Tara Donoghue Photography

What's been happening with TDP???

2012-02-08T08:54:00.001-08:00

I have just realised It's been forever since I last blogged! For those of you who care and actually read my rambling, here's what's been happening in my crazy world!

Since Cailean arrived and we took on an extra business (as if we hadn't enough to do!) my diet has gone to pot and I am always eating on the run. It's typically a diet of coffee and red bull with the occasional take away thrown in! Whatever is quickest!!! :)

But here is a little man that LOVES his food and won't let anyone or anything get in the way of him and that spoon! ..

But back to work.... So the year kicked off with two fabulous weddings. One, on New Yrs Eve in the lovely Listowel Arms Hotel....

with beautiful pieces by Pearl and Godiva....

and then on the 2nd Jan I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful Anne Marie and camera shy James' wedding in St Mary's Cathedral.

Also in the last month, I have been to London more times than I've been to Killarney so I now know all the regular Ryanair crew lol! Once was to attend the annual SWPP convention. I had to leave my lil man for a whole weekend which was seriously hard! The Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographer's Convention takes place every January in London. It is a great opportunity to learn from some of the best in the world and also make lots of great friends and contacts in the industry.

When I got home from there, I unpacked the winter clothes out of my bag and repacked with much lighter clothing as we managed to squeeze in a quick visit to the in laws in Spain. Cailean started his first holiday romance & below is a pic of where we stayed (not) lol :)

Arrived back from my few days relaxing and set up an Open Networking Group in The Ballinvarrig Inn with the first meeting two weeks ago and we will continue to meet every wednesday at 6.30pm... I was asked last night for more details on what open networking is all about so here goes......

Basically any business person that is interested in making some contacts and potentially gaining work (someone always knows someone who needs something lol)... Then the idea is to pop down and get talking! There is no formal speeches etc, if you want to give a little chat to the group and some samples of what you do then that is great, if you don't then there is absolutely no pressure. If you go away and have met one person who can help you in your business then that was a success if you meet more then it's even better! The worst thing that can happen is that you are getting your name out there and might even make a few friends! :)

So as we are swinging thru feb, I am thinking about another manic month ahead of pre wedding shoots, more album designs, meeting more fantastic couples, updating the web, appearing in VIP magazine (which we did this week!)

and the 1001 other things that I have to get to on my "to do" list! But at the same time i'd be lost if my life wasn't this crazy. I love the madness and the constant buzz of being busy. I have become an extremely good juggler since Cailean arrived in our lives and my imac has moved home yesterday to my coffee table so that I can watch him play with his toys and edit with the other eye ;)

Until the next time.....

and for those of you that do pop by for a read say hi! So I don't feel completely insane and like i'm rambling to myself! :) xxx

For further information, to make an appointment for your photography consultation or to check on current availability, please feel free to contact Tara Donoghue Photography via the website or email at info@taradonoghuephotography.com

It's the holiday season, time to get lazy and relax in front of the fire. I wish!

2011-12-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

It's the holiday season and our busiest time of year so I apologise for the lack of blog posts recently! For those of you who know me will know that I have a 4 month old son, Cailean (pic above) who is fantastic. I truly am blessed, he is passed from pillar to post as his parents are racing around running not one but now two businesses! So stress is not the word! :)

(I am uploading new work for the website as I type, while Dave is organising the bar (The Ballinvarrig Inn) for tonight's festivities and Cailean is drifting off for a power nap :) ) So that will give you an idea of our household at the mo!

In between weddings, editing, family and portrait sessions, teaching and looking after Cailean, I now have another job to add to the list my attempt at being a barmaid! :) As Dave has put up with all the stress that being self employed brings and assisting me on shoots, I naively offered to help in the bar from time to time when I was available. Now in my head time to time meant once in a blue moon and not after a 12 hour day shooting a wedding! But it has been so manic I have had to jump in with the big bags under my eyes and keep on smiling :) I do love the people, the atmosphere, getting to meet so many different people from all walks of life as they say, but I did really enjoy "a day off" yesterday :)

So now as I'm back in editing mode catching up on last weeks weddings before this weeks start, I am thinking to the manic wedding weekend ahead. I did get spoilt yesterday and I am being treated to a holiday in the sun in a few weeks time so that will keep me going and I can catch up on my sleep when I'm sunbathing on the beach :)

Until the next time!

Be safe and enjoy the holidays!

Tara xxx

A Photographer in front of the camera...?

2011-09-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I managed to persuade Dave to come for a drive to Dingle so "I" (Dave hates photo's but of course he got roped in!) could have a maternity shoot with the fab photographer Elaine Kennedy. I met Elaine in Tralee earlier this year and have admired her work for a long time. So I was excited to spend an afternoon with her and have some pics taken of me and the bump (the baby not dave lol).

We had great fun as you would expect when two photographer's get together and have an opportunity to try out something a bit different. It is a very strange feeling for both parties as I felt seriously stupid in front of the camera (which helped to put me in my clients shoes) and Elaine felt strange photographing another photographer.

But the results were fantastic and I had to share them with you! :)

Thanks Elaine! xxxxx

He finally arrived!

2011-09-18T02:01:00.000-07:00

So if you have been wondering what's been happening with us well....

Our son Cailean arrived!!!!!

He was 10 pounds and he made a dramatic entrance, but to be honest I shouldn't have expected anything else!

and we are in love.........

He is a great baby and as Dave says he is training us in well LOL.

So thank you very much for all the congratulations, cards and pressies (which are still arriving a month later!) He is one spoilt baby!

And for those of you booking your weddings for 3/4/5/ years time, expect to see this small man running around your wedding with a camera lol :)

Exciting times ahead! :)

2011-06-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

So as we have shot our last weddings for the next few weeks before our new arrival joins us, it is time for me to sit back, relax and patiently wait. For those of you that know me, you are probably laughing your arses off right now and for those of you who don't I am a WORKAHOLIC :)

I find it impossible to 'do nothing' (any advice on achieving this even for a day would be greatly appreciated!) Even for the pic above I am only doing what I'm told for Photography purposes by Ruth Vaughan a lovely Photographer from Co. Clare :) Thanks again Ruth! :)

So what are our plans for the next few weeks... Update the blog (which is why im rambling!) Get out and shoot some more Pre wedding shoots and start designing some albums.

I am very lucky to already have the babysitters on standby (thanks mum and LA!) and a FANTASTIC photographer joining the team to give me a hand as maternity leave doesn't exist in my vocab :) This lady is so talented that I am blown away by her work every time that I see it and I am extremely lucky to have her as a friend. I can't reveal who she is yet (some of you might be able to guess). I have already booked her for our own wedding photographs because I couldn’t think of anyone else that I would be more comfortable around and have a great laugh with!

So we have the babysitters, the extra photographer, the maternity sessions booked (just done one of those with Ruth Vaughan pics in this post!) and the baby shopping started! So if any of you have any parenting advice/horror stories you want to frighten me with or just advice on juggling a new baby and work please feel free to comment below! Or if there are any photographer’s reading this and have any questions about shooting weddings when pregnant ask away!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tara x

Sam and Eve.....

2011-05-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

The last two months have flown by and I really didn't realise it had been so long since I have blogged! So to any of the few followers I do have on here ;) I apologise for the lack of updates! So much has been happening in our personal and work lives that it might take quite a while to catch up on here with everything! :)

So where do I start.....

How about a quick selection of my fav's from Sam and Eve's Wedding. Some of you might have seen a few on facebook already but for those of you that haven't......

It's all about the details :) and us girls love our shoes!

Weddings are all about capturing emotions and evoking them in the viewer afterwards. When Eve started to get emotional when she was ready to leave for the church there wasn't a dry eye in the room (including mine!)

To the church.....

Just enough time for a quick cuppa with the priest!

before heading off to the beautiful Aghadoe Heights Hotel...

Congratulations to you both and I wish you all the very best for the future......

Make some memories!

2011-03-26T02:53:00.000-07:00

My morning routine always includes checking my emails. This morning I received a beautiful email from a friend that made me want to write this post and share it with you.

For those of you who know me personally will know why the power of this email was so strong, for those that don't, you can't help but be made aware of how precious life is. How important your friends are, how vital it is to make memories and record them! Life can be hectic and

stressful but you should always make time to "run through the rain".

NEED WASHING?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mum in Woolies. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Woolies.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mum let's run through the rain,'
She said.
'What?' Mum asked.
'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.
'No, darling. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mum replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mum, let's run through the rain..'
'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mum said.
'No, we won't, Mum. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mum's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'
'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ' If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! ' ' The entire crowd stopped dead silent.. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mum paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Darling, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain.

If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mum said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted
past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.

They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children

all the way to their cars. And yes, I did.

I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions,
they can take away your money, and they can take away your health.
But no one can ever take away your precious memories...
So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make
memories everyday.

So get out there and make some fantastic memories over the weekend! :)

For further information, to make an appointment for your photography consultation or to check on

current availability, please feel free to contact Tara Donoghue Photography via the website

or email at info@taradonoghuephotography.comwww.taradonoghuephotography.com

Ciara & Denis

2011-03-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

I first met Ciara and Denis when I was photographing John & Morag's wedding in Springfort Hall Hotel, Co. Cork. We were sitting beside each other for dinner and instantly hit it off. The "hopeless romantic and artist" in me always loves to hear how couples met and the changes they make to their lives for 'love'. I get suckered in to the romance and it is probably why I love my job so much. I am telling a story, a section, a piece of someone's life. Whether it is the arrival of a newborn baby, a birthday party, communion or a wedding, I am asked to document that occasion in life to be recorded for future generations.

If I didn't love people and their unique stories it would be impossible to feel passionate about what I do. So when Denis contacted me a few months later to say that he would like to spoil Ciara with a photoshoot, I knew that this was going to be an important photoshoot :) Ciara was unaware that Denis had planned to propose while they were in Kerry so it was all kept top secret and it was very easy to document the love and happiness between them :)

I'm looking forward to the next special occasion ;)

Wishing you both all the best.

Tara

Valentine's Comp Entries to be received by Sat 12th Feb

2011-02-01T02:41:00.000-08:00

So....... it's almost the hallmark holiday where thousands of men (and women) are put under pressure to be creative and romantic (at least once a year lol). So for all of you romantics out there, I want to know what is your idea of a perfect valentines present or gesture?????? It can be something that your other half has previously surprised you with, or it could be something that you hope he/she will do.... (one day lol)

The most creative, funny, or just completely wacky/different/unique idea will win a LOVEly romantic shoot with Tara Donoghue Photography and have their day recorded and presented in a unique LOVE Book :)

So get thinking and emailing me your entries at info@taradonoghuephotography.com

The winning couple will be announced on Valentines day!

Good luck! :)

Tara Donoghue Photography

What's been happening with TDP???

It's the holiday season, time to get lazy and relax in front of the fire. I wish!

A Photographer in front of the camera...?

He finally arrived!

Exciting times ahead! :)

Sam and Eve.....

Make some memories!

Ciara & Denis

Valentine's Comp Entries to be received by Sat 12th Feb

Valentines Competition

Anne & Michael's Winter Wedding :)

Winter Wedding Inspirational Shoot!

Caitriona & Denny's Pre Wedding Shoot

Wear It Pink! :)

Karen & Noel....

Morag & John

Autumn & Dermot

It's been a manic month! :)

More randomness from me! :)

Something a little different......

Treat yourselves to a Tangro......

For all you busy brides :)

A beautiful letter received from The Livingstones :)

Irish Open Killarney

Tara Donoghue Photography's New Studio Wahoo!!!! :)

Aoife and Oliver's Pre Wedding Shoot

Kat and Maurice's Wedding in Scotland

Wedding Vow Renewal

Intimate Beach Wedding

Communions and more Communions lol! :)

Weddings, Pre Weddings and Fashion Shows

Comedien Charles Marshall talking about getting his photo taken...

All work and no play ;) NOT!!!

Mother's Day Makeover Packages

Out and about in Kerry

Fun Kids Shoot in the Park :)

Morag and John's Pre Wedding Shoot

Love is well and truly in the air in Kerry! :)

Mags and Pat's Pre Wedding Shoot

Exciting Pre Wedding and Post Wedding Shoots this week.

Women are made to be loved not understood :)

Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde. Book your fun portrait session now with your other half and order a 'Love' Book to capture the fun.... 15% off throughout FEB......

SWPP Convention

New Years Resolutions

Winter Wonderland

As Featured in yesterday's Irish Examiner

What I have been up to and New Year's greetings!!!

Santa Claus is Coming to town...... :)

Bronze award SWPP

Sheila and Dan's Wedding :)

Photography with local musicians

Baby Portrait Shoot

Lilly in London :)

More Wedding pics to come soon!

Tara Donoghue Photography is interviewed by www.theweddingplanner.ie

Susan and Ians Wedding

Wallace Family Reunion

Kitty and Colin's Wedding

Chris and Angela's E Shoot

Tara Donoghue Photography