Senior Dog Photography in London: Aston's Clapham Common Photo Session

Some photo sessions stay with you long after the photos have been delivered. This was one of them. A few weeks ago I was contacted by a lovely couple who inquired about a senior dog photography session in London, with their beloved Pomeranian Aston. The couple was interested in having an outdoor lifestyle shoot in Clapham Common, during sunrise or sunset. They wanted natural outdoor photos of the three of them enjoying each other’s company, nothing too staged. His health had been deteriorating and they wished to capture his personality, energy and the special bond they shared while he was still feeling happy and enjoying life. They hoped to create photographs that would always remind them of Aston as he really was.

A natural dog and couple photoshoot at Clapham Common

We met on Clapham Common during a cloudy evening during the first of the heatwaves earlier this summer. Despite the weather, the conditions were perfect for a relaxed outdoor photography session.

I was instantly charmed by Aston. He was small but mighty! Full of character, incredibly sweet and friendly. I have to admit that I had always thought of Pomeranians as rather pampered little toy dogs, but Aston quickly proved me wrong! He was beautifully behaved, incredibly cuddly and very affectionate, while also being quite the poser in front of the camera. That combination made him a joy to photograph.

For a natural dog photography session, I don't want every photograph to look posed. Instead, I like to allow dogs to behave as naturally as possible and photograph the interactions between them and their people. For this session, that meant a mixture of walking photographs, relaxed portraits, cuddles and playful action shots.

“Thank you again for capturing such beautiful memories of us with Aston. They mean so much to us. We can’t wait to share them with our family and friends and to treasure them forever.”

— Alba

Capturing Aston's personality

We began the shoot with a few sitting and walking photographs before giving Aston the opportunity to show off his athleticism and capture his more energetic side. I always try to include a mix of images during a pet photography session. Alongside beautiful dog portraits, I like to capture movement, personality and those little interactions that tell the story of a relationship. These are often the photographs that become the most meaningful as they capture something completely recognisable about your dog, and your interaction with them.

Golden hour on Clapham Common

Halfway through our session, the clouds began to part and we were treated to gorgeous soft light, the type photographers call “the golden hour”. It was the perfect way to finish our session, with everyone enjoying the evening and each other’s company. The changing light also gave us a lovely variety of photographs, from softer portraits to images of Aston moving through the grass with his owners.

Clapham Common is a wonderful setting for an outdoor family and pet photoshoot because there is plenty of space to move around and create a variety of images, even on busy evenings like this one.

A senior pet photography session to remember

This senior pet photo session was a joy to photograph from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the couple and Aston, and unravelling different sides of his personality. More importantly, I feel so honored that my clients put their trust in me to capture their special bond with Aston, and I am glad that I was able to leave them with a treasured memory of their time together.

Since the session, I discovered that Aston had sadly passed away.

His owners were incredibly grateful that they had chosen to have their photographs taken when they did, while Aston was still himself, happy, affectionate and full of life. That is one of the reasons I believe photographs of senior pets are so important.

When we live with our dogs every day, it can be difficult to notice how quickly things change. We remember the walks, the cuddles, the funny habits and the companionship, but photographs allow us to hold onto those memories. An outdoor senior dog photography session doesn't have to be about saying goodbye. It can simply be about celebrating your dog exactly as they are today.

When should you book a senior dog photography session?

There isn’t a single right time to book one. Dogs are considered senior from about age 7 and above, depending on their size, breed and an individual’s health.

Some people contact me when they start noticing changes in their dog, like more sleep, reluctance to go up and down the stairs, or if they have had a health scare (like in the case of Aston). Others, on the other hand simply want to document this stage of their life.

If your dog is elderly, unwell or approaching the end of their life, I would generally recommend getting in touch sooner rather than later. The session can always be adapted to your dog's needs. We can take things slowly, include plenty of breaks and choose a location where your dog feels comfortable. For some dogs that might be their favourite park; for others, a garden or their own home may be a better choice. The most important thing is that your dog is comfortable and that the location feels like them.

End-of-life pet photography in London

I also offer end-of-life pet photography for families who want to document the relationship they share with a much-loved pet during the final stage of their life.

These sessions are, similar to senior dog photography sessions, gentle, relaxed and centered around your pet. I will meet you in your home, or your favourite park and photograph you and your dog interacting, cuddling and playing, as well as details like their paws, the way they look at you or their much loved places around the house.

If you are considering an end-of-life pet photography session, you don't need to know exactly what you want before getting in touch. I am always happy to have a conversation, answer questions and talk through what might work best for your dog and your family.

For additional information and support, The Tilly Project is an international organisation connecting pet owners with end-of-life pet photographers and providing resources around anticipatory grief and pet loss.

Remembering Aston

I feel incredibly honoured that Aston's owners trusted me to photograph this chapter of their lives together.

Aston was much more than a beautiful little Pomeranian in front of my camera. He was a much-loved member of the family, and these photographs are now a record of the personality, affection and joy that he brought to their lives. Below are a few more photographs from our session. I hope you enjoy going through them all as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Looking for a London pet photographer?

If you have a senior dog or pet and want to capture the relationship you share with them, please get in touch. You can read more about senior dog photography sessions, how they are structured. what happens during and after the session and much more on my Senior Dog Photography page. I provide natural, relaxed senior dog and family photography in London and Surrey. I would love to hear about your dog and what you would like to remember about this stage of their life.

About your photographer

Hello. My name is Mina, I am a family and pet lifestyle photographer based in Surrey, photographing families and their much-loved pets across Surrey, London and the surrounding areas. My approach to pet photography is rooted in storytelling, focusing on telling your family’s story. My style is unobtrusive, natural with a focus on candid moments. Rather than expecting children, couples or dogs to sit perfectly and pose for the camera, I prefer to give everyone space to interact, play, walk and simply enjoy being together. The result is a collection of photographs that feels personal to you.

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.