Art and Soul

Paula & Ray's Bump Shoot

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:18:00 +0000

It is always lovely when a wedding couple come back to us for the next stage of their life. Paula and Ray celebrated their wedding at Castle Durrow last year and are now almost new parents! It is such an amazing and intimate time to share and be able to capture for them and the child for years to come. With parents like this, the new baby is bound to be happy and relaxed! We are looking forward to meeting him or her!

Welcoming Baby Hazel

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:42:00 +0000

Baby Hazel was the latest addition to Fergal & Jacqui's family who we first photographed when James arrived a couple of years ago.

This time James was full of energy and fun while his big brother Jack was a pillar of strength keeping him amused and having a lot of fun with him. Jack was like a pro when we did some shots of him in his golf gear.

We were delighted to capture some fun moments between the family as well as some character images of everyone. We hope these images will take pride of place in the home together with the montage we created the last time which we love so much!

Dominic - One Down, Two to Go!

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:21:00 +0000

First business day of January, we got a call from Jenny who was delighted to have gotten a voucher for Christmas from her brother Fergal & his wife Michelle (we photographed their wedding in 2007 - thanks guys!) and couldn't wait to book in a session with her baby Dominic for his first shoot in our 'Watch Me Grow' program.

The 'big freeze' scuppered initial attempts but we got into the studio shortly afterwards and were treated to the biggest smiles as Dominic took it all in his stride. Definitely not camera shy!

Usually we reserve our early morning slots (and for us early morning is 10am!) for new babies but Jenny assured us that he wasn't a morning person and 4pm would be his best time!!!! We thought so many of our clients would kill for that!

We had such fun at the session and reliving it all afterwards during the viewing that the last thing she said was "I can't wait for the next session"! Neither can we.

Come and see us at the Wedding Journal Show at Citywest this weekend

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:40:00 +0000

We are very excited to be exhibiting at the Wedding Journal Show this weekend at the new convention centre at Citywest Hotel.
It's a great opportuntity for anybody planning a wedding to come and see everything we have to offer. Whether it was a recent Christmas or New Year engagment and it's all in the early stages, or you have a date but need to get all the details organised, it's the perfect place!

We have a GREAT SHOW OFFER for any couple who books their wedding photography with Art and Soul at the show - a beautiful custom designed montage from a selection of their wedding images in a large box frame valued €295 is FREE with our compliments. You won't see it anywhere else!

We've lots of goodies and extras included in all our packages and would be happy to send out a brochure to anyone who can't make it in. Just email us at info@artandsoul.ie and we'll do the rest!

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:55:00 +0000

We've just updated our wedding portfolio to include lots of recent images as well as some of our favourites from the past! Based between Dublin in Ireland and Waterloo in Canada, we also travel to many other locations to capture weddings for our clients - from South Africa to Mexico, Spain to Scotland!

This shoot made us hungry!

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:00:00 +0000

We were asked to be part of an exciting project in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation - a cookbook which has recipes from all the top restaurants around the country. So, we found ourselves spending a day around some gorgeous venues in Dublin in the company of some of Ireland's top chefs and their work, what a delight!

The Cellar Bar in The Merrion Hotel was first up and the level of perfection was amazing, down to angle of the signature pattern on the plates.

One Pico in Molesworth Place were looking for some images to capture the ambience as well as the French cuisine.

The staff were so helpful and delightfully French! Pity it was too early in the day to sample the dishes though!

Dax was one of those hidden treasures, with a cosy fire and subtle lighting, the atmosphere was delightful (and the coffee amazing!).
At Pearl Brasserie the fresh and smoked salmon tartar was presented so beautifully, the vinagrette looked like it was a pattern on the plate!
We finished on a sweet note with the challenge of a rapidly melting desert at Bang Cafe!

The book is in the final design stages at the moment and will be out in time for the Christmas market, keep an eye out for it!

Latest Portraiture Slideshow

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:00:00 +0000

2009 has been a challenging year for everyone it seems. But above all, it is our friends and family which are what really count. At our studio, we are priviledged to meet some amazing people and families who are looking for something that little bit different. Their family and relationships are really important to them and we have created some great heirlooms for them in our studios in Fashion City, Dublin and downtown Kitchener, Ontario. This short clip shows a sample of some of our work from the past few months. To find out more email us in Canada or Ireland

Award Winning Wedding Photography

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:11:00 +0000

We've just put together our latest collection of wedding images in a slideshow to give some ideas on what we can do! This is only a small selection of our work and includes everything from those small details of the day, the candid moments, stunning bridal portraits, fun shots of the bridal party and everything in between!

To find out more email us in Canada or Ireland

The Borths Family Portrait at our Kitchener Studio

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:48:00 +0000

While it might be cold outside, in our Canadian studio things are really hotting up! Our gallery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo has created huge interest and we are having lots of fun shooting new clients.

On Wednesday evening we invited the Borths to the studio for their family shoot. At the consultation Rose had asked for something really relaxed so we had already discussed clothes that would work best. On the day, Sebastian had a flu thing going on but braved it through regardless. Katy positively revelled in the occasion. She's a gymnast, so throughout the session we were treated to a fantastic display, which we caught on 'film' to spice up the session. It will be fabulous for her to look back on in years to come.

One of the priviledges of our job is being allowed a 'snapshot' of other people's lives. One thing that really came across with the Borths family was the special relationship that Rick and Rose have with their children, so we made sure we captured this.

All in all, the evening was great fun. We laughed our way through and enjoyed the session immensely.

Rose said "These have got to be the most beautiful family pictures I have ever seen. Gordon and Grainne are professional, artistic and innovative. The sitting was a blast and nothing was left to chance. They made what could have been ordinary, extraordinary! I would/will highly recommend them to everyone I know".

We've got some great offers going on throughout February. To find out more email us in Canada or Ireland.

Winners at IPPA Awards

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:10:00 +0000

We were thrilled to receive three different awards at the Irish Professional Photographers Awards on Sunday night at Carton House.

Best Avant Garde Wedding image

Best Pictorial and Travel image

Best Bridal Portfolio

Other areas where we were finalists were Classical and Reportage Wedding as well as Landscape. Overall it was a great night!

2009 Desk Calendar

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:33:00 +0000

Our annual desk calendar was miraculously ready before the end of 2008 this year! We had a lot of fun compiling the images and creating the design.
This year we included an extra dimension to the images with the addition of a text quote. It took us hours and hours to find the perfect quote for each month, but we feel it enhances the impact of the images and gives them something to connect them to the viewer.

A new baby is like the beginning of all things : wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities - Eda J La Shan

Dance like nobody’s watching... Sing like nobody’s listening - Mark Twain

If you would like a copy please contact us with your name and address and we'll send one out to you!

Joanne & Chris's Wedding at the Slieve Russell Hotel

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Joanne & Chris suggested stopping off at Drumlane Abbey on the way back to the hotel and what a treat it was! With a stunning view over the countryside as well as some amazing ruins with towers, arches and doorways to use as photography backdrops it was something so unique.

The winter light was just perfect and whilst the bridal party were freezing, they all had a lot of fun before heading back to the Slieve Russell Hotel for some mulled wine and traditional Irish music!

Lynn & Conor's Wedding Barberstown Castle

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:19:00 +0000

December 20th was one of those typical Irish winter days - very cold, a bit wet and pretty dull! But that didn't stop Lynn & Conor from having an amazing wedding day and some stunning wedding photographs!
We grabbed five minutes outside to capture the gorgeous old castle at Barberstown and in between shots I had to tear down the drive after a runaway umbrella! The banquet hall looked really stunning decked out with for Christmas and judging by the buzz at the drinks, it was going to be a great night!

Just back from London, England

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Had an action-packed few days at the SWPP Photographic Convention. With so many workshops and lectures to choose from we had a fantastic time being inspired by professional photographers from around the world. It's always great to step away from the business for a few days to see what trends are developing in the industry, what new products are on the market we can offer our clients and what beautiful images are being created in the photographic world. Now it's back to Ireland where both of us are in the finals in numerous sections of the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) Annual Awards at Carton House, Kildare on Sunday 20th. Fingers crossed!!!

Spring Weddings and the Wind

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:07:00 +0000

What a day it was! Sue and Eric were married on March 29th at St David's Church in Naas. I'd
never been to the church before and it is a little gem hidden behind the Main Street. It has a fabulous old tower at the doorway which made for some very interesting 'fish-eye' shots of the couple! With daffodils adorning the garden at the front it was a stunning location. Our main challenge was the wind and cold but Sue and Eric were really on for just kicking back and enjoying their day regardless! I loved capturing this shot which summed up the day for me and provide the front cover of the couple's thank you card to all their guests.

Seven Grandchildren

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Our largest group yet into the new studio in Kitchener was a treat - seven grandchildren from three different families. Their mums decided to get them together as a surprise gift for the grandparents on their 50th wedding anniversary. The shoot was a lot of fun - each of the children (although some are really young adults) had their own personality and we got lots of great shots of them as a group, together with brothers and sisters and some fun shots of each of them on their own. We're sure it will make an amazing gift!

Still Winter in Ontario

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:05:00 +0000

Travelling over and back between Ireland and Ontario is a lot of fun. This time whilst Spring has arrived in Dublin, the snow is still falling constantly and winter seems never ending. It's been the longest winter in years with record snowfalls recorded. However, once there is a break in the storms, there are some amazing photo opportunities to be found in the surrounding area. All our shoots here have been in the new studio in downtown Kitchener which is in an old grungy converted box factory building which works really well. The image shows the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, known locally as the 'Kissing Bridge'.

Canadian Loan Collection

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:46:00 +0000

The Annual PPOC Image Competition showcases the best in Canadian Photographic Imaging. We are delighted to have one of our wedding images accepted into the prestigous 2007 Loan Collection.

Welcome to our new blog

info@artandsoul.ie (Art and Soul) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:11:00 +0000

March 2008 is the start of 'Art and Soul', a new name for the union of two established studios : Grainne Duggan Photography, based in Dublin, Ireland and Watermark Photography, based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. There is a lot happening with us - new studios at both locations, lots of fantastic shoots planned throughout the year. We are looking forward to keeping you posted on some of our new work and whatever else is going on!