top of page

Summer Family Photography Dublin. The Seasonal Mini Session.

Writer's picture: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

Hi, I am Cara, a family and baby and newborn photographer in Dublin. I photograph children of all ages in the comfort of their own home and garden, or outdoors in a place you love in Dublin.


Summer sessions are popular as Dublin gets some sunshine (hopefully!)


As well as covering locations all over Dublin, I also specialize in mini family sessions in my local area of Blackrock and Seapoint beach near Monkstown. These run through the year making the most of seasonal colour and light.


My mini sessions last 45 minutes and come with a fully edited photos from our time together. There is no need to pick and choose your favourite pictures, you get a full gallery. That's a complete narrative with a variety of photos.


mum holding her baby on her lap in a sunlit park under the shade of trees
New baby Dublin

Mini Family Photography Sessions - Dublin Outdoor Sessions for Older Babies.


Whereas my Dublin newborn photography is usually done in home, many of my outdoor sessions include families with older babies. Curious about the world, babies are happy and engaged outside. Also, when the weather is warmer, my Summer sessions are very popular with babies, even newborns.


Babies with a limited concentration span means that 45 minutes is usually plenty of time to get some lovely family photos. With shorter sessions, I like to concentrate on getting traditional family and child portraits, as well as capturing completely unposed documentary style moments.


Below is an example of a mummy and baby portrait I might do during a Summer mini, here in a sunlit Dublin park.

Bring your Summer blanket for sitting portraits with your baby!


baby on mum's lap in park under sunlit trees with old, historical houses in the background

Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown. The Summer Family Mini comes Alive


The Beach is perfect for Summer - my 45 minute Summer minis are done at Seapoint!


A recent mini photo shoot here on Seapoint Beach (below). Here with two sisters, hair blowing in the breeze, hugging their youngest brother. At low tide, we can really get to the edge of the water together, even wade through shallow water.


two sisters with brother hugging on beach with a beautiful blue sky
Siblings on the beach
two teenager grils with flowing hair walking younger brother across beach with relfections in the water
Low tide at Seapoint

As the tide was out this young woman in a pink summer dress could wade out into the water. I love the contrast between a beautiful dress and being in the water for emotive feminine portraits. Beach family photo shoot Dublin.


young woman in a pink floaty dress wading through the sea at low tide with rocks in the background. summer family photography dublin. beach photo shoots

As well as wider shots of her in the landscape, I like to take more intimate close up portraits with a soft focus background. The pastel colours of sea and sky compliment her light pink dress! Making the most of Summer family photography Dublin when the sun is out!


young woman's dark hair falling across her face with sea and rocks in soft focus in the background. beach photo shoot dublin. summer family photography dublin

I love this one with mum's hair flying in the breeze as she spins her young son around. The cloudless blue sky and the sea make the perfect summer backdrop.


mum's long hair flying in breeze as she hugs son on beach against cloudless blue sky and sea
Hug

Here is another recent family session at Seapoint with a beautiful baby boy. This session was done in September but it was warm enough for T-shirts! This beach session was all about this cute baby boy just being himself and playing with his mum and mum.


mums holding baby boy at the wall overlooking the beach with rocks
Seapoint Baby Boy

I love to do a mix of timeless family portraits as well as totally natural, unposed family photos, where you can interact with your baby as you would on any day without being photographed!

mums holding baby boy, one holding baby and the other holding is teddy as he leans forward to grasp it happily with beach in background

Baby reaching down to play with pools of water on the beach!

baby reaching down to touch pools of water on sandy beach held by mum


Mini family Sessions in Blackrock garden or park, Dublin.


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Spring mini."Spring Has Sprung." 45 minutes in a local Blackrock park or garden.


This week, catching up on blogging some of my lovely Spring families.

This spring mini family photo shoot. Here, in the heart of Blackrock, Dublin, where the long grass made the garden look like we were in the middle of a meadow in the heart of the countryside.


The warmer weather is perfect for Dublin outdoor photo shoots babies and newborns. I usually just ask families to bring a blanket along for sitting portraits.


mum leaning her head against baby girls head as she stands holding her under a tree. spring family photography Dublin by cara

Dressed in light white cotton, this families wardrobe doesn't detract from the families expressions as they interact with each other.


mum and dad holding baby girl under a tree, all dressed in summery white cotton

Baby girl took some of her first steps across a lawn strewn with daisies here!

mum and dad walking baby girl under a tree in a sun lit meadow

I love this garden in Blackrock in the Spring - not only is there beautiful cherry blossoms (cherry blossom mini sessions.)


Check out the beautiful daisy lawn, a perfect match to their white cotton outfits. By the way, I give wardrobe tips to prepare for my family sessions.


mum walking her baby girl ahead of her across a lawn strewn with daisies. natural family photography dublin by cara. for children and babies.

Below: Another Spring mini family session.


I also take family portraits under a beautiful old cherry blossom tree in the same garden as above. I love how beautifully this family coordinated their outfits to match the pink of the blossom. Complimentary pinks, violets and blues. (Spring blossom family photoshoot)


mum kissing her baby daughter in a pink dress under a pink blossom tree. spring natural family photography dublin

baby under Spring time lilac blossom and dappled light.


baby with mum and dad reaching up for lilac blossom in a sunlit garden under a pergola
Pretty in Pink

With all my sessions, I include information for Dublin professional printers so you can print your pictures yourself in your own time. The beauty of a digital package is that you can repeat print a favorite picture any number of times. I also offer print products including handcrafted albums, a la carte.


Contact Me  to start planning your family photography Dublin session, including your seasonal mini.


Have a wonderful week in the sun!


Cara xxx




Comments


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
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
bottom of page