Vacation Family Photo Shoot at Irish Castle /  by Jan

Ireland is the vacation spot for so many tourists, and besides the Guinness and the fun culture, it’s not hard to see why. We have so much history in Ireland! Almost 600 years after initially being built by the Lord of Muscry, the Blarney Castle now serves as the perfect family vacation photo shoot location. What a turnaround!

I always enjoy photographing this gorgeous Irish castle, not just because of it’s imposing beauty but also because the gardens that surround it are so varied. They make for such a fun location to do these family vacation shoots at. I think the photos really reflect that fun! Exploring the grounds together with mom or playing with dad, this is fun day out!

We even added a couple shoot for parents, Patrick and Kristin. Much to the amusement of little Charlotte and Victoria who were giggling away during the couple photo shoot.

The Blarney Castle is of course famous for visitors kissing the Blarney Stone, but in my opinion, no trip is complete without visiting the witch in the wooded area. She is thankfully not a real person, during the day at least. She is now entombed in the Witch’s Stone, next to her kitchen. Visitors leave behind coins for her. For good luck and to keep her at bay. We, of course, obliged as well!

The Witch’s Stone

Make sure to leave some coins to keep her at bay!

These historic castles in Ireland are such a beautiful location for a family photo shoot or a castle couple shoot like this proposal shoot I did at the Blarney Castle as well.

If you’re visiting Ireland or if you’re a local and want to do something similar, feel free to contact me here. Or for something different, feel free to have a look at my wedding photography in Ireland here.

A&F - The Anglers Wedding Photographer /  by Jan

I had the immense pleasure of witnessing the unique love story between Adrian and Fadzai unfold on their special day. With Ireland’s unreliable weather, most of my weddings take place indoors, but Adrian and Fadzai took a chance, and it paid off. Located at The Anglers, the wedding had a beautiful, bohemian air filled with light and love.

The couple played with tradition, keeping some elements intact while also creating their own, special variations for others. Which brings me to the things I loved the most…

1) Starting Out Together at The Kingsley Hotel

I thought it was so unique that the couple had decided to get ready together, and it was so much fun to photograph the pre-wedding preparations with them together. When I met them at The Kingsley Hotel, where they were preparing, I sensed an air of excitement and unity. The traditional concept of the bride and groom getting ready separately was beautifully replaced by their joint anticipation, culminating in a heart-warming walk down the aisle hand in hand. This departure from convention created a sense of togetherness that set the tone for the day.

2) UCC - A Love Story Captured

The couple opted for family photos and a couple shoot to take place prior to the ceremony, at the University College Cork, the very place where their love story began. Taking the photos before the ceremony felt less rushed and allowed for a more relaxed and natural flow. The architecture of UCC never fails to provided a picturesque backdrop, each building telling a chapter of their journey. From the iconic structures to the intimate chapel which we used for the couple shoot, even if they didn’t tie the knot there. These photos resonated with the depth of their relationship.

After UCC, the couple dropped in at the pub they used to frequent as students for a quick toast to the new chapter.

Cissie Youngs

After UCC, the couple dropped in at the pub they used to frequent as students for a quick toast to the new chapter.

3) The Charm of The Anglers Bar & Restaurant

I really enjoyed the outdoor setting at The Anglers as it offered the perfect lighting and created a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Even though certain traditions were put aside, others were embraced. The guests were given the chance to bestow their blessings upon the union with the ring warming; and there was a lighting of candles to honour departed loved ones.

Thoughtful arrangements emphasised the natural beauty of The Anglers, making it feel like the grand celebration it was. From the bouquet toss (a fun interval in any wedding) to the speeches, every moment was a blend of significance and warmth.

The evening culminated in capturing a few awesome shots of the women – the high spirits of the day giving inspiration to act and pose spontaneously without needing any direction from me. This marked a happy end to an eventful day, reflecting the easy joy that filled the celebration.

5-star Google Review

Adrian and Fadzai's wedding was a tapestry of unconventional yet deeply meaningful snapshots. I am delighted that I got to document these cherished moments, and they clearly had a great time too, leaving me this amazing 5-star Google review:

“What can I say, Jan was absolutely brilliant to work with from beginning to end for our wedding day!
He was so professional, organised and helpful as we planned the photo shoot and party photos. When the day came we were a bit nervous about being the centre of attention but Jan made the photo shoot so relaxed, easy and a lot of fun, we ended up really enjoying it!
The photos in the end were SO SO beautiful. Going through them was like reliving our wedding day all over again as he captured so many natural happy moments of us and also of friends and family!
Thank you so much Jan for the amazing photos, we are absolutely delighted and looking through them gives us that warm fuzzy feeling every time! :)”

If you would like me to be your wedding photographer in Cork, you can contact me here for my wedding packages and availability. I’d love to hear from you!

More wedding photography at The Anglers Bar & Restaurant:

Ringing Bells - Cork City Couples Shoot /  by Jan

One of the reasons I love living in Ireland is that it’s such a treasure trove of beautiful spots for romantic moments, and luckily, Cork’s city centre is no different. When Tommy approached me about proposing to Christine, and following it up with a city couple shoot in Cork, I knew immediately where to go.

I met the happy couple at Bell's Field, located beside St Patrick's Hill right in the heart of Cork City centre. This spot was meaningful to them because Tommy's grandmother had been christened at St Mary’s and St Anne’s church which you can see in the background of this proposal. After capturing these gorgeous photos of them together in the field, we set off for the iconic Shandon Bells tower.

The Shandon Bells are a landmark of Cork City located in one of the historic parts of town. We took the tour up the tower, which allows you to view the famous eight bells contained within, and even have a go at playing them yourself. Earmuffs are needed for part of the climb up the tower, as the bells can be deafening if someone is playing them from below!

Earmuffs!

“Earmuffs are needed for part of the climb up the tower, as the bells can be deafening…”

After surviving the bells, we emerged onto the top balcony of the tower, which provides stunning panoramic views of the city. We were able to get some shots of Christine and Tommy with Cork City as their backdrop. The tower boasts the famous four-faced clock, known as "the four-faced liar" due to the winds changing the time when the tower was first built.

To top off our tower tour, we admired the uniquely-shaped salmon wind vane atop the Shandon Bells. This nod to Cork's history of salmon farming makes the tower even more distinctive. I loved this special engagement photo session at the Shandon Bells, and I know Christine and Tommy will cherish these memories for many years to come.

If you would like to do a similar engagement photo shoot in Cork city or an urban couples photo shoot in Cork city, contact me here. I’d love to hear from you!

I am also available for wedding photography in County Cork.