Authentic Holy Communion Family Portraits Dublin
- Cara Hodge
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 20
UPDATED POST, February 2025
Hi, I'm Cara! It's soon Spring! People are starting to think about booking Dublin Communion Family Portraits. It's an exciting date for your diary. Usually in May here in Dublin.
Whether you're after traditional family portraits with your communion child, or a Documentary Style Session, I like to pair timeless portraits with authentic, free spirited moments.
With the whole family - a traditional communion family portrait, "all eyes on me". This was a mini family Communion session between mass and lunch. I do my mini family sessions in Blackrock and Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown. They last for 45 minutes and include a full edited gallery.
Swapping places can be a game to keep things lighthearted, a bit like musical chairs!
Dad running down a sand dune by the sea with his communion girl! Communion sessions can be in a location you love, either outdoors, or in a venue or at home!
Below, studio style communion portrait in all natural light. On the whole I don't force poses, but in this case, this little Communion girl enjoyed every second of being photographed in her beautiful dress and wanted to play around with all different poses!
The same sweet Communion girl hugging her dad! Below, a Communion portrait I took at home in a garden in Dundrum. Communion family portraits Dublin at home
Below, window light will always be a favourite for indoor Communion portraits, in this case in a hotel in Howth. I love the splashes of sunlight on her dress!
Below, another more posed Communion portrait. I love the warm tones in this child portrait. Rather than very bright colour tones, I prefer gentle, vintage-inspired colours.
This close up Communion portraits allows the background to fall away into bokeh for a studio style child portrait outdoors in natural light. I love her freckles!
Relaxed in the branches of trees. - a moment of rest after a busy day! A portrait does not have to be "all eyes on me". There is something so lovely about eyes closed portraits.
And I am a big fan of timeless black and white photos, which really focus attention on gesture and expressions!
A relaxed communion portrait with Communion boy and his brother and sister. I like to capture all those little gestures and expressions, and I love how little sister is looking up in this one, with such a happy expression!
Below, dad hugging his communion boy and other sun as they take a stroll under the dappled light of trees. When it's a hot communion weekend in May, it is important to make the most of any shade! I also embrace all the light and shadows!
Sitting communion portraits on a blanket. It was midday on a super hot communion weekend in May, but we found shade under a tree!
More sitting communion family portraits on a blanket!
Communion portraits taken last May at a hotel in Howth, Dublin. The family wanted me to focus on their child in her beautiful white communion gown.
I love to experiment with environmental Child Portraits. Focusing on expression and gesture.
The incandescent light along with the window light made the portraits beautifully lit.
I immediately noticed the wood staircase and balcony. Either side of the staircase was a balcony with a black & white check floor and antique chairs. There was also really clear, diffuse window light. Being a Natural Light Family Photographer in Dublin, I LOVE to make the most of any good window light!
Backlit in beautiful window light in the hotel for a painterly effect.
Holy Communion photography Dublin can be before, during, or even after this special occasion. Often at the church, before or after the mass. Also outside the church with family and friends.
Often the request may be to take some more pictures at home where there are celebrations to be had after the communion mass! Later perhaps at home in the garden.
To see more of this at home Communion photography Dublin session please go here.
Now, there is no need to pick and choose your favorite Holy Communion pictures.
My Family Session Packages mean you are automatically able to keep ALL THE BEST MOMENTS from out time together.
A variety of classic family portraits and really fun spontaneous moments in your communion gallery, moments that you can't plan for! They just happen! I LOVE THIS PICTURE with this delightful girl and her sister tumbling down a sand dune over looking the sea in Howth, Dublin.
Here are a few more pictures from an Outdoor Communion Session at Donadea Forest Park
This girl got to climb her favorite tree in her communion dress. It was s super hot day afternoon with little shade, so I embraced the dappled light.
Since there was little shade, and brilliant sunshine, many of the pictures look good in black and white. I love the potential for natural communion portraits in a natural setting. They can make for the most timeless portraits.
(Below) this lovely communion girl swinging from a favorite tree in the park with her brother exploring. behind. I love how the bright sunlight makes everything golden!
Below, documentary style communion in the Liberties, Dublin. The family gathered in a park for lemonde and balloons after mass! A real ole' Dublin affair!
Capturing more balloons at a family party, it's important to include as many family members as possible celebrating!
More informal communion family portraits, this time dad hugging his communion daughter proudly as his other little daughter in a pink princess dress teases him playfully, and other family watching holding balloons!
More Communion balloons, this time in colour. I love capturing informal groupings of family and friends interacting together naturally.
Big communion portrait with family and friends - everyone squeezed together in the frame! This is more informal - I LOVE how they are all doing something a bit. Sometimes I introduce games as prompts, such as: turn around and give your nearest family member a good old hug!
Dad passing his Communion girl her bag - I love her white gloves! Capturing all the details can really make a difference.
And this is a favorite - dad mid way through spinning and twirling his daughter as family watches. A carefree, magical moment of connection that I love to capture best of all...
You can see more of this relaxed and fun outdoor communion family portraits in Howth Dublin HERE
There is no need to pick and choose your favourite communion photos, I offer the whole collection of best moments with all my sessions. Professional, gallery quality printing. handcrafted albums and mounted print boxes are also available a la carte.
To see more family photography, including communion and other celebrations, please go to my family photography Dublin page here:
Have a great week
Cara xx
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