Longueville House - Historic Family Vacation Photography by Jan

It was a cold winter day, the air was brisk but the sun really came out in full force for this shoot, shining its golden rays, which I was very thankful for! I love sunny and warm looking photos!

The shooting location; the Longueville House. An over 300 year old Georgian country house situated just outside of Mallow in County Cork.

I had the pleasure of photographing this large family group who came to Ireland on a big family vacation. And what a way to vacation in a historic mansion like this. Consisting of 21 family members, this wasn’t an easy task to capture so many people! So, I broke it down into groups.

First we started with a group photo of everyone on the beautiful steps at the front entrance. It’s always great to get the whole family together once in a while, which makes a group photo essential!

We then headed indoors. Using my professional lighting setup, we captured some indoor moments in this incredible living room, oozing with historic charm. Here we did some group photos that mixed the individual families, like the grandad with all the grandkids, or the grandad with his adult kids, and more.

After those photos were done, I was able to focus on each individual family and/or couple, capturing such fun and relaxed photos. Even the farm dogs got involved in some shots, much to the delight of not only the kids but also the adults! These springer spaniels were living their best lives on this 400 acre property.

With so many beautiful corners and spots at the Longueville House, I was able to give each family their own unique set of photos in different locations. One family got the greenhouse, the others got to go to the vintage courtyard, the others to the gardens. It was so a joy to work with such a fun family at such a gorgeous venue.

It was effortless. Laughter echoed, jokes flowed, and everyone was just themselves. No rigid poses or forced smiles; just a group of individuals enjoying each other's company. And I think it really shows in the photos. It felt more like a casual gathering than a formal photo shoot.

Good times, good vibes, and a camera capturing it all.

5-star Google Review

They even left me this lovely 5-star Google review:

We gave Jan a challenge - to photograph our family of 21 people, ages 2-80, at Longueville House. He rose to the challenge and then some!

Jan is not only talented and creative, he’s also a lot of fun to work with. He scouted several locations around the property and captured each group beautifully.

I’m so happy that I found the Save The Journey website and reached out to Jan to capture our memories. He was quick to respond and professional though out the process, including returning all of our edited photos in less than a week.

Do yourself a favor and book Jan for your photography session!
— Sheila

So if you would like to book me for a vacation family photo shoot or a family reunion, say hi to me here. I look forwarding to meeting you and the family!

Aileen and Jimmy - Wedding Photography at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton by Jan

A Whimsical Wonderland Wedding at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton, Cork

Photographing weddings has been such a tearjerker ever since I got married last year. And this wedding was just that! A couple who made their special day very unique due to their interest and hobbies. It is such a lovely tale of love, laughter – and one of the most adorable ring bearers I’ve ever seen!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous wedding of Aileen and Jimmy, a couple whose love story is as unique as their big day. Taking place at the picturesque Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton, it set the stage for their nuptials. It made for such a scenic backdrop, being located right next to the charming Ballycotton harbour with the iconic lighthouse standing tall. It’s really a great spot for any wedding, and the backdrop came in handy later on for the family group shots!

The ceremony took place indoors at the Bay View Hotel, and before they exchanged vows, a ring-warming ceremony took place, followed by a handfasting ceremony, sealing their commitment in a truly heartfelt manner.

The real MVP

But let me introduce you to the real MVP of the day – their furry friend, who not only stole the show but also played the vital role of the ring bearer. This dapper dog also got dressed up for the occasion with a beautiful flower collar, and boy, did he look adorable!

After the ceremony, it was cake cutting time. A lovely “cheese cake” with Lego figurines, that looked like the couple, on top of it. An actual cake made of cheese.

I couldn't resist leaving Ballycotton without a wedding couple's shoot at the famous Ballycotton cliff walk. The mix of the ocean, gorgeous sun light we had on the day, and the dramatic cliffs, always make for an amazing photo shoot experience. And Aileen and Jimmy made it look easy. We had such a blast doing the couple shoot, with strangers coming up and congratulating us here and there.

Aileen and Jimmy's passion for fitness shone through as they flexed their muscles for a fun photo that truly showcased their personalities.

Flex it!

Aileen and Jimmy's passion for fitness shone through...

And it’s not just their love for fitness that they share but also their love for the Circus Factory. They even had their friends perform a post-ceremony show, which added a unique layer of fun and excitement to their special day. It’s not everyday that you have fire performers at a wedding! And it wouldn’t have worked or made sense at any other wedding, but it was great to see a couple have a wedding that reflected their personalities.

5-star Google Review

Aileen and Jimmy were so happy with the photos they received that they wrote me this lovely 5-star Google review:

Jan was our wedding photographer. His photographs are beautiful and he was so easy to deal with. We also loved how chilled out he was on the day, letting us enjoy our time with our guests, while still popping up at all the appropriate times to get great photos but without taking over the day. He was also a big fan of our little canine flower girl (our dog), and that was important to us! Thanks Jan for such a great experience on the day and for such gorgeous photos. We love them.
— Aileen

Here's to a lifetime of love and adventure for the newlyweds!

If you would like to book me as your Cork Wedding Photographer, say hi to me here or click here for more Irish wedding photography.

G&N - Elopement Photography at the Hayfield Manor by Jan

I had the pleasure of photographing a lovely elopement at the Cork City registry office, a place that holds sentimental value for me. It's where I exchanged vows nearly two years ago. I think I’ve said this before but I am always surprised how this registry office has a knack for turning a simple affair into a heartfelt celebration. I personally, was just expecting to sign a document and that be it but it’s actually a full on ceremony! They are even more than happy to accommodate post-ceremony group photos indoors.

Gavin and Niamh are the couple of the day. Having exchanged vows and rings, making it official with the legal paperwork and signatures, it was time for the couple photo shoot!

We made our way to the elegant Hayfield Manor. This was my recommendation as we would be able to do the couple shoot even with the rain. We found refuge from the rain and wind in the charming greenhouse within the front garden, creating a picturesque setting for capturing intimate couple moments. The rain, rather than dampening the mood, added a unique charm to the photos.

With the brother/brother-in-law supplying us with his chauffeuring services, we drove to our next destination; the River Lee Hotel. Here family and friends were waiting for us, for some post-elopement celebrations. We took some lovely group photos of everyone there, and then my time came to end. And I left Gavin and Niamh, now husband and wife, to celebrate into the evening, before heading onto a plane to New York City for their honeymoon!

5-star Google Review

Gavin and Niamh were lovely enough to leave me this amazing review;

Jannik couldn’t have been more professional or courteous, was brilliant to deal with from start to finish and made everyone feel at ease. Shooting with him was like second nature. Would highly recommend.
— Gavin and Niamh