baby in white bonnet poking out of mum's winter fur coat and staring with bright blue eyes and catchlights

authentic Child Portrait

Treasured Child Portraits: Capturing the Essence of Childhood in Dublin and Abroad.

The Magic of Childhood, The Magic of Light

Hi, I love to create studio style child portraits in outdoor locations around Dublin and in your own home. There is plenty of inspiration in the beautiful backdrops of nature. There are also plenty of props in the guise of random, well loved objects scattered around your home!

Often my family sessions prioritize those smaller gestures that speak volumes. Think of your daughter putting on her best mermaid costume, or your son bending down to pick a flower.

As well as regular length sessions in locations across Dublin, I offer seasonal mini family sessions in my local area of Blackrock. Shorter length sessions can be perfect for focusing on child portraits.

Emotive Child Portraits from Simple Moments

I started learning photography when my second child was born, ten years after my first! Whether it was trying to catch the garden hose flying out of my son's hands in the garden, or a the stillness of sleep, I wanted to capture the joy, curiosity, and innocence of childhood.

My family portraits are a way to tell stories. Inspired by films, books, paintings, and pure imagination, my passion is black and white photography and ageless, vintage inspired colour to create timeless family and child portraits.

Although there are LOTS of milestone celebrations to capture here in Dublin - from baptism to communion to graduation, debs, birthdays and all the many other important gatherings - many of my family and child portrait sessions are simply about capturing the ordinary, everyday moments of love and connection.

Gallery > Meet Cara > Where it all began > Newborn & Baby > Award Winning Black & White Portraits > Published > Family Highlights > Contact Me >

boy with head thrown back laughing in white cotton and framed by an arch of fig trees. romantic child portraiture by award winning professional child portrait photographer, Cara Hodge Dublin

girl with green eyes and heair band with freckles

boy in dressing gown holding a french bulldog

communion portrait taken in hotel lobby in backlit window light with empahsis on folds of white communion gown and light on antique furniture

Child Portraits : Painting with Natural Light

boy on a bed snuggled up to a kitten under the covers

International award winning portrait of a boy with gelled back hair lying on a bed with a flower designed duvet, hugging a kitten who has one eye open, one eye shut. First place winner, International Child Competition, best of black & white

Baby Holding grass

baby sessions in natural light for authentic baby portraits you recognize

boy showering bull dog in the shower

award given in the april 2024 round of : This Is Reportage: Family.

boy on a bed snuggled up to a kitten under the covers

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Family Portrait Session? Have Fun Along The Way!

When I started out taking photos of my own children, over thirteen years ago, I would check my camera screen constantly to see if I had a good picture. Now I go with the flow. I might occasionally check the exposure, but mostly I am observing the action that unfolds in front of me. Not all captivating family portraits are the ones where everyone is gazing, smiling perfectly into the camera. Although I really appreciate traditional family portraits and include them in my family galleries, my portraits are usually the best when there is a genuine interaction with the camera. That happens when children - and adults, too! - are engaged, curious, and lost in the moment. I include messy, unscripted documentary family photography in my family galleries as well. I make the most of smiles, laughter, and the little grumpy faces too!

What truly matters is the connection forged with each family I have the privilege of photographing.

A Little Word about Wardrobe

The most important thing is to be comfortable. If it's an in home natural newborn photo shoot Dublin, it is perfectly okay to stay in your comfiest clothes, even your PJ's. Remember that I can touch up smears, scratches, stains and imperfections in Photoshop. I can even touch up make up.

I give wardrobe tips for family photography, but don't worry, nothing too fussy. In a natural outdoor locations, families can look great in rustic colours - browns, rusts, beige, white, black, khaki. Also, natural textures that reflect a wilder landscape can look wonderful - wool, suede, leather, fur. If you like to wear bright colours, I suggest pops of the same colour across a family - even if it's just a simple hair ribbon of the same colour - as the eye will always be drawn to the brightest colour first.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family's story and for entrusting me with capturing these very special childhood moments.

Awards

Portfolio Iconic Artist, Milan, Child Photo Competition, Best of Black & White Child Photography, My Modern Met, 1839 Photography Awards (2024) Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mention (2024)

three siblings smartly dressed and sitting on a bench in an old walled courtyard for communion family portraits dublin

girl in lace dress curled up in playground equipment. second place in international child photo competition, best of black and white child photography

boy lying across table with spilt milk and one finger posed on a cherry on a cake. award winning child portrait which won Silver in 1839 photography awards in poetrait category with judge from Getty images and Phaidon press

dad kissing young daughter on cheek as she drinks from her bottle, both of them dressed in faded denims matching a moody blue sky with clouds. child and family portraits at Seapoint Dublin