Summer Family Portraits Dublin! By the sea...

Hi, I'm Cara, a Dublin Family Photographer.

I take photos of families, children and babies at home or on location around Dublin.

My sessions are done on location outdoors - or in your own home and garden. Coastal locations in Dublin will always be very popular for families.

Below, a recent family session with baby and little brother at Seapoint Beach, near Monkstown.

Summer family sessions can be as simple paddling and having fun on the sand flats - or even, in a few cases: Photography In The Sea!

With time to get an ice cream after! There is usually an ice cream van around somewhere!

Relaxed Summer Family Sessions - What to Expect.

My family sessions are very relaxed. I might steer you towards pretty light, or a lovely backdrop, but I never expect stiff poses, unnatural poses. I also know babies and young children have limited patience!

Although I do traditional family portraits, I mostly look out for natural interactions.

I will get you interacting as a family, and capture as many natural, authentic moments as I can. The key to family photography is just being together - and having fun!

Beach Locations

Aside from Seapoint where I do my local sessions, I love The 40 Foot, Sandycove, Dalkey - and Howth is full of beautiful backdrops as well, from the fishing boats to wide open water.

Beautiful shifting light

Ah, yes!

The light is never the same twice at the beach. Whether it is a blazing hot, cloudless sky or overcast, grey and threatening rain - the beach is never the same. Shifting light and changing weather patterns will make your coastal family session unique.

Please don't think that sun makes for better pictures - moody, overcast skies can make for beautiful beach family portraits. Cloudy weather can really make colours pop!

With that said, I do check the RTE weather and there is wiggle room on the day to change times around where possible. With Irish weather, it is important to be flexible for outdoor sessions. If it is lashing, we can always re-schedule.

Parks and Gardens

Parks and gardens are also very popular for outdoor summer family sessions - my favourites are gardens in Blackrock for local sessions and the National Botanical Gardens. Dillon's Park, Dalkey is also atmospheric with views across the water.

Summer Wardrobe Tips.

Well, my wardrobe tips stay essentially the same all year round...(Frequently Asked)

I often suggest families wear colours that compliment the colours of nature - blue, green, brown, and so on, spread across a family rather then matching perfectly.

For a beach family session, blue mixed will white will go beautifully with the sea and sky.

In the Summer, soft light colours can work beautifully with a background of blue sea and sky - pink, red, yellow.

Also consider fun stripes! Although I usually suggest steering clear of bright clashing patterns or slogan T's, stripes can carry a lovely, summer vibe (..think of deck chairs and candy!).

You can't go wrong with denim either! The more faded the better, denim compliments all the blues in nature on a summer day! It also mixes beautifully with those Summer pastels I talked about - perfect for a relaxed family beach session.

Top Tip: If you love a pop of bright colour - and why not?? - it is good if a pop of the same colour is spread across family members, so the eye is not only drawn to the brightest person!

Wardrobe is just easier in the summer. No need to think about layers and coats! If it's a family or couples or engagement session, you can plan an outfit without worrying about staying warm! Families can easily go bare feet at the beach which is an extra bonus.

This charming little girl looked pretty in pink.

Even in the summer, black and other neutrals can look very well, and never detract from your expression and gesture, which is the most important thing to consider in any family photo.

Can't go wrong with white. it is so versatile.

if you have a newborn baby, summer is the season when you can contemplate an outdoor newborn or baby photography session .In nearby garden or park. Just bring a blanket!

Denim is timeless, forever comfortable to wear and can be dressed up or down. I always think faded denim looks beautiful on beach shoots as well against the sea and sky!

Contact me for Summer family portraits Dublin, by the sea - or other beautiful Dublin locations.

All my sessions are available to see on my FAQ page. I include the photo shoot as well as a full, curated gallery of images with every session.

Have a lovely week!

Cara xo

Dublin Award Winning Family Photographer.

Visiting my nieces and nephews in Glastonbury, Somerset - the kids spent a lot of time in the garden. (Untamed Summer Story).

Some from a holiday in France... my own Summer Family Portraits.