Yoga vs Pilates - Marketing Photographer Cork /  by Jan

I’m breaking new ground with this blog post. For the first time I’m combining two shoots into one post. I only thought it would make sense. So let’s kick off this new oddity!

When I’m not photographing weddings, couples, families or babies, I do a bit of corporate and commercial photography as well. People starting businesses or with existing businesses will approach me for some photography work. They need photos to market and advertise their business online, either on their own website and/or on Instagram.

In this post, I thought it would be great to combine the work I did for NOLA Therapy & Yoga, with Reform Pilates Cork. Both studios are focused on self-improvement through health and fitness, so they naturally fit together into one blog post quite well.

“We’ve done both family and professional photos with Jan and both have exceeded our expectations! Jan is very talented and the photos are incredible. He’s also so easy to work with and very friendly. This makes the photo sessions relaxed and comfortable, which make yours and his ideas/vision turn out great. We were so happy with our family photos that we had him take photos of our yoga studio and physio space as well. His pricing is right on point, you get great value for what you spend. We will definitely use him again in the future!”
— Madeleine

NOLA Yoga

“Madeleine also had a very clear idea of the things she wanted to highlight about her yoga studio, which was especially her baby yoga classes.”

Brand Marketing Photography

Before doing a brand marketing photo shoot like this, I’ll discuss with the client on a) what they would like to advertise or highlight with these photos and b) where they’ll be displayed. For instance, using the photos mainly for Instagram stories would require the photos to be in portrait orientation, and if they would like to add in text with class times and other details, it would be massively beneficial to have a good amount of empty space in the photos to facilitate that. For websites, a more traditional landscape orientation might work better.

NOLA in particular were very adamant that they needed the photos for printed posters and Instagram posts that would allow a lot of information. We can see that here:

This is why I kept their photos very simple in terms of the content shown in them. There weren’t a lot of objects that I included in the photos and we spent a lot of time stripping away as much as possible. The photos are hence devoid of any clutter and they really work well for that purpose. I just had the main instructor, Madeleine in the images, without any clients. This kept everything minimalist and clean, allowing her to fill the images herself.

Madeleine also had a very clear idea of the things she wanted to highlight about her yoga studio, which was especially her baby yoga classes. Having this clear direction really helped.

With Reform Pilates however, the intention was more to show off the facilities and the equipment. So while I still kept the photos clear of as much clutter as possible, I didn’t shy away from filling the image with more people and objects and equipment. I used the lines of the equipment and the room itself to create aesthetically pleasing geometry, incorporating leading lines to draw you in and playing around with shapes. This was really fun to do. I also used a wide angle lens for some more dramatic looking shots in comparison to the yoga photo shoot.

Reform Pilates

“I used the lines of the equipment and the room itself to create aesthetically pleasing geometry…”

I am doing more and more of these kind of shoots for local businesses and working professionals. I also have a very fun photo shoot coming up soon which I am very much looking forward to share on my blog as soon as it’s done.

So if you need photos to advertise and market your business online, say hi to me here. I’d be happy to help you grow your business and show potential clients what you are all about!

Louis and Laura - Glucksman Wedding Photographer /  by Jan

5-star Google Review

I’m gonna kick off this blog in a bit of a different way and start with Laura’s 5-star Google review:

“We had the absolute pleasure of working with Jan for our wedding photography last month. From start to finish, working with Jan was seamless. He captured the essence of our day perfectly and we are just delighted with the photos. We were also so impressed by the quick turnaround time. I would absolutely recommend Jan and I hope we have the opportunity to work together again in future!”
— Laura

The Glucksman Wedding Ceremony and UCC couple shoot

As a photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing many beautiful moments, but Laura and Louis's wedding at the Glucksman Art Gallery was truly something special. Nestled on the University College Cork (UCC) campus, this wasn't your typical wedding venue – and that's what made it magical. A wedding in an art gallery? That’s very cool.

The Glucksman Gallery provided a stunning backdrop for their ceremony, with its contemporary architecture and artistic surroundings creating an unforgettable setting.

There was a ring warming, an opportunity for guests to pass around the rings and fill them with love and good wishes – a beautiful ritual that symbolises the community's support for Laura and Louis's union. They also incorporated a hand binding ceremony, another deeply symbolic tradition that literally tied them together.

Ring warming

“There was a ring warming, an opportunity for guests to pass around the rings and fill them with love…”

A playful element was brought to the ceremony: their younger guests were given bells and were under strict instructions to keep quiet until the perfect moment. As Laura and Louis shared their first kiss as a married couple, the air suddenly erupted with the sound of ringing bells.

The Glucksman Gallery's entrance proved to be the perfect spot for group photos. With the stunning UCC architecture in the background, we captured some truly memorable shots of the couple as well. Laura and Louis opted for a smaller couple shoot, if you’d like to see more couple shoots in UCC you can click here.

Emergency refreshments

A little top up of food and water for the bride and groom halfway through the couple shoot.

The celebration continued at Henchy's, one of Cork's most beloved pubs – a quintessentially Irish ending to a quintessentially Cork wedding. As a photographer, I always love the moments after the formal part of the day, when everyone relaxes and truly enjoys themselves. The traditional music – a vibrant mix of guitars, violins, and accordions – created the perfect atmosphere.

Wedding Afterparty at John Henchy & Sons

Being a local wedding, with Laura hailing from Ireland, the day felt like a true celebration of Cork and its traditions. And of course, what's a pub photo session without capturing a few shots with the celebratory drinks?

Some of my favourite photographs from the day capture the pure joy and relaxed atmosphere – especially those candid moments in Henchy's that really showcase the spirit of the celebration.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer for your special day, and you’re looking for someone fun, calm and professional? Say hi to me here for my wedding packages, 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!