Christina and Sean - Honeymoon Shoot at Blarney Castle / September 8, 2023 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.

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.

Daniel and Kamilla - Wedding in Ballycotton / August 15, 2023 by Jan

As a wedding photographer, I had the incredible opportunity to capture the love story of Kamilla and Daniel on their special day. I love photographing at the coast, but you’ll find me most often in Ballycotton and/or Castlemartyr. Be it these family adventure shoots, couple adventure shoots, or previous weddings, I love photographing here!

As I arrived at the Sea Church, the soft sea breeze carried a sense of anticipation and excitement. The weather was perfect, which was a big relief to us all, as thunderstorms were initially predicted for this wedding day.

As per usual, I like to highlight my three favourite parts of the wedding in no particular order.

1) The Ballycotton Cliffs

After the wedding ceremony, we ventured to the picturesque Ballycotton cliff walk for a couples shoot. My favourite! The rugged coastline, with its towering cliffs and gentle waves, offering a dramatic and just plain gorgeous backdrop. Kamilla and Daniel's love was so clearly visible in these photos. It must have been one of the most laughter filled couple shoots I have done in a while! So cute to see.

Against the backdrop of the vast ocean and the dramatic cliffs, I captured these lovely candid moments of tender embraces, and carefree laughter.

Baby Bump

So much for Daniel and Kamilla to celebrate!

Photographing Kamilla and Daniel's wedding at the Sea Church in Ballycotton was so much fun. Their story and the picturesque locations provided an exquisite canvas for me to document their special day. These photographs will be something they will be able to cherish forever, and that is something that means a lot to me.

2) Walking In

I loved how the couple decided to walk down the aisle together at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Something I have never seen at any other wedding before, and I must say, I really like the concept. It’s just a small thing but I thought it just added another level of unity to the whole procession. A lovely touch!

3) Intimate but big

This was a smaller, more intimate wedding with about 20 guests, which was a really nice number of people to have. What I really liked about this wedding though, was that it still felt like a big wedding because of the gorgeous venue, the decorations with delicate floral arrangements adorned on every corner. It enhanced the natural beauty of the Sea Church and made the whole wedding feel big as there was clearly a lot of effort that was put into the whole day. I really liked that!

5-star Google Review

I had such a fun day out with Daniel and Kamilla, as I said, it’s always such a treat to photograph in Ballycotton. They loved the photos so much that they left me this lovely 5-star review:

“Jan is a very likable guy and his award winning photography speaks for itself. From the first contact to the last hand shake, he was a gentleman and a true professional. He is now our go to photographer for life. Thank you Jannik.”

If you would like me to be your wedding photographer in Cork, not just Ballycotton, say hi to me here, I’d love to meet you and your partner!

Or, if you would prefer a couple shoot like this instead, give me a shout as well.

Till the next blog post!

You can click here to view the rest of my wedding portfolio or you can also have a look at my wedding packages in Cork.

Isobel - Newborn Baby Photographer Cork / July 21, 2023 by Jan

As a newborn baby photographer, it is my joy and privilege to capture the precious moments of a family's newest addition. Each photo shoot is filled with tender emotions, love, and a touch of unpredictability. One particular session stands out in my memory, involving baby Isobel and her adoring parents in the comfort of their home.

Isobel's parents had been one step ahead and prepared this lovely setting of a sheep skin on the bed. Together with the lighting I brought to their homes, and the white outfit, we had this stunning white on white which makes these photos look so dreamy and angelic!

I got this lovely 5-star Google review from mom, Ciara:

“Jan was so personable and really put us at ease. The photos were beyond our expectations, he really captured special moments with our newborn. Would not hesitate to recommend!”

Well, thank you for that! Grinning from ear to ear!

I love taking photos of the parents interacting with their baby, nuzzling in, or stroking. These intimate moments are so precious to capture and cherish for years to come.

After these photos, I set up my equipment in the living room. I moved some of the furniture around to have a lovely setting with the armchair, creating a neat and visually spectacular setting. Even if it doesn’t make sense to arrange the furniture in that way as a functional living space. But it looks great for the pictures!

Isobel's parents lovingly cradled her, as I captured these portraits and also made sure to photograph every tiny detail, like her eyes, hands and feet. The parents were understandably proud and eager to capture these early memories, making sure to book me ASAP. Isobel, seemingly unaware of the significance of the occasion, seemed quite content on her parents' arms.

There were a few tears, but that is normal for a newborn baby photo shoot and something a bottle usually fixes! This is why I always make sure I schedule plenty of time for these baby shoots.

As a newborn baby photographer, I understand the importance of documenting these fleeting moments, the stories that make each family's journey distinct and unforgettable.