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Outdoor Family Photo shoot Dublin: Seapoint, Sandycove and The Forty Foot.

Writer's picture: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

Hi, I'm Cara, family photographer in Dublin.


Dublin's coastal scenery offer a picturesque backdrop for any outdoor family photo shoot.

Beaches and coastal landmarks, such as Seapoint Beach, Sandycove Beach, the Forty Foot and Howth village, are all ideal locations for atmospheric family sessions.


I do 45 minute mini family sessions through the year in a Blackrock garden or at Seapoint beach. Whether it's a high or low tide, there is plenty of beautiful backdrops at the beach.


Below, an autumn family mini session at Seapoint beach, near Monkstown.


two mums holding baby boy on low wall by the sea

mum holding baby boy as he reaches out for other mum holding teddy bear on steps at the beach

Here is another beach photo from Seapoint also done in September when the weather was still mild enough. Dad feeding his baby girl a bottle of milk on the low stone wall overlooking the sea.


Many of my beach sessions include children of all ages, including babies and newborns.

When the weather is warm enough, even young babies can be photographed at the beach!


dad feeding baby daughter a milk bottle on low wall ay beach overlooking the sea

Early in the morning, Seapoint beach has such beautiful light. However no two days are the same, so like every family, every family beach session is unique.


mum holding baby girl on steps leading down into the sea

Three children on the rock at Seapoint beach. Rocks can provide lovely resting places for sitting child portraits.


three siblings hugging on rock on the beach

Sometimes cloudy weather makes for beautiful colours, so I am never put off by an overcast, grey sky - which is just as well in Ireland!


brother hugging younger sister on the beach at low tide with rock pools in background

Below, a recent seaside maternity photo shoot with baby girl at The Forty Foot.

(See my new Maternity).


little baby in mum's ars reaching down as if to touch her pregnant bely with dad watching with mist and sea in background
Maternity at the forty foot

I love this couples kiss right in the middle of the swimmers' changing area at The Forty Foot.


Whenever I do an engagement, surprise proposal or couples session, I love to focus on the connection, and maternity is no exception.


couple kissing passionately on a changing area by rocks and overlooking the sea. Woman is pregnant as she kisses her husband and he holds the baby
Kiss at the Forty Foot

This couple and their gorgeous baby boy went on to be photographed on Sandycove beach (Below).


dad holding his pregnant wife's pregnancy bump as she holds baby on a sandy beach in Dublin
Sandycove Maternity

Authentic Family Photography in Howth Village, Dublin


Another recent family photography session in Howth Village Dublin.


I had wanted to do a session in Howth for some time!


I love the fishing boats around the pier, the lighthouse, and the atmospheric seafood restaurants and pubs, as well as nearby beaches. So much variety to capture!


mum, dad hugging two daughters overlooking sea with coloured fishing boats in howth village, dublin

After making the most of a background of fishing boats, we moved to the beach!


I love to introduce games to make family portraits appear really natural. What can start off as a game can taken on a life of its own, leading to authentic emotions, gesture and expressions. Documentary family photography focuses on unposed, authentic family photography.


dad in checked shirt tweaking daughter's nose as mum watches hugging her daughter on a pier with fishing boats in the background
Fishing Boats In Howth Village Dublin

Another Howth beach session, this time a Communion beach session with dad leading his daughter in her beautiful communion gown down the sand dunes overlooking the sea - a really sunny day!


dad running with daughter in communion dress down a sandy dune overlooking the sea

Another sunny day with blue skies and hair blowing in the wind!


mum's hair blowing in wind as she hugs her son on beach with bright blue sky


Family Photo Shoot at Sandycove and The Forty Foot, Dublin


This family at Sandycove and The Forty Foot with mum, dad, mother in law and two four year old busy boys!


This was a holiday photo session with the family visiting from America. I can't wait to showcase all the best moments on the Recent Photo shoot Stories page


The weather was cloudy - but cloudy weather can produce particularly beautiful colours.

I love the pop of colors from the hats, coats and trainers. In my Winter and Christmas family sessions, pops of color work so well (Killliney Hill Christmas photo shoot).


You can see what to wear here in Frequently asked questions & also here in: family photo shoot: what to wear?


mum and dad sitting on a low wall with their two boys standing near overlooking the sea at sandy cove south dublin
Sandy Cove

I also wanted to capture walking between Sandy Cove to the Forty Foot.


boy holding dad's hands as he jumps from a step at the forty foot in dublin with mum and brother behind
Jump

Cold water swimming is a very popular in Dublin with swimmers braving the cold temperatures all year round. (Dublin cold water swim spots)


Having bathers in the background of some of these family portraits in soft focus, gives a sense of place to the photos.


backs of a family over looking the se. outdoor family photo shoot dublin at the forty foot in dublin. cara hodge photography, family photography dublin
Sea View

I love to shoot from as many angles as possible. Here, shooting downwards to capture dad holding his son overlooking steps and the sea.


boy in brightly colored yellow coat on dad's knee on steps overlooking the sea at the forty foor dublin. documentary outdoor family photo shoots along the sea at sandycove and forty foot dublin
Ocean Steps

boy in bright winter hat laughing with mum and dad on beach at sandycove dublin. candid documentary style family photography by cara hodge in dublin
Joy

For a documentary family session, we can take a coastal walk with family including Sandycove & The Forty Foot, ending in Glasthule at the Baker Street Bakers for pastries. Additionally, there is the option to stroll along Dunlaoghaire's East pier or West pier ,with the possibility to end at Scrumdiddly's  for ice-cream!


I provide beautiful Giclee pigment prints from the Copperhouse Gallery Printers here in Dublin. Also handmade, luxury albums from Folio albums for professional photographers in Yorkshire, the UK.


Please Contact me to book your coastal outdoor family photo shoot Dublin



Cara x

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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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