Antonina Mamzenko Blog: Natural Family Photography in London

Welcome to my blog. It’s the place to get to know me a bit better and where I share some of my work, photos from my travels, musings about life, photography and parenthood.

Family Photojournalist Association FPJA Awards Winner!

If you’d looked into my house last week, on International Women’s Day, you’d find me staring at my screen in disbelief with a big grin on my face. I’d just found out that that I received TWELVE awards in the 2018 Family Photojournalist Association contest, including no less than 6 gold awards, the most gold awards of any UK documentary family photographer listed with them!

Our short trip to Edinburgh

A few weeks ago I treated myself and my little man who was about to turn 7 to a short two-night trip to Edinburgh. I love Scotland (and if it wasn’t for the weather would have moved there in a heartbeat), and even though we’d driven over to the Highlands for Christmas (you can see some photos here and here) almost every year for the last five, last time I’d seen Edinburgh was about 10 years ago (or, as Sasha pointed out, after a bit of mental math and asking how old was I when I last been, and how old I am now, 11 years).

Thoughtful gift ideas for Mother’s Day

Let’s face it: your wife doesn’t really want another Mother’s Day mug, a pair of slippers, or a set of bath bombs that look like cupcakes. What does she want? Well, here are some ideas.

Unique ideas for your Spring outdoor photoshoot

As you well know, my specialty are unposed, documentary photoshoots, be it 2 hours or the whole day, breakfast to bedtime. While with a Day in the Life photoshoot it’s basically a no-brainer: you get on with your normal day and I document it, a shorter photoshoot stumps some of my clients for ideas on what to do.

So, I’ve put together a list of things you could do together as a family for your documentary photography session in the Spring – whatever the weather. Choose one that speaks to you as a family – either something you do together on a regular basis, or something you’ve always wanted to do and know will enjoy.

Family photoshoot in Islington N1

I was up bright and early (or, rather – dark and early since we’re talking December in London here) to join this wonderful family at their home in Islington at 8am. An expat family from LA, California, they were keen to capture their time in London and include not only their time at home with their son, but also the wonderful neighbourhood they call their home in England.

They booked a half Day in the Life session which is becoming really popular with many of my clients, as they want to capture a big chunk of their everyday activities, from morning until naptime, in addition to some directed lifestyle portraits.

One Frame: Snowy Fun in the Garden

I absolutely love this frame from a fun photoshoot at home in Wimbledon. We have spent the majority of our time together at home, crafting, junk modelling, reading and snuggling, but I kept peeking out of the window as it was supposed to snow that day – a rarity in London!

Why you need to exist in family photographs – and ways you can do it

If you’re anything like me, you probably take a lot of pictures of your children. Because they are so heart-meltingly cute, and they always look amazing. Even if they haven’t had a bath for 3 days, or just woken up, or are covered in mud/sand/food.

And so you have a zillion of snapshots of your children doing all sorts of fun things – you kids in the park, on a playground, digging in the sand or splashing in the sea, sleeping and playing with their toys. Sometimes there’s your partner in the pictures, too. But more often then not, it’s just the kids.

Fine Art Album for a newborn photoshoot in Teddington

This beautiful 10×10″ Fine Art Album in Plum with images from a newborn photography session in Teddington has been my sample album in 2017, and I’ve showed this to many, many people, and it helped convince many of my clients to purchase a Fine Art Album following their own photoshoot.