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In Home Dublin Family Photographer. Booterstown, Ballsbridge - and beyond!

Writer: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

UPDATED POST March 2025.


Hi, I'm Cara. I'm a Dublin family photographer and I do family sessions in a favourite place or in your own home and garden.


You can often find me in Blackrock, Booterstown, Ballsbridge, Dunlaoghaire, Seapoint Beach, Monkstown, Glasthule, Sandycove Beach and Dalkey Village. But I travel all over Dublin and surrounding areas, including Wicklow!


Below, a recent session in Booterstown. Family portraits in front of the press and in the garden.


mum, dad, two boys and daughter sitting in front of press with son throwing ball in air
Catch!

A dad and daughter moment in the garden! I will focus on natural moments of connection.


dad hugging daughter in the garden of their home

In a Dublin in home family photographer session with me, I'll make room for more traditional child portraits. I'll make the most of any natural objects to use in the environment, for example, this little girl holding a silk rose!


little girl holding a large silk rose partially obscuring her face in front of the press at home

Below, a recent first birthday for a gorgeous baby girl. This session was just outside Dublin, in Wicklow. I photographed the family over a 2 hour session, with documentary style photos of the family as well as more traditional family portraits


Making Good Use of Natural Light In Your Home: Dublin Family Sessions.


I will make use of window light in your home session - so open the curtains, draw up the blinds, and let in the light!


Below, light poured in through floor to ceiling windows at midday! Light patterns can add a sense of drama to a simple scene. I will make the use of light and shade, and every home is different.


mum reaching out for baby girl in sunlit living room, both in celebration dresses
Mum and Baby Girl in Sunlit Room

Below, a more traditional portrait of mum and baby girl on her birthday at home with family (more to follow). I love to take family portraits in the garden , often finding shade if it's sunny: Shade under Trees.


mum holding her baby girl on her lap as she sits on a swing under a tree in the garden at home
Swing for the Birthday Girl!

OLD POST. Boy with a Frenchie at Home.


As well as photographing Dublin families, I often photograph my own children at home. Below, my son with our Frenchie, Tony - the star of many of my Child Portraits.


French bulldog on boy's lap licking his mouth with tongue in anticipation of a glass of milk the boy is holding, in bedroom at home


We bought Tony home in February 2022 when he was just 3 months old. He is now almost two and a half!


As well as child and family portraits, I will often do documentary style family photos. I call it "Fly On The Wall".  This genre is great for small children and babies who are naturally active.


Below, my son playing on the master bed with the pup in end of day golden hour light. The master bed is a comfy place for family portraits, and often has dramatic window light at different points in the day!


boy looking into the eye of his pup square on. On the master bed with golden light, end of day. emotive at home family photography dublin
The Face Off

Capturing the action as it unfolds naturally with little or no interference from me.


Boy playing with french bulldog puppy, each on opposite sides of bed. family photography dublin by cara. at home photo shoots.
Play!

I may end up with a photo story called "My family And Other Animals" based on the Gerard Durrel's book of the same name. Basically, life with children and their pets.

Documentary Family Photography. "Nothing Is Better Than Real Life" awards is a great place for inspiring documentary family pictures from all over the world.


Below, a few more examples of in home family sessions. I live in Blackrock and have year round mini sessions in Blackrock and Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown. Otherwise you can often find me in the nearby area of Ballsbridge, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Dunlaohaire, Monkstown, Dalkey Village - all along the coast.


Below, in a garden in Ballsbridge with this adorable baby girl. Although it was such a bright sunny day which can be challenging without shade, these pictures ended up having so much warmth and connection.


mum holding baby girl in park with sunlight and trees
Baby in Pink

Below, a more traditional but relaxed family portrait at home in Stillorgan, Dublin. I love how everyone isn't necessarily looking straight into the camera but at each other!


mum, dad, and two small children on floor of living room with scattered toys
Family Portrait

Below, my daughter in a summer dress in a wheelbarrow in our garden.


girl in white cotton dress laughing in a wheelbarrow in the garden
Wheelbarrow Girl

I did a maternity session in home and then returned for this newborn session in Ballsbridge, Dublin, part of my Bumps and Babes session.


Many newborn sessions are done in home as they are so convenient - forget about having to pack a baby bag and go to a studio - I can come to you!


mum holding newborn baby boy on the master bed
Newborn Baby Boy


You can see more pictures from this series, family portraits Dublin: boy with a french bulldog puppy here.


boy playing with his french puppy with an old Reebok trainer with dangling laces.. at home child photography
Playing With Pup

Finally, some award winning black and white child portraits also set up in home and garden! Black and white dilutes everything in the image to its most important elements - composition, light, expression.


boy leaning over chopping board in the kitchen with vegetables


 boy in fig tree in the garden

My child portraits have been awarded in Black & White Child Photo Competition 2018 and Bored Panda.



You can find out more in my Frequently Asked Questions: How to prepare for a family photo shoot outdoors, or in the comfort of home.


Remember: No two families are the same and no two in home sessions are the same!


For more information on my family photography Dublin sessions, or documentary family sessions, please Contact Me.  


Have a great week, Cara xxx






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carahodgephotographer.com

Cara Hodge Photography Blackrock Dublin

Cara Hodge is an internationally awarded, professional lifestyle, family & newborn photographer Dublin. Member of ClickPro & This is Reportage: Family

Photo shoots in a favorite place, indoor & outdoor, all natural light.

Natural newborn at home portraits & maternity, including documentary style.

Featured portfolio in Iconic Artist Magazine, Milan, Italy.

Winner of the lifestyle category of International Child Photo Competition, best of black & white, 2018. twice 2nd place, 3rd, multiple Honorable Mention & Nominee in lifestyle, fine art portrait & street, (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

5th place International Documentary Family Awards, "Nothing is Better Than Real Life", (2020).

 

Silver & Bronze award in Portrait, 1839 Photography Awards (2024).

Featured in Dark Room UK, Fantastically Flawed, Lemonade & Lenses, Mozi Magazine, ClickPro, Bored Panda, Design You Trust, 121 Clicks, My Modern Met, Iconic Artist, PhotoVOGUE & The Times, UK.

cara hodge photographer is a professional member of click pro elite
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