A perfect Sunday in Notting Hill, according to a Candid Studio Host
If I had one slow Sunday to spend in Notting Hill, this would be it. Coffee, flowers, little streets, good food, a spontaneous photoshoot and the kind of energy that reminds you how BEAUT life really is.
“Some Sundays aren’t about doing more. They’re about noticing more.” - Natalie
There’s a very specific kind of Sunday I love. The kind of Sunday you leave your house with no plan, no pressure to be home at a certain time, and no problems.
You head out in your slay outfit, big grin, music in your ears (likely Maggie Rogers or Olivia Dean), an overpriced oat milk cap in hand, and your favorite sunglasses.
And honestly? Notting Hill is perfect for that kind of day.
Working at our photo studio in Notting Hill, I’ve slowly built up a collection of little spots and rituals that make a Sunday here feel less like London and more like stepping into some soft, cinematic version of your own life.
So if I was planning the perfect one, this is exactly how I’d do it.
9am — coffee first, obviously
I’m starting at Sunday in Brooklyn because I refuse to pretend their hazelnut maple praline pancakes aren’t life-changing. But if I want something quicker and more low-key, I’ll grab a coffee from Beam and wander. That’s one of my favourite things about this area actually…there’s no real rush to it. You can walk without needing a destination. And somehow Notting Hill always rewards you for slowing down. With the colorful doors, endless stands, vintage stores, wisteria wrapped around the quaint houses…
11am — a little wander through Portobello
No matter how many times I do it, I’ll never get bored of Portobello Road (except when it’s overly crowded and I am LATE (which I normally am).
But I adore it on a Sunday when it feels slightly calmer and sleepier than Saturday. I love the fruit stalls, the vintage jewellery, the random little antiques that make you suddenly convinced you need a 1960s silver cocktail shaker for a life you do not currently live.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I usually buy flowers. Because flowers are a staple. Full stop.
There’s something weirdly grounding about carrying flowers around London. Like suddenly you become the kind of woman who has her life together enough to buy peonies before noon. Even if internally you’re still figuring everything out and can barely afford your £20 coconut milk matcha latte.
1pm — the spontaneous photoshoot part
Okay maybe I’m biased…but I genuinely think one of the nicest things you can do with your friends, partner, sister, mom (whomever) is book a shoot together. In a ‘let’s just capture this version of ourselves while we’re here’ kind of way.
Some of my favourite days at our studio in Notting Hill have been the ones where people walk in after brunch slightly windswept, carrying shopping bags, laughing about absolutely nothing. Those shoots always end up feeling the most real and pressure-free.
You don’t need to have transformed your life, lost that weight, gotten engaged, gotten pregnant, launched your new business, or become confident first. You just arrive exactly as you are (with your £50 coffee).
*Although I should caveat that I LOVE all the badasses who come in pregnant, engaged, business ready, etc. Because we also need to remember to CELEBRATE our lives and our wins.
That’s the whole point.
Whether you are walking in for a last minute shoot, or booking in advance, we love meeting you guys <3
3pm — post-shoot wander energy
This might actually be my favourite part of the day. Post-Candid-shoot energy is REAL. There’s this softness people leave with. Like they’ve remembered themselves a little bit.
So from there, I’d probably wander towards Holland Park, £70 iced matcha in hand, pretending I’m in a Colleen Hoover book for at least twenty minutes.
Or maybe stop at Books for Cooks because there’s something incredibly comforting about flipping through cookbooks you’ll never actually make recipes from.
And if the weather’s good? Ice cream from Gelateria 3Bis. No discussion. Pistachio, ALWAYS.
6pm — the slow ending
The best Sundays end quietly (and early). Because, let’s face it, we all love waking up FRESH on a Monday morning (a rare, but beautiful thing when it happens).
So, let's end this day with a glass of wine…somewhere outside. Tired feet, camera roll full of tiny moments you almost didn’t capture, WeTransfer link ready to download all your Candid photos.
At the moment, I’m obsessed with all of the cute (mostly French) wine bars on our street: Trogolo, Brasserie Notting Hill, Tappo Enoteca, Franklin’s Wine. Honestly, it’s dangerous. SO many cute spots RIGHT beside us. We love it.
Then a stroll back up Portobello towards Nottinghill Station, and a leisurely ride home (wherever that may be for you) with chill music in your ears (probably James Vincent McMorrow or Tom Misch), bag full of cute souvenirs, phone filled with photo’s, brain filled with new memories, and a heart so full.
That’s my perfect Sunday.
And who knows? Might be yours too. Give it a go.
Love, Natalie Ava Nasr xo
Thinking about planning your own slow Sunday in West London? Come spend part of it with us. Whether it’s a solo shoot, family photoshoot, branding session or just an excuse to capture this chapter of your life, we’d love to welcome you into the studio.
P.S. Our retrobooth is always open to walk-in’s (unless she’s on an adventure at an event. our gal is popular!)
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Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday - 12pm - 5pm (dm us on Instagram to make sure we’re in.)
