Mermaid & Unicorn Fantasy Photoshoot Luton & Dunstable, Oakley Studios
Where every little mermaid finds her ocean
and every unicorn finds their Princess
Some photosho experiences stay with you for years.
The Mermaids & Unicorns experience is one of them.
From the moment your child slips into their handmade costume, something shifts. Shyness melts away. Eyes light up. The studio stops being a studio and becomes an ocean floor, or an enchanted meadow — and the portraits that follow are genuinely unlike anything else we create.
David and Sue have been photographing children at their studio on the Luton and Dunstable border for over 35 years, with more than 15,000 children’s portraits to their name.
They know how to read a child — when to be patient, when to play, when to just let the magic happen in front of the camera. That instinct is what turns a dressed-up moment into a portrait you’ll frame on the wall and never take down.
ENCHANTED
Trio Collection
Mermaid or Unicorn
Experience photoshoot
Your own exclusive appointment
THREE
digital files
ready to print
THREE
matching digitals
made to share
ONLY
£238
A beautiful introduction to the experience, perfect if you’re booking for one child.
You’ll leave with three print-quality digital files and three matching versions sized for sharing — everything you need to print, frame, and send to the grandparents.
MAGICAl MOMENTS Collection
Mermaid or Unicorn
Experience photoshoot
Your own exclusive appointment
FOUR
digital files
ready to print
FOUR
matching digitals
made to share
ONE
Illuminare Fine Art Print
Art That Glows
ONLY
£299
Our most popular choice.
Four digital files plus four sharing versions, and one Illuminare Fine Art Print — our signature product that catches light in a way that genuinely stops people in their tracks.
It’s the collection most families choose when they see it.
FANTASY
Dreams Collection
Mermaid or Unicorn
Experience photoshoot
Your own exclusive appointment
FIVE
digital files
ready to print
FIVE
matching digitals
made to share
TWO
Illuminare Fine Art Prints
Art That Glows
ONLY
£449
For families who want the full picture. Five digital files, five sharing versions, and two Illuminare Fine Art Prints — ideal if you’re photographing more than one child, or simply want to fill two walls instead of one. This is the collection people come back to tell us they wish they’d chosen.
Magic awaits...
For MERMAIDS & PRINCESSES...
1
Join the waiting list
The experience runs on selected dates and fills up quickly. Use the form on this page or call us on 01582 491499 to register your interest — we’ll be in touch as soon as a date is confirmed.
02
Your exclusive appointment
Your session is just yours. No other families, no rushing, no waiting around.
You’ll have David or Sue’s full attention from the moment you walk in, with time to settle, choose your costume, get changed and simply enjoy the experience.
03
The viewing
Once your session is complete, we’ll invite you back to see your portraits presented as a beautiful cinema-style slideshow. It’s the moment everything comes together — and the one that tends to produce a few happy tears.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Mermaids and Unicorns Experience
It’s a fully themed fantasy photoshoot — either a mermaid underwater world or a unicorn enchanted realm — using handmade costumes and a purpose-built studio set. The session itself is relaxed and fun, and the portraits it produces are genuinely one-of-a-kind. Most families tell us it’s the most memorable photoshoot they’ve ever had.
What ages is the Mermaids and Unicorns Experience for?
All ages, genuinely. We have costumes across a full range of sizes, so whether it’s a toddler, a teenager, or a mum who decides she wants to be a mermaid too, we can make it work. Some of the loveliest portraits we’ve taken have been siblings together, or a parent joining in.
How much does the Mermaids and Unicorns Experience cost?
Collections start from £238 for the Enchanted Trio (three digital files plus three sharing versions). The Magical Moments Collection is £299 and adds an Illuminare Fine Art Print. The Fantasy Dreams Collection is £449 and includes two Illuminare prints — see the full package details above.
How do I register for the next event?
Use the form on this page or give us a call on 01582 491499. The experience runs on selected dates throughout the year and spaces are always limited — the mermaid and unicorn sessions are held on separate days because of the studio setup involved, so it’s worth registering for both if your child loves the idea of either.
What is an Illuminare Fine Art Print?
It’s our signature art product — a fine art print with a luminous surface that catches light in a way standard prints simply don’t. When it’s hung in a room with natural light, it has a quality that’s hard to describe until you see it. It’s the piece people tend to comment on when they visit your home.
Where is your studio?
We’re at 39 Emerald Road, on the Luton and Dunstable border — easy to reach from both towns and the surrounding area, with free on-site parking. No multi-storey car parks or meters to worry about.
Do I need to bring anything?
Everything you need is here — costumes, accessories, props. Just bring yourselves. For younger children, it’s worth popping a drink and a small snack in your bag, just to keep energy levels up if there’s a costume change involved.
Are they held on the same day?
The Unicorn and Mermaid shoots will be held on different days owing to the studio set up required for the different shoots.
How long will my photoshoot last?
We set aside around an hour for each session. That gives everyone time to arrive, choose their costume, get changed, and settle in before the camera comes out. There’s no rushing — if a child needs five minutes to warm up, that’s completely fine. The best portraits come when everyone’s relaxed.
