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!
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!
Family and Children's Photographer in Surrey / Documenting Isolation
Working as a Surrey family photographer, I was interested to document the lives of families during corona virus-imposed lockdown. I set out to incorporate documenting family life in Surrey, as part of my daily exercise, always following the government’s advice on social distancing, and working exclusively outdoors, photographing from a safe distance.
I find children photography both challenging and really fun. Some situations present challenges, and these are mainly if parents or grandparents would like to do one thing, and the kids would like to do something totally oposite. Showing a bit of interest in a child’s life and letting them guide you to photograph their world can result in really natural, and ful photographs.
I photographed these two sisters playing in their back garden during lockdown. We started talking about their experience of isolation, and they both told me that they really enjoyed spending more time at home and not having such a busy schedule. When I asked them what they liked to do in the garden, they both exploaded with fun creative energy and were so keen to show me all fun stuff they got up to. Note that the T shirs are also their own creations!
This family photoshoot in Surrey (minus the parents) gave me such a burst of positive energy and whenever I look at these photos I get a warm feeling inside. Kids are amazing, so reselient and they inspire me every single day.
I have started booking in family photo sessions, pet photo sessions, and headshot or passport photography. If you would like to arrange a session, please get in touch. You can also purchase a voucher with a one year validity from my on line store.
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!
Photographing Action in Family Photography
We are on lockdown at the momenet but life still goes on. Like many other families, me and my family are spending more time together, pottering around the house, enjoying our garden and exploring local walks. We are so blessed to be living in the countryside with so many walking paths and wooded areas on our doorstep. I realise this is a privilage and that many people in cities including my own family are finding lockdown much harder and more challenging than we are.
Like many freelancers, my work has been drastically reduced but I am using this time to practice different aspects of photography and take my camera with me during my daily exercise. Sometimes I photograph landscapes, sometimes nature details but probably most often my 3 and half year old, who is still (most of the time) a complient model!
We have been doing lots of running around and jumping on our local field so I thought I’d share some tips on photographing children in action, in case you are feeling inspired to practice photography while spending (more) time with your children.
Whether it is my child or I am photographing my client’s children, I try to get the children to play a game they like, to jump their biggest jump, go on a trampoline or spin around. This really engages the child and sets a scene for some genuine, fun action photos.
Make sure you focus the camera on your subject, and if you own a dSLR consider setting your focus to AI Servo (Canon) or AF-C (Nikon). This focusing option is useful when tracking moving objects, and keeping the focus on the little ones when they are running around.
Another point I try to consider before I take an action shot is whether I would like to freeze or blur motion. Freezing action, like in the two photographs above is great for focusing on detail. Photographing on slow shutter speed can introduce a sense of motion and fun into an image. It is also a great option when you are photographing children in a busy environment; it puts the focus only on your subject and removes distracting objects in the background. I took the photo below at the very end of the photoshoot when I was experimenting and trying out new things. I nearly threw up from being so incredibly dizzy but I love the resulting image. It shows movement, excitement, fun and absolute joy that this girl was experiencing on this merry go round.
The photo below was also taken on slow shutter speed to show movement but this time I turned my objective as the kids were running towards me. It makes me feel like they are both running straight at me!
Finally, don’t be afraid to move around and experiment with different angles. Try photographing straight on, from the side, low down, from above. We are used to seeing things one way, so moving around and finding new angles to show a familiar view will make your photograph stand out.
In the image below, I photographed action from a low angle to emphasize the jump. During this particular practice session with my daughter, I tried photographing her jump from the front and from a side angle, both of which didn’t really work. It was only when I went down low inside the ditch which you can see in the bottom third of the photograph, that it all came together. I love her motion in this photo - it looks like she’s flying!
In the following photograph, I photographed from a high angle to capture the setting of where the action was taking place. This was a family photoshoot in Sussex and after spending a couple of hours outside in the garden, we went inside for a few infoor shots. I noticed the staircase and thought it would be nice to include it somehow in the picture. The girl I was photographing loved ballet and was really interested in showing me her dance moves. It really love like how the staircase acts as a leading line to lead the viewer to the girl dancing at the bottom of the staircase, and is one of my favourite action shots.
If you would like to find out more about my family photo sessions, please visit my Family Photography page. To see more photos of children in action, visit my Children Portraits page. If you would like to book a family photo session, or would like to enquire about my sessions, feel free to get in touch - I would love to hear from you!