Sunshine & Storytelling at Bective Abbey, Meath| Family Photographer Ireland

You know those rare Irish mornings when the sun actually shows up—and stays? This was one of them. A midweek morning, not a cloud in the sky, and the light was just magic.

I met the loveliest family who had flown over from Las Vegas to soak up a bit of Irish countryside, and they wanted to capture some memories while they were here. So they booked me for a family shoot, and we headed to one of my favourite spots—Bective Abbey in County Meath.

Bective Abbey is just outside Navan and dates back to 1147. It was built by the Cistercian monks, and honestly, it still feels like stepping into a piece of history. With its winding staircases, old stone walls and open arches, it’s a peaceful little gem—and a seriously gorgeous backdrop for photos.

This shoot was extra special because the beautiful mam was pregnant with baby number two, so it was such a lovely time to press pause and capture this chapter before everything shifts again.

Now, most photographers might shy away from shooting in full midday sun—especially in Ireland where soft light is more the norm. But I actually love working with bright, bold light. It brings out all the contrast and drama, and I know how to work with it to get beautiful, flattering images.

One of the things I pride myself on as a family photographer in Ireland is being able to shoot in any light—rain or shine, golden hour or high noon—because real life doesn’t always wait for perfect conditions.

We spent the morning exploring the abbey ruins, chatting, laughing, and taking photos as we went. It felt so relaxed—more like hanging out with friends than a formal shoot. That’s always my aim: to make everyone feel comfortable so the moments captured are real and full of heart.

The bonus of doing the session midweek in the morning was that we had the place pretty much to ourselves. It made everything feel slower, calmer, and more personal. Plus, they had the rest of the day free to explore, eat, and enjoy without being worn out from a late shoot.

If you’re visiting Ireland, booking a vacation photographer in Ireland is such a lovely way to mark the experience. Whether you’re here for a family adventure or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I’d love to help you remember it—not just how it looked, but how it felt.

I’m based in Dublin but I shoot all over the country, so if you’re after a family photographer in Dublin, a wedding photographer in Ireland, or just someone to document your story in a beautiful way, give me a shout!

Let’s make something meaningful together.

Three people stand smiling in front of ancient castle ruins on a sunny day. A woman in black holds her belly, indicating a pregnancy.

Pregnant woman in a black dress smiling, standing in a grassy field. Ruins and a bare tree in the background on a sunny day.

Girl in a red velvet dress, smiling and sitting against a sunlit stone wall. Shadows create patterns on the wall.

Couple kisses near ancient stone ruins as a person in a red dress jumps joyfully in the air. Bright day, clear blue sky.

A person in a red dress stands with arms outstretched on a stone archway in a historic ruin, surrounded by old stone walls.

A couple embraces under a sunlit ancient stone archway, with a child joyfully playing nearby; bright sunlight creates a warm ambiance.

Couple standing in stone ruins, sunlight streaming through windows. A person in red dress dances joyfully on the right. Bright, sunny day.

Couple embracing in a stone archway within ancient ruins. Black and white image conveys a romantic and timeless mood.

A couple sits on stone ruins, looking upward with serious expressions. The setting is framed by old brick walls, against a clear sky.

A group of three people sit on a stone archway in a rustic, ancient stone ruin. They appear relaxed, with a mix of red, black, and green outfits.

Two people dance joyfully on an ancient stone bridge in a sunlit, rustic castle ruin, surrounded by weathered stone arches.

Family posing on ancient stone ruins, girl in red dress raising an arm. Background features weathered stone walls and an archway.

Girl in a red velvet dress leans casually against a stone archway, smiling softly. The background is a textured stone wall.

Woman in a black dress poses in an arched stone setting, smiling, with a hand on her belly. The background shows a textured stone wall.

Woman in black hugs girl in red velvet dress against a mossy stone wall. The woman laughs, creating a joyful mood.

A pregnant woman in black and a girl in red velvet embrace warmly, framed by a stone archway against a rustic stone wall.

Woman and girl in red velvet dress smile warmly while hugging in a stone archway. Weathered brick background adds rustic charm.

Couple kiss under stone arches of an old building, evoking romance. Weathered brick texture dominates the black-and-white scene.

A smiling couple embraces under stone arches in an ancient setting, with moss-covered walls. The man wears a teal shirt, the woman a black dress.

Couple embracing under stone arches, smiling warmly. Rustic stone wall background with mossy texture. Moody yet joyful atmosphere.

Woman in a red dress and black sneakers jumps on grass, with a stone archway in the sunlit background. Her hair flows dynamically.

Girl in red dress leaps joyfully on green grass in front of ancient stone ruins under a clear blue sky.

Girl in red dress smiles, holds hair, standing near a sunlit stone wall. The background is textured and ancient in appearance.

Woman in a red dress twirls joyfully in front of an ancient stone ruin, under a clear blue sky. Her hair flows, capturing a lively mood.

A girl in a red dress poses energetically on a sunlit grassy area. She stands in front of an ancient stone building with arched windows.

Pregnant woman in a black dress smiles under a stone archway. Background features stone walls and trees under a clear sky.

Pregnant woman in a long black dress poses joyfully under a stone archway. Background of stone walls, grass, and trees under a clear sky.

Woman in a long black dress stretches upward, standing near stone ruins with a serene expression. Background shows a grassy field.

A woman in a long black dress smiles, cradling her belly. She's standing by a stone wall with a grassy field and trees in the background.

Woman in black dress and girl in red dress pose joyfully under stone arch. Sunlit landscape with trees in the background.

Girl in a red dress stands on rocks in front of sunlit stone ruin, smiling. Sunlight streams through arched window, creating a warm mood.

Three people stand on a stone bridge of a ruined castle. Two face each other smiling; one gestures dramatically. Clear sky background.

A woman in a red dress poses confidently on ancient stone ruins, with a pink light streak; she wears black high-top sneakers.

A girl in a red dress poses confidently against ancient stone ruins, with her arm raised. She wears black sneakers, creating a playful mood.

Woman in a red dress joyfully raises arms on ancient stone ruins, with sunlight creating lens flares. Clear sky in the background.

Family of three poses by old stone ruins under a clear blue sky. The daughter in red, parents in dark clothing, stand on a low wall.

Couple smiling, embracing under a leafless tree beside an old stone wall. Clear blue sky background creates a warm, joyful setting.

A couple embraces on a stone ledge, with a leafless tree and clear blue sky in the background, creating a serene and romantic scene.

A couple kisses passionately near ancient stone ruins, with a clear sky and bare tree branches in the background, creating a romantic mood.

A person in a black dress poses on ancient stone ruins under a clear blue sky, with wind-blown hair and a tree in the background.

Pregnant woman in black dress poses joyfully on stone wall, surrounded by bare tree and ruins under clear blue sky.

Woman in black dress stands on ancient stone ruins, under a clear blue sky, with a tree nearby. Mood is serene and contemplative.

Woman in black dress stands on ancient stone ruins, gazing up. Sparse tree and clear sky in background. Monochrome, serene mood.

Girl in red dress sits on stone steps, smiling against a sunny backdrop of old stone walls. Bright and serene mood.

Woman in black dress stands outdoors, smiling and holding her hair under a clear blue sky with a bare tree branch to the side.

Girl in a red dress sits on a stone path near an ancient stone tower, smiling under a clear sky. Warm, serene atmosphere.

Girl in red dress and man in green shirt joyfully run on a path. Ruins in background, set against a clear blue sky and green grass.

Sunshine & Storytelling at Bective Abbey, Meath| Family Photographer Ireland

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