info@carolinecallaghan.com, Author at Caroline Callaghan

My approach to Newborn Photography

21 February 2026 Baby Photos, Family Photography, Newborn Photography, On location Photoshoots

A natural, baby led approach to newborn photography.

Newborn Photography, Family portraits, family photos, natural photography

Having newborn photos taken can seem like quite a daunting task for many but I can be a very lovely simple couple of hours to sit back and enjoy some sweet moments with your new baby. I love that newborn stage, I loved it with my own babies and now I love being able to photograph yours. There is something incredibly special about those early days. However for a long time I didn’t offer newborn photography, something about the traditional style of newborn photography just didn’t sit well with me. All the wrapping, all the props, baskets buckets, butterfly wings, it just isn’t me. I say that with the highest respect for photographers that do. It is hard work but they somehow work their magic and create incredibly beautiful images.

Before having my own kids, I was lucky enough to work in a studio that didn’t expect us to wrap or dress babies up so I already had plenty of experience looking for connections and offering gentle prompts for posing and set ups. However once I had my own children something really clicked for me. I realised that photographing babies in your own home is truly unique & special. Even when it’s chaos, even if its not your forever home, it tells a story of where you are in your life when baby was born. Their first home, those early days of sleepless nights and drowsy days. Connections being made, getting to know each other, routines slowly slowly developing.

I never made it to a studio for newborn photographs with my own kids. I used to berate myself for it. Then I looked back on what I had done at home, were they perfect? No far from it, but they were us and I love them. They are my babies, my home and our connections. There is an emotion, a feeling in the images I truly never actually expected. It is my hope that that is what you get from a newborn session.

What will happen in your newborn shoot:

My approach is very baby led. If babe wants to be in your arms all the time, then they will be. If we can get a few minutes of them laying on their own, we will. If baby needs a feed, a change they get it. I see no point in making them wait. Keep them comfortable. They can be asleep, they can be awake. There are no expectations when I come to your home. It can be a mess, it can be immaculate or something in between.

We will move around your home. It’s very normal to start in your living space but we could move to one of the bedrooms, have you kick off your shoes, sit up on a bed together. If baby is happy to lie down for a few minutes on their own they will. Mostly you will take turns holding baby. If they have there own nursery amazing. If you have any blankets, outfits, teddies or gifts you would like to include we will feature them in a few images. However for the most part we keep things really simple. I will look for spaces with the best light, offer gentle prompts that promote connection between you all.

Newborn baby rests in Dads arms, Newborn photography Castlebar

What won’t happen in your newborn shoot:

Extensive posing or use of endless props and set ups. Its just not me, I don’t have the patience and that comes from not really seeing the need. They are magic just as they are. I will not place your baby in a bucket. We might wrap them, but only in a very natural way that you may be doing already. There will be no rush. It’s very normal for a session to run over an hour, in all honesty, it’s more likely to be 1.5 hours, sometimes even longer if baby is having a hungry day. However I am conscious, you are tired, you’ve recently had major life change, so I try not to over stay too. It is a fine balance!

Finding the right photographer for your newborn shoot is important. If you loved a more styled shoot and know you will love those perfectly posed shots, then I am not the photographer for you. There are however some insanely talented photographers all over Ireland that can do this for you. If however, you love the idea of not leaving your home and your little newborn bubble, you are open to images that show connection over perfection, that tell your unique story and capture the warmth & chaos of their little world, then please give me a buzz, I will honestly be honored to be invited in to that special space.

What to wear for a photoshoot?

4 February 2026 Baby Photos, Family Photography, Newborn Photography, On location Photoshoots

There can often be a lot of trends when it comes to styling a photo shoot. If a styled shoot is your thing then check out this page for some super recommendations on how to coordinate a whole families clothing for a photo shoot:

https://www.instagram.com/thearteofdressing_

If neutral or the pastel boho look isn’t for you, that is fine (it’s not for a lot of people).

Top Tip: Comfort is Key

I mean this in every sense. The clothes should be comfortable to wear, we don’t want kids fussing or pulling on clothes. However you should feel like yourself. If a beautiful flowy gown in just not you, then do not feel like this is what you should be wearing. Jeans and a nice top are perfect! 😉

Think about patterns and textures:

Again a lot of busy patterns can distract and seem very busy, especially if everyone is wearing them. It often works well to break up patterns with solid blocks of colour or texture (think knits, cashmere, denim etc) .

Don’t be afraid of colour!

If colour is your thing, this can be amazing but just requires a little thought. Do spend a little time making sure the colours you pick are somewhat coordinated and complimentary eg: blue and orange tones work beautifully together. You could decide on warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) or cool colours (blue, green or purple). They don’t all need to be strong colours, a few lighter or neutral tones mixed with darker tones can avoid a very ‘samey’ feel.

Top Tip: Avoid text or logos.

They can be super distracting and tend to draw your attention away from expressions or faces –and they should always be the key focus.

Overall takeaway:

If possible, simply lay out your planned outfits on a bed and see how they look together. Is anything really grabbing your attention? Do you want it to? Sometimes parents do want the baby to stand out more and they might opt for something simple for themselves, while baby has something brighter or with a cute pattern.

Often a mix of textures and some time coordinating colour tones with some complimentary colours can work beautifully.

Finally, feel free to ignore all of the above!

Ultimately if you are happy with the outfit it will work! This is your family, your photoshoot and your images that will hopefully spend the rest of your life proudly displayed on your wall. Your outfits should above all else reflect you. You should be comfortable in them in every way!

Tips for a Stress Free Photoshoot

4 February 2026 Baby Photos, Family Photography, Newborn Photography

Tips for a Stress free Photoshoot

Lets make your shoot as stress free as possible.

A little bit of thought and preparation before any photoshoot can make a big difference to your gallery. My hope with this blog is that with a bit of guidance, choosing the right location and knowing what to expect will lead you to a stress free shoot that you can enjoy on the day. There is another blog on what to wear for your shoot, another key aspect to the overall look and feel of your images, but worthy of its own blog here.

What Location is best for my photoshoot?

The location you choose for your photoshoot has a huge influence on the overall look and feel of your images. A shoot at home will be so different to a shoot on a beach or forest. This choice really comes down to your preference and what kind of location you are most drawn too. For some the beach is the absolute best, others adore exploring the woods. Visually both are amazing options, so where you and your family feel most comfortable, is often the key for me. When you are in an environment where you feel comfortable to be yourselves & be your happiest, thats when I can capture true magic!

Sometimes for very young kids, this should be at home. Don’t worry if your home is not instagram ready, (who’s is really!?) Connections and expressions are far more important to me, and you will be surprised by the stories your home can tell too.

How do on location shoots work?

We meet at a location of your choice (see above). I generally spend 40 minutes to 1 hour, sometimes up to 1.5 hours if needed (a real possibility with very young babies). In this time I aim to capture a variety of shots in a very natural manner. I will pose and direct when needed but I am also looking to provide a comfortable enough setting that you all feel relaxed and can be yourselves. Sometimes with young kids that can mean chaos but that can often lead to the best shots!

Some of my favourite locations for a photoshoot in Co Mayo are:

Turlough House, Mount falcon, Westport House, Breaffy House Hotel, Bertra Strand, Old head beach, Mulranny Beach, Doolough Valley, Raheen Woods, Belleek Woods, Cong Woods.

In home sessions:

Please don’t stress about whether your home is nice enough for a session at home. It is. It is your home (even if it is temporary) and it will hold so many memories as your family grows. That being said, it’s helpful to know what I am looking for for any shoot.

With newborns it is really common for me to photograph in bedrooms, baby’s nursery (if they have one) and even in the living room. I am looking for a space with nice lighting, typically I will face you into the light so anywhere opposite a window is likely to be a backdrop. Couches and beds are used a lot. I want you to be able to sit and hold the baby comfortably. Babies will often be laid out on a bed for comfort. As the baby grows, we are still very likely to use the same spaces but they will often be playing on the floor, showing off their toys and if we are really lucky with weather (or at least prepared for the rain) I will happily photograph in the garden too.

For older families and big groups, I will be looking for where I have the most space to set you up. Ideally this will also have a nice big window across from it but I do have studio lighting I can bring with me if needs be.

Do I need props?

Some people ask do I need props. My simple answer is no. However if there is something you would like to include it can add another dynamic to the shots. Some kids might be really into sport, dance or music and might like to have this documented. For young babies, there is often something sentimental that has been passed on. Teddy from a favourite aunt, nanny knitted a blanket or cardigan. These can easily be incorporated into a few shots. Equally if a loved one has passed on but you would like to honour them somehow we can work together to include them. A baby holding a piece of jewellery or wrapped in a favourite scarf can be a simple but effective nod to a loved one.

What to tell the kids?

Don’t make a big fuss. There should be no pressure to perform.

You are having some family time and Caroline, who is a photographer, is going to come along. She is very silly and is really looking forward to meeting you all. She has a cool camera and loves to take photos of everyone. You can show her your favourite teddies/toys/dance/games. Tell her all about your favourite song/cartoons/books/jokes.

For any reluctant adults, well they will be so surprised by just how horrible it isn’t! Honestly 😂

It’s a bit of fun, it is important, kids (& grown ups) love it and just as importantly, they love seeing, not just images of themselves, but photos of them with their family. It has been proven to promote a sense of belonging and confidence.

Making The most of your Headshots & Personal Branding sessions

7 February 2025 Personal Branding, Professional headshots

If you are here, you probably understand the importance of having amazing headshots and branding photography. That doesn’t mean you want to do it.

Don’t worry, I get how uncomfortable it is being in front of the camera. A key benefit to being a photographer is I get to be behind the camera all the time not in front! But I do my absolute best to make you feel comfortable. We will work together before hand to figure out what you need to get from your session and how we will achieve that. I find this helps clients have more confidence in the session and having an end goal keeps you focused on the importance of why you need to do this.

On the day of the shoot, I will give gentle guidance on posing and I also love to incorporate action and movement as this really helps people relax. This can be as simple as you showing me what you do.

Bringing along props. This can be as simple as your laptop, planners or your phone. If you make products, bring some along, show me how you make them, use them or package them.

Can you show me your inspiration, ingredients or tools you use? All of this takes the emphasis away from being on you all the time while still giving your clients an amazing way to connect with you and your business.

How to use your photos after you receive them?

First up is to look to your website. A good bio is one thing but people do love to see who you are. It creates a stronger connection and familiarity that words alone won’t do. Having professional headshots done makes this easier, look more finished and professional. It shows your clients you know your business is worth investing in and you want to make an effort to connect with them.

Social Media

Stuck for content? We all are! Having personal branding shots done means you can easily introduce yourself to your audience and keep doing so as you gain new followers. You can show clients your products, your service in action or your craft. Whats your inspiration, your why? A before and after shot shows how your business has progressed. What tools do you use?

A well planned branding shoot can cover so much. Once you book with me I have a Planning Prompts guide that help you pull together so many ideas, keeping your feed full of personalised content just right for your business. No more relying on stock photos that aren’t quite right.

Third Party Publishers

Local magazines and newspapers are always looking for content to publish, whether online or in a printed publication. Reach out to them and ask how to get a feature. If you have an exciting upcoming launch, sometimes its a matter of simply submitting an article and image to them (make their life really easy). Sometimes they may want to interview you and may well offer you advertisement space. Having your own set of branding images is going to ensure you make the most of this and control your image in the public sphere.

Offline

Going offline is equally important. Are you going to any networking events? Business showcases? Or Industry exhibitions? Leaflets/posters placed in the right spots can work amazing too. Having personalised banners, leaflets and even business cards with your own images can really make you stand out and be memorable.

The Importance of Headshots and Personal Branding

31 January 2025 Personal Branding, Professional headshots

According to Forbes, we make a decision to trust someone within 100 milliseconds of seeing their face. That is an incredibly short time to make a good first impression! And let’s face, in today’s world, a huge portion of our interactions are no longer at a shop front, but instead online. That could be on your own website, social media, LinkdIn or any number of third party websites or listings. This is where a great headshot comes in. This can lead to a lasting impression of warmth, professionalism and trust. This can be the make or break on whether someone books with you or buys your product.

Now I know what everyone thinks about headshots, they can be stiff and formal and might not even look like you. That is definitely true of many traditional headshots but it doesn’t mean that’s what you need to get.

I am a big believer in coming as you are and photographs should reflect what you look like and who you are. Your best version of yourself, absolutely. Wear what you would wear if you were going to meet your ideal client, employer or collaborator. Equally, your makeup should reflect your norm. For some that is super glam, others more down to earth and natural. Ideally this will reflect your brand and speak to your ideal client. Because guess what, when people are in the research phase of their buying journey, they will check out your about page and it is increasingly important to know who you are buying from. Especially for SMEs. You don’t have a fraction of the budget of a huge corporation.

This is where being a small business can be more beneficial. YOU are a massive part of your own brand. You are often what distinguishes your business from your competitors. So give your ideal clients an insight into your why and how of business. What is your inspiration? Show us your craft. People love seeing all of this. You will be the reason people book or buy, and you will be the reason they will come back. Forget about the traditional headshot, they may still have their place in some corporate fields but I believe that is even changing. If you are a business owner or self-employed, you need to think of it as personal branding because that is what it is.

Breaffy House Hotel Summer Wedding, Co Mayo

29 January 2025 WEDDING

Martyna and Vjaceslavs had a gorgeous summer wedding at Breaffy House. Their wedding was truly unique and very much done in their own way. They got ready together (definitely easier when you have a little one who wants both Mama and Papa nearby). We took couple photos before the ceremony so they could make the most of the drinks reception and have more time with their guests. We had a lovely short wander through the woodlands to capture some gorgeous, relaxed couple shots. A beautiful indoor ceremony featuring plenty of readings and singing by friends and family (including a few tear jerkers) followed by yummy drinks reception, family photos in a beautiful shaded area off one of the loop walks and then of course the meal and party time!

I am a big fan of Breaffy house, yes it is just on my doorstep which is amazing but the house itself still retains an element of a country house feel while being a big hotel and having all the amenities associated with that. The grounds are gorgeous. Its about 100 acres of Irish countryside, featuring beautiful woodland and a small lake with a lovely water feature and red bridge. Lastly, my daughter would be very upset if I didn’t mention the playground and best of all, a great climbing tree (all the kids will find it).

Bride and groom look to each other as they sit on bridge wall at Breaffy House hotel.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Ireland

28 January 2025 WEDDING

Take a peak at a complete real life wedding from morning prep to first dance.

I get it, you don’t just want to see highlights you want to see what a complete wedding might look like. So here you go. This is an album design I put together of Sarah and Claytons wedding in Co Wicklow. An absolutely gorgeous barn wedding full of emotions and dancing (soooo much dancing, three conga lines before dinner kind of dancing!).

What is Personal Branding?

8 January 2024 Personal Branding, Professional headshots

Personal Branding Photography is taking the classic headshot and injecting it with a whole load of personality.

It is exactly what it sounds like: Photography of your personal brand and for a whole load of entrepreneurs and SME’s that equates to YOU! For small to medium business owners their business is so deeply connected with who they are, what their values are and how they want to make their clients’ lives better. We all want to find the perfect fit client, but that can be hard, right? Especially when let’s face it, I am sure you have a ton of competitors offering similar products or services. HOWEVER the one thing a competitor can never offer is your unique personality and what you instil into your product and service. That’s where personal branding photography comes in. Let your clients see who is behind the business. Let them see how personal this is to you. Let them gain an insight into your work flow, how you run your business or how you make your products.

When done properly you will have a whole selection of images that will be perfect not only for your website but for social media too.

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What to expect for your portrait shoot?

7 November 2023 Baby Photos, Family Photography

Beforehand…

Once you get in touch we will figure out a time, date and location for your shoot. We will have a chat about what you need, priority shots or any ideas you might have. I will send a contract to sign and a link to pay a deposit. These must be completed to confirm your booking. I will then send you a questionnaire that I ask you to complete. It can spark ideas for you but for me it provides invaluable information about who is in the shoot and helps me create a shoot unique to you.

During the shoot..

Once we have all arrived at the chosen location we will get started. We will move through the location to capture a variety of shots. Some will be set up, lots will be captured as you move, play and interact with each other. I aim to keep every session fun, relaxed and as natural as possible. Most clients find an hour flys by and kids have had a good run around!

After the session..

I will curate a selection of the best shots – that basically means I get rid of any awkward poses/faces, anything that doesn’t work and narrow it down to only the best shots. I then edit each image to create the best version of it. This does take time. While I do my absolute best to get fully edited galleries out within 3 to 4 weeks at busy times and for bigger galleries this can sometimes take longer. I will give you an indication at the time of shoot.

In the gallery..

A complete gallery is usually a minimum of 40 images but can be anything up to 100 shots for an hour’s shoot. Depending on your package you may have to choose a selection of shots or you may prefer to upgrade to download the whole gallery.

When all your images are ready to go I will share your private online gallery with you. You can then download & share this gallery with as many people as you like. The galleries have a whole heap of features that allows you to mark favourites, hide any images you may not want to share and allows you to purchase prints, albums and framed pieces. I highly recommend you save your images in a number of locations, cloud storage, eternal hard drives, USB keys etc. Of course I honestly believe there is no back up quite like prints, so print print print!

What is the best age to have my baby photographed?

24 June 2019 Baby Photos, Family Photography

Newborn photography has exploded in popularity in recent years and for very good reason. Those days are so fleeting. They are still so small and squished up, it all leads to incredibly beautiful, emotive photographs. I do love doing newborn lifestyle sessions in clients home. I believe it leads to a really relaxed atmosphere and my hope is that is is easier for more clients to manage. If this stage is when you really want to have documented I highly recommend getting in touch well in advance of your due date as this needs to be done by 7 – 14 days, maybe 21 days old if baby is born a little early.

However I really believe there is no right or wrong age to have your baby photographed. I hear lots of people say they never had their kids photographed when they were newborns & felt they had missed out. Either did I and I’m obsessed with photographing my kids, but it is a crazy time so whats the next best option? Now! Honestly I have photographed babies at every stage and there is always something precious to capture.

When they are a few weeks/months old you are more likely to have them awake and therefore more likely to get eye contact which is incredible. As they become more expressive you might catch any range of emotions from curiosity, confusion, or of course their amazing first smiles.

Throughout the first year or two there is milestone after milestone to capture, from when they can first lift their heads, eat their toes, sit up, crawling and even those first tentative steps, first birthdays. Then we head into the crazy toddler years and that is just an explosion of energy and fun. Not to mention all the adorable rolls and squidgy features!! It is all incredibly exciting and they always look adorable – honestly always!!!

Of course, some of my favourite images to capture are babies with their parents and loved ones, be it siblings or grandparents. I honestly believe this is incredibly important. Your connection and relationship is precious. You are their world. You may not feel quite yourself, but they will grow up loving any images you are in more than anything. Take it from a mum photographer. My kids are always asking ‘where was I’ why wasn’t I there’ because I am always the one taking the photograph! I can see their eyes light up when I can show them one with me. It means everything to them.

So whenever you choose to have your family photographed be sure to have the whole family involved. Yes we will capture their important milestones and personalities but we will also capture what is incredibly important to them – your relationships and connections as a family.