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Cara, Communion Portrait Photographer Dublin

Writer's picture: Cara HodgeCara Hodge

For my family and communion sessions, I do a blend of both timeless family portraits and documentary style photos which focuses on you and your family interacting naturally with each other.


Below, a timeless communion family portrait! A classic "all eyes on me" during a mini communion session in Blackrock gardens. It was very sunny and we found shade in a little courtyard with a bench!


mum, dad, two boys in suits and daughter in yellow dress sitting on a bench in court yard
Communion Family Portrait

Then I got them to swap places!


mum in formal dress, dad in suit with two boys in suit and daughter in yellow dress on a bench
Communion Family Portrait II

Communion sessions can be done on the day of the first Communion, or it can be a session with your communion child, before or after, the special day as well.

Sessions can cover preparations at home and include pictures before and after the church mass, as well as celebrations afterwards.


Many families choose to do their communion photos between the mass and celebrations, perhaps at a favourite place outdoors, or in their own home and garden. I also offer mini communion portrait sessions for families in my local area of Blackrock or Seapoint Beach near Monkstown.


I've put together a blog post (below) with communion portraits so you can see the range of photos you might expect in a session.


Dublin "studio style" outdoor traditional communion portraits in natural light


Not sure you want to rush to a studio after your communion church service, but still want some traditional style communion portraits? Natural light can be very flattering for portraits of your communion child.


Below, a timeless communion portrait where the background is blurred or out of focus, so we can see clearly this lovely communion girl's face.


close up of young girl in communion head band with flower
Communion Flower

Back lit in a hotel in front of soft window light. The wonderful thing about natural light is it can create painterly style communion portraits.


girl in white communion dress backlit in front of window light
Princess for a day!

Another more traditional portrait with the sweet communion boy alongside his sister and younger brother! This was taken in a garden in my local area of Blackrock for a communion mini session.


little sister in yellow dress sitting between two brothers smartly dressed in suits on a bench
Sitting Communion

But I just want really natural communion family photos? Documentary style communion photography.


Sure!!


Although I love to take classic child and family portraits, I am always up for unposed documentary family photography! this is a popular approach for parties and celebrations, including communions. Perfect for lots of people gathered together having fun, either indoors or outside!


A moment with cousins getting together in the park after mass and sharing balloons in the Liberties, Dublin!


cousins at a communion playing with balloons in the park
Communion In the Park

It's also important to capture all the family at any event such as a communion. Younger children playing in a restaurant in Glasthule Dublin...


two little boys chasing golden balloons at a party in a pub
Party!

Balloons are common at parties and celebration, such as communion!


grandma reaching out to give her grandsons a golden balloon
Chasing balloons!

Below, another traditional style communion portrait - here, sweet communion girl sitting in a hotel lobby. Window light can be incredibly flattering as it splashes on to furniture! I love how her dress is lit up with sunlight!


girl in princess style communion dress sitting on hotel steps
Sitting Communion Portrait

The whole family on a blanket - this was the only scrap of shade we could find! It was soooo bright over this Dublin communion weekend in May!


mum, dad and two boys including communion boy with communion ribbon on a blanket in front of a large castle style building
Communion in the park

Here, dad running down a sand dune at a Howth hotel and beach resort, holding his daughter's hand for a beach communion session.


dad running with daughter in communion dress down a sand dune in Howth beach dublin
Communion Beach Session

Little boy in white shirt throwing back his head and laughing. His shirt is rumpled from a full day of fun.


little boy holding flowers and wearing a white shirt throwing his head back and laughing in a garden
Relaxed

After the more traditional communion family portraits, the communion boy and his brother wanted to explore climbing trees.


two boys climbing trees in smart suits
Tree Climbing after Communion

Twirling with her dad under the dappled light and shade of trees.

This Donadea Forest Park outdoor communion session was taken after mass and before celebrations and party at home.


girl in communion dress dancing with her dad under the shade of trees
Communion Dance with dad.

Below, tumbling down a sand dune during this beach communion session.


two girls, one in communion dress, tumbling down a sand dune
Communion tumble!

A Dublin Communion session in May? You might be lucky enough to get BRILLIANT sunshine!


Honestly, the past couple of years when I have done Dublin communions in May, the weather has been hot, and I mean HOT.

Often the communion photos were done outdoors in the midday sun and sometimes with little to no shade.

As a Dublin family photographer, this can be challenging light, as afternoon sun can create high contrast shadows and highlights. However, rather than shying away from intense light, it is better to embrace it fully. I also seek shelter and shade wherever I find it!


Below, in the dappled light of a tree at Donadea Forest Park.


Communion girl in gown standing in tree with dappled light
Communion Girl In a Tree

Again, intense midday light - with dad and his boys! Look how smart they look!


dad walking with his sons, one in communion suit and ribbon under dappled light of trees
dad and his communion boy!

and the whole family taking a stroll before the communion lunch!


mum, dad and two boys one in communion suit walking under shade of trees in the park on a very bright sunny day
Communion family walk

How long is a Dublin communion photo session with Cara?


As with all my family, baby and newborn sessions, there are four main family session packages that I offer, and they also cover communions. Sessions last from 45 minutes, to one or two hours, and can also cover a full day.


My mini sessions in my local area of Blackrock and Seapoint Beach are very popular. They last for 45 minutes and as with all my sessions, you get a full edited gallery of best moments. These are also popular for communions.


girl in communion dress sitting in backlit window light with antique style furniture
Sitting Pretty

What can I expect from my Communion photo gallery?


I love to make vintage inspired family photos that evoke timelessness and nostalgia, so take a look around my website to see my look and feel. I make sure that each photo is carefully hand edited in natural, soft colour tones or classic black and white.


All the best photos from the communion session are showcased in a professional online gallery with personalized cover. There is no need to pick and choose your favourite pictures, you get a complete gallery of best edited photos.


These photos are all high resolution and can be printed at any size you wish.


What about printing my favourite communion photos?


Most people opt to print their own favourites from the gallery, and I also provide Dublin printer info for beautiful, gallery quality prints, so it is very easy to get them printed at your leisure.

In addition, I do supply prints, framed prints and handcrafted books and albums.


Contact me to find out more about about booking a Dublin communion photo session with me! Or to read more about frequently asked questions.


Cara x


dad and daughter in communion dress hugging each other and smiling

I don't tend to do forced poses very much, but here is a communion portrait that was a little more styled

close up of girl in communion gown with hands around face



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carahodgephotographer.com

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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