Maternity Photoshoot with Puppy in Surrey Hills

Dogs are such a big part of family life; we share our experiences with them including big family milestones. That is why this couple decided to mark the arrival of their baby with a puppy and maternity photo session in the Surrey Hills. They wanted to have family portraits for their home, but also photographs which they can send out as cards to family and friends for Christmas.

Working with dogs is great fun! They are all individuals and their character comes through early on in the pet photoshoot. I love working with dogs because there is an element of unpredictability and freedom. I need to adjust my working style quickly to suit a particular dog. If it is an energetic dog, I would choose to take action shots first, then focus on portraits later. If it is an old dog, then the pace needs to be slower and the focus different. Puppies require special consideration, as they behave differently at different ages and have different energy levels. This particular puppy was few months old. He wasn’t particularly energetic but he was sweet and full of character. There was a comedic quality about him, which I wanted to capture.

In addition to puppy portraits, I wanted to capture the puppy and my clients together, for their family portraits. This is something I am putting a lot more focus on these days, even if it is a dog or puppy photoshoot. I am interested in recording the connection between people and their pets, capturing special moments for them which they can cherish as their family grows. Since this was a combined puppy and maternity photo shoot, it was even more important for me to capture everyone together. I wanted my clients not only to have the memories of the changing times in their lives but also the special bond they had with their new puppy, just as their lives were about to change, yet again.

If you are expecting a baby, and would like to arrange a maternity photo session with me, or you have a new puppy and would like to arrange a puppy photo shoot, please get in touch - either through the contact page on my website or email me at info@minamilanovic-photography.com

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!

Dog Photography Session in Surrey

We’ve been spoiled for beautiful summer evenings this year. I tend to photograph whatever the weather, I really don’t mind a bit of drizzle or even rain but I do love warm sunny summer evenings and the golden light that comes with it.

I photographed these two ladies earlier this summer, when the grass (and days) was still long. When I first started photographing dogs, I focused on getting a nice portrait of a dog, or a great action shot. My dog photo sessions have evolved since then, and in additin to capturng those types of shots for my clients, I also try to capture the relationships dog owners have with their beloved pets. The special bond between these two ladies was apparent from the start which I hope I captured in this set of photographs.

Do you know a dog owner who would love to have the relationship with their dog captured? As a pet photographer, I work across Surrey, London and the South East capturing these relationships. Drop a line if you would like to discuss a pet photoshoot, or if you would like to purchase a dog photography gift voucher.

Documentary Photographer in Surrey / Photographing an artist at work

I started a community project during lockdown with an aim to document my community during this unprecidented time we are passing though.

I was interested to find out how individuals and families spent time, and was pleasantly surprised that many people enjoyed the slower pace of life, spending time as a family, doing a bit of gardening, dog walking in the countryside, taking up new hobbies or re-visiting old ones.

Here my neighbour and artist, paints an oil portrait she was commissioned to do by another member of our community during lockdown. Painting is something she did all her life, and found a new passion for it in recent months. She did quite a few portraits for the people on our road, and I am so pleased that she agreed to do one of our daughter too. We will treasure it, not only as a memory of our daughter as a three year old, but also of the time when a virus really brought our community together.

London Dog Photographer | Family and Pet Photoshoot

Family and Pet Photoshoot

I recently did a family and pet photoshoot with an eight month old baby and the most gorgeous chocolate lab Lola. Lola is the perfect family dog - calm, trustworthy, loving and so incredibly tolerant. She has become somewhat of a nanny to the family’s youngest addition, and it was lovely to follow the two of them around the house, photographing them playing, interacting and relaxing together. Lola’s expressions made me lough at times, there were definitely a few “Oh, no, not again!” looks.

Professional Family and Pet Photographer

I love photographing children, and I love photographing dogs. Often clients comment on what a combination that is! Although challenging and frustrating at times, I find that if I don’t try to control the situation but let the interaction happen spontaniously, photo opportunities present themselves organically and I just need to be there at the time to capture the magic unfolding. I love the little sequence of the baby and Lola interacting - it is the little looks, touches and smiles that melt my heart.

If you would like to arrange a family photo session, or a pet photo session, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

London and Surrey Dog Photographer

I work all across London, Surrey, and the South East photographing dogs and their owners. I have photographed dogs in Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Marble Hill Park and beautiful Surrey Hills. The outdoor location provides the perfect setting for dogs to run, jump, splash in water, roll in mud and chill out in the sun. I can also take photos of your pet in your own home, relaxing in his favourite chair or exploring her favourite part of the garden.

Although I mainly work in and around London, Surrey and the South East, I am more than happy to travel to other destinations. However due to extra time and occasionally an overnight stay, this type of work may involve additional fees. Please contact me if you would like to enquire.

Pet Photography Gift Vouchers

If you are looking to give a gift of photography to your loved one, you’ve come to the right place! My pet photography gift vouchers are the perfect birthday, anniversary, mother’s day or Christmas gift. For more information, please visit my Gift Voucher page.

Dog Photoshoot in Surrey / Surrey Pet Photographer

This sweet female dalmatian called Polka was the winner of a local dog show, where she won the prize for a one hour dog photoshoot with me. I visited her and her owner at their home, a beautiful farm house in Surrey.

As Surrey dog photographer, I look to capture a dog’s character, their favourite surrounding and their relationship with their owner. The owner of this lady only wanted portraits of Polka and her enjoying her surrounds.

Here are a few photos of her - looking not best pleased with me in some of the photos!

Dog Photography as a Gift

I offer 1h and 2h pet photography and dog photography gift vouchers. You can purchase the vouchers in my on line store here, or you can contact me to arrange purchasing a voucher with photo credit. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your idea.

I work in London, Surrey, Sussex and the South East as a pet photographer, and travel further afield at an additional cost.

For more information od dog photography, go to my dog photography page.