Couple Photo Shoot

Let the Sunshine In - Engagement Couple Shoot West Cork /  by Jan

It was so fitting that we had such amazing weather on this couples shoot. There was just so much to celebrate with this photo shoot! Not only was it an engagement shoot, with Jonathan and Megan already planning their wedding, but it was also to celebrate their pregnancy. So many new chapters! Which made it incredibly fitting to have this amazing sun shine down upon us and gift us with these amazing sunset couple photos (with the sun symbolizing new life and positivity).

The two also knocked it out of the park with their outfits wearing fully white in this natural environment, and with this golden sun, really made them pop out so naturally and elegantly! I send all of my couples a PDF with my clothing advice for these photo shoots, and either Megan really took my advice to heart or they’re just naturally elegant! Either way, they did a great job with their outfits.

Gougane Barra sometimes feels like a bit of a trek to get to but I’m always happy when I’ve made the long journey (in time, if not in mileage) as it’s such a treat to photograph in. With just a short skip away from Glengarriff and Skibbereen, it is one of West Cork’s, not so secret, treasures! With the forest in one section and the gorgeous St Finbarr’s Oratory on it’s little “island” in the lough, there are so many amazing spots to discover and photograph in. And a little surprise that always astonishes people, is that the oratory is unlocked and free for visitors to enter.

St. Finbarr’s Oratory

Gougane Barra’s gorgeous attraction.

A lot of couples and families that I take to Gougane Barra are from overseas, so I’m lucky enough to show tourists this gorgeous scenery. I remember the first time I came here, and just like everyone else, I was amazed by all of the gorgeous moss growing everywhere. I don’t know why it’s so much more impressive than the tall trees, but for some reason it always grabs everyone’s attention. Ireland is just so green and lush!

If you are looking to do a vacation couples shoot in Ireland, you can contact me here to schedule a photo shoot. We can do a couples shoot in Gougane Barra, or, I do also have a few new locations planned for 2024!

Christina and Sean - Honeymoon Shoot at Blarney Castle /  by Jan

I treated Christina and Sean to a honeymoon couple shoot at the gorgeous Blarney Castle and Gardens, one of my favourite places to do a couple shoot. Why? Besides the iconic Blarney castle, the gardens also offer so many sweet nooks for special and happy vacation couple photos. It’s also a hop, skip and jump away from the docking point for cruise ships in Cobh. So obviously that’s where we went for Christina and Sean’s honeymoon shoot.

Christina and Sean came from America on a cruise, stopping at Cork for just one short day; so I was determined to make sure they saw the best bits the city has to offer.

Honeymoon Love

After some photos around Blarney Castle, we had to spend some time at Blarney House for the sheer fairy tale factor the house has to offer. And then – to the gardens!

The gardens are a beautiful array of different types of plant life; some of it classical Irish fare, and some corners seeming almost tropical; all of it dense and lush with trees that dwarfed the couple. It’s really just nature showing off.

Christina and Sean had actually been married for a while already before finally getting this opportunity to go on their honeymoon, but they seem just as happy and delighted with each other as if they’d just walked down the aisle.

They took much delight in the poison garden. Some of the plants are so deadly that they’re found in medieval cages. The garden boasts Lily of the Valley, which featured in Breaking Bad, as well as Woflsbane from Harry Potter. There are also less severe plants among them, like tobacco, tea and rhubarb.

The Witch of Blarney is said to come alive and cause mayhem after dark, but luckily the gardens close at 6 so no one need fear. And then there’s the Blarney Stone, which must be kissed for the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness.

We also checked out the wishing steps, which promise to grant your wish within the year if you are able to walk down and back up them with your eyes closed while thinking of your wish.

Of course, Ireland will have its way, and the day started out chilly, before moving on to drizzly and damp. But there’s nothing a cute umbrella won’t fix! The canopies of trees also shielded us from the showers. By the end of the shoot, the rain had left us and we were boiling hot and we headed back to the castle for some pics in the sun.

After the shoot I took them around the town, stopping for lunch at The Muskerry Arms Bar where they serve some traditional Irish food; I had the cabbage, ham and potatoes – mmm!

If you would like to book me as your couple photographer at a beautiful location like Blarney Castle, feel free to say hi and contact me here. I am also available for wedding photography.

Lauren and Michael - Engagement Couple Shoot Gougane Barra /  by Jan

What a sunset! What a gorgeous couple! What a location!

Let me introduce you to Lauren and Michael. So what is the special occasion for this couple shoot? Well, handsome Michael here has recently popped the big question to Lauren. I believe I see a sparkling ring here.

Now that’s a good sized ring!

We had planned this lovely sunset photo shoot at St Finbarr’s Oratory, followed by some more photos in the Gougane Barra forest. Some amazing locations! But these locations don’t always play ball with us photographers.

When I checked the weather forecast the day before, I got a bit of a shock. Not only was there a torrential rainstorm expected, but also lightning and thunder! I couldn’t do that to the poor couple. So a quick ring to Lauren and an unexpected question, “Hey, do you wanna do the shoot tonight instead?”

And just like that, the shoot was saved. I’m still so grateful to them both for being so spontaneous and fun!

Luckily we were bathing in this sunlight, and with Lauren’s dress and the flowers, I’m already getting some romantic wedding vibes from this shoot! I can picture it all already! Well, the location is probably the main contributor. I mean this is one of the best hotspots for intimate weddings in County Cork (one I’m actually booked for next year – can’t wait!).

After all the glorious sunset photos at St Finbarr’s, the cloud cover did come over as we headed into the forest.

Originating from Limerick, Michael met Lauren abroad in Canada and have now moved back to Ireland, staying in Cork city. Lauren was so unaccustomed to our entire lack of predatory animals in our wildlife, always looking out for bears and other creatures we thankfully don’t have! Always good to be on the lookout though!

5-star Google Review

I received this lovely review from Lauren, who said;

“My fiance and I had a great time doing our photoshoot with Jannik, he made us feel at ease and we absolutely love the photos!”

I can’t wait for my next shoot in this area, so if you want to make my day and want to do a couple shoot similar to this in Gougane Barra, do say hello to me here.

And remember, besides couples photography, I also photograph the following:

• Wedding Photography Shoots in Cork

• Proposal Photography in Cork

• Adventure Family Photography and Couples Photography in Cork

• and more!