Family Photographer Dublin – Candid Photo Session at Howth Harbour

Deirdre Rusk
Apr 29
3 min read

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of photographing this amazing family not once, not twice, but three times now—and honestly, each session just gets better. This time, we headed to beautiful Howth Harbour for afternoon full of laughter, puddle-jumping, and a seagull encounter none of us will ever forget!

The session was planned for a typical Irish rainy day—we came prepared with umbrellas, welly boots, and the spirit to embrace whatever the sky had in store. And honestly? Photographing in the rain can be magic. The light is soft and flattering, puddles make for joyful splashes and reflections, and there’s something really authentic about leaning into the weather rather than fighting it. It keeps things real—just how I like it.

But despite the forecast, the rain held off during our shoot! That didn’t stop us from making the most of the puddles though—because what’s a day out in Ireland without a few muddy feet?

As a family photographer in Dublin, I always aim to capture the in-between moments—the wild hair, muddy knees, chocolate-covered grins. I don’t want perfection. I want truth.

We started the session at the playground, where I got some brilliant shots of the kids on the roundabout (and yes, I was very dizzy afterward—but totally worth it!).

Woman and child laughing joyfully on a carousel. The child wears a patterned jacket. Motion blur adds excitement. Black and white image.

Two children in pink coats with dog patterns sit on a playground ride. One smiles excitedly. Blurred motion and greenery in background.

A toddler in a pink coat holds on to a spinning playground ride. Blurred green background suggests motion. Curious expression.

Two children in pink jackets with dog prints on a spinning playground ride. A woman smiles behind them. The background is a grassy park.

Woman and child laughing on a fast-moving playground ride. Child in pink coat with dog print. Background is a blur of greens and grays.

Family on a merry-go-round. Two kids in dog-pattern coats; one excited, one calm. Parents smiling on either side. Black and white image.

Two children in matching Dalmatian-patterned raincoats hug in a park. Black and white image with a tender, loving mood.

From there, we wandered along the pier with the boats bobbing behind us and the sound of seagulls overhead. The kids walked along the wall, they jumped in the puddles, they had so much fun.

A child in a pink raincoat with dog prints holds a colorful umbrella. Pink backpack nearby. Overcast, outdoors on paved path by a fence.

Child smiling behind blurred bare feet on a wooden bench with memorial plaques. Background shows a cloudy sky and greenery.

Smiling child in a pink jacket jumps on muddy ground near a marina. Boats are visible in the background under gray skies.

Child in colorful boots and a pink jacket jumps in a muddy puddle on a stone path, splashing water around. Earthy tones dominate.

Child in pink coat jumps over puddle by rocky shore, smiling. Another child in similar coat is assisted by an adult. Overcast sky.

Two children in pink raincoats with dog prints jump in a muddy puddle by the sea, hair flying, with a rocky shore background.

Child in pink dog-patterned raincoat jumps in puddle, smiling joyfully. Windy seaside backdrop with rocks and cloudy sky.

Family of four happily runs on a promenade; adults hold children's hands. Overcast sky, casual raincoats, lively mood, and waterfront setting.

Child in pink raincoat runs joyfully on a path while family follows. Overcast day with buildings and marina in the background.

Girl in pink coat and jeans joyfully runs on a path by grassy area. Background shows colorful houses and cars under a cloudy sky.

Young girl in a pink coat with dogs runs joyfully on a pavement. Two adults, one with an umbrella, are partially visible nearby.

A black and white image shows a woman kissing a child in a dog-patterned jacket while a man holds another child in the background, all smiling.

Toddler in a pink, dog-patterned coat gazes intently. Partial view of an adult in dark clothing beside the child. Neutral outdoor setting.

Family with two kids in pink dog-print jackets sits by a marina. The adults smile warmly, boats visible in the background.

Family of four sitting near a marina with sailboats. Wearing jackets, smiling, with a colorful umbrella. Overcast sky, relaxed atmosphere.

A smiling child in a pink dog-patterned jacket sits on a woman's lap by a waterfront. Both wear coats; scene is cheerful and bright.

Toddler in pink dog-print coat holding a colorful umbrella, standing outdoors on a cloudy day, looking curious. Background shows greenery.

A man and woman walk with two children wearing pink jackets. One child walks on a wall. Trees line the path in a park setting.

That’s when a slightly wild idea came to me—how fun would it be to capture a family photo with seagulls flying around? In theory? A dreamy, seaside shot. In practice? Absolute chaos.

We dropped some bread… and within seconds, a cloud of gulls swooped in from the sky. There was panic. There was screaming. There was shooing. And I just kept snapping away. The result? Some of the most hilarious, unexpected, and joyful photos I’ve taken. Definitely not what I envisioned—but so much better.

Family in raincoats enjoy a seaside view with a seagull flying. The children wear pink coats with animal patterns. Overcast sky.

A woman and two children in pink raincoats stand on a rocky beach. The woman smiles, holding a child's hand. Overcast sky and ocean backdrop.

Child and woman in patterned raincoats react to seagulls overhead. Beach setting, overcast sky. Playful yet startled expressions.

Family on a windy pier in raincoats, smiling and watching seagulls overhead. Background shows boats and an overcast sky. Black and white.

Woman and child in raincoats at a windy seafront, laughing as seagulls fly overhead. Background shows a pier and overcast sky. Black and white.

A family in raincoats at a seafront joyfully watching seagulls fly overhead. The mood is playful and lively. Black and white photo.

A family by the sea, kids in animal-patterned raincoats, father holding one child, mother smiling with arms up, seagulls overhead, overcast.

People wearing raincoats watch seagulls fly overhead by the seaside, on a cloudy day. The scene conveys joy and wonder.

Man and children in animal-patterned raincoats watch seagulls at a beach. Overcast sky, harbor background. Playful mood in black and white.

A family in raincoats plays by the shore under flying seagulls. The sky is overcast, creating a playful and cozy atmosphere.

A family in raincoats stands near a harbor, surrounded by seagulls. The mood is playful as they smile and interact. Overcast sky in the background.

A man and woman laugh on a windy pier, surrounded by seagulls. A child in a patterned coat faces them. Boats are docked in the background.

Family in raincoats smiles on a pier, surrounded by flying seagulls. Overcast sky and distant boats in the background create a lively scene.

Family of four in raincoats on a pier, gray sky, seabirds flying around, kids smiling. Overcast weather creates a joyful mood.

Family in raincoats smiling on a pier with seagulls in the sky, boats in the water, and a distant shoreline backdrop. Black and white image.

A family in raincoats stands near the harbor as seagulls fly overhead. The mood is calm, with children looking pensive. Overcast sky.

After the Great Gull Incident, we recovered with some well-deserved ice cream (a must after any seaside session, if you ask me), then let the kids blow bubbles from the car bonnet as the light started to soften. It was messy, honest, beautiful—and everything I love about being a family photographer in Ireland.

Toddler in pink dog-patterned coat stands in front of beach-themed mural with ice cream cones and a crab, looking curious.

Two children in pink dog-patterned jackets hold ice creams, smiling with a woman in a gray jacket against a beach-themed backdrop. Lighthearted mood.

Girl in pink dog-patterned jacket smiles by ice cream counter in a brightly colored shop. Mural and menu visible in the background.

Girl in pink jacket enjoys chocolate ice cream against a colorful mural of a multi-scoop cone, set in a bright, joyful background.

Child holding ice cream, wearing a pink dog-patterned coat, holds adult's hand in a tiled shop. Another child in pink coat nearby.

A family enjoys ice cream on a pink bench outside a shop with "open" in neon. Two kids wear matching jackets. Bright and cheerful scene.

Two kids in pink dog-patterned jackets eat ice cream on a colorful bench. Neon "open" sign visible above. Casual, joyful setting.

Two children in pink dog-patterned coats eat chocolate ice cream on a colorful bench. Their expressions show enjoyment.

Two children in pink patterned jackets enjoy ice cream on a pink bench. They appear happy, with a colorful background.

Family of four walking on a street. Kids in pink jackets, parents in coats. Colorful building in the background with "King Sitric" text.

Two children in pink dog-patterned jackets eat ice cream while holding hands with adults, standing on a gray pavement.

Family of four in coats sit by a harbor. Two children in pink jackets enjoy ice creams. Boats and overcast sky in the background.

Seagull in focus on pavement. In background, a person in coat helps child in patterned raincoat by seaside. Overcast sky and boats visible.

Blurred image of two people by a marina, one eating. Background shows boats, a pier, and seagull on a wall. Overcast sky.

Seagull stands on a stone ledge by a marina with blurred boats and striped tents in the background, evoking a calm, coastal vibe.

Family of four by the seaside, two kids in pink coats eating ice cream, adults in jackets. Overcast sky, marina in the background.

Family sitting on a bench, two kids in animal-patterned raincoats eating ice cream. Woman laughing, overcast sky, relaxed mood. Black and white photo.

Woman and child feed seagull on dock. Man with pink backpack kneels beside them. Boats and marina in background. Windy, overcast day.

A person joyfully runs on grassy lawn toward seagulls. Overcast sky, parked cars, red and white buildings in the background.

Child in an orange sweater sits inside a car, looking serious. A woman smiles in reflection on the window. Gray background, overcast day.

A woman kisses a child through a car window, both smiling. The scene is black and white with reflections visible. The mood is affectionate.

A child in a yellow sweater looks pensive, seated beside an adult. Hair covers their face, seen through a glass with a soft, muted background.

Two children sit on a white surface, one blowing bubbles with a purple wand. Both wear colorful sweaters. Overcast sky, relaxed mood.

Two children in sweaters sit on a car hood blowing bubbles. A hand holds a bubble bottle. Overcast sky sets a calm mood.

Whether you’re visiting from abroad and looking for a vacation photographer in Ireland, or you're local and just want to freeze time with your kids in the places that matter to you, I’d love to be part of it. These real-life, real-weather, real-love moments are what I live for.

And while I’m mostly known for family photography, I also shoot weddings—so if you’re planning your big day and want a wedding photographer in Ireland (or a wedding photographer in Dublin), I bring that same energy: relaxed, real, and full of joy.

This day in Howth reminded me exactly why I love what I do. Photographing families like this feels like photographing friends. And days like these? They stay with me.

Family sits on a harbor wall under an umbrella, sharing a warm moment. Overcast sky, boats in background, pink bag on ground.

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Family Photographer Dublin – Candid Photo Session at Howth Harbour

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