have not been to Peggy Portion. I put my hand up and saying on the podcast I have not yet been to Peggy Portion. Every time I have tried to go I have. For some reason I've not managed to get there, but all the photos I've seen on Instagram Instagram and I know you've taken lots of beautiful shots there it's a gorgeous place yes, it's very nice and the buggy person.

Speaker 3: 11:43

Have two location and just like to not make the mistakes. Choose the Chelsea area and it's so much better okay, cool the other Instagram worthy places for photos yeah, this will be Ellen Cafe for sure. They have so many places, not just two, but I would choose the close to the Oxford Circus station. It's on the Oxford Street, so it's very near by station and as well. Pinky and very cute, vibe, and I would suggest you go as well in the morning because there's plenty of people there.

Speaker 2: 12:12

Yeah, I can imagine.

Speaker 3: 12:14

I have one more and it's a little bit outside of London. It's close to the Canary Wharf, it's the second zone, but I discovered not a long time ago and I was like, wow, I have to bring my clients there. And it's called Killa Cafe Bistro. It's less popular yet because probably maybe it's going to be more popular after our podcast. And then it's like have so many nice decorations, so when you're drinking your fancy coffee, they have so, so colorful coffees and then the background is so nice so we can take some beautiful pictures there as well oh, fantastic, and I know you've you share a tip because obviously it's always important when you're visiting any of those cafes that you order something yeah, so I was, would still respect the business, like, okay, we want to take the pictures, but this is someone's business, so it would be nice to order some coffee.

Speaker 3: 13:03

They have very nice coffee or desserts. That would look even nicer on the photo. So I would not just go and, oh, let's take pictures quickly, pictures, and let's go. I would still respect the business and order some like drinks or food yeah, I think that's important.

Speaker 2: 13:19

So number five are hidden gems in london who people may not have heard about listening on the podcast you might go. Oh, some of these hidden gems and and doug and I on our first ever photo shoot with you. We actually went to shad thames, which we were not aware of, and had some beautiful photos with Tower Bridge in the background yes, that's very true.

Speaker 3: 13:41

I know Shard Thames very well because I was living around this area, so I discovered this spot when I was moving there, and then we have the chance to take pictures. I think that was like first hour photo shoot.

Speaker 2: 13:53

Yeah, it's true, yeah, it was our first one, yes. And then we went over chance to take pictures. I think that was like first hour photo shoot. Yeah, it's true. Yeah, it was our first one, yes. And then we went over Tower Bridge and had some round Tower of London as well afterwards, yeah, which was really cool. But there's another fantastic place in that same area for photos. And I'm always kind of saying to people this is somewhere. If you're on the Tower Bridge, tower of London, go into the Sky Garden. You is kind of sending people this is somewhere. If you're on the tower bridge, tower london, going to the sky garden, you absolutely have to go to this next place, haven't you?

Speaker 3: 14:19

yes, that's so true, and this is like this uh, strat stems is just so close to the tower bridge, but everybody's so focused on tower bridge and, oh, relaxing, I got what I want. But if they walk just slightly few steps more further, there will be like the beautiful stratred Stamps. It's a riverside street and with like the historical vibe, so I would definitely go and take some pictures as well. And another thing is Dunstan. This is a church close to the Sky Garden where you go on the view. You must visit this. It's a church between London Bridge and Tower of London.

Speaker 2: 14:56

Yeah, that's St Donald's in the East, which was a church built by Sir Christopher Wren and it was bombed in World War II and it was left as the ruined state that it was. But it's such a beautiful quiet area you can go and sit and there's lots of greenery and trees, so it is a beautiful spot for a photo shoot.

Speaker 3: 15:13

It's a beautiful spot to go and have a bit of lunch and just sit and enjoy it yes, many people like who like walk around this area when we go there visit during, like, the lunch time around 12 1 pm that we're going to see like people in the suits with the tie sitting there and eating the lunch there. So, yes, it's very, very popular. So, if you want to avoid the people like how we go on the morning or later after the lunch, so so yes, it's very, very popular. So if you want to avoid the people like, how we go on the morning or later after the lunch, so so you don't have so many people around, but as well, there's some few rules change during the time because it started getting more popular the spot. So some places you're going to see the information like you cannot go there because you cannot go to take pictures, but still the best places that allowed you to take the photos oh, that's good.

Speaker 2: 15:59

And number six. Now we're going to talk about some of the hotels that are beautiful to have photographs taken at yes, that's very, very good place.

Speaker 3: 16:07

A very good place to take the pictures is the sun park.

Speaker 3: 16:12

Punk rice international hotel is just next to the king cross. But just I want to mention to everybody like if you go to something like places, hotels, you will need to pay attention that these are private properties, like private area, and if you're not staying in the hotel, they might not allow you to come in and take the pictures. Especially this, this, this hotel is that became very popular and so many people just walk in and want to take the pictures. Especially this, this, this hotel is that became very popular and so many people just walk in and want to take the pictures. There is beautiful stars and walking down where you can take the photos. So I will still like, if you want to have the pictures there, I will stay in the hotel, be a guest or have like booking a restaurant afternoon tea, because otherwise the security will be come over and ask you to leave and so just pay attention on this. But, yes, punk rest international hotel is one of the best where you can take the beautiful pictures with the stars.

Speaker 2: 17:07

I I used to take pictures with my flying dress photo shoot and was just very stunning it is is very, very beautiful, and I will say as well, backing up what Domi's saying, that if you want to have a photoshoot in any of the famous hotels and we're talking about the St Pancras International, because the staircase is absolutely stunning is that you do need to make a reservation at the hotel. Please do not just walk in there and just think that you can take photos, because it's not fair on the hotel and it's not fair on the staff. It is really important always, when you're taking your photos, to really be considerate about where you are and what you do. But that's in a hotel, whether that's gonna in a cafe, whether that's in the street, to be honest, because you could, you know if you're in a queue. You get in your queue when you have your photo and then you let the rest of the people take the photos. It's just always being considerate and thinking about everybody else.

Speaker 3: 17:55

Yeah, I totally understand as well my clients or tourists, because they are so excited being in London and when you see the spot you lose your mind and you're like, oh my God, I want to be taking pictures and we sometimes forget about what is very necessary.

Speaker 2: 18:12

That's so true Now. At the moment we are in spring, so this is a gorgeous time to be in London this next month. Actually, april and May are my favorite times for the cherry blossoms and the wisteria pictures. I have a lot of photos that I took last year at Notting Hill of the wisteria. I had wisteria hysteria, that's for sure, in the Cotswolds as well, and we had a beautiful. I just loved that photo shoot in Notting Hill with you last April. I've never had a photo shoot on my own, so that was fantastic, just.

Speaker 3: 18:43

I felt very spoiled. I have to say Thank you so much. I think it was like. I feel like it was so much more relaxing because you have the time before and he was alone and there was nobody around, so that was a great time. But yeah, absolutely today, like now, the time is a wonderful time to take pictures, especially when the cherry blooms season. If you like taking so cute pictures with the pinky flowers, we recommend it to explore the golden hill park. Yeah, so the next spot would be the Wisteria and then, as well, notting Hill, which we take, and, I think, my favorite one, because there is like each corner where you go to the park is a beautiful spot with the flowers is Regent Park.

Speaker 3: 19:26

I think we didn't have the chance to go there, but I have many people like they want to even have proposed photo shoot with the flowers around in the region park. So if you're planning to propose to your partner now during this two months, that's the best place to go.

Speaker 2: 19:42

Oh, absolutely. So we're going to kind of switch up from spring flowers to Christmas Now. Doug and I were over in London in December and we had a gorgeous photo shoot with you just before Christmas with all the Christmas lights. So if you're planning to be over in London later on in the year and you want to have a photo shoot just before Christmas with the Christmas lights, then Domi does a fantastic job, absolutely fantastic thank you.

Speaker 3: 20:06

So yes, if you're coming to to London end of November to like really January, like January they take off everything. So you, from end of November you have also December you definitely should photoshoot with us and then we can take pictures like in Reagan Street, piccadilly, tercruz, oxford Street, covent Garden, and also like Ritz Hotel they are doing very nice outdoor decoration where I'm always taking my clients to take pictures over there. And then also, if you like a little bit more luxury and also this festival vibe of Christmas, I would suggest you to go to the New Bond Street, but the Heidim spot I'm going to show you during our session.

Speaker 2: 20:47

Okay, no worries. Now number nine are movie or music spots. So Doug and I actually did go up to a famous Beatles spot and we could not believe how many people were having photos there. It was incredible and we'd always wanted to go to Abbey Road, to the crossing, and, wow, that's a great place to go yes, Abbey.

Speaker 3: 21:09

Road is very popular and this is great when you are, like in a group of people, like five people, so then we can take this exact copy, the exact photo, the original photo, but as well nothing here.

Speaker 3: 21:21

Like we took the pictures over there. It's great for spring, but as well, if you see the nothing here movie and you want to feel a little bit like Julia Robbins, so that would be great spot to take pictures with the bookshop store and then as well with the blue door, so we can feel a little bit like a Julia. And this is what I suggest you. And as well, if you choose nothing here and you can tell me like, don't me, I want pictures with the Julia Robbins vibe, so then I will bring you there. And then next spot if you want to, you like different vibe of movies like Harry Potter, I will suggest you to go at the King Cross station and there is like platform and where you can take the photos. But as well, to avoid people and you don't want to waste your time, I will go on the early morning, so then you can have the platforms not in photos and it's going to look so good okay, and the number.

Speaker 2: 22:17

10 a final category is to take a photographer with you when you take a tour. For example, if you go out with ollie and his team on discover real london black cab tour, who better than to take domi in the cab with you to take those shots?

Speaker 3: 22:32

exactly so if you don't have so much time and you want to still have nice photos and you still want to travel around london and with the tour guide and discover the city from the historical way, so we can combine our two experience and we can do together. So ollie is going to talk about all the historical stuff, he's going to drive you around and me I'm going to take it, take care of the pictures and take photos of you so you know what?

Speaker 2: 22:59

I can't think of anything better than having ollie take me around london to all the different sites and having you doing the photos. So you know what, when I'm back next in london. That's why I'm gonna have that conversation with ollie and you and see if we can get that organized, because I just think that would be awesome yeah, this would be very fun.

Speaker 3: 23:15

Like ollie, he's amazing, like when he's talking about all the stuff that I have no idea. Or he's going to show us like hiding spot that I didn't hear about and I will show you all my spot hiding spot that he didn't hear. So this is like two in one. So if you don't have much time, I would suggest you to do that it's the dream team.

Speaker 2: 23:35

It is the dream team, honestly. That would be. That is my idea of a really, really amazing day having you two, having only two the two and you take the photos perfect. So, like I've said, doug and I have already had four photo shoots with you and there are still so many amazing photo opportunities in London, like you've talked about so many different in this podcast already, so I know I'm already lining up for the next time that I'm over where we can meet and have the photo shoot and I'm going to share so all of the categories we've gone through.

Speaker 2: 24:05

Domi's got photos that we can share, so we'll put those in the show notes so you can actually just see how amazing her work is, and I know that you're going to want to book, so share, domi, how anybody listening can book a photoshoot with you in London of course, and then we can book on my website it's keylanestudiocom slash photoshoot London, and then I have plenty of different packages, from 30 minutes, if you don't have so much time, to six hours when you have plenty of time and you want to cover all London.

Speaker 3: 24:36

We could do, for example, six hours with parts with Oli and part with by ourselves, so we have our private driver to show us around. And then there is, after, a little bit of our private time so we can our private driver to show us around and then rest after a little bit of our private time so we can take more pictures. And then when you book, you can choose the date, you choose the time and you have two option of payments. You can pay everything on the front, but if you prefer to pay just and deposit now and later after our photo shoot, uh, rest, that's also okay and as well and because of tracy, we have surprise for you yeah, you can say okay.

Speaker 2: 25:13

So if you put in the code uk tp10, you get 10 off a photo shoot with domi exactly so.

Speaker 3: 25:22

Uh, this is very good deal because I usually don't give anybody discounts, but because I really like the group of Tracy on Facebook. I just I love you guys. I just want to see you into our podcast before as well. I just love your feedback and reading your comments. That's why we also offer you 10%.

Speaker 2: 25:44

So that's brilliant. So thanks so much, domi, for coming on the podcast again, as always talking about just how much you love London it always comes through and how well you know it and how good you are at being able to choose the right spots for people to get those iconic images. You take those shots that people can take away and can remember forever Exactly right.

Speaker 3: 26:08

Thank you so much for having me.

Speaker 2: 26:10

You can find a link to Domi's website and also the discount code in this week's show notes, which you can find at uktravelplannercom, forward slash 94. I will also include some of the beautiful photographs that Domi has taken of us during our photo shoots in some of these iconic London locations. Do book with her as soon as possible. She is very popular and does get booked up with good reason. She's absolutely wonderful. Also, I'd like to ask a quick favour.

Speaker 2: 26:38

If you enjoy our podcast and you are listening weekly and you find all the information that we share helpful and useful to you when planning your trip to the UK, we would love it if you could leave us a review for this podcast. Wherever it is that you download your podcast, whether it's Apple, spotify or wherever we would really really like it if you could do that for us. We just love reading those lovely reviews from you. So thanks so much for taking the time to do that. That just leaves me to say until next week's episode, which will be a trip report. Thank you so much for tuning in and happy UK travel planning.