In Home Dublin Family Photographer. Booterstown, Ballsbridge - and beyond!
- Cara Hodge
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
Updated: 30 minutes ago
UPDATED POST July 2025.
Hi, I'm Cara. I'm a Dublin family photographer and I do family sessions in a favourite place or in your own home and garden. A lot of people with small kids, babies and newborns opt for sessions at home as it is easier. I come to you!
You can often find me in Blackrock, Booterstown, Ballsbridge, Dunlaoghaire, Seapoint Beach, Monkstown, Glasthule, Sandycove Beach and Dalkey Village. But I travel all over Dublin and surrounding areas, including Wicklow!
Below, a recent newborn session at home in Booterstown.
Just mum holding her newborn baby girl tight on the sofa! An in home session allows for a lot of intimate moments
With dad on the sofa - this little sister loved her tennis ball. The good thing about in home sessions is the children are never far from their toys and favourite things!
Peekaboo, I see you!
Below, another recent session in Booterstown. Family portraits in front of the press and in the garden.
A dad and daughter moment in the garden! I will focus on natural moments of connection.
In a Dublin in home family photographer session with me, I'll make room for more traditional child portraits. I'll make the most of any natural objects to use in the environment, for example, this little girl holding a silk rose!
Below, a recent first birthday for a gorgeous baby girl. This session was just outside Dublin, in Wicklow. I photographed the family over a 2 hour session, with documentary style photos of the family as well as more traditional family portraits
Making Good Use of Natural Light In Your Home: Dublin Family Sessions.
I will make use of window light in your home session - so open the curtains, draw up the blinds, and let in the light!
Below, light poured in through floor to ceiling windows at midday! Light patterns can add a sense of drama to a simple scene. I will make the use of light and shade, and every home is different.
Below, the light was beautiful at home for the kids' party. This is an example of soft, diffused natural light from a window.
Below, a more traditional portrait of mum and baby girl on her birthday at home with family (more to follow). I love to take family portraits in the garden , often finding shade if it's sunny: Shade under Trees.
More photos in the garden - this time for a Communion after party with little girl just changed out of Communion gown.
Below, in the garden with grandad and his grandson tying his balloon!
OLD POST. Boy with a Frenchie at Home.
As well as photographing Dublin families, I often photograph my own children at home. Below, my son with our Frenchie, Tony - the star of many of my Child Portraits.
We bought Tony home in February 2022 when he was just 3 months old. He is now almost two and a half!
As well as child and family portraits, I will often do documentary style family photos. I call it "Fly On The Wall". This genre is great for small children and babies who are naturally active.
Below, my son playing on the master bed with the pup in end of day golden hour light. The master bed is a comfy place for family portraits, and often has dramatic window light at different points in the day!
Capturing the action as it unfolds naturally with little or no interference from me.
I may end up with a photo story called "My family And Other Animals" based on the Gerard Durrel's book of the same name. Basically, life with children and their pets.
Documentary Family Photography. "Nothing Is Better Than Real Life" awards is a great place for inspiring documentary family pictures from all over the world.
Below, a few more examples of in home family sessions. I live in Blackrock and have year round mini sessions in Blackrock and Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown. Otherwise you can often find me in the nearby area of Ballsbridge, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Dunlaohaire, Monkstown, Dalkey Village - all along the coast.
Below, in a garden in Ballsbridge with this adorable baby girl. Although it was such a bright sunny day which can be challenging without shade, these pictures ended up having so much warmth and connection.
Below, a more traditional but relaxed family portrait at home in Stillorgan, Dublin. I love how everyone isn't necessarily looking straight into the camera but at each other!
Below, my daughter in a summer dress in a wheelbarrow in our garden.
I did a maternity session in home and then returned for this newborn session in Ballsbridge, Dublin, part of my Bumps and Babes session.
Many newborn sessions are done in home as they are so convenient - forget about having to pack a baby bag and go to a studio - I can come to you!
You can see more pictures from this series, family portraits Dublin: boy with a french bulldog puppy here.
Finally, some award winning black and white child portraits also set up in home and garden! Black and white dilutes everything in the image to its most important elements - composition, light, expression.
My child portraits have been awarded in Black & White Child Photo Competition 2018 and Bored Panda.
Black & White Child Portraits are also featured in Iconic Artist Magazine.
You can find out more in my Frequently Asked Questions: How to prepare for a family photo shoot outdoors, or in the comfort of home.
Remember: No two families are the same and no two in home sessions are the same!
For more information on my family photography Dublin sessions, or documentary family sessions, please Contact Me.
Have a great week, Cara xxx
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