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Hi I am Cara, a Dublin family photographer specialising in family photos, including timeless child portraits and documentary style photography.
My lifestyle and family sessions are done on location in Dublin, either outdoors in a location you love or in the comfort of your own home and garden.
What is documentary family photography? In a nutshell it means not posed photography, or unscripted, unplanned moments.
An example, below. My son showering Zara the cat. I wasn't expecting him to do this (he usually washes our cat in the bath!). I grabbed my camera and got some of my favorite pictures of him washing her.
Family Photography that Captures genuine gesture and expression
Unlike a more posed family portraits, documentary style revolves around recording natural movements and gestures. This means the main subject is often not aware of the camera at all.
After the shower, Zara dried off in bed with my son. I love the trust and bond between them. (unscripted family photography/showering Zara)
Below, at a recent small wedding at the National Portrait Gallery of Ireland, I captured the bride and groom's father in deep conversation over tea and cake! More to follow from my first documentary style wedding soon!
Capturing the bride and groom kissing!
A Documentary approach that focuses on details in the environment
Documentary family photography can capture less obvious details. The details we might not ordinarily notice until they are frozen in time. For example, the beads of water on the shower screen when my little boy is washing his dog.
An example (below) of embracing imperfect light. I have to be prepared to shoot at all times of the day - in blazing sunshine and rain (with some shelter!) As an on location family photographer, I will shoot in outdoor locations all over Dublin.
Dublin family photography and lifestyle sessions: Embrace the "in between" moments
As a documentary family photographer Dublin, I like to focus on "in between" moments.
The jump for the bunk bed means capturing some imperfect blur!
Caught in mid air - my son diving on to a bed with a pillow!
The heap on the floor when it's hard to tell who is who! Documentary family photography captures the chaos, messy moments, of real life.
In Home Family Photography Sessions: Intimate home sessions with children, babies and newborns.
Documentary family photography is perfect for capturing young children who have no idea how to pose! On this in home newborn photo shoot, this tiny newborn boy made so many little gestures that changed from moment to moment
Baby is dressed by mum and dad. I wanted to document how tiny he was, only two weeks old. (natural maternity photographer Dublin)
I like to look out for interesting perspectives during my in home newborn sessions. That can mean shooting from above and below, or using interesting framing techniques.
The unexpected moment a dog licked newborn baby's feet when held by dad in an in home family photo shoot where I captured candid moments. (at home newborn photographer Dublin)
Documentary family photography is perfect for family events - Birthdays, Baptisms, Communions, Graduations.
Natural documentary family photography is perfect to capture events such as communion, baptism, christening, birthday parties and all other celebrations.
Lots of people gathered together usually gives opportunity to tell stories!
Below a recent baptism photo shoot in Our Lady Queen of Peace church
The unexpected moment this little boy started to play in the pews! Or dad played with baby boy (below). Often unexpected moments can convey the most connection between family members. They are just plain cute!
Below documentary family photography for an outdoor communion photo shoot where dad twirled his daughter around in the woods
with family watching.
Below, a birthday party. I love how grandad looks tenderly at his grandson as he blows up his balloon for him. (Birthday party photo shoot Dublin).
I love the moment this little girl wanted to feed her mum some of her yogurt at a summer party in the park!
Below, at the same party, face painting and dress up!
Documentary Family Photographer Dublin - Black and white and vintage inspired colour.
I love to edit my documentary family photography style sessions with a timeless vintage inspired style. You can expect classic black and white and gently de-saturated colours in my family galleries.
Child environmental portraits are a form of documentary child & family photography and have a storytelling theme. (Mentoring with Cara Hodge Photography).
Please Contact Me to book your family session and to ask Any Questions!
Cara x
Below, these family pictures featuring my gorgeous nephew were taken in Glastonbury, England.
Even when a family picture starts off a bit staged, I love to find moments of natural expression and gesture within the scene. They make a child or family portrait come to life!
My nieces & nephews are just so beautiful with their dark hair and green eyes. My sister loves looking at the pictures of her children when I do the mini family photo shoots for her.
The light in the kitchen was low and flat, but I made use of the natural light coming from the kitchen window. I was looking out for expression and gesture in these child portraits, and I was pleased to be able to get the catch light in my nephew's eyes.
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