Family Photo Session in Bushy Park
This family photo session started in Bushy Park, and continued in the family home close by in Teddington. It was a really nice summer day (I am so behind on my blog posts!) , it was overcast which provided even lighting for my subjects.
We spent the first 15-20 min of the session chatting and getting to know each other. Working as a family photographer, I learnt that this part of the session is the most important. It breaks the initial ice so clients can relax and enjoy the rest of the session. We were looking for some nice areas for a group shot; Busy park can be a bit tricky in terms of locations as it is so open and flat. I saw an old oak tree which I was keen to include into the family portrait - a symbol of strenght, stability and longevity. After that initial family portrait, it was time for cuddles and play. After a short walk, we came to a stream which was the perfect setting to explore the surroundings and look for interesting wildlife living in the stream and on the banks. Getting children to engage with their parents is the best way of obtaining natural looking images.
I really enjoyed this family photoshoot and love some of the photos; they bring joy and put a smile on my face. I hope you like them too.
Following the outdoor session, we went back home for some snacks and quiet time. I wanted to photograph the little girl with the family dog, which proved trickier than planned, but we managed to get them sitting next to each other in the end.
At the end of each photoshoot, I like to do something slightly different and experiment. It is a time when I have fun and try out different things - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. On this occasion, I spotted a lovely painting which the family bought in Australia, while living there. I learned that it was a piece of Aboriginal art, so I was keen to include it in the photograph. It was a rather unglamorous scene - both parents holding the painging while also making sure the baby doesn’t fall flat on its face. In the end, it was a triumph - no injuries and a lovely meaningful background for children’s portraits. I hope you like it as much as I do.
If you are considering having family portraits done, either with or without your dog, please do contact me for more information and to arrange a session. I look forward to hearing from you and discussing your ideas!
Family Photographer in Surrey
This family photo session took place earlier this summer and was part of my community project. The family photoshoot took place at the family’s Surrey home, which is a village away from where I live. To get to their place, I walked a few miles through fields and woods, and in turn discovered a lovely local walk which I now frequent.
I wanted to photograph the family at their house, to capture some of the memories they’ve made during this unprecedented time. They have been spending a lot of time outdoors, the boys playing in the garden. After an energetic start and a few action shots of the boys around their playhouse, the family settled on a bench and had a nice quiet time with a story and a cup of tea. I like the high energy kinds bring to photoshoots. It keeps me on my toes - I have to think and act quickly, often changing the ideas I may have had at the start.
I am so grateful to all the families who have supported me and my community project during the pandemic. The reality has been so different for people living in urban and non-urban areas. When I started this project I imagined photographing families behind windows and on doorsteps. However, a lot of people in my community, like me, have had the good fortune during the pandemic of space and gardens. And therefore, a lot of my photographs documenting families during this time, all taken outdoors and following government guidelines, are of families enjoying their time outdoors.
My family photo sessions have evolved to become physically distanced, and to exclusively take place outdoors. If you are thinking of commissioning a family photo session, please contact me to discuss your requirements. I would love to hear from you!
Surrey Hills Family Photoshoot
This multi-cultural family received a family photography gift certificate from me as a christmas present last year, but due to Covid-19 we only managed to arrange the photoshoot late in the summer. We arranged the family photoshoot in the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, more specifically a lovely little walk around Friday Street. An outdoor location needs to tick a few boxes for me - to be an appropriate distance for the age of a child, to have a nice variety of locations and to provide some shelter from the weather. On this particular day, the forcast was overcast but dry; however the weather decided to do its own thing so it rained for the first half of the session. Luckly, the old oak trees in the wooded part of the walk provided a much needed shelter. Once the rain had stopped, we continued our walk through the pine forest, around the pond, along a lovely little stream and into the beech forest. This great variety of habitats provided wonderful backdrops for a family action shots, children’s portraits and family portraits.
I offer gift vouchers for newborn photoshoots, pet photoshoots and family portraits. If you would like to purchase a gift voucher for a friend or member of your family, please visit my store, or get in touch to arrange a tailored-made photography gift voucher. I look forawrd to hearing from you!
Documenting Family Life in Surrey / Surrey Family Photographer
I started a community project to document life of families and individuals during this uncertain and unprecedented time we are passing through. All photography has been done complying with social distancing guidelines, and as part of my daily exercise.
Working as Surrey family photographer, my family photo sessions and all other sessions have ceised during lockdown. Finding inspiration in the work of other fellow photographers, I initiated this project to provide members of my community with a photiographic document of the time which we will all look back on with both fond, and not such fond memories years from now.
This family wanted to document the time they spend together on one of their local walks. They also wanted to document the time were they were still a family of four, before the arrival of the new baby.
I have now resumed with my family photo sessions, which are limited to 5 people, in accordance with the new government guidlines, and I am also doing maternity photoshoots and pet photo sessions. All my sessions are currently done outdoors. If you would like to discuss your family photoshoot, or a maternity session in Surrey or London, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you!
Documenting Family Life During Lockdown / Surrey Family Photography
My previous blog post introduced a project which I started during Covid-19 imposed lockdown, where I set out to do something positive in response to lockdown and to create a photographic document of this unprecedented time in our lives. I started photographing my community during isolation, from a safe distance, socially distancing at all times, incorporating photography into my daily exercise and working exclusively outside.
I am incredibly lucky to be living in the countryside during this time, where there are very few people and lots of space. My own family and many others in are village are appreciating nature around us not only for our daily exercise but also as a classroom where children can learn about different wild flowers and trees, spot different wildlife and enjoy being out in nature!
Photos below are from a family photo session during their daily walk, in a local wooded area which at the time was covered in bluebells. The kids loved showing me their favourite places in the woods, and some of the games they like to play. I love the energy in some of the action shots, but I also love the few quiet frames between the kids and their mum, where I think they are discussing how an ash sapling managed to start growning on the roots of an old oak tree.
As Surrey documentary family photographer, I will be continuing with this project, documenting families while they isolate. If you are interested in participating in this project, give me a shout!
Surrey Family Photographer / Photographs of life in Surrey during Covid-19 outbreak
Like many other self-employed people, my work has been greatly impacted by the current situation.
I found myself compelled to do something positive and to document life in my community during these unprecedented times. I came across an article about a New York photographer Stephen Lovekin who started photographing self isolation and messages people wanted to convey in his neighbourhood in New York. This inspired me to do something similar in my community.
Working as a Surrey family photographer, I set out to document how families spend their time during lockdown, photographing outside, from a safe distance, socially distancing and incorporating photography into my daily exercise, as per government guidelines.
Lockdown has been hard, especially for people living in cities where space is tight. I used to live in London but moved to the countryside a few years ago. The transition has been challenging at times, but I got to appreciate countryside living a lot more during the past couple of months. Although hard at times, there have been many aspects of lockdown that have been really nice for me and my family. This has been the case with a lot of neighbours who I chatted to while doing this project. Being together as a family, the slow down of busy schedules, having the time to potter around the house and garden, bake, taking up a new hobby or re-exploring an old interest. This project has been one of the most positive things I’ve done recently. It helped me connect with my community and meet a lot of lovely people up and down my road.
Below is a set of photos from my first project - my next door neighbours spending time as a family in their garden, reading books and playing in the sand pit with their one year old daughter.
I hope you enjoy the photos!
Surrey Family Photographer | Professional Family Photoshoot
December is wizzing past and Christmas is just round the corner. I have had a busy year with lots of wonderful photoshoots. Some of these have been with my existing, loyal clients who have supported me from the very beginning. Others have been with new clients who I hope to see again and again in years to come.
Relaxed Family Photo Sessions
My year has been marked by a variety of different commissions - a post-wedding photoshoot, newborn photo sessions, pet photography, christening event photography, wax figure photography. However, the majority of photoshoots have been family photo sessions. I absolutely love photographing families - I enjoy meeting and getting to know a family. The kids always bring fun and games to a photoshoot - there is never a dull moment! I like to keep things as natural as possible when I work, this keeps the whole family relaxed which in turn makes photos and people in them look natural. I occasionally give a suggestion for a game or activity but I often find that kids are the ones who beat me to it, and spontaneously come up with a new creative game.
Indoor and Outdoor Family Photography
The two photographs below were taken at a photoshoot a couple of months ago (I am a bit behind with my blog posts!), where I was commissioned to take photos at a big family get together. After a couple of hours taking photos of everyone outside in the garden, I came inside to pack up and take a few last shots of the kids. They started dancing and playing, and I managed to capture a few of these candid moments. These ended up to be some of my favourite photos from this session. Completely unposed, just kids playing, showing me their moves and toys, having the best time!
If you are having a family get together, or you would like some photos of your immediate family, please get in touch to discuss your requirements. If you would like to find out more information about my family photoshoots, head over to my family photography page.
Surrey Family Photographer / Family Photo Session in Coulsdon
I remember really enjoying taking photos when I was a kid, using my dad’s SLR camera to take photos (mainly) of my dogs. Much has changed since then, most significantly the transition from film to digital, and easy access to high quality photographic equipment, and information on how to use it.
I got my first DSLR camera as a birthday present from my parents, I would say roughly 12, or 13 years ago. It was a Canon 400D with a 24-85 mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens. It was a great little camera to learn on, as it wasn’t overly complicated for the beginner but had enough features to keep me occupied for a while. Several courses, a couple of cameras and many blurry photos later, I was ready for an upgrade. My dear friend Michael and I spent many hours talking about cameras and lenses when both him and I were deciding on buying a new camera. I went for a Canon 5D mk III, a camera which I love and still use today. I chose this particular camera because at the time I was toying with the idea of furthering photography and exploring the possibility of working as a photographer. A few months later, the same friend Michael and his then fiance Susan, asked me to photograph their wedding. If not the beggining of my photography career, this was definitely a defining moment. Soon after that I left the world of science and embarked on a journey to becomming a professional photographer, specialising in family portraiture, children, newborn and pet photography.
Family Photoshoot in Surrey
Six years, and two children later, we arranged a family photoshoot in Coulsdon, Surrey. We went on an adventure walk around Farthing Downs, exploring spring blossoms, secret paths and looking for ladybirds. It was a joyous afternoon spent with friends who have supported me from the very start. And for that I am forever greatful. Here are a few photos I took, some of them my new favourites!
Family Photo Sessions in Surrey and London
I love exploring the countryside and visiting London parks with clients, but I also work in the comfort of my clients homes. My family photo sessions are playful, relaxed and centred around kids and what they like to do. If you would like to discuss a family photo session, or to make a booking, please get in touch using the contact page on my website.
London and Surrey Family Photographer / Holland Park Family Photoshoot
I thoroughly enjoyed this photoshoot of a family of five! The family received a gift voucher from their friend as a Christmas present and contacted me to arrange the photoshoot. The shoot was held in gorgeos Holland park, which is one of their favourite spots in London. It was a really hot day and the glaring afternoon sun made photography quite challenging. Luckly, Holland park has many little nooks and crannies so there were planty of choices!
It was such a pleasure getting to know and photographing these young girls, who were telling me all about their aspirations and future plans, as they were setting off to leave home and start University in September.
If you are thinking of buying a gift voucher for a friend or family member, please visit my gift vouchers page. You can also contact me to discuss details and check availability. Alternitively, you can visit my family portraits page to find out more details on my family photo sessions.
Children's portrait photography at the Isabella Plantation / Richmond-upon-Thames Family Photographer
I love this time of year when nature goes into overdrive! It doesn't seem that long ago when trees were bare and there were hardly any flowers around. Beginning of May is prime time for flowering rhododendrons and azaleas, and I just love visiting Isabella Plantation during this time of year. Before I moved out of Richmond, I would go a few times a week to enjoy the sights and smells, and try to predict when the 'peak' of flowering would be. Not sure if I cought the peak this year, but I did catch a cheeky little girl playing hide and seek with my camera!
If you would like to enquire about family photography, please contact me on 07793 677 867, send an email on mina@minamilanovic-photography.com or send an enquiry through the on line form.
