Outdoor Family Photo shoot Dublin: Seapoint, Sandycove and The Forty Foot.
- Cara Hodge
- May 10, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Hi, I'm Cara, family photographer in Dublin.
Dublin's coast offer a picturesque backdrop for any outdoor family photo shoot.
Beaches and landmark, such as Seapoint Beach, Sandycove Beach, the Forty Foot and Howth village are all ideal locations for atmospheric family sessions.
As well as covering locations across Dublin, my popular local sessions are in a Blackrock garden or Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown. Beach family photos are perfect for small children and babies of all ages!
Below, a local session at Seapoint Beach. No two beach sessions are ever the same. That day, we made the most of low tide and cloud reflections in the pools of water across the beach.
You can often find me doing family beach sessions arounf Blackrock, Booterstown, Ballsbridge, Monkstown, Seapoint, Glasthule and Dalkey Village - but I travel all over Dublin as well!
A happy moment on the rocks with mum and dad!
Below, a family hug with the Martello tower in the backdrop. As well as photos facing the sea, it is lovely to turn the camera around and capture this iconic tower!
As well as semi posed traditional portraits, I like to capture very natural moments such as the family after just doing a quick wardrobe swap.
1, 2, 3 Swing!
Mum and daughter moment. I love the soft pink light ...
Turning the camera around again to capture the buildings along the shore.
As well as close up intimate portraits, I love to "pull back" and capture landscapes more fully. Walking up the ramp with dad at the Martello Tower - and a moody cloud. Cloud cover can produce beautiful skies and colours for family portraits.
Below, an Autumn family mini session at Seapoint beach, near Monkstown.
As well as doing timeless family portraits, I will focus on natural moments, prioritizing moments of connection. Documentary family photography focuses on unposed authentic family photography.
Many of my beach sessions include children of all ages, including babies and newborns.
When the weather is warm enough, even young babies can be photographed at the beach!
Young lady at the beach with her two dogs - I welcome all the four legged, furry members of the family on my sessions!
Below with the family at the beach - love baby boy's hat!
Another Seapoint session with dad feeding his baby girl a bottle of milk on the low stone wall overlooking the sea. No two days are the same at the beach - the scenery changes with the time of year, weather and light. Cloudy, overcast days can be as atmospheric as hot, sunny ones.
Three children on the rock at Seapoint beach. Rocks can provide lovely resting places for sitting child portraits.
Below, a recent seaside maternity photo shoot with baby girl at The Forty Foot.
(See my new Maternity).
I love this couples kiss right in the middle of the swimmers' changing area at The Forty Foot.
Whenever I do an engagement, surprise proposal or couples session, I love to focus on the connection, and maternity is no exception.
Authentic Family Photo Session in Howth Village, Dublin
Another recent family photography session in Howth Village Dublin. I had wanted to do a session in Howth for some time!
I love the fishing boats around the pier, the lighthouse, and the atmospheric seafood restaurants and pubs, as well as nearby beaches. So much variety to capture!
Another Howth beach session, this time a Communion session with dad exploring the beach with his daughter on a gorgeous sunny day!
Another sunny day at the beach.
Family Photo Shoot at Sandycove and The Forty Foot, Dublin
You can see more beach family sessions on my Recent Photo Stories page
Cloudy, overcast weather can produce particularly beautiful colours.
I love the pop of colors from the hats and scarves (Killliney Hill Christmas photo shoot).
For a documentary style beach family session, we can take a walk to Sandycove and The Forty Foot, ending in Glasthule at the Baker Street Bakers for pastries. Additionally, there is the option to stroll along Dunlaoghaire's East pier or West pier with the possibility to end at Scrumdiddly's for ice-cream!
Cold water swimming is a very popular in Dublin with swimmers braving the cold temperatures all year round. (Dublin cold water swim spots)
Having bathers in the background of some of these family portraits in soft focus, gives a sense of place to the photos.
You can get more information here, under Frequently asked questions and in: family photo shoot: what to wear?
All my family sessions, including my local sessions, include the photo shoot and a curated gallery of digital images. I also provide beautiful Giclee pigment prints from the Copperhouse Gallery Printers here in Dublin. Also handmade, luxury albums from Folio albums for professional photographers in Yorkshire, the UK.
Please Contact me to book your coastal outdoor family photo shoot Dublin
Cara x
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