The unscripted child. Portraits of my nearest & dearest...

Candid family photography, of my nearest & dearest. My little & big niece here. An ongoing family project.

I thought I'd completed my blog posts for my bond between sisters unscripted summer series. But no. There are still a few more pictures I'm mulling over...

When I have a lot of family pictures to look over, I will start off by pulling each one in Photoshop. Doing a quick edit. If I like it, it should stand out straight away.

If I LOVE it, I will also know straight away. I will feel a strong emotion. The best family photography should always illicit a strong emotion of some kind

I will always go back & give a lot of time & attention to the editing process of the family portraits that make the final cut!

A week in the garden, documenting how the sisters play. My beloved nieces. With documentary family photography I want to see the smiles, laughter, joy. In this series, I also want to see the emotions that come fast & furious. The fury, the exasperation & impatience. The sadness (yes, the tears...)

(Even, the boredom...) That's because family life is never perfect and that's okay

And the emotions which are harder to define, that leave the viewer guessing...

This light is hard with a capital H. This means embracing the glare. The high contrast between light & shade. The sun at its highest point in the sky creates short sharp shadows.

I have to make this light part of the DRAMA. The business of light & shade mirrors the busy activity of the girls

When I come to selecting the final 10 for this documentary family photo story, I also want the garden to play a part. It's a garden at midday in the height of summer. There are no soft edges whatsoever. I want to embrace that & not shy away from that. It's part of the story.

A good environmental family portrait takes into consideration the...yep, you've guessed it. The environment. This garden is quite unruly, mid-transformation. The girls also show (at times) a wild, wilful spirit.

This is also the untamed spirit of summer!

Meanwhile...here in Dublin, Ireland...

Here in Dublin, it's the start of March. It is chilly. I am looking forward to spring & warmer weather.

I can't wait to shoot lovely family sessions among the spring blossom.

There are some AMAZING cherry blossom trees around my local area. I've noticed dramatic shadows cast by the cherry blossom trees. I am dying to capture some child & family portraits Dublin with these beautiful shadows cast on the grass. These shadows, unlike the short ones in midday light here, are lengthened in the evening. Creating beautiful patterns in flattering end of day, golden hour light. Perfect for family sessions

Usually, for my family photography Dublin sessions, the best sessions are taken end of the day or early morning when the light is soft & mellow. The most flattering for classic child & family portraits.

Candid family photographer Dublin, specializing in emotive family, child & baby photography. Including natural newborn at home sessions!

Also communion portraits, confirmation, baptism & christening. And all other special occasion photography

Contact me to book your family session including my Spring mini family sessions in my local area!

Have a lovely week, Cara xx