This Middleton Lodge styled shoot took place during one of the most striking times of year. The estate was surrounded by rich autumn colours, with warm copper tones in the trees, soft golden light drifting through the grounds and leaves scattered across the stone steps. It created a seasonal atmosphere that worked beautifully for natural, documentary-style photography in North Yorkshire.

The shoot was centred around the main house, making use of its elegant interiors and the natural light that flows through the large windows. The soft autumn light helped create clean, flattering portraits, while glimpses of seasonal colour outside added warmth and depth to the images. The neutral tones of the interiors allowed the focus to remain on expression and movement, giving the photographs a timeless feel.

Moving between rooms in the main house allowed for a variety of backdrops without the shoot feeling staged. The balance between light interiors and the richer tones visible outdoors worked particularly well for capturing subtle, emotive moments.

We then stepped out into the gardens for portraits among the autumn foliage. Middleton Lodge’s grounds are especially striking at this time of year, with pathways lined by warm oranges and reds and fallen leaves adding texture underfoot. The stone pillars and Georgian architecture framed the shoot beautifully, creating strong compositions while still allowing everything to feel effortless and unforced.

The gardens also provided space for more candid-style imagery. The changing autumn light added atmosphere and variation, with each area offering a slightly different look while remaining cohesive. These moments highlight how well the gardens lend themselves to relaxed, natural photography throughout the seasons.

As the light began to fade, we returned to the exterior of the main house for final portraits. With soft lighting and the last traces of autumn colour in the background, these images became some of the strongest from the shoot.

This Middleton Lodge photoshoot shows why the main house and gardens work so well in autumn. The combination of natural light, seasonal colour and classic architecture offers a consistent and versatile setting that allows imagery to flow naturally from start to finish.