Waverley Abbey has been a place I’d heard of many times but never got a chance to visit. Located in Farnham in Surrey Hills, it’s an English Heritage site hidden away on country roads (don’t trust Google Maps that will try and take you up a private track, follow the signs instead). That warm October afternoon we had some time to kill between things, the sun was shining, I had a camera in my bag and so we ended up going on a bear hunt an adventure.
Photographing families in their homes is my favourite things to do – and it’s just as well given how unpredictable British weather can be. At home, everyone can relax and be themselves, which is especially important when you have younger kids.
My dad used to take a lot of pictures of me, especially as a baby (an instinct I totally understand now as a parent myself). The older I got, the fewer photographs were taken, but one thing remained constant – very, very few photographs of me were WITH my parents, and NEVER with both of them at the same time.
Let me make this clear: I know you are busy. You work a lot, and weekend family time is at a premium. You put off booking your family photoshoot because you think it requires so much planning and clothes coordination, and making sure your kids behave, and sacrificing your family time, and you simply can’t face it even when you know you must.
Well the good news is that when you get me to take your family pictures, it’s nothing like that at all.
For this winter family photoshoot in Clapham we stayed indoors – the best way when you have a baby and a pre-schooler, who are often miserable when it’s cold outside. That this year’s winter? It was COLD!
This photoshoot was very special – the family was visiting over from Washington, DC, and wanted to capture some special photographs of the kids having brilliant time here in London. Because they visit London frequently, they didn’t really want to have typical landmarks in the background, and instead opted for some relaxed family portraits in the private gardens of the Cadogan Gardens Hotel where they were staying.
I’ve always loved water and splashing in the sea or a river or a swimming pool – and it’s still my happy place. There’s something about watching water run and the waves splash that is very, very good for my soul.
Hello and welcome! I'm Antonina, an award-winning documentary family photographer, specialising in the authentic and meaningful photography for families in London and Surrey. I'm also available for commissions further afield - please get in touch for more details.
