top of page
boy sitting on a wall amongst pink bougainvillea blossom with bog flower blooms in soft focus in foreground and hazy summer light.

 mentoring

learning family photography dublin with cara.

Explore the art of family photography in Dublin with Cara Hodge. If you're seeking a fun and expressive approach to capturing moments with your family, children, or even your pets, you're in the right place. At Cara Hodge Photography, I believe that the most beautiful photographs are not just seen with the eye, but felt with the heart. Through my mentoring sessions, I'll guide you in discovering your unique creative voice and expressing it through captivating imagery. Whether you're a beginner eager to explore the basics or a seasoned photographer looking to refine your craft, my workshops are designed to nurture your passion for photography and unleash your creative potential. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration

Bio at a glance: You can see my published work & awards HERE.


(Also, I promise you, we will have fun creating these memories for yourself!)

THE CLASSES/THE 4 DIRECTIONS

Yes, I'd like to book/ find out more!

Thanks for submitting!

cara hodge photographer: family photographer dublin & child portrait photographer. learn photography with cara. based in blackrock, south co. dublin

as a gift? vouchers available towards all workshops

half length workshop 4 hours: 375

The emotive child
(flexible hours)

900

2 weeks in person & online interactive workshop. Including going out on shoots together and liaising with me in person. or on Zoom.

​

This course is designed to create more emotive, expressive, storytelling family portraits.

​

A focus on the lifestyle environmental portrait & exploring connection. Going  deeper by exploring gesture & "in between" expressions.

​

Using every day objects lying around the environment, readily at hand, to  create focal points to create more passionate, unusual & storytelling themes.

​

Exploring the influences on own personality we can explore our personal  creative voice. We see the world as we are & our most powerful emotive pictures will be a reflection of who we truly are. An expression of our hopes, dreams, and everything we have ever experienced.

​

Creating 2 photo stores of 10 picture each based on a theme you would like to explore.

young boy looking down at french bull dog puppy who is staring up at hime with big, appealing eyes.
boy leaning down and washing cat in the shower with blurry water on the shower screen through condensation

Letting go of perfection
(flexible hours)

900

2 weeks online & in person interactive workshop. Including shoots and  liasing with me in person or over Zoom.

​

Understanding the textbook definitions of what makes a good picture. The exposure triangle, light, composition e.g, rule of thirds. And then why we need to break the rules sometimes.

​

Let go of "perfection" and explore what scares - imperfection, getting it plain wrong. Tricky lighting conditions, such as hard light & low (or little to no) light.

​

Embracing old cameras and equipment that aren't top of the range to show that a picture is more than equipment. It really is the ghost in the machine!

​

What creativity resides in the flawed. How imperfect child & family portraits can hide treasure for expressive storytelling pictures.

​

Themed photo shoots and 2 photo stories.

The documentary  child
(flexible hours)

900

2 weeks online & in person interactive workshop. Including going out on shoots together and liaising with me in person. or on Zoom.

 

This course is aimed at people who want to capture portraits of their children as honestly as possible.Including our older children, teenagers & young adults.

​

The fundamentals of documentary family photography & focusing particularly on environmental child portraits with some staging when appropriate.

​

In this Insta generation, there is a push for flawless, unquestioning beauty.

However a smile can eclipse every other emotion. We look at all expressions, including the smile

​

Exploring connecting with our children that allows us to capture honest emotions & gestures in more powerful ways. Moments of uncertainty that create intrigue.

​

A project centered around gesture, including hands, and facial expressions

little boy sitting with a teacup in his hand as he gives a funny smile sitting on top of a kitchen counter with a retro cupcakes design on the kitchen tiles behind him, and floral cups scattered on the counter tops around him. at home documentary style, natural family photography dublin. award winning, internationally published family photography featured in iconic artist milan, child photo competition portrait awards and my modern met and bored panda
young boy with arms wrapped around face leaning across a chopping block on a kitchen counter with remnants of food such as onions and ginger and garlic and a statue of a greek goddess next to him.

Using props in fine art child portraits
(flexible hours)

900

2 weeks on line & in person interactive workshop. Including going out on shoots together and liaising with me in person. or on Zoom.

 

Ever wondered how to use props naturally in child portrait photography?

​

This workshop is about creating fine art child portraits that are compelling and have a story telling, sometimes quirky, element. 

​

You can be influenced by any objects you find lying around your home to create stories. There may be a still life element to these portraits.

​

You will be asked to explore the art that you are drawn to - it may be paintings, music and other photographers that inspire you to tell a story.

​

There will be time dedicated to editing the black & white child portrait.

​

Project developed around working with 3 props that can be easily found in your environment or purchased if you wish.

references

bannerembrace1500_edited.jpg
young woman in light white cotton dress and rope sandals laughing with her knees up in a rusty wheelbarrow
bottom of page