London Family Photographer / Peckahm Rye Park Family Photoshoot
London Family Photography
I have probably said this before, but I’ll say it again - I love photographing families year after year! I first photographed this family when their eldest daughter was only a few months old. This was four and a half years ago! It is lovely to see the family grow, and the girls change with each passing year, and with each family photoshoot. We have in the past taken photos at home, in a local park, and in Ruskin park. We arranged to do this outdoor family photoshoot at Peckham Rye Park, a place I visited and photographed in on several occasions.
Location Family Photography
It was a lovely sunny day back in April, perfect for spring family portraits! I wanted to portray a sense of place and season in the photographs. Therefore, when we arrived in the park, I quickly scouted a few potential sites for photos - the formal Sexby Gardens with beautiful spring blooms, a steam with a picturesque bridge going over it, cherry blossoms, colourful shrubs, even a playground. I was really spoilt for choice. With all this on offer, I tried to use leading lines, symmetries, reflections and colours and incorporate some of these elements in my family and children portraits. Here is a selection of a few of my favourites!
Children’s photography that portrays childhood
I was also interested in capturing the girls in action, as they were so full of energy! For this, I used slow shutter speed (once again!) to capture them running, on the swings and roundabouts in the playground. This is something I recently tried while photographing my daughter on a swing, and I really liked the look of. Some of my new favourite photos are from this photo session, using this technique - I nearly got sick from spending what felt like an eternity on a roundabout, but the resulting images are worth every spin! To me, they portray a sense of movement, fun, excitement and happiness - a childhood captured in a photo!
London Family Photo Sessions
My family photography sessions are relaxed and fun. I work hard to produce a set of photographs you and your family will cherish in years to come. If you are thinking of booking a family photoshoot, or would like to discuss an idea, please get in touch - I would love to hear from you! I work all over London, but also Surrey and the South East.
London Family Photographer / Dulwich Family Photoshoot
London Family Portrait Photographer
I am based in Surrey but the great thing about my job is that I can travel to meet clients at different locations, including London, Surrey and the South East. I always enjoy going into London for a family photoshoot as I spent ten years living in South West London. Every photoshoot relives memories, or gives me an opportunity to explore a new area, not previously visited. South East London is one area which I haven’t visited an awful lot whilst living in London, but have in the last few years been lucky enough to explore, mainly though family photoshoots.
A recent family photoshoot in South East London was close to heart as I got to photograph our friends’ newborn baby. She was adorable and surprisingly alert for such a small baby. Working indoors, and with natural light, I was able to capture lovely family moments and a few awake portraits! Some photographers specialise in using props and creating super-cute photos of tiny newborn babies (which are adorable), but I love photographing babies and capturing the new bond parents and siblings have with their new additions.
After the baby photos were done, it was time to head out for some outdoor fun! We headed over to Nunhead Cemetery, for a walk and a run around. This is another place in South London I haven’t visited before, and what a gem it was! One of the (seven) great Victorian cemeteries in London, it was quiet on a weekend, with lovely paths going around the park, a chapel to visit and an amazing view! Great for photographing children running around! During this half of the session I focused more on photographing the older sibing (and my daughter who was photo bombing!), as he had lots of fun to things to show me, like jumping in puddles and showing me how fast he can run! I played around with slow shutter speed to introduce a sense of motion - something I’ve done during my pet photoshoots and now trying out in family sessions too.
If you are considering having photos taken of your family, please visit my newborn and family photography pages for more information on my photo sessions, prices and how to book. You can contact me if you have an idea which you would like to discuss - I would love to hear from you!
London Pet Photographer / Surrey Pet Photo Session
I really enjoy the variety of jobs I get commissioned to do. One week it could be a couples photoshoot, next week a wedding, christening, family photoshoot or a newborn photoshoot. Amongst all these great jobs I get to do for a living, I also get commissioned to take photos of people’s pets!
I love speding a couple of hours in the company of our four legged friends, and meeting their lovely owners. Going into a new job, I try to get a sense of a dog’s personality and character. I aim to capture a variety of shots: portraits, action shots and the special bond people share with their dogs. My dog photography sessions are relaxed, fun and generally held outside, in a favourite park or on a favourite walk. However, this recent photoshoot, which involved an elderly greyhound Molly, was done mainly indoors, due to Molly’s old age. This meant that unlike the outdoor sessions where there is lots of walking, ball chasing and running around, this session was more quiet and the majority of it limited to the indoor space. I tend to get a bit more apperhensive about indoor sessions, worrying whether there will be enough ‘stuff’ for creative photography. This concern pushes me to work harder, and to ‘look’ for shots more.
During the photo session, I focused on finding nice natural light and beautiful shapes in Molly’s elegant form. An armchare next to the window provided a perfect perch for Molly, and a quilt thrown on at the back of the chair added a lovely background, and a personal touch. I tried to capture Molly’s expressions, they were full of charm and intelligence.
Working as a pet photographer, I photograph mainly dogs but also cats, horses and even miniature pet headgehogs! You can visit my pet photography page for some more examples of my work. I work across London, Surrey and Sussex but will travel further afield for a photoshoot, or a special event like Crufts. I will ensure you and your pet have a great time during the photoshoot, and will provide a great set of photos for you to treasure in years to come. I also provide pet photography gift vouchers which are a great present for a birthday, wedding or anniversiry, for a friend or a family memmber. If you are interested in purchasing a gift voucher, please visit my gift voucher page, or contact me to discuss your requirements. If you would like to organise a pet photoshoot for your own pet, get in touch to arrange a session!
Surrey Wedding Photographer | Post Wedding Photo Session at Wotton H
Wotton House Wedding Venue | Surrey Wedding Photographer
Wotton House is a stunning country estate hotel nestled in the beautiful Surrey countryside. This elegant country estate combines history, beauty and a sense of quiet grandeur that makes it a joy to photograph. Surrounding the house are Grade II listed Italian gardens, so picturesque and beautiful they invite you to pause, breathe and enjoy the surroundings. Wotton House is one of the most elegant Surrey wedding venues I had the privilege to work in, capturing moments of love and connection between two people in such timeless surroundings.
Outdoor Wedding Portraits
Wotton house was the perfect setting for a recent post-wedding photoshoot, a quiet and romantic continuation of this couple’s wedding story. Just a few days before, the couple got married in an intimate, private ceremony in London, and took a short break following their wedding at this picturesque and serene spot. The couple was interested in doing a post-wedding photo session to mark this special time in their lives, and to capture memories of their stay at Wotton house.
The entire session was held outdoors as the gardens provided so many beautiful backdrops for photography. It was an overcast spring day, slightly grey and misty but the light was perfect - even and soft. We started the session in the Grade II listed italian gardens, by one of the majestic temples, incorporating beautiful stone sculptures into the photographs.
We continued our walk through the gardens, exploring little corners and spaces, taking our time and enjoying the process. As a professional wedding photographer, I often find post-wedding sessions to be especially meaningful. Free from the pace of a wedding day, there is space for deeper connection, for unhurried moments and natural emotion to shine through.
Wedding Portrait Photography
We next came to a section of the garden called the Fernery or Grotto. This site was nearly demolished in early 2000s but luckly English Heritige and Mole Valley County Council stepped in to ensure that this space would be restored. And what gorgeous addition to the garden it is, making it a perfect backdrop for our couple portraits. For these portraits, I gently posed the couple, and asked them to have a chat about something they remember from their wedding day. I love how relaxed and happy they look, remembering some of the details of their wedding day.
Walking further along the gardens, I spotted a picturesque bridge I wanted to incorporate into the portraits. The Tillingbourne river is an important part of Wotton House history, as back in the day it used to power more than 20 mills along the stretch running through the estate.
The second part of the photoshoot was spent in a quiet corner of the house, next to a pond backing to some caves, allowing me to use natural shapes to frame the photographs and saturating the frame with the most gorgeous of green shades.
A quick outfit change for a few more casual shots around the gardens.
Finally, we couldn’t finish the couple photo session without incorporating Wotton House itself into the photographs. For this last set of photos, I positioned the couple in front of the house using an old oak tree to frame the couple and took a few images there. These are some of my favourite photos from the shoot, they both look very relaxed, happy and in love! The perfect ending to a wonderful stay at this finest of wedding venues in Surrey.
Wotton House Wedding Photogaphy
Although this wasn’t a typical wedding photography coverage, it was a genuine pleasure to spend time with this couple, wandering the grounds and sharing in their quiet joy. As a Wotton House wedding photographer, I was struck again by the elegance of the venue, from the soft light falling through the garden’s archways to the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds the estate. It is truly one of the finest wedding venues I’ve had the privilege to photograph in Surrey.
Secret Surrey - Wotton House on the BBC
To hear more about the beautiful Wotton House gardens, the myth of the kangaroos and more of the house’s curious past, please listen to this short BBC Sounds programme.
Surrey Wedding Photographer
Working as Surrey wedding photographer, I photograph not only weddings but couples who wish to document their engagement, holiday, an anniversary or another important date in their relationship. If you wish to have a couples photoshoot, an engagement photoshoot or would like to discuss an upcoming wedding, please get in touch. I would love to hear from you! I work across Surrey, London and the South East and also travel further afield. I look forward to hearing from you!
Photography Gift Vouchers
Looking to get a meaningful gift to a newly wedded couple? Look no further! My photography gift vouchers make wonderful gifts for any occasion! Gift the newleyweds a gift that will be meaningful and one they will treasure in years to come! Contact me or go to my gift vouchers on line store to learn more.
Surrey Children Photographer | Morning with Densters
What do you do when your child is ill and you can’t go out of the house? Build a den or fort for them to snuggle up and play inside, they’ll forget they’re ill in an instant! Densters are a set of charming little toys, each of them designed to do a specific job during den building. Chikaboo is a strong peg, Hoopsta goes around door knobs, Grumpo is a door stop. There are more charachters to be descovered, and each of them can have another useful role when the kids are not playing with them. Zigzies are little clips which can be used to neatly tuck away cables or hold things in place, Snella is a useful smart phone holder. These child-friendly, fun toys have made our morning really fun, they’ve unleashed our creativity and have definitely kept an otherwise grumpy, whiny two year old happy and enterentained!
If you would like to learn more about Densters, hear their story, or buy a pack, head over to the Densters website. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a creative, beautifully designed and engaging toy!
Baptism Photography in London | Chiswick Christening Story
“Easily some of the best professional pictures we have had of an event! Mina is a dream to work with, very accommodating and an all round lovely person. I was expecting something good as she instilled confidence in me prior to our event but was absolutely blown away by the end result! The photos captured the day in such a way that you could feel it all over again. Just breathtaking!”
There’s something quietly special about a christening. The sense of togetherness, the soft rhythm of the ceremony, and the small, meaningful moments that unfold in between.
I love photographing events like these. Whether it is weddings, birthdays, family gatherings or christenings, I am drawn to the emotion of the day. My approach to baptism photography in London is documentary and natural. I focus on capturing real moments and connection between family members in a set of beautiful, timeless and candid photographs which you and your family can look back on in years to come.
Chiswick Baptism Photography
A couple of months ago, I photographed little B’s christening service at St Michael and All Angels church in Chiswick. It was a beautiful and intimate service, filled with love and warmth. Family and friends sang together with the minister, while children gathered around little B’s pushchair. It felt very personal, relaxed and full of connection. After the ceremony, family and friends gathered for some drinks, food and cake.
Natural Documentary-style Baby Christening Photographer London
I worked using documentary-style photography to capture the afternoon unfold, and combined wide angle shots to give the service a sense of scale and place, together with tighter framing to show detail and emotion. As Surrey christening photographer, I work across Surrey, West Sussex and London to photograph baptism or christening services.
“The photos are just incredible, thank you very much. You have captured so many of L’s facial expressions perfectly!”
Planning a Christening in London
If you are planning a christening or baptism, it is worth thinking about how you’d like the day to be remembered. Every church and family celebration is slightly different, and a natural approach to photography allows those differences to shine through.
Many churches, including places like St Paul's Cathedral, have their own guidelines around photography, so it is always helpful to check in advance.
If you are planning a Greek Orthodox baptism in London, the choice of churches is even narrower so planning in advance is advised. I have had a pleasure of photographing a Greek Orthodox baptism at St George’s church in Kingston-upon-Thames. My documentary, storytelling style is perfectly placed to capture the many rituals, traditions and steps of a Greek christening ceremony.
A Few Gentle Tips for Beautiful Baptism Photos
Like for any other type of family photography, taking a few steps to prepare in advance of the photoshoot helps create relaxed, beautiful photos. These are a few tips which will hopefully help create those lovely candid photos for your family album.
Preparation is half the work. Think of what everyone is going to wear in advance of the ceremony, and weather the colours complement one another. This will help create a pleasing esthetic in photographs. Have a rough plan of timings and when different photographs can be taken: the candid ones, the group ones, the reception ones etc. Allow a little time before or after the ceremony for quiet, candid moments.
Keep things relaxed on the day. Children pick up our energy so keep things as light and fun for them as possible. Bring a book, their favourite toy or a snack so they are entertained during the ceremony.
Don’t worry about everything being perfect, it is the real moments and connection that matter. Every baptism ceremony is different, and every child will behave differently. I will work with you and your family to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Looking for a baptism photographer in London?
Hello! My name is Mina, I am a professional family, pet and wedding photographer, working across London and Surrey. I have been photographing baptisms and christenings for over 10 years now, and love how intimate, ceremonial, and connection-filled the event is. My approach to baptism photography is documentary-led. I observe the service and capture the day as it unfolds, making sure both big and small moments are preserved for you and your family.
If you are planning your child’s christening or baptism, and you are considering hiring a professional photographer, please get in touch to discuss your ideas and options. I would love to hear from you!
FAQ
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Baptism photography documents your child’s baptism or christening ceremony. It typically captures the location, christening outfit, arrival of guests at the ceremony location, the interior of a church or cathedral, sacred rituals, family interactions, and candid shots during the ceremony itself. Most clients choose to have at least a part of the reception captured as part of the photography package.
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Hiring a professional baptism photographer in London allows you to completely immerse yourself in the baptism ceremony. You can enjoy the ceremony in the knowledge that a professional photographer will capture the atmosphere, the detail and the little moments, without missing anything.
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On the day of a baptism, expect a joyous church service (often as part of a Sunday mass). The service involves a welcome, bible readings, prayers, and the central ritual of water poured on the head (or immersion). Some of the key moments include signing with the cross, godparents’ promises, anointing with oil, and receiving a lit candle.
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The most important aspect of any family photography is to be yourselves and relaxed. Children pick up on parents tensing up and wanting to control the situation. With babies and small children, anything can happen but generally most children find the service interesting and interacting. Some children can find the act of pouring of the water on the head a bit scary but most think it is really fun!
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Search for baptism photographers, compare styles and prices, contact a few photographers and see who you have the best chemistry with. Everyone will feel more comfortable and confident knowing they are on the same page.
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Go through the brief with your client, check venues, timings, and important shots. Talk to your client(s) before the even and try to answer any questions they may have. If your clients feel confident and re-assured, they will in turn be relaxed on the day, which will contribute towards having great christening photos.
Surrey Family Photographer | Richmond Park Family Photohoot
The best thing about my job (except documenting amazing moments in my clients’ lives!) is getting to know my clients over the years, as we meet to take photos at different stages of their lives. I love seeing my clients as single couples, parents of babies and young children, and parents raising their growing family.
I photographed Bhavisha and Ajay back in 2015 when Bhavisha was pregnant with Jasmine, then Jasmine when she was a newborn baby and this time it was family fun in Richmond park, together will little baby Sia! We chose Richmond park as it brings back fond memories for the family, and it has an amazing playground down by Petersham gate. It was great fun trying to capture action shots of Jasmine as she played, as well some more quiet and intimate family moments.
As Surrey Family photographer, I work across Surrey and London photographing families enjoy themselves and having a good time. If you are looking to have family photos taken, please get in touch I would love to hear about you plans.
Surrey Portrait Photographer | Professional Headshots
The thing I really like about headshot photography is getting to know the individual in a shot space of time, and seeing how they relax in front of the camera as the session progresses. I met Philip last summer - he contacted me as he needed professional headshots for his Linkedin profile. We chatted about photography and work and life in the far East over a cup of tea, and discussed options for his headshots. We settled on two looks - a more formal one using studio background and lights, and a more relaxed look using natural lights and outside space as the backdrop. You can see a selection of images from that portrait session in the gallery below; my personal favourite - natural light and a relaxed candid expression! If you require professional headshots for your business website, social media profile, or even actor headshots, feel free to contact me to enquire and discuss options. I would love to hear from you!
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Surrey Family Photographer at Denbies Wine Estate
I had a great pleasure of photographing this joint surprise 60th birhtday party at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking. It was a wonderful occasion with family and friends arriving from near and far to join Alan and Lesley celebrate their birthday.
Alan and Lesley’s son and lovely daughter-in-law, who are the owners of the first vegan pizzeria in the UK, Purezza, have organised this amazing celebration for them. And what a surprise it was! They had no idea where they were going or who was waiting for them. Have a look at their expressions when they entered the room - pure surprise and joy! The guests were treated to Denbies’ wines and a tour of the winery. It was really interesting to find out the history of the estate and geat to have the opportunity to photograph the guests appreciate the big canisters where wine is kept, enjoy the wine testing session in the moody Denbies cellar and having a good time afterwards!
As a family and event photographer, it is such a privilage to do a great variety of jobs, from quiet small family shoots to birthday parties to big family gatherings like this one! Photographing joyous occasions is definitely one of the perks of my job. I really enjoyed capturing Lesley and Alan’s family and friends on this very special occasion, and I hope they’ll look back on the photos in years to come.
If you are organising a special event, or a large family gathering and thinking of hiring a photographer to capture your day, please drop me an email - I would love to hear from you!
London and Surrey Family Photographer / Richmond Park Family Photoshoot
I really enjoy catching up with return clients and finding out what they’ve been up to. It was lovely to hear from Berry, who’s Cockapoo Joey I photographed a few years ago. He was a young dog then, and was very energetic so taking portraits was a big challenge! Below is a photo from that photo session; a moment of stillness before more energetic running around!
Since our last meeting, there has been a new addition to the family, and there was a big family get together to celebrate the occasion! As London and Surrey family photographer, I work at different locations across the capital and Surrey, but it was a special treat to go back to Richmond park for this photoshoot. The biggest challange this time was to get everyone comfortable and happy in front of the camera; to arrange a large group of people and take a shot while everyone was looking! I found an old tree branch which looked like the perfect spot for a big family photo. The curves of the branch provided lovely lines for an interesting compositing, and contained enough perching spots for everyone to sit (not so comfortably!), or stand around. After a few attempts, the children and Joy looked directly at me, and by some miracle I was able to capture the big group shot! The rest of the shoot was done in the lovely tall grasses in the park, and around beautiful Isabella plantation. Here are a few photos from the shoot - images will automatically change, but do use the previous and next controls if you need to.
If you are organising a family get together, or are celebrating a special event, please get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
