UPDATED POST, February 2025
Well, I have some exciting news to share! I am now doing Dublin small wedding photography.

So as well as doing much LOVED couples, surprise proposals and engagement sessions, I will also be doing small, intimate elopements and small weddings in locations all over Dublin.
Below, a kiss reflected in the mirror of a small Christmas wedding done at The National Gallery of Ireland, with a ceremony at 5 Leinster Street

The bride leaving the Merrion Hotel (more photos to follow) and then the wedding ceremony and cutting the cake!
below, cutting the wedding cake!

What is exactly is a small wedding or a micro wedding photo session?
A small wedding (aka micro wedding) may have all of the glitz and glam of a larger wedding but on a smaller scale. It can suit couples who really want to get married, but want to keep it small and intimate. Or who also have other commitments besides getting married, such as saving for a house or an amazing honeymoon, or a host of other things. Other people opt for a small wedding if they're in a hurry to get married, because perhaps there is a move overseas or a pregnancy on the way, and well, why not?!
Couples photo shoots and engagement photo shoots are all about CONNECTION. A kiss is no better way to show that!

Oh, and here are more kisses xxxx. The beauty of Dublin small wedding photo sessions is that fewer friends and family means more time capturing moments of intimacy and passion!

Below, a kiss through fairy lights...

The famous tilt and kiss wedding couples photo (below)

classic, in front of a window after the reception!

As well as vintage inspired soft colour that feels romantic and nostalgic, I will also edit in timeless black and white. I want my wedding photos to have the ageless feel of "looks like film" wedding photos.
I feel that small, intimate weddings really suit the Looks Like Film/Old Money Aesthetic, where less is most definitely more. Think softer colour tones, smoother contrasts, and warm tones.
What really matters is the love you share - because Love really is timeless.
And...black and white often makes a wedding photo look cinematic!

Here in the warm slightly de-saturated, vintage inspired tones. As this this was a small Dublin wedding with less than 30 people, it was easy to slip into the National Portrait Gallery for couples portraits among all the beautiful art (more wedding photos to follow/ Watch This Space!)

Cara, Small Dublin Wedding Photographer: How long do you shoot for?
Basically, as long as you need me! I currently have three main options. A mini option of two and a half hours to cover the ceremony and newly wed couples portraits, to a whole 8 hour day - more info on my sessions on my wedding page. Small wedding photo session packages start from 950 euro!
As with my regular, family and lifestyle session packages, I deliver a full gallery of all the best moments from our time together. There is no need to pick and choose your favourites.
I also have beautiful, handmade albums and fine art books available with any session.
Below, a wedding album is pretty in pink!

Aside from weddings, I love to photograph LOVE in general - including all types of romantic couples sessions, including Dublin maternity photos.
Dublin Couples, engagement and Surprise proposal sessions with Cara.
With that said, this mini couples session was about making the most of half an hour in a summer meadow. Outdoor romantic sessions are about choosing a location you love and feel most comfortable in.
Couples, engagement and surprise proposals sessions are about you turning up as you are. Either very casual or else a bit more dressy (if you are feeling it!). (Seapoint Engagement Dublin, Summer Engagement, Blackrock, Dublin).
Whatever the vibe is you want to create between the both of you, I will capture these precious moments with a natural documentary approach but also include more classic portraits as well. The two of you, just as you are, no frills needed...

In this summer meadow, I love to make use of props readily at hand, n this case, the old wheelbarrow...again. (The wheelbarrow Summer family portraits Dublin).
The wheelbarrow is great for family photo shoots with kids small enough to fit in, but also with adults way to BIG!! After all, when couples are having fun, the expressions are light & fun-filled. It's a great way to encourage connection.

In my couples and family galleries, I will present a mix of color portraits as well as black & white. All my black & white pictures are carefully hand edited from scratch.

On a typical couples photo session, you can also expect individual portraits as well. Aside from cendid moments, there may be some portraits that involve a bit of staging. I might take into consideration the backdrop such as a beautiful, old tree ...
This couples session took place around 6pm, but as the sun sets so late in the summer, I had to embrace hard light. Although I used to freak out at the idea of harsh light, particularly dappled light, now I try to embrace dramatic contrasts. For instance, on this communion session in Donadea Forest Park in dappled light. (Outdoor Communion Photo Shoot)

To embrace the summer light on this romantic couples session, I used a higher aperture number (around F4) and a high shutter speed to create bold forms rather than a blurred background. This also helps to give shapes to the shadows.

At other times, to make the most of rim light, I use a wider aperture to create a softer background and to capture the summer haze.

And more rim light, capturing light on hair, a favorite of mine!!

I loved that this couple chose to wear white cottons, perfect for a summer photo shoot. You can't go wrong with neutrals like white.

When I want to "break the ice", and prevent any self consciousness that might come with being photographed, I like to shoot quickly and capture all the in between moments, the natural expressions and gestures that speak volumes.

You can see more couples photo shoots with a wheelbarrow in Couples Summer Photo Shoot.
I had to include out friendly neighbors - the cows!

Not too close here!

Sometimes it is good to remember the faceless portraits. The focus here (below( is on their hands grasping. A couples romantic gallery will be a mix of all the best moments, as varied as possible.

My couples, engagement and surprise proposals sessions can be done on location all around Dublin and the surrounding areas. Outdoor sessions can make the most of seasonal colour and can be as simple as taking a walk across a landscape you love. I will work step by step with you to make your session as memorable and meaningful as possible.
There are three steps to telling your story.
Three Steps to Telling Your Story. Couples, engagement & surprise proposals Dublin.
Journey starts here Decide on a location you love. We can take a walk together and let the story unfold naturally. Dress up or down.
Click! Romance A few prompts here and there to help you relax. Close ups of the two of you together along with you in the wider landscape. Natural couples & engagement photo shoot Dublin...
Print Print Print Your edited engagement or maternity pictures in a professional online gallery. Options for handcrafted albums in a variety of luxury covers and mounted print boxes
Couples sessions can also to be to celebrate a pregnancy, when love blossoms to start a family! (Maternity with daschunds Blackrock Dublin). I love to photograph all the states of maternity, across all three trimesters.

Please also see my Frequently Asked Questions page that covers popular Q & A.
I look forward to taking your couples and small wedding photos soon, just contact me to ask any questions or book your couples or small wedding photo session!
Have a great week :)
Cara xx
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