J & K

This charming couple were our hosts for the weekend.  They invited us to stay in their lovely home, which truly made our Irish excursion the uniquely wonderful experience it was.  They couldn't have been better hosts, and we loved getting to know them.  We had had a lot of grey skies for our shoots, so when the sun popped out of the clouds at the last minute just before dipping down below the horizon, we rushed to get a few delicious sunsetty shots with this dazzling duo.

Sister Shoot

After a fun friend reunion day in the city, we headed to the country to get down to business.  I expected we'd spend the majority of the weekend doing family portraits, and we did, but I hadn't expected being made to feel like members of such a vibrant, warm Irish family.  It was an experience I'll never forget, and one I'd never had had staying in a hotel in the tourist centre.


These two sweet American-Irish sisters were calling me "auntie" after just a couple of hours.  They are too adorable for words.  I was enchanted by them instantly.  Each so different and each so endearing.  They were a total joy to shoot!  These are just a few from my lens from our time with them.  So much more from Ireland to come . . .

Dublin

Once upon a time there were two photographers who met up in Dublin.  Friends first, but photo work was the trip's main agenda.  But who goes all the way to Ireland (especially from California) without first checking out Dublin?  We met at the airport, she off her transcontinental-transatlantic flight, and me off a 55-minute island hopper.  We jumped in the car and drove into town for a day of city sights.  There was one debate in my head as we drove, do we leave thousands of dollars worth of photography gear in the locked car while we sightsee?  I'm a bit photo-gear-loss weary (and those following this blog since circa 2008, will understand why :).  We decided not to risk it, which meant toting around a hefty load all day.  Thus Red was born, meet Red:

How my dear friend, Kamee, manages to look such the fresh-faced beauty even after over a dozen hours of overnight air travel truly amazes me.  Her quick wit was also no victim.  It was a wonderful reunion from the start, and with Red, we were all off on a grand day's adventure!


Just the three of us, Kamee, me and Red.


Uh-oh, Red takes a tumble on the cobbles.


Red's favourite building in Temple Bar is, of course, red.





Red (and Kamee) need a break!


Red with beautiful open air statuary.


Red is a safety first kind of bag!





Red is on a scavenger hunt!


Red gets to pet a pony!


Red tries to take a photo of us, ah too soon!


Good shot, Red!


Red looks over the menu.








Ha' Penny Bridge


"Look at the camera, just over there, Red!"


Trinity College


St. Stephen's Green


Red leaves and a red door just for Red.


Self portrait


Red fell asleep, and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea break with pastries and scones!





Love the shamrock on the restaurant bill.

An Early Autumn Shoot

This lady was one of the first people I had the pleasure of meeting last year when we started at the new school. She is really one of those people that you meet in life that you instantly feel at home with. She and her gorgeous family have lived all over the world, and so happy that they are sharing their time in the UK with us. Here are some highlights of my shoot with this brilliant bunch!