"Bumps & Babes." Natural Maternity Photographer Dublin
- Cara Hodge
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 25
Updated Post: October 2025.
Hi, I'm Cara, a maternity photographer based here in Dublin. I also photograph families, children and babies, including newborns.
My style is a blend of timeless family portraits and documentary photography which is capturing moments as they arise naturally. I might direct you towards pretty light or a lovely backdrop and then let you interact naturally as much as possible.
You can often find me doing family photo sessions, including maternity, in Blackrock, Booterstown, Stillorgan, Ballsbridge, Dunlaoghaire, Monkstown, and Dalkey Village - but I travel all over Dublin and Wicklow!
My sessions are often outdoors in a place you love, or in your own home and garden!
I have updated my Maternity page recently here.
I also do family sessions, including pregnancy photos, in my local area of Blackrock and Seapoint, making the most of seasonal colour through the year.
The Bumps & Babes Session
I offer sessions which include the maternity and newborn photos combined. This is called 'Bumps and babes" - Contact me for details.
Dublin newborn sessions can happen from a few days or weeks after birth, when baby is still all curled up, or later when baby is older and you are settled into a routine.
My family, maternity and newborn sessions include all other siblings and family members!
Below, more maternity moments with this beautiful family in Malahide Castle Gardens, Dublin.
Plan a Natural Maternity Session at Home
For maternity photos, your own home and garden can provide comforting, familiar surroundings for beautiful pregnancy photos.
As ever, natural window light is a great place for maternity portraits by the window. Just pull up a favourite arm chair by natural window light. Don't worry about low light at home, they can create dramatic pregnancy portraits!
Outdoor maternity session Dublin.
This pregnant couple already had a baby, and celebrating the soon to be arrival of their second baby with a maternity session at the 40 foot in Dublin.
Sandycove beach, Monkstown, as well as other locations along the coast are iconic spots for authentic family and maternity sessions.
Wear Something You LOVE For Your Maternity Session
Planning an outfit that will emphasise your pregnancy form is key. You don't want to be bundled up in too many layers and coats.
Earthy colours can look wonderful in pregnancy portraits - think brown, rusts, coppers - the rustic colours of bare earth. Brighter celebratory colours such as red and pink can be gorgeous, with brighter pops of colour spread across family members and children so the eye is drawn to everyone in a balanced way.
White and pastel tones will always be popular for feminine maternity photos.
You may also want to think about textures, such as cotton, sillk or lace fabrics that can enhance the pregnancy shape!
In Dublin, the weather can vary but it is sometimes possible to wear a warm coat but remove it for short bursts! As well as sunshine, cloudy weather can make for beautiful pregnancy portraits.
A Pregnancy Session in Golden Hour Light
It was lovely to focus on this couple's last days of pregnancy with late summer golden hour light in this Blackrock garden, below.
Golden hour is 1-2 hours before sun set and early in the morning and very flattering for all kinds of photos, including maternity!
Treat a Maternity Photo Session like an Couples or Engagement.
The spark of love and passion that results in new life! I like to think of my maternity photo shoots as couples sessions first and foremost. If there are other children and babies I make sure to include everyone!
Black & white and warm vintage inspired colour
As with all my family, lifestyle and maternity portrait sessions, I will add both black & white and color pictures to your gallery. I use beautiful cinematic black & white actions that have a "looks like film" quality. I also edit in soft vintage colors for a romantic and timeless feel.
Below, a black and white. I love how this pregnant mother is cradling her baby mid air. The black & white tones help guides the viewer to the action in the picture.
Natural At Home Newborn photography
Within two weeks of doing this at home pregnancy photo shoot, I was back to do the most adorable newborn photo shoot. Here are just a few precious pictures from this session. Below, new baby boy still all curled up, getting dressed on the bed.
Making the most of window light again (below) as mum & dad cradle their newborn next to a vase of dried flowers .
The Newborn Baby Portraits I capture are as authentic as possible. Where classic portraits merge with documentary, unscripted family photography where I record life as it is with a newborn.
OLD MATERNITY POST
This couple had two adorable Daschund dogs on their maternity session in Blackrock gardens.
As with all my Family & Lifestyle sessions, I love to include both black and white and gentle colours in my family galleries.
I have four main family photography packages and a mini session. All my galleries are curated and include fully edited photos.
For more couples, engagement, surprise proposals, maternity and newborn photography sessions in Dublin, Contact me.
Have a great week, Cara x
This session have a timeless, classic feel. (Maternity with Daschunds Session. Black & White Portraits)
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