Every season in Dublin has its own kind of magic, but summertime in Glasnevin Botanical Gardens,Dublin always feels extra special. The air is soft, the trees are bursting into colour, and there’s that unmistakable sense of new beginnings — a perfect setting for a maternity and family portrait session.
Maternity photo session with Matchbox Photography
When I met Sinead and Sean at the Gardens, the light was filtering beautifully through the glasshouses, and everything around us seemed to echo the excitement of their growing family. Maternity sessions are some of my favourites — there’s something quietly powerful about capturing that moment of anticipation and connection before a new chapter begins.
We started the session near the palm house, where the lush greenery and soft light created a dreamy backdrop. Sinead’s neutral-toned dress complemented the earthy tones perfectly — a style that fits so naturally with my Matchbox Photography aesthetic of beige, gold, and natural warmth. Jack held his mum’s hand, completely fascinated by the plants, while Liam wrapped his arms around them both in a way that said everything words couldn’t.
The National Botanical Gardens Dublin
Out in the gardens, the breeze caught Sinead’s hair and the light danced through the leaves — those in-between moments are always my favourite to photograph. Nothing too posed, just real connection and emotion. Family sessions like this are all about capturing what’s real: the laughter, the closeness, and the quiet tenderness that makes your family unique.
As we finished near the walled garden, the sun dipped low and bathed everything in soft golden light — the kind of light that makes you forget about time. Watching this little family together, with one more heart soon joining them, was a reminder that beauty doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from love. The photos attached below are captured on June afternoon during the week. We have found a flowering meadow which the children loved and it made a beautiful backdrop for the maternity portraits.
Your Family Story, Beautifully Captured
Whether you’re expecting, celebrating your family as it grows, or simply want to preserve this fleeting chapter of life, a session at Botanical Gardens Glasnevin offers the perfect mix of nature, colour, and serenity.
If you’d love portraits that feel timeless and full of heart, I’d be honoured to capture your story.
