Check college rules
Each Oxford college sets its own access rules, so graduates should confirm with their college before planning portraits inside the grounds.
Portrait Photographer in Oxfordshire
Individual portraits, graduation pictures and personal branding sessions set against Oxford's stone, Banbury's market-town streets or a plain studio backdrop.
The short answer
Where can I have a portrait photoshoot in Oxfordshire?
Oxford offers the widest choice, from the streets around the Radcliffe Camera to the meadows by the Thames and Cherwell. In Banbury, People's Park and Banbury Cross give a quieter town setting, and Bicester has Garth Park and St Edburg's Church, the town's only Grade I listed building. Kaushik travels from Northwood, about 38 miles to Oxford, and travel is quoted in writing before you book.
Our usual session area is within about 20 miles of the studio. Further out in Oxfordshire, sessions are by arrangement, with travel quoted in writing before you book.
I did a fabulous photoshoot with Kaushik and thoroughly enjoyed it! I was very nervous, but he made me feel at ease! I will hopefully return for another one at a later date!
Kaushik has been absolutely fantastic!! I called him to book for a photoshoot session for my parents anniversary, last minute with just one day in advance. he was super responsive and was able to accommodate. He was also understanding when they were running late. Even more impressive is that he put my parents at ease and was able to get great shots, its their first photoshoot and it turned out great!
Highly recommend!!! I came from Qatar and found this famous Photographer Kaushik Bathia who took my photographs! Absolutely incredible. He touched up on blemishes and really made the photo look so beautiful!
Graduation
Graduation portraits in Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and a graduation is a day many families want recorded properly rather than on a phone. A portrait session on or near the day can include you in gown and hood, with parents and grandparents, against the city's old stone. The Radcliffe Camera, a Bodleian reading room built in 1737 to 1749, works as a backdrop from outside, as it is not open to the public.
Graduation days are busy, so the session is kept short with two or three spots within walking distance of each other. Each college sets its own rules for its grounds, so check with yours before the day. Christ Church Meadow, open in daylight hours all year except Christmas Day, is a calmer alternative when the streets are crowded.
Personal branding
Branding portraits around Carfax and Banbury Cross
If you run a practice, a consultancy or a creative business in Oxfordshire, a set of branding portraits gives you pictures for your website, social media and press. Oxford's centre meets at Carfax, where Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, St Aldate's and the High Street come together, and a short walk there gives street scenes, doorways and shopfronts behind you. We plan a mix of close headshots, half-length portraits and wider frames that leave space for text.
Banbury Cross, at the top of the High Street in Banbury, was erected in 1859 and had statues of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V added in 1914. It gives a north Oxfordshire business owner a recognisable local backdrop. If you would rather be photographed at your desk, in your workshop or in your kitchen, that works too, and can say more about what you do.
Individuals
Portraits for a milestone, a profile or simply for you
Not every portrait needs a reason. A 40th or 70th birthday, a new chapter in life, or just wanting a good picture of yourself are all fine starting points. Kaushik spends the first few minutes talking rather than shooting, finds the light that suits your face and keeps direction simple, so you are never left wondering what to do with your hands.
In Bicester, Garth Park and the Bure Park Local Nature Reserve, a 21 acre mix of grassland, scrub, woodland and hedges along the River Bure, give soft green backgrounds. In Banbury, People's Park has a walled garden, an enclosed and leafy setting for a close portrait. Or you can come to the Northwood studio, about 38 miles from Oxford and Bicester, for a classic lit portrait.
Practicalities
Booking an Oxfordshire portrait session
Portrait prices are given on request by phone or WhatsApp on 07956 505383, and depend on how long you need and where the session happens. Travel from Northwood to any part of Oxfordshire is set out in your written quote, so you see the full cost before you confirm. Banbury, about 51 miles from the studio, is planned with extra time either side of the session.
Our portrait photography page has more on outfits and styles. If you need a business headshot for LinkedIn rather than a fuller portrait, see headshots in Oxfordshire, and the Oxfordshire photographer page lists every service in the county.
Planning
Planning around Oxfordshire
Shoot early in Oxford
Morning light and quieter streets around the Radcliffe Camera make a portrait easier than the middle of a busy day in the city centre.
Bring a contrast
Two outfits, one smart and one relaxed, give a branding set range without needing a second session in Banbury or Bicester.
Use a local landmark
Banbury Cross or St Edburg's Church in Bicester tie a business portrait to its town, which tells local clients exactly where you are.
Portrait backdrops in Oxfordshire
These sourced Oxfordshire landmarks and locations suit portraits, and the notes cover access where the source gives it.
- Christ Church Meadow: Christ Church Meadow, owned by Christ Church, is open free of charge during daylight hours all year except Christmas Day, with riverside paths, views of Oxford's skyline and a herd of Old English Longhorn cattle. 1
- University Parks: The University Parks, a Grade II listed landscape beside the River Cherwell bought by the University in the 1850s, is not a public park but welcomes residents and visitors, and cycling is not allowed inside. 2
- Garth Park gardens after a Garth ceremony: The county council's own page for The Garth notes that Garth Park's gardens can be used for photographs with family and friends after a ceremony. 3
Sources, facts checked October 2026
Good to know
Portraits in Oxfordshire: questions answered
Yes, as a portrait session around the day. We meet at an agreed time, photograph you in gown with family nearby, and use spots in the city centre or by the river. Check your college's rules on photography in its grounds first, and tell us your timings once the ceremony schedule is out.
Around an hour suits most individual portraits, and personal branding sets often take longer because of outfit changes and extra locations. On the day we keep an eye on the light and the clock, especially in winter, when Oxfordshire afternoons are short.
Yes. A room with a large window is usually all we need, and Kaushik brings what is needed to light it. Home portraits suit older relatives who would rather not travel, or anyone who wants to be photographed with their own books, instruments or garden.
Yes. A seated portrait at home, with good window light and family close by, is gentle on someone who tires easily. For a family in Banbury or Bicester, Kaushik comes to the house, and travel from Northwood is set out in the written quote you receive first.
Yes. The studio at 21 Joel Street in Northwood Hills has fixed lighting and plain backdrops, and it is two minutes from Northwood Hills station. It is about 38 miles from Oxford and Bicester, so it suits anyone already heading towards north-west London.
Plain, solid colours in a fabric you are comfortable in. Avoid tiny checks or stripes, which can shimmer in pictures. For outdoor sessions in Oxfordshire's parks and meadows, bring a coat for between shots and shoes you can walk in.
Your photographer is Kaushik Bathia, a fellow of both the BIPP and the MPA with five European Kodak Gold Awards, working from the studio he opened in Northwood in 2001.
Portraits in Oxfordshire
Arrange a portrait session
Tell us what the portrait is for and where in Oxfordshire you would like it taken, and we will suggest a setting and send a written quote with the travel from Northwood.
More in Oxfordshire
- Photography across Oxfordshire
- Weddings in Oxfordshire
- Asian weddings in Oxfordshire
- Hindu weddings in Oxfordshire
- Sikh weddings in Oxfordshire
- Muslim weddings in Oxfordshire
- Family photography in Oxfordshire
- Newborn photography in Oxfordshire
- Maternity photoshoots in Oxfordshire
- Engagement and couples shoots in Oxfordshire
- Headshots in Oxfordshire
- Event photography in Oxfordshire
- Pet photography in Oxfordshire
- Commercial photography in Oxfordshire
- Christmas photoshoots in Oxfordshire
- Christening photography in Oxfordshire
- Graduation photography in Oxfordshire
- Portraits
Other counties
- Portraits in Hertfordshire
- Portraits in Buckinghamshire
- Portraits in Berkshire
- Portraits in Surrey
- Portraits in Essex
- Portraits in Bedfordshire
- Portraits in Kent
- Portraits in North West London
- Portraits in West London
- Portraits in North London
- Portraits in East London
- Portraits in South London
- Portraits in Central London