L&S - Proposal Photography /  by Jan

If it isn’t clear by my numerous Ballycotton blog posts, Ballycotton is one of my favourite spots for a photo shoot! And this shoot was a very special one that has to top the list. It was stressful, secretive, blustering but incredibly emotional and beautiful as well. This was such a complex situation.

Liz and Steph were visiting from America and it was Liz’s plan to propose to her partner, Steph, in Ireland. Their friend Katrina was with them for a short part of the journey, and under the guise of being a hobby photographer and friend of Katrina’s, I was able to tag along to Ballycotton to shoot this special proposal.

I met them in Ballycotton, pretending to see an old friend I hadn’t seen in years and meeting two friendly people. The picturesque coastal town would provide the perfect backdrop for what was to be an unforgettable moment in Liz and Steph’s lives.

We made our hellos and I eventually let them down to the rocky beach next to the harbour with the famous lighthouse in the background. The anticipation in the air was palpable. From Liz anyway. I took a couple of shots of the couple, capturing their genuine smiles and the love between them. And then gave Liz the nod to do her thing. Liz, barely able to contain her excitement and eager for her moment, got down on one knee and proposed to the very surprised Steph. She said yes!

Now freed from the constraints of the "hobby photographer", I was able to fully embrace my role as their engagement photographer. Much to Steph’s shock!

I guided them to different spots along Ballycotton, capturing the beauty of the moment as the sun was setting. It was a blustery and wild evening, with such soft lighting. It was gorgeous. This isn’t usually the time of day I would photograph but I love the feeling and the vibe of these photos. And Steph’s lovely ginger hair is such a beautiful contrast to the cloudy and stormy sky.

Another successful proposal done!

LGBTQIA+ Friendly Photographer

I also want to take this opportunity to say that in my eyes, love is love, and it should be celebrated. Throughout my career as a photographer, I've been approached by LGBTQIA+ couples who seem concerned that I might not photograph them. I'm a big supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights and want everyone I photograph to feel comfortable and safe, no matter who they are or what they're family setup might be.

So if you’re looking for a photographer who is willing to create that safe space, say hi to me here!

5-star Google Review

“Jan went above and beyond for my proposal by putting his acting skills to the test along with getting some beautiful shots of the big question. Jan’s communication was top notch throughout the months of communication leading up to the day. He never missed a beat when plans changed and made the day very special for my and my now fiancée. I would recommend Jan in a heart beat for anyone’s special moments. Thank you!!!!”
— Liz

A Fun Family Portrait Shoot /  by Jan

5-star Google Review

“Jannik and his partner were perfect and professional. He emailed in a timely manner given I’m from the states and unsure of any good location to take photos. My husband is from farran and he suggested a couple of places near by. The rain was near, kids were cold, but the photos didn’t give any of that vibe. Photos of the group, kids and individual family appear flawless. He returned the photos edited in a fast manner with a clickable link because only two of my husband family live in Ireland, so this makes it easier for all. Overall amazing!”
— Sonia

Family photo shoots are something I do a lot of, they’re really fun. Sometimes it might be a celebration of a newborn joining the family, sometimes it’s to just celebrate the milestones which don’t have set occasions. And sometimes it’s to celebrate that everyone is together for first time in a long time.

So for this family reunion, I headed just outside of Cork city to the gorgeous Kilcrea Friary. With its ancient Franciscan friary and rolling green hills, this location is the perfect blend of Irish heritage and natural beauty. Plus, it was also near the family home. Handy!

I love doing these extended family shoots; they offer the perfect excuse for all those uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews to gather and enjoy some quality time together. In this case, families from all corners of the world came together for the first time in a long while.

Photographing such a large number of people can be at first feel overwhelming. In this case it was 17 people in total, 10 adults and 7 children. But my approach to these family shoots is to make it easy and fun. First starting off with the full family as a group photo, I then break up the groups into smaller subdivisions and family units. We even get some couple shots in there, which are particularly special; so many people find the moment to be reminiscent of their wedding day – a time where the focus was simply on them as a couple.

And to finish it off with a high, I staged a race with the kids and let them run wild. They took it very seriously and it led to these adorable pictures. Not to be outdone, the adults had their turn too, to my surprise. It’s those spontaneous moments that can be so much fun on a shoot like this!

If you would like to book me for your family reunion or would like a regular family photo shoot, say hi to me here!

Aidan and Lorna - Ballymaloe House Wedding Photographer /  by Jan

Relishing Ballymaloe

Ballymaloe, not just a culinary experience but also such a beautiful wedding location! Ballymaloe House has rightfully earned its stellar reputation not only for its delectable farm-to-table cuisine and artisanal relishes but also as a stunning space to host a wedding celebration. While some popular wedding destinations don't always live up to their hype, that's certainly not the case here. Stunning gardens and the house itself make the perfect, picturesque backdrop for your special day.

But let’s start at the ceremony. Taking place at the registry office in Cork city, it still holds a special place in my heart as it’s where I got married. The nerves still kick in sometimes as I remember my own vows, and I’m always impressed how lovely the ceremonies are for being a government run entity. The officiants really do their best to make the ceremonies still feel special. You’re invited to bring any music you may want and an opportunity for speeches is given. While the ceremony itself may be brief, it's undeniably sweet and meaningful. Perfect for Aidan and Lorna, who will still have a proper wedding in France, but needed to get the paperwork done in Ireland first.

5-star Google Review

“Jannik was fantastic. Super friendly, very accommodating and he captured our day superbly. The turnaround for the photos was extremely quick. Would 100% recommend!”
— Lorna

Usually, after an elopement ceremony, I’d take the couple around the city for their couple shoot. However, with a beautiful venue like Ballymaloe waiting for us, I decided to go straight there instead, eager to capture the moment.

And it wasn’t just Ballymaloe that was gorgeous, but how about these wedding outfits? Lorna deciding to go with a custom made suit instead of a dress. We alternated the shots in terms of the blazer, taking some photos with it on, and some without. Although personally, I loved how the outfit really came together with the blazer on, just absolutely flowing.

Ditching the dress

“Lorna deciding to go with a custom made suit instead of a dress.”

I’m definitely looking forward to photographing at Ballymaloe again! So if you’re thinking of booking this venue for your wedding, say hi to me here and I’d be delighted to send you my wedding packages. Looking forward to hearing from you!