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Authentic Holy Communion Family Portraits Dublin

Writer's picture: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

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.


mum, dad and two boys smartly dressed in suits and younger sister in yellow dress.
traditional communion family

Swapping places can be a game to keep things lighthearted, a bit like musical chairs!


mum, dad , two boys including communion child and a little girl in a formal style yellow dress
Communion Family

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!


dad in a suit running across sand dune with a girl in a communion gown

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!


communion girl close up with hands around her face with flower hairband
Communion girl

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 


communion girl hugging her dad in a blue suit
Communion Day Hug

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!


Communion girl sitting in a lobby with antique furniture with splashes of window light across the room
Communion in window light

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.


communion girl with gloved hands around her fave in gentle pose with garden blurred in background
Communion Gloves!

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!


close up of communion girl face with freckles and green eyes and communion ribbon in her hair
Natural Light Communion.

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!


little girl in white dress sleeping in the branches of a tree
Sleeping Princess

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!


little girl in yellow dress looking up and smiling between her two older brothers smartly dressed, one in his communion suit
Happy Communion, Blackrock


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!


dad hugging his son in communion suit and younger son under the dappled light of trees
Communion in dappled light

Sitting communion portraits on a blanket. It was midday on a super hot communion weekend in May, but we found shade under a tree!


mum, dad and two boys, one in smart communion park on blanket in park with bright sunlight
Communion in the park

More sitting communion family portraits on a blanket!


mum, dad and two boys with one in communion suit with ribbon under a tree in park
Communion Day in May!

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.


Girl in communion dress stepping down hotel staircase
Float

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.


girl in communion dress backlit in hotel window light with antique chairs
Communion Girl By Window

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.


detail of a communion dress, the folds of the dress catching the window light with antique chair in background. holy communion photographer Dublin
Golden Window Light

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.


little girl in white communion gown and older sister in a red dress tumbling down a sand dune in howth bay, Dublin. natural family photography Dublin by Cara Hodge
Tumble

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.


girl in communion dress standing in a tree branch
Dappled

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.


little girl in white communion dress on country lane holding wild flowers. outdoor communion family portraits by cara hodge
Dandelion

(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!


girl in communion dress hanging off a tree in midday sunlight with brother in background
Sunny Day Communion

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!


cousins including a girl in communion dress holding balloons in the park
Communion with cousins

Capturing more balloons at a family party, it's important to include as many family members as possible celebrating!


twin boys chasing party balloons with grandma watching and guests and family
Party Balloons

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!


dad hugging his communion girl and family holding gold and silver balloons outdoors in the park
Communion Party!

More Communion balloons, this time in colour. I love capturing informal groupings of family and friends interacting together naturally.

communion girl gathered with family and friends holding coloured balloons
Communion Fun!

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!


communion family portrait with extended family and friends and dad hugging the communion child
Communion extended family!

Dad passing his Communion girl her bag - I love her white gloves! Capturing all the details can really make a difference.


dad giving his daughter a little white bag and her reaching out for it with her white communion gloves on.
White Gloves

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...


dad spinning and twirling his daughter around in her white communion gown in a forest, sunlit park. outdoor communion photo shoot by cara
Twirl Me

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:


You can ask me any questions you like by contacting me HERE


Have a great week


Cara xx


girl turning in stair case wearing dress with big bow, communion family portraits by Cara in Dublin
Bow

 girl in communion dress swishing her dress on balcony of hotel
Golden Girl


communion portrait with girl in white dress covering face with hands on antique wood staircase
Covered

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carahodgephotographer.com

Cara Hodge Photography Blackrock Dublin

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.

Featured portfolio in Iconic Artist Magazine, Milan, Italy.

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).

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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