Hi, I am Cara. A natural, storytelling family photographer in Dublin, also serving the surrounding area, including Wicklow and Kildare.
You can read more about Cara Hodge Photography in Meet Cara and how my photography journey started in In The Beginning.
I like to pair traditional, timeless family and child portraits with unposed documentary family photography. I might start a session with some gentle prompts, pointing out an attractive background or some pretty light, and after that, anything goes. I am on the look out for genuine expressions and gesture. My sessions are really easygoing and natural - and families have a lot of fun.
(Yes, being photographed can be fun!)
Wicklow Family Session In The Garden At Home
I LOVED shooting this gorgeous family at home in the garden in the Wicklow mountains. We also planned to go to a little jetty overlooking the nearby lake. For the full series see: At home family portraits. With a wheelbarrow).
As I say on my mentoring photography page, I sometimes use props naturally found in the environment at home & outside in the garden. Props can help create emotive family portraits. (emotive family portraits Dublin. My favorite moments). With that said, I am still focused on natural interactions.
In this instance, this striped tent was perfect for framing child & family portraits in the garden.
I love making quirky, unusual child portraits wherever possible! See how the red polka dots match the red stripes on the tent? I offer wardrobe tips so that colors can compliment each other across a family! (Family photo shoot Dublin. What to wear?) No need for totally matching though! They key word here is comfort!
And let's not forget the wheelbarrow family portrait. I have done SO MANY of my own family using wheelbarrows. All three girls in the wheelbarrow here (below). (The wheelbarrow. Summer family portraits Dublin).
I love to do a group family portrait with everyone tightly hugging! Tip: In this instance, I asked everyone to cling to each other as if they are on a ship at sea. This way they were enjoying swaying about & laughing! When I am doing group family portraits I like to suggest some games to make everyone interact and enjoy themselves.
Portraits that capture authentic CONNECTION between family members. Not all good family portraits are those where everyone is smiling perfectly into the camera. Although I will include them, I like to explore a range of emotions and expressions. For example, here with dad comforting his daughter. A moment of genuine connection and love. (At home family photography Dublin. The stories so far...)
Here (below), I like how mum's hair is hanging down across her face as dad looks up at her. I also like how their little girl is looking down. There is an intimacy to family portraits where family members are not looking directly into the lens, but away from it, as if lost in their own thoughts & emotions...
I like to make room for couples photography within a family portrait session. (Couples, engagement & surprise photo shoots )
Vintage Inspired Family Photography Editing Style
As a family photographer, my editing style has evolved a lot over the past 12 years, when I first started photographing my own family.
I include natural, vintage inspired color as well as classic black & white family photography in my family galleries.
The colours are gently desaturated and have a slightly faded quality, reminiscent of old film photography. This gives a feeling of timelessness and nostalgia to your family photos.
Black and white reduces everything to its most important features - composition, shadows and highlights and, of course, expression.
My family galleries will always include my signature, award winning black and white photography (black & white child)
As well as traveling to people's home and gardens for indoor lifestyle, family, baby and newborn in home sessions, I also do family photo shoots in a location you love outside. This can be park, beach or sea - in Dublin there are so many beautiful locations to choose from, all year round.
I have popular seasonal mini family photography sessions that run through the year in Blackrock and Seapoint near Monkstown, Dublin. Through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, making the most of seasonal light and colour (mini Christmas sessions).
You can find out about the family photography packages I offer, as well as the mini sessions in my local area.
All family session packages come with a gallery of all the best moments from our time together. You can expect a range of emotions and interactions. Rather than picking and choosing your favourite photos from the gallery, each package includes a full collection of images. Printed products, including handcrafted family albums, are available a la carte with any package.
Please Contact me to book your natural family photographer at home Dublin session, or to book a session in an outdoor family photo shoot in a place you love!
Have a great week!
Cara x
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