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Documentary Family photographer Dublin. Telling your family's story honestly.

Writer's picture: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

Hi, I am Cara!


As well as specializing in classic family and child portraits, I also focus on authentic Dublin documentary family photography recording moments as they happen naturally.


This is a perfect genre for small children, babies and newborns who have little time for posing, also for family gatherings and celebrations with plenty of action, such as christenings, baptisms, birthdays, communions - and all sorts of other occasions!

I am a member of This Is Reportage: Family.


Below, chasing balloons at a pub in Glasthule Dublin, for s surprise engagement party!

tow twin boys chasing balloons inside a pub in Glasthule Dublin

Imperfect Moments creating Perfect Family memories.


Life's most cherished memories often stem from unexpected moments.

Below, my little boy jumping on the bed!


little boy jumping on bed with a pillow in mid air directly in front of his body
Pillow

Below, when he had a broken arm, the grimace on his face is entirely genuine!


boy with bandaged arm grimacing as he clutches railings of bed with large flower wallpaper in backdrop
Hurt

Embracing Chaos: Environmental Child Portraits at Home or Somewhere special.


The idea that a perfect house makes for perfect pictures is a myth I gladly debunk! As an on location Dublin family photographer, cluttered rooms and lived-in spaces are perfect for environmental portraits. The authenticity of everyday life adds character to the frame. 


Below, I love the pink glow in the dark lights and grumpy face as he sits on the window ledge!


little boy sitting on a window ledge in inside out pyjamas and in front of a rainy window decorated by pink fairy lights giving a bright pink glow
Pink Fairy Lights

Nothing prepared me for the heart-shaped trail in the sky left by air show planes, framing him as he walks along the garden wall.

little boy on a garden wall looking at heart shaped smoke left by plane in an air show. award winning photography by one of Dublin's best family photographers
Heat Shaped Air Show

Our cat catches a mouse, with the mouse flipped over in the corner of the frame. I didn't notice the mouse till I had downloaded this photo, it really was that fast.


cat jumping up to catch a mouse as boy watches through a window
Mouse catcher

Miss Tiddlywinks passing my son makes it look like the cat's face is superimposed on the boy's like a mask. (Documentary Family Photographer Dublin, 2024. Cat n Mouse and other Stories)

cat walking past boy's face on side of bath giving him appearance of wearing a cat mask
Eclipse

Embracing Difficult lighting on on-location family sessions, outdoors or in your own home.


I have shot in many different lighting conditions - from dark homes, to overcast skies, between rain fall, and blazing midday sun!


Part of being a Dublin documentary family photographer, is being able to take photos in all conditions at all times! Although "hard light" can be challenge - and it is good to look for shelter to soften it - some of my favourite family photos have been taken in full sun. This is because of the lighting effects you get: light leaks, flares, and dappled light.


baby reaching up to grasp lilac blossom in intense dappled light with mum and dad watching
Summer baby

Little girl squinting into midday, harsh sunlight as mum carries her across the park on a hot day.


mum carrying baby girl as she squints in midday sun
Midday Sun Communion

Below, instead of running away from dappled light, I will embrace it. As a general rule I will deliberately under expose in very bright light, so as to be able to recover the highlights. When light is unpredictable, it is better to be on the safe side!

I end up doing a lot of outdoor family sessions under the shade of trees in parks and gardens around Dublin.


mum carrying infant girl in dappled light under tree
Dappled Light


Timeless Family photographer Dublin - the effect of cinematic black & white and vintage inspired colour


I LOVE black and white lifestyle and family photography, and many of my personal photos of my own children are in timeless black and white.

Whether a child portrait or documentary style, I love how black and white distills everything to its most important parts - composition, light, expression.


boy in an old tree looking like a bird, wearing a bird mask atop his head and house in background
Bird Mask II

Vintage inspired colour family photos is about gently de-sataurating colour for a timeless faded look, enhancing warmth and adjusting tint. Creating natural colours that feel ageless. i have really worked on this style more and more over the past year or so and am always discovering new ways to enhance my editing style so family galleries have a timeless feel.

This family session was taken outdoors in Dillon's Park, near Dalkey Dublin.


sisters dancing in a park overlooking the sea in Dalkey Dublin
Sisters

I have four main family and lifestyle session packages to choose from, from mini 45 minute sessions in my local area of Blackrock and Seapoint Beach near Monkstown, to one and two hour sessions throughout the Dublin area. Please see my prices & packages to book.


Ready to capture your family's unique story in Dublin? Contact me today to schedule your own on-location family photo shoot. Let's create timeless memories together.


Cara xx

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Nov 26, 2024

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Cara Hodge Photography Blackrock Dublin

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Cara Hodge is an internationally awarded, professional lifestyle, family & newborn photographer Dublin. Member of ClickPro & This is Reportage: Family

Photo shoots in a favorite place, indoor & outdoor, all natural light.

Natural newborn at home portraits & maternity, including documentary style.

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Featured portfolio in Iconic Artist Magazine, Milan, Italy.

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Winner of the lifestyle category of International Child Photo Competition, best of black & white, 2018. twice 2nd place, 3rd, multiple Honorable Mention & Nominee in lifestyle, fine art portrait & street, (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

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

 

Silver & Bronze award in Portrait, 1839 Photography Awards (2024).

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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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