Couple & Dog Photo Session in Queens Park, Paddington | London Dog Photograph
Senior Pet Photography in London
Meet Dublin! A sixteen year old terrier cross with a spark in his eye and a spring in his step! Full of character, joy and that irresistible zest for life - he was livelier than a lot of dogs half his age. His owners reached out to me as they had received some worrying news about his health, and they wanted to capture some photographs of him while he was still feeling well. It was a bittersweet request, one I always approach with the deepest care and respect. These sessions are never easy, but they’re incredibly meaningful.
You wouldn’t guess Dublin’s age just by watching him. Despite everything, he was bouncy, curious and eager to explore. We arranged to meet at Queens Park, west London as this was one of Dublin’s favourite walking spots. The park had a great mix of paths, open spaces and quiet corners so felt big enough and varied enough in terms of photography backgrounds, but was also meaningful to the couple.
Outdoor Pet & Couple Photography
We began the session with a gentle walk along a tree-lined path tucked into one corner of the park. I always guide my clients a little during these early moments, just enough to help them feel at ease and forget about the camera. This enables me to capture my clients relaxed, enjoying each other’s company and being present.
Dog Portrait Photography
Not far from the path, we found a large fallen log—just the right place to pause for some individual portraits. Once up on the log, Dublin was happy to pause briefly from his park adventures and enjoy a few cuddles. It was also a good place to brush up on his stay command, while I took several portraits of him.
Winter Dog Photo Session at a London park
As we made our way into the centre of the park, the bandstand came into view. Bright and striking against the soft grey of an overcast day, it added a little splash of colour to the photos.I always enjoy working around bandstands—there’s something nostalgic about them. Once a bustling part of Victorian park life, many have faded into history, though some, like this one, have been carefully restored and still serve as focal points for families and communities. On this day, there was no music playing, just the rustle of leaves and the gentle laughter of a couple who clearly adore their little dog. I worked from different angles, positioning myself to capture the whole structure as well as the couple and the dog from closer up.
For more information about bandstands, you can read a really interesting article here.
By this point, Dublin was getting a little tired so I suggested we find a bench and have a bit of a rest. This worked a treat! Dublin snuggled in between the couple and enjoyed lots of kisses and cuddles. Some of my favourite photos are from this bench. They are filled with love, connection and intimacy and show just how meaningful and deep our relationship with our pet can be.
This was a great opportunity to have some close up photos of Dublin’s face. He had such curious expressive eyes that I wanted to capture them up close. I’d hoped to get a photo of his paw resting in a hand, but he wasn’t quite comfortable with that. So we decided to improvise. His owner gently resting her hand next to his, which created a lovely timeless composition..
As the session came to a close, we ended on a light-hearted note, tossing some leaves in the air to see if Dublin might enjoy the spectacle. He was entirely unimpressed, closing his eyes as the leaves fluttered down, which made us all laugh.
End-of-Life Dog Photography
Sessions like these are incredibly special. They’re about celebrating the life of a beloved pet, acknowledging the joy they’ve brought, the love they’ve shared, and the space they hold in our hearts. If you’re considering photographs of your senior dog, or if you’re approaching a more difficult goodbye, please know you’re not alone.
I offer senior dog and end-of-life dog and pet photography, and have recently joined the Tilly Project - a non-profit organisation that helps connect pet owners with photographers across the world, and provides photography, educational, and grief resources for owners experiencing pet loss or bereavement.
Booking a Senior Dog Photography Session or End-of-Life Pet Photography Session
Booking a dog photo session is easy!
1 SAY HELLO!
Drop me a line at mina@minamilanovic-photography.com to enquire about a session or fill out a form on my contact page and tell me a little bit about what your requirements are. I will send you my availablity and answer any questions you may have before you book your session. We can arrange either a weekday or a weekend session, whatever works best for you and your pet.
2 SESSION DEPOSIT
A 30% booking deposit is required to reserve your date on my calender. The remainder of the fee is payable before the agreed pet photography session date.
3 SESSION LOCATION
We will discuss location choices. I am happy to meet you at your favourite location, or provide a list of locations in the Surrey and London area. I can also meet you at home for a home pet session, or we can split our time between your home and an outside location.
About Me
Hello! I’m Mina, a pet and family photographer based in Surrey, working across London and the South East. I’ve always loved animals and have had dogs growing up who were my companions and my best buddies. In my adulthood I’ve had two cats who were there for some of my most important milestones in life.
Losing them was incredibly hard, but the photographs I have of them are now some of my most treasured possessions. They bring me back to our shared adventures and remind me of the deep love we had for one another.
I know how meaningful our relationships with our pets are, and how important it is to preserve the moments that make them special. I would love to help you capture memories of you with your beloved pet. If you would like to work with me, please get in touch.
