Forest Hill Family Photoshoot
I have photographed this loving family on their favourite nature walk in the Forest Hill / Dulwich area. We spent the first hour or so outside, enjoying a mild spring day, then went back home for a cup of tea and some more indoor shots.
I don’t often photograph older children so I wasn’t quite so sure how this photo session will go. However as soon as I met everyone I realised that this was going to be a relaxed, fun family photo shoot! Since this was a family photo session with a dog, the kids had lots to tell me about their dog which was a great starting point for a conversation. I subsequently found out all about their interests and hobbies, which enabled me to build a trusting connection with them needed to be able to capture genuine moments on photographs. The boys and the whole family were absolute stars and made my work on the day a dream.
I love this set of family portraits, especially that some of the photos captured the closeness of their relationship and a few really geniune moments.
If you would like to arrange a family photo session in your local area, please get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
Dog Photo Session in Wandsworth
I so am behind with my blog posts! This one is from earlier in the summer which seems long long ago. The days are getting short and the evenings are drawing in, perfect time for sitting by the fire and reminiscing about summer photo sessions.
This couple and dog photo shoot took place in Wandsworth, South West London. The photoshoot was a Christmas gift and was meant to be a puppy photo session, but because of puppy health issues we had to postpone. By summer time, the bulldog puppy didn’t quite look like a puppy but it definitely had the puppy spirit about him.
We started the dog photo session in the communal gardens where I took a few action shots and portraits of the puppy alone. We then headed out by the river for a walk, which has some beautiful backdrops which I was keen to incorporate in the portraits of the couple together with their dog. I love including the landscape into the photograph, it gives a sense of a place and reminds the clients of the places they visited or where they lived.
Bulldogs are such expressive dogs and it is great fun and a pleasure to photograph them. Their grumpy face makes for a great pet portrait but they are also playful and cheeky, and some of my favourite photos from this pet photo shoot are the action shots.
Christmas is coming once again. If you need a Christmas gift idea, head over to my gift voucher page where you can find a selection of photography gift vouchers available to purchase. Photography gift vouchers are available for one year from the date of purchase and come with a complementary 8x6’’ print. Please contact me if you would like to add credit towards digital files or prints, or if you would like to have a chat about your photography gift idea.
Family Photo Shoot with Dog in Surrey
This family received a Christmas dog photography gift voucher from their daughter. She thought the whole family would enjoy the experience of having their photos taken in company of their elderly dog, in their beautiful home in Surrey.
Family photo shoots with dogs are always fun! Dogs bring a different energy to the session, and I find that people tend to be more relaxed in front of the camera when dog is around. There is another being to think about, to instruct, pose and cuddle, diverting the attention away from thinking about how we look or feel in front of the camera.
When photographing dogs and families, I work to initially take a few group shots. Then, depending on the energy level of the dog I am photographing, I either take dog portrait shots, or dog action shots. Then I would move over to individual family member portraits with the dog, and finally focus on more spontanious and creative images. That way, I ensure I have a wide variety of photographs my clients can choose from.
I am based in Surrey, but will travel to your home or one of the stunning locations in Surrey and London for family photography or family and dog photo sessions.
To purchase a dog photography gift voucher as a birthday present, or a Christmas gift, please contact me to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, head over to my Gift Vouchers page where you purchase a one hour or two hour pet photography gift certificate directly from my website.
Dog Photography in Weybridge, Surrey
This couple received one of my pet photography gift vouchers as a going away present from work colleagues. The couple wanted to have some photos of their three dogs in their home before relocating to a different country.
The dogs were all different breeds and looked like a gang of friends from Lady and the Tramp, so I wanted to photograph them both as a group and individually. I also wanted to capture them with their owners.
When photographing multiple dogs, it is worth considering how one could frame prints so I positioned each individual dog for their portrait shot in the same place. That way, if the owner wants to frame their portraits, there will be consistency between different shots.
My favourite photo from this dog photo shoot is of all the dogs running towards the camera. I love the expressions on their faces, each of them revealing a little bit of the dog’s personality.
If you are looking for a dog related present for a colleague, friend or family member, perhaps you would like to consider purchasing one of my one hour or two hour pet photography gift vouchers. The vouchers are valid for one year from the date of purchase and they make a really unique present. Visit my gift vouchers page or get in touch for more info.
Surrey Family and Dog Photography
Family Dogs was a personal project which I ran last year, and which I hope to continue once the lockdown restrictions are eased on the 29th March. The aim of this project was to explore the relationship pets have with their families, and to do the project locally in Surrey.
As a Surrey dog photographer, I really enjoy meeting different dogs and getting to know them in the time I am there to photograph them. This little dachshund was a bit unsure when he first met me. It took him a little while to relax and be comfortable. During this time, I photographed the little girl who was all smiles and enjoyed hearing the click of my shutter button. When the dog relaxed, I was ready to photograph both the girl and the dog, and all the family together. This was the opportunity to capture some genuine and homey moments.
The outside session allowed me to experiment with family photography. I wanted to capture the family in a natural surrounding but also to use natural elements creatively in my photography. A fallen branch, a reflective surface and soft light provided some wonderful opportunities.
I really missed doing family photoshoots in Surrey the last few months and I can’t wait to get going again. You can see similar blog posts if you visit my blog. Please get in touch if you would like to participate in this project. If you would like to find out more about my family photoshoots, please visit my family photography page. If you have a dog and would like to find out more about my dog photo sessions, please visit my dog portraits page.
For information on photography gift vouchers, see my store.
Any questions - drop me a line!
Family Photoshoot With Their Dog in Dorking, Surrey
Family photoshoots with dogs are my favourite! I love the sense of adventure I get to experience when both kids and dogs are involved in the creative process. Kids always have amazing ideas about which games to play, suggestions of what would make a fun shot and they love to show off various activities and hobbies. Dogs bring a little bit of extra chaos into the mixture. I never know what is going to happen next!
Back in the autumn when leaves were still on tress in beautiful shades of green, yellow and orange, I photographed a family in Dorking with their pet dog. This was an energetic session from the start. Within the first 15 minutes, there was a race, a hide and seek game amongst the breacon and who can do a highest jump!
In the first half of the sesson, I also wanted to take a family portrait with their dog. This shot took a while to set up and as I called the dog to look at me, he took the decision to actually run towards me. The resulting image is quite comical as it looks like he photo bombed my shot. I love a bit of spontaneity!
Later on in the session, while the kids were climbing a tree, the sun came out and gave the whole scene a beautiful look. The light was fantastic, the colours were vivid and beautiful and I saw the potential to take individual portraits of older children as well as a group shot of the kids. These are my favourite images from the shoot and I hope you like them too.
Looking at the photos, they remind me so much of my own childhood. I used to love spending time in nature with my family and my dog. It always felt like an adventure. I love the energy and free spirit this family brought to the family photo session, and I hope I captured at least a fraction of that!
Please visit my family photo session page for more information, or visit my blog if you would like to browse through the different family and pet photoshoots. Get in touch if you would like to discuss your photoshoot, or visit my store if you are considering purchasing a photography gift voucher for a friend or a family member.
Family and Dog Photography in Surrey
January is normally a month of catching up with admin and a backlog of blogs. This January is no different, even though we are in lockdown number 3. I am finding this lockdown more challenging than the last two so looking back on some of the positive things that came out of 2020 offers a respite and hope for this year.
Last year, I started a personal photography project entitled “Family Dogs”. I photographed a lot of families and a lot of dogs but the two seemed to keep quite seperate. I therefore decided to combine my two passions and create an opportunity for photography I really wanted to do. I love capturing an action shot of a dog running or playing, or a lovely quiet portrait. But what I really want to be photographing is the interactions families have with their dogs, kids playing with their four legged friend, giving them a hug or riding bikes while the dog runs along.
The family and dog photo session shown in the photographs below is from a recent Family Dogs Photoshoot, back when there were still a few leaves left on branches. This sweet family was a joy to photograph, the boys so keen to show me their pet chickens, paddle and dig clay in the stream, and ride bikes with their dog following them. One of my all time favourite photoshoots!
As a Surrey family and dog photographer, I work all over Surrey, London and the South East. This project is for local Surrey residents only, and I welcome anyone who would like to participate. If you are interested, please contact me to find out more.
Children and Pet Photography in Surrey
I have been photographing families and pets since 2013. I very much enjoy photographing both subject but most of the photoshoots were either dog photo sessions, focusing on the dog, or family sessions where the main focus is the family. I recently started a personal photography project called “Family Dogs” where I combine my passion for two. I am interested in capturing the relationship families have with their pet dogs and vice versa.
This photography session was for a family of three. A two year old girl, a seven year old rhodesian ridgeback/boxer cross and their lovely mum. We decided to meet at Blackheath Common near Guildford which was the perfect backdrop for outdoor family and pet photography. The two girls had sa very special bond especially when it came down to treat time! The dog loved performing tricks and showing off which commands it can do and was rewarded by the girl with some yummy treats.
Below is a selection of some of my favourite photos from the day - I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them.
If you would like to book your dog photography or family photography ssession, or if you would like to participate in my Family Dogs project, please get in touch!
Dog Photo Shoot with Family
Family Dogs
Family Dogs is a personal project which documents the relationship families have with their dogs and vice versa. The project came about from my two photography passions - photographing dogs and photographing families. It is currently in its third month and I am greatly enjoying meeting all the fabilous dogs and their owners.
Working on location
Working as a dog photographer, I photograph dogs all over London and the Soth East. This project, however is focused on Surrey dogs and photoshoots take place mainly in outside locations. This particular photoshoot, with the sweetest little cavapoo you’ll ever meet, took place in the family home.
Family Photography with Dogs
This family has a really special bond with their dog. She is adored by the whole family and loves being cuddled. I wanted to capture the bond children have with her, but also how the whole family interacts with her. Photography sessions with children and dogs can be tricky but this particular dog was like a model - as soon as she heard the camera clicking, she would look straight at me, raise her ears and pose. In my career working as a dog photographer, I haven’t seen anything like it!
Getting Involved
If you have a pet and would like to get involved in this project please fet in touch at info@minamilanovic-photography.com. I would love to hear from you!
Photography Gift Vouchers
I offer gift vouchers for pet photoshoots, family photo sessions, newborn photoshoots and couple photo sessions. If you are looking for a different kind of present for a birhday, an anniversity or christmas, do get in touch or visit my store where you can directly buy photography gift certificates.
Family Dogs / Surrey Family and Pet Photographer
Family Dogs
I love taking family photographs and I also love photographing dogs. That is why I recently started a personal project called Family Dogs, with an aim to document the relationship families have with their pet dogs. To kick start the series, I photographed a gorgeous cocker spaniel Lexi with her human family. We arranged our dog and family photo shoot near Leith Hill as the family lived close by and one of their favourite things to do in spare time was to go on long country walks.
Family portraits with pets
It was a warm summer day in late summer, with sunshine coming through the clouds but with rain looming in the distance. We started our walk at the bottom of the hill, walking up the gentle slopes, sun coming through the trees. This first part of the session provided some great opportunities for group shots, the colours of the dead leaves on the ground matching Lexi’s coat. It was lovely to work with the earhy colour palette. A part of the route up towards Leith Hill has some impressive tree roots which form an amazing pattern on the ground. I knew I wanted to include these in the photographs, so I positioned Lexi for a few dog portraits. I particurlarly like black and white versions of these photographs, the textures and patterns really come through. Once we were on top of the hill, I looked around for nice spots for some more family shots. The heather was in bloom and I wanted to include it in the photos. Often when photographing families with dogs, there is quite a bit of arranging going on. Either the dog doesn’t want to sit still, the kids want to run around or both things happen making it nearly impossible to take a group shot! On this occasion, by some miracle, the family set down and just as they did so (while also looking at the camera), Lexi came from behind and poked her head through a little hole in the middle. This is one of the rare unposed, unplanned photos which just happened and turned out amazing! It is one of my favouirtes from this family and pet photo session, probably because it was so spontaneous!
Dog Portraits
Finally, a dog photo session with an energetic dog like Lexi wouldn’t be complete without a few action shots. I got Lexi to run along the paths amongst the heather and she did so with such speed that my auto focus struggled to keep up. I love taking a variety of different shots which capture memories of our pets in different situations - while frantically running around, chasing a ball, playing with another dog or a family member, or having a quiet moment. Different moments take us back and awaken memories we thought we lost.
Family Photography with Dogs
If you live in Surrey and are interested in participating in my Family Dogs photography project, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you and photograph your family and your dog(s)!
Dog Photography Gift Vouchers
If you are looking for a different kind of gift for someone’s birthday, anniversary or Christmas present, then a photography gift voucher may be the answer. I offer 1h and 2h dog photography gift vouchers. You can add extra credit to the gift certificate, which can go towards digital files or prints, or leave it up to the receipient to choose what they’d like at the end of the photoshoot. Get in touch if you have any questions!