Family photography in Dublin should feel nothing like a school portrait day. No one lined up on a step. No forced smiles. A little guidance when you need it, and room for everyone to be themselves. Just your family, doing what your family does, photographed honestly and warmly.
I shoot family sessions across Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area in a completely candid, documentary style. The best photographs I take are always the ones that catch a family being themselves, the kid climbing the tree they weren’t supposed to, the parent laughing at something the toddler just said, the dog completely stealing the frame. Real life, gently and beautifully documented.
What a family session looks like
Sessions start with a chat. Before the day, we’ll talk about what matters to your family, where you feel most at home, and any specific things you’d love photos of, first birthdays, family milestones, grandparents visiting, the family dog before they get too old. Everything else runs around that.
On the day, I meet you at the location and we just start. There’s no formal shot list. I might suggest walking somewhere, or ask a child to show me their favourite spot, or just hang back and photograph you doing whatever you’re doing. Kids run, parents chase them, siblings squabble, someone finds a snail, someone else refuses to look at the camera, and I quietly work through it all. By the end you’ll probably be surprised how quickly it went.
If you would love a photograph of everyone looking at the camera, tell me. We can make room for a gently guided family portrait alongside the candid moments, without turning the session into a performance.
Popular Dublin locations for family sessions
Dublin is full of beautiful spots for family photography, and every one photographs differently across the seasons. A few I return to often:
- Herbert Park, Ballsbridge. Central, mature trees, ponds, and evening light through the leaves. Great for families with young children, plenty of space to run without wandering too far.
- Phoenix Park. 1,750 acres of proper green space and free-roaming deer. Perfect for larger extended-family sessions or for families who want a real sense of countryside without leaving the city.
- Sandymount Strand. The endless flat sand at low tide is one of my favourite backdrops in Dublin. Space, sea, and enormous skies.
- Bull Island and Dollymount, Clontarf. Beach, dunes, quiet trails, and dramatic light, especially in autumn and winter.
- Iveagh Gardens. Sheltered, quieter than Stephen’s Green, and beautifully landscaped. Good for a more formal look.
- Malahide Castle grounds. Formal gardens, walking paths, and the castle itself in the background. Popular with North Dublin families.
- Powerscourt and the Wicklow foothills. For families who want to make an outing of it. Travel is included in every family package.
- Your own home and garden. Genuinely one of my favourite settings, kids are most themselves in the space they know, and your home is the setting your children will actually remember growing up in.
Choosing between The Family Session and The Full Session
The Family Session (€350) is a 45-minute session in one location. It’s the right choice for most families with young children, kids’ attention spans and 45 minutes are well-matched, and one location keeps things simple. You’ll get around 40 edited images.
The Full Session (€500) runs closer to 90 minutes, allows for two locations or a change of scenery, and delivers more images (~80). It’s the right choice for larger families, extended-family gatherings, families with older kids who can happily sustain a longer shoot, or when you want more variety in the final gallery.
If you’re not sure which suits you, get in touch and we’ll figure it out based on your family’s specifics.
Timing your family session
Golden hour, the hour before sunset, is when I plan most family sessions. The light is soft, warm, and universally flattering. In Dublin that means:
- Summer (May–August): 8pm–9:30pm, when kids are often already tired. Fine for older kids, sometimes tricky for toddlers.
- Autumn (September–October): 5:30pm–7pm, ideal for families with young children. Warm colours in the trees are a bonus.
- Winter (November–February): 3pm–4pm. Short window, but the low winter sun in Dublin is genuinely beautiful.
- Spring (March–April): 6pm–7:30pm, everything’s starting to bloom, kids have energy after being cooped up.
Morning sessions also work well, especially for families with babies who are freshest early in the day. We’ll pick a time that fits your family’s rhythm, not the other way around.
What to wear
Simple rules, no dress code:
- Coordinate loosely, two or three colours across the family in similar tones. You do not need to buy new outfits.
- Soft, natural tones photograph best in Irish light, creams, sage greens, warm neutrals, dusty blues.
- 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 with unpredictable Irish weather and add visual interest.
I’ll send a full style guide after booking, but if everyone feels like themselves, the photos will look like you.
Family photography prices Dublin
The Family Session starts at €350, The Full Session at €500. Both include the full edited gallery, high-resolution files with no watermarks, and full print rights. No add-ons, no upsells, and Greater Dublin Area travel is included.
See the full family pricing page for what’s included in each package, or get in touch to book a session or check availability.
More family photography
Still deciding what kind of session suits you? Read our guide to choosing a family photographer in Dublin for questions to ask, what to compare in a package, and how to plan around your children.
Family sessions sit at the heart of the wider family photography offering. If you’re expecting a baby, see the newborn photography Dublin page or maternity photography Dublin page. You can also browse the Family Photographer Dublin hub and full family pricing before getting in touch.
