Family, Newborn & Maternity Photography in Dublin

Choosing the right kind of session

Every family is different, and so is every session. Below is a quick guide to help you figure out what will suit yours best. If you're not sure, get in touch, we'll work it out together.

In-home sessions

For newborns and very young babies, in-home sessions are almost always my recommendation. Baby is most comfortable in their own space, feeds and naps happen when they need to, and the photos genuinely capture your life as it is right now, the muslin over your shoulder, the morning light through the kitchen window, the older sibling curled up on the couch. In-home sessions also suit families who feel more relaxed on familiar ground, or where the weather makes an outdoor shoot uncertain.

Outdoor sessions

Once children are mobile, outdoor sessions come into their own. Parks, beaches, forest walks, and open green spaces give kids room to run, climb and be themselves, which is where the best photos always come from. Golden hour, roughly an hour before sunset, gives the softest, most flattering light and works beautifully in almost every Dublin location.

Milestone & extended family sessions

First birthdays, cake smashes, sibling milestones, and larger extended-family gatherings are all worth marking. These sessions tend to be a little longer to give everyone time to settle, and I plan them with the specific occasion in mind rather than as a generic portrait shoot.

Popular Dublin locations for family photography

I've shot families all across Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. A few locations I return to often because they photograph beautifully and give kids space to be themselves:

• Herbert Park, Ballsbridge. Mature trees, ponds, open lawns, and one of the prettiest spots in the city for family portraits.
• Phoenix Park. 1,750 acres of green space and deer herds. Perfect for families who want a real sense of countryside without leaving Dublin.
• Sandymount Strand. Endless flat sand at low tide, big skies, and the light off the water is spectacular in the evening.
• Bull Island, Clontarf. Beach, dunes, and quiet paths. Especially good in autumn and winter when the light turns dramatic.
• Iveagh Gardens. Central, sheltered, and beautifully landscaped. A quieter alternative to St Stephen's Green when you want the city in the background.
• The Wicklow foothills. For families who want the countryside proper, spots like the Sugar Loaf, Powerscourt Waterfall walk, or the trails around Enniskerry work beautifully. Travel is included in every family package.
• Your own home. Genuinely, this is one of my favourites. Your kitchen, your garden, the sofa where the kids read stories, it's the setting your family will remember, and it photographs better than most people expect.

What works at each age

Kids of different ages need different approaches. Here's roughly what I plan around:

Newborns (0–6 weeks)

Sleepy, curly, and completely themselves. The first two weeks are the classic window, but I've shot beautiful sessions at 4, 5 and 6 weeks too. In-home is almost always the right call. Sessions run at baby's pace, feeds and naps included.

Babies (6 weeks – 1 year)

Milestone-driven. Sitting up, first foods, first birthday, first steps. Sessions can be at home or outdoors depending on the season and the milestone. First-birthday sessions are a lovely time to include the wider family.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

Movement, movement, movement. Outdoor sessions work best here, somewhere with space to run and something interesting to explore. I plan short bursts rather than long stretches, and I'm very used to negotiating with a two-year-old.

School-age children (4–10 years)

More collaborative. Kids at this age can be genuinely involved in the shoot, they'll show me their favourite spot, or tell me what they want photos of. Sessions feel more like an outing than a photoshoot, which is exactly the point.

Teens and older children

Often the most reluctant, and often the most rewarding. I keep it low-pressure, we walk and talk, and I catch the real moments rather than asking for them. Teens tend to see the results and change their mind about photoshoots entirely.

What to wear

Simple rules, no dress code:

• Coordinate loosely. Two or three colours across the family, in similar tones, works far better than everyone matching.
• Soft, natural tones photograph best, creams, soft blues, sage greens, warm neutrals. They complement most Irish light.
• Skip logos and busy patterns. They date badly and pull the eye away from faces.
• Prioritise comfort, especially for kids. Uncomfortable clothes will show in every single frame.
• Layers help, in case the weather turns, and give visual interest even in a simple outfit.

I'll send a full style guide once you've booked, but honestly, if everyone feels like themselves, the photos will look like you.