Surrey Quays Newborn Photo Session | London Family Photography
Natural Photography Newborn Portraits
My work as a family photographer gives me some wonderful opportunities to meet different kids of families - families with dogs, families with young children, those with older children and teenagers or extended families. On this occasion, my work took me to Surrey Quays in London to photograph a family with a newborn.
Newborn Sessions
I really enjoy photographing newborn babies, it is such a special time in any family’s life and passes by so quickly. Capturing moments from this stage ensures that this time is treasured in years to come. Although cozy and sweet, these sessions can be slightly unpredictable as one never knows what a newborn baby will be like on the day - sleepy, alert or unsettled. I was really pleased that the baby was very chilled, full of wonder and loving all the cuddles and kisses it was getting from mum & dad. We started the shoot in the bedroom, a large window allowing lots of natural light to come through, flooding the room with beautiful soft light. The family snuggled up on the bed which set the scene for natural candid moments I captured with my trusty Canon R5. After a busy morning, the newborn baby was getting a bit tired so it was the perfect time for some milk and a short nap.
Indoor Family Photo Session
The family had received a photography gift voucher from their friends, to mark the birth of their baby daughter. After discussing possible locations, we settled on meeting at their flat in Surrey Quays, which felt appropriate for the time of year (it was early spring and still a bit chilly) and the age of the baby. It is nice to get some cozy shots inside the house when the baby is in that newborn stage. Indoor photo sessions also give me a challenge - to find new and interesting ways of photographing a family in the confines of their home.
After a very short nap, it was time for some more food. I took this opportunity to take a few quiet images of the baby feeding. After she was finished and when she settled back to sleep, I photographed those tiny toes and tiny fingers before leaving the family in peace and making my way back home.
Book a Family Photo Session
If you like what you saw on this page, and would like to book a family or a newborn photoshoot, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you!
Photography Gift Vouchers
If you have friends who are expecting a baby, or have just bought their first puppy, or want to capture a few family moments, you may wish to consider gifting them a photography gift voucher. Gift vouchers are available for newborn, family, dog and couple photo sessions. They are valid for one year from the date of purhcase, you can purchase a gift voucher alone or add credit towards photography products. I will meet the recipient at their home or at an outside location. For more information, please visit my gift voucher store.
Autumnal Newborn and Pet Photo Session in Wimbledon | London Family and Pet Photographer
Newborn and Pet Photo Session
This was one of my favourite family portrait sessions from last year. This sweet family were gifted a pet photography gift voucher as a 30th birthday present. Because of their circumstance at the time, they asked me if they could upgrade the pet photoshoot to a newborn photo session, and postpone the shoot until the baby was born. I am so pleased that they did!
We arranged to meet on Wimbledon common as it was a half way location. It was an overcast autumnal day, the soft light perfect for family portraits. We started the shoot with together shots of all the family, to get the important shots done while the baby was awake and content. In my experience working as a professional family and pet photographer, it is important to seize the moment and not follow a well structured plan and order of shots to take.
Outdoor Newborn and Pet Photoshoot
Newborn photoshoots are often associated with cozy interiors and snuggled up babies. I do like an indoor newborn photoshoot, but there is something really nice about being outside in nature with the little one and documenting those first weeks in a new family’s life. If I was asked what is the main difference between photographing newborns indoors and outdoors is, apart from the obvious light conditions and the setting, it would be that babies tend to be calmer in the natural environment. They seem to really enjoy the sounds, smells and sights, looking more engaged, awake and interested in what is going on around them. During this particular outdoor newborn photoshoot, the baby was super calm, enjoying cuddles and soaking in the surroundings.
After a few initial shots cuddling with mum, this little girl was really content and calm so I took the opportunity to photograph her up-close, capturing those sweet looks and sleepy yawns.
It wasn’t all about mummy cuddles during this family photo session. It is just as important to capture tender moments between dad and baby, to document those initial weeks when bonds are being formed and both parents and children are discovering each other. I really like this set of photos and they made such amazing prints (more to come later in the blog!)
Outdoor Pet Photography on Wimbledon Common
A big part of the joy when doing a baby and pet photoshoot is photographing the pet (often a dog or a cat) while the baby is feeding or being changed. Doughy the cockapoo was the perfect model, posing very patiently when asked to wait and looking very handsome indeed.
A pet photo session wouldn’t be complete without a few action shots. I chose a wide path which was filled with fallen beech leaves, and bordered with trees, all in their autumnal attires. The resulting colours and simplicity of the background really made the subject stand out. I love the resulting frame of Doughy running - the expression of pure joy and freedom.
Autumnal Photo Session For the Whole Family
The next set of photographs was focused on family portraits. We found a beautifully colourful beech tree and decided to use it as a backdrop for autumnal family photography. The baby had eaten and fallen asleep; it was lovely to take a few snuggly photos and even capture a mid-sleep smile.
We finished this family photography session with a few casual shots of the family walking together, Doughy in the middle of action, and with the baby peacefully sleeping in their parents’ arms.
Who Are Outdoor Newborn and Pet Photoshoots Suitable For?
Outdoor Newborn and Pet Photo Sessions are great for people who love the outdoors and want to capture precious moments after their baby’s born, together with the whole family (pet included!).
These sessions are also great for dog owners, who in the past have considered having a dog photo session but have never gotten round to doing it. A family & pet photo session provides an opportunity to have pet portraits taken while at the same time capturing tender family moments.
For more information about newborn photography, please visit my Newborn Photography page.
What Will I Receive After the Photo Session?
After the photo session, I will edit a selection of photographs and upload them onto a private gallery where you will be able to access and view the image for two weeks. You will be able to choose which photograph you would like printed, as your complementary print, and choose any additional digital files, prints or other photography products. These can be purchased at an additional cost. Most people choose to purchase digital files, and some clients choose prints and framed prints which are great as gifts or finished products that can be enjoyed on display at your home. This lovely family chose to frame several prints. I work with a local framer who offers handmade fine art framing in a variety of finishes, with optional mount boards and anti-reflective glass. I would highly recommend framing some of your family and pet portraits as it really lifts photography to another level and provides a beautiful artwork in your home. Below are a couple of examples from this recent session.
About Mina
I am a family and pet photographer and live in the beautiful Surrey hills with my husband and children. I’ve always enjoyed looking at old family photographs and reliving the moments, or imagining the time that once was, with my ancestors being the main characters of their life. I use natural light to capture connections between families (and their pets) and joyful moments which can be treasured in years to come. I provide gentle guidance and create an environment which would provoke natural reactions, enabling me to capture genuine moments - children having fun, dogs running with ears flapping, families having a good time.
I offer outdoor and at-home newborn, family, couple and pet photo sessions across Surrey and London. Whether you would like to document the first few weeks of your new family, capture your dog on your favourite walk or to record a moment in time in your family life, I am here to help.
If you are expecting a baby, or would like to document your family, please get in touch, I would be delighted to hear from you!
Please fill out the form below or get in touch via mina@minamilanovic-photography.com.
Newborn Photo Session in the Surrey Hills | Surrey Family Photographer
A Relaxing Outdoor Newborn Photo Session
This newborn photo session took place entirely at an outside location. We arranged to meet in the beautiful Surrey Hills, in an area covered with pine forest. My clients and I spent a wonderful morning taking photographs in a gorgeous spot which looked more like the Pacific North West coast of Canada than Surrey. It was an overcast day which provided beautiful even lighting.
Outdoor Family Photography
It is so rewarding photographing families with their new family additions. I love hearing about members of the family getting to know the baby. It is great to hear (and remember!) all those routines and early stages. But most of all, it gives me great joy and satisfaction knowing I am capturing those magical early moments, so often missed or unappreciated due to demands of looking after a tiny baby.
Natural Baby Portraits
I work with natural light to capture portraits of your newborn baby, but also their little features, their tiny noses, eyes, little fingers and tiny toes. I also put quite a lot of emphasis on photographing you with your baby, documenting the spacial bond developing between parents, siblings and grandparents with the little one.
Book A Newborn Photoshoot
If you are expecting a baby, and would like to discuss hiring me to photograph your newborn baby, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you. I work across Surrey, London and the surrounding areas and can always travel further afield at a small travel cost.
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!