70th Birthday at FOTA Island Golf Club Cork / January 22, 2024 by Jan

Birthdays are always special occasions and a great opportunity to invite your favourite people and have a big party. Having said that, some birthdays are bigger than others, and in my experience as a photographer, the 70th birthday always seems to be the most celebrated!

Yvonne's 70th birthday party took place at the illustrious FOTA Island Golf Club, just outside Cork city. With the event room placed right next to the lovely greenery and on the edge of the golf course, it wasn’t just a lovely venue but also a blast to photograph. The place was buzzing with more than 100 guests. It was a mix of family and friends, all ready to celebrate Yvonne’s big day. And you could tell she was having a great time, running around welcoming each group of guests that were arriving and introducing everyone to each other. This made capturing the event a breeze!

As part of the entertainment of this evening, there was also a magician roaming around, delighting the guests with fun magic tricks. People were laughing and freaking out in equal measure by these party tricks. As you can tell by their reactions, it got a great reaction!

Yvonne was also absolutely delighted with her presents, being gifted several art pieces from local artists. It's always so much fun to see someone really enjoying their special day.

Now, let's talk decorations; from a wall full of donuts calling your name, fancy cocktails flowing, and the name "Yvonne" was shining in mirrored letters. Plus, there was a photo backdrop where guests could snap selfies with funky sunglasses and hats, or have me do a photo shoot with them.

I moved through the crowd, capturing all of these lovely, candid moments of laughter, cheers, and the occasional gasp of amazement from the magician, it was a blast to be a part of this birthday party.

Yvonne's turning 70, but you wouldn't know it from the energy in those photos. Here's to keeping the party going!

Vacation Family Photo Shoot at Irish Castle / January 13, 2024 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 / November 22, 2023 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.

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!