A little about Cara?

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My name is Caroline. Cara was a nickname from my grandad years ago when I was a child. When I made my photography website I liked the way it sounded and it stuck. 

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How did you get into photography?

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I got a family photo session done years ago when I was living in Abu Dhabi when my son was a baby, and my daughter only seven. I remember loving the photos and thinking, I'd love to make pictures. I went out and bought a camera...

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What drew you to weddings?

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I started out as a family photographer, and predominantly had a lot of sessions with older babies, and then kids of all ages which I love. Then I got asked to do couples and surprise proposals, and then I got asked to do some small Dublin weddings. I love the theatre of weddings, there is always so much happening. Everyone is tuned in to the emotion. A wedding day is a truly beautiful day and the bride transforms into the most radiant, gorgeous version of herself. Love is transformative and I love to capture those moments.

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How would you describe your style?

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A meeting point between considered portraits where I take into account lighting and backdrop and totally natural documentary style moments. I sort of balance the two directions, depending on what's in front of me.

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What inspires you?

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Gosh, everything. For the photography, paintings inspire me a lot, ones I remember seeing even as a child. I love fairytales and myths. In a practical sense, any kind of interesting interior with things to look at work with, a shabby armchair, a bunch of flowers...I love to include flowers in photos!

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Colour or black and white?

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I used to be black and white all the way for my own family photos, but now I am also a big fan of colour, particularly slightly faded, vintage inspired colour. I am obsessed with tints!

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Candid moments or posed portraits?

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A really good photo, an amazing photo, can be either one. I do love a moment of eye contact when it is caught completely naturally. I think "posed" is not what I'm after in a portrait, I'm looking for something real even in a considered portrait.

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What's your approach on the wedding day?

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I want to experience the bride and groom, be there for them through the day. Capturing their experience, seeing the wedding through their eyes. 

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What are your favourite moments to photograph?

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Those moments when everyone is in flow. The bride or groom are not noticing the camera, they are immersed in each other or whatever is going on. When they are lost in the moment, magic can unfold and sometimes, I can feel it happening.

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Why do you enjoy smaller weddings?

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I actually shoot small to medium sized weddings, just not huge gigantic ones right now! 

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Do you travel for weddings?

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I'd love to visit more of Ireland, yes. There are some beautiful Irish castles.

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What makes a great wedding photograph?

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The moment itself, obviously. Things coming together - atmosphere, light, surroundings, expression.

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Any advice for couples planning their wedding?

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Have the wedding you dreamed of, even if it's a small detail. I had a couple who loved anime and so had table settings with anime figures and even little figurines. Make your wedding your own, be unruly with it.

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Cara Hodge photographs families and couples in Dublin and Ireland. She is a member of Click Pro Elite. She has won international awards, including Click Pro Voice, 1839 Photography Awards and Documentary Family Awards. She has been featured in Photo Vogue, Bored Panda and Iconic Artist Milan.

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She loves family, dogs, nature, flowers, gothic stories -  and tea, toast and marmalade.

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Cara x