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natural newborn at home Dublin, with newborn girl on bed with dad, close up of her hand in dad's hand and mum's hand cradling her face

 Newborn & Baby 

Cara's Dublin In Home Newborn Sessions - 

tiny newborn baby foot with background of bed and baby in very soft focus

Hi, I'm Cara, a Dublin Newborn photographer, mostly taking newborn sessions in your own home and garden. The first days with your newborn baby are incredibly precious and I like to capture you and your baby interacting in the most natural way possible. No forced poses or smiles, I will focus on your baby's genuine movements and authentic little expressions!

I will check out the best natural light sources in your home and, believe me, dark, cluttered houses are as  atmospheric as light, airy ones -  particularly for dramatic, window light baby portraits. 

Cara x

 

Frequently Asked > Reasons to have a Newborn Session at Home > Newborn in a Different Light > Maternity > Baby in B & W > Family Highlights >  Documentary style "Fly on the Wall" > Maternity with Daschunds > Info >Natural Maternity Photographer Dublin > Bumps & Babes >

newborn lying on master bed with fluffy dog in soft focus in the background

My newborn sessions include a carefully edited, curated gallery of images, and I also provide albums separately as well as gift vouchers 

You can often find me photographing families and couples in Blackrock, Booterstown, Stillorgan, Ballsbridge, Monkstown, Dunlaoghaire, Glasthule and Dalkey Village - and in homes all over Dublin.

mum on master bed bending over her infant son and gently touching his newborn head
newborn baby on mum's lap sitting on a leather armchair catching the light from a window

 "Cara Captured  our Newborn Session At Home Beautifully. Our Baby Boy Was Only Three Weeks Old"

emma

"Cara Put All Five Of Us At Ease, Including Baby. Gorgeous Photos To Treasure"

Héloïse

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Hi, I'm Cara

I love my family, dogs, reading, astrology, shoes and spicy Asian food.

I have two grown up children but still remember the days they were very small. The grubby little faces, the toothless smiles and, even, still now, the vanilla smell of my baby boy's head.

Wanting to hold on to these early childhood memories was a big reason why I took up photography when my son was 18 months old! 

cara hodge, dublin newborn and baby photographer with her own baby son  and daughter
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With my nieces and nephews

With my children

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newborn baby feet clasped together

Welcome To The World!

You can plan a newborn session whenever you feel ready. As soon as you get home from the hospital, up to two weeks after birth when your baby is still curled up - or much later. There is always something new to treasure at every developmental stage.

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mum and dad on sofa with dog and bottle feeding newborn baby on sofa at home in Dublin

Cozy Nest

Every newborn is unique and so is every family and home. I will look out for pockets of light and shadow in your home to frame lovely baby portraits. There is no need for a big tidy up - prams, bottles, toys, piles of blankets, and yes, mess, are all part of the charm of your baby's first days. 

newborn baby bo curled up on a ruffled blanket

Newborn Keepsake

​I create a curated gallery from all the best moments from your newborn session - expect timeless black-and-white family portraits and soft, vintage inspired colours. I'll always include siblings and of course, your pets!

newborn twins on mum and dad's ;ap at home as they sit on sofa looking in love with their new babies
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frequently asked

When is the best time for a Newborn photography session?

There is no set time except whenever you feel ready to have your baby photographed. Newborn sessions can be done in the first days at home, up to two weeks after birth when baby is still curled up, but many parents wait until baby is older and not technically a newborn. Many of my family sessions are done outdoors with older babies and siblings.

 

Is an in home Newborn baby session best for me?

In home newborn sessions are popular as they are so convenient. You don't have to think about heading to a studio, packing anything for baby - I simply come to you!

Newborn photo shoots are often done around 10am when baby and younger children are fresh from sleep. However, I can work around your schedule to accommodate when baby is more likely to be rested.

Ugh! My home is a mess, do I need to do a big tidy up?

Absolutely not! Most homes with newborns have a natural amount of clutter as routines are established or else given up on completely. The first days with your newborn tend to be at least a bit "chaotic", as well as magical.

 

I might move a few things out of the way as I go, like bigger plugs and cables, but other then that, every home adds to the story of your newborn's first days with you.

Whether your baby is nestled on a rug by the window, or on a sunlit sofa, your home will literally take on a brand new light and life!

I'm worried my house is too dark...

You don't need a light flooded house for atmospheric newborn portraits - sometimes a modest slice of light is all you need for beautiful contrast between light and shade. If you are a fan of black & white child photography then low light can be really great for dramatic contrast.

 

I will also look out for reflections off mirrors and more unusual pockets of light. Window light tends to be the best source of natural light so I might pull back the curtains!

Can I include other children and family in my Newborn session?

Yes, of course! I welcome all other children and other family members on the sessions - and I include all your pets. I love the contrast between a big, friendly dog and a tiny newborn, side by side. Newborn in home sessions tend to be fairly intimate, but I have had other family members drop by to be part of the session.

 

What if my baby is out of sorts?

I never, ever expect your baby to perform. Instead, I make the most of situations as they naturally arise during the sessions. Unexpected moments and surprises can make the most endearing pictures. All sessions are as unique as your baby.

I fully expect your newborn to sleep, feed and yes, also, to cry!

 

 If baby needs comforting, I will focus on genuine parenting interactions, or I'll capture baby feet and hands as you tend to your newborn.

What should we wear for an in

home Newborn session?

I provide very simple wardrobe tips for all my family sessions, including newborn. I think newborns look adorable in everything - white, gingham, earthy brown tones...and so on. Simple onesies can look lovely to capture baby legs and arms, and, of course, hands and feet.

Textures like wool, cotton, linen and other natural soft materials can compliment the softness of your baby beautifully.

 

It can look lovely for parents to be in the relaxed clothing that you might normally wear around the house at this time.

What can I expect from my Newborn gallery?

As with all my family photography sessions, I will do a mix of traditional family portraits of your baby and other children and documentary family photography.

I will deliver a fully edited gallery of gentle, warm colours and classic black and white. I will take care of little scratches, stains and milk dribbles, not to mention very tired panda eyes!

It takes 2-3 weeks to receive your gallery of images. My four main sessions outlined on my FAQ page are suitable for newborns. Family photography vouchers are available for all my sessions.

Can we do the session outside rather than stay in?

Absolutely! When baby is a bit older, outdoor baby photo shoots are very popular. In warmer weather I have also done outdoor newborn sessions. 

​My local Blackrock and Seapoint Beach sessions near Monkstown are popular for children of all ages.

newborn baby feet and hands, details of twins on parents' lap at home

Gallery

GET IN TOUCH

Plan your baby session at home or somewhere special.

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Newborn & Baby
Session Faq.

My newborn sessions follow the same relaxed approach and pricing as my family sessions FAQ page.

There is, however, an additional "Brand New" shorter session.

 

All my sessions include a curated, edited gallery and information to print at my trusted Dublin printers. I also do provide printed products separately, including albums.

There is a 50 % deposit to book and the balance payable on receipt of the gallery.

Gift Vouchers are available for all my sessions or towards my sessions.

newborn baby wrapped in cellular white blanket on a sofa with fabric pillows
newborn baby head with wispy hair in palm of dad's hands, detail

Brand New Intro

30 minutes + 20 images. €380 

Essence

 

45 minutes + full gallery. €490 

Signature

 

1 hour + full gallery. €550

Legacy

 

2 hours + full gallery. €675 

mum holding newborn gently in kitchen window light at home
mum walking holding downs syndrome baby girl and holding son's hand through park with dappled light

Older
Baby's

Newborn babies tend to be photographed at home but...if the sun is out I have done outdoor sessions with newborn and very young babies.

In general, outdoor sessions are popular for babies and toddlers! My local family sessions are popular for relaxed baby portraits.

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young woman holding an infant baby girl with her hair sticking up in sunlight, under dappled light of trees and with a backdrop of red brick houses. In a Dublin square in summer
mum with sunhat holding newborn baby wrapped in blanket with other baby daughter sitting on blanket beside her. at downs syndrome dublin summer party with dappled, intense summer light
a leather covered handcrafted baby album containing professionally printed baby and newborn photographs

Cherished Memories

 Nothing compares to the feel of a timeless baby album 

 

As your little one grows, you’ll be able to turn the pages with him and relive those first days.

leather bound luxury album for keeping newborn, baby & maternity pictures. for at home natural newborn photography dublin. best newborn photographer dublin moments can be shown in this handcrafted album. also for at home newborn photography, to remember this day forever

carahodgephotographer.com

Cara Hodge Photography Blackrock Dublin

Internationally awarded, professional lifestyle, family, baby and newborn in home photographer. Maternity, couples, surprise proposals, debs, Holy Communion, baptism, christening, birthdays, graduation, special occasions. Photo shoots in a favorite place, indoor and outdoor, all natural light.

Member of ClickPro & This is Reportage: Family. 

Featured portfolio in Iconic Artist Magazine, Milan, Italy.

Winner of the lifestyle category of International Child Photo Competition, best of black & white, 2018. 2nd place, 3rd place, Honorable Mention and Nominee (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

5th place International Documentary Family Awards, "Nothing is Better Than Real Life", (2020).

 

Silver, Bronze, Honorable Mention, Nominee, 1839 Photography Awards (2024, 2025).

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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