Family Photography

New Location for 2026 - Photographer Cork /  by Jan

I’ve been a professional photographer for quite a number of years now. I think it’s been 12 years by now. Wow, how time flies! And as we enter a new year, I’ve decided to mix up some of my shooting locations and add some new spots to the list. I’ve quietly tested some of these locations last year and this is a location that I am now sure of!

The location is Fota House and Gardens! So here are some shoots I’ve shot there.

A Surprise Visit

Was this a photo shoot or really just a big ruse? I’ve gotten quite experience with a good ol’ ruse, if you’ve read my proposals blog post here. Those proposals often include a lot of secrecy and cunning!

In in this secretive case it was a birthday. Gitana’s 50th! She was under the impression that we would be doing a small photo shoot with the local, immediate family members before they headed off to Cobh for a nice lunch.

But there was a big surprise awaiting her! As we were doing the shoot with careful positioning and backs turned to the entrance, who’s that in the background? They aren’t regular visitors. It’s Gitana’s extended family and her siblings coming all the way from America. They haven’t seen each other in years! Cue the tears…

I went into full wedding photographer/paparazzi mode to capture all these beautiful emotions! This was so heart warming to photograph, and just like with the proposals, I was delighted that the surprise worked so well and I didn’t have to be secretive anymore! Once everything had settled, we could start the actual photo shoot in the gardens at a nicer looking location.

 

So many different gardens

And this is where this location really shines! The individual gardens are so handy to have as a photographer, and in such a small proximity. Each garden is beautifully manicured. They each have a different layout and look, some have trees, some have hedges, but they all have different flowers. Then we also have these structural elements to work with, like this pavilion.

Add in the stairs and we have the perfect spot especially for bigger family shoots for groups over 10 people. The stairs make for great group photos, and the different gardens allow for each sub-group of the family shoot to have a different looking shoot, while still looking cohesive.

 

Don’t forget the forest

If these gardens aren’t your vibe, and you’d like something wilder, the forest is also a beautiful spot and is open more hours in the year than the gardens. Here is also my favourite spot; the moss garden!

Choosing one of my bigger photography packages would allow you the option to go to both locations.

 

Maternity Shoots

If you’ve been keeping an eye on my blog, you’ll know that I’m now also doing maternity photo shoots. This family friendly location works so well for maternity shoots, and, it could be a great spot to come back a few months down the line with your newborn!

So what about babies?

Talking about newborns, what else would work really well here? Well, this a great spot for baby shoots as well.

It doesn’t just work because it looks amazing, but also because it’s close to the city, meaning little travel, a large variety of backgrounds in a small footprint and something that’s often overlooked, access to toilets in case of a diaper change.

 

Always Handy to have a Roof

Plus the pavilion offers some protection from light rain, while the green house can be a life saver in case of sudden and unexpected downpours.

The green house is only open at certain times of the year, but it’s a great backup to have.

Bookings

If you would like to book in for a family or baby shoot here, contact me here for my family and baby packages, and most importantly, my availability.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Forest Adventure - Midleton Family Photographer /  by Jan

Family Photoshoot

Daniel initially contacted me, he wanted to book a family shoot as a mother’s day present for his wife Shona. Now that’s a great present, one that will always be remembered! Kids grow up so fast and it’s great to pause every now and then and capture the whole family together.

What An Adventure!

Daniel chose the bigger family package that I offer with around 45 photos, and I think this shoot perfectly shows the variety of shots I am able to get with that package. At the beginning of the photo shoot, I usually start with the well behaved posed family photos. Everyone is on their best behaviour.

As we continue the shoot, I am able to capture more candid shots of the kids having fun and let’s just compare a posed group photo from the beginning of the shoot, to one I took at the end. The first one you would send to family members, maybe make some postcards of and the next one is one you would have on your fridge door. Such different vibes.

Couple Shoot

The great thing with the bigger family package is that we can also squeeze in a small couple shoot for the parents, who are sometimes left behind a little in a photo shoot when it’s usually the kids who the focus is on (pun intended). Although Harry was itching to be a part of this too!

It’s always so much fun to photograph the kids having fun and running around. I give them some directions at times, like smelling all the flowers. But then other times, they just surprise you with what they get up to and they’re suddenly climbing the wall ruins. Haha!

I think we all did a great job of getting the balance just right of having loads of fun candid moments, while still having loads of lovely posed group photos that you would frame and put up in the house.

Midleton Location

These woods, near Midleton, have quickly become a favourite of mine. It’s disorientating because they’re so close to the ocean, they’re filled with sea air. It’s so odd being able to smell the ocean in the middle of the woods. At least to me. But I love how wild this forest looks. It’s not immaculately looked after, and that gives it so much character and its own kind of beauty.

Hi!

I’d love to come back here again, so if you would like to do a similar kind of family shoot with me, say hi to me here. I’d love to hear from you!

Kai's Doljabi - Cork Family Photographer /  by Jan

Certain photo shoots are funny little windows into someone else’s lives or cultures. This was one of them. Having never been to South Korea or knowing too much about Korean culture, I got to be a part of this interesting tradition. I was invited to photograph little Kai’s doljabi.

For those unfamiliar with the ritual, Doljabi is a Korean tradition where a one-year-old child is placed in front of a carefully selected array of objects. The item the child chooses is believed to symbolise their potential future path. For example, a pencil speaks to academic success, while a stethoscope could indicate a career in medicine, and money suggests a prosperous future.

Little Kai’s mother, Yingyu, was passionate about preserving this meaningful cultural tradition. And Yingyu’s parents were there to bear witness to Kai’s choice.

We had the ceremony at Fitzgerald; a beautiful backdrop for the intimate family event, placing the special ceremony in nature. As you can tell by all of my photo shoots, I love photographing outdoors in the lush, green nature.

Dad’s delighted

Following in his dad’s footstep, Kai chose the paintbrush

When the crucial moment arrived for Kai to make his choice, he picked the paintbrush – an artist’s choice. His animator father was most delighted with this outcome, proud to have his baby following his footsteps.

Kai’s grandfather tried so hard to convince him to take the money, possibly altering his future but Kai remained resolute in his decision to be focused on his artistry instead. Haha!

Kai didn’t show the slightest interest in grandad’s €€€!

This doljabi was more than just a photoshoot - it was a celebration of culture, family, and potential. Each carefully chosen object represented not just a potential career path, but a hope, a dream for little Kai's future. The way Yingyu and John embraced this tradition while allowing their son the freedom to make his own choice was beautiful to witness and capture.

I love the diversity humanity has to offer and I love having the opportunity to capture the moments that make it special. I celebrate the things that make us different because that’s what makes us human. So from different cultures and traditions to different orientations and preferences, I’m here to embrace them all, as long as love is at the centre.

If you would like to book me for your special family event, say hi to me here!