Canon Ireland National Portrait Week | Our Professional Portrait Experience With Denis Hyland Photography ♥

Every year Canon Ireland team up with the IPPA (Irish Professionals Photographers Association) to raise money for a chosen charity. The initiative is called National Portrait Week and to be honest, I had never heard of the initiative before this month and I'm quite saddened by that fact as I'd have loved to have gotten some professional portraits done of Tyler Lee when he was younger, as well as supporting charity in the process. So for everyone out there who was like me and oblivious to this wonderful event, I'm here to enlighten you and hopefully get you to support charity by way of one of my big loves in life - photography! The idea is between the 28th March – 6th April you can go into a professional photographer and get your picture taken for just €25 with all the money going to charity, the picture can be of you, your children, your partner, it's up to you but because of your charitable donation you'll be able to help people in need and get a gorgeous portrait in return for your gesture, as well as the wonderful experience of a professional photo shoot. This year’s charity is the LauraLynn Foundation, a hospice for children with life-limiting conditions and residential care for young adults with disabilities. a charity which I wholeheartedly support and one I hope you will too.

Tyler Lee had his portrait taken by the wonderful Denis Hyland Photography who is based in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, a photographer who has an absolutely stunning portfolio. When we arrived at the studio Denis came outside to meet us, a lovely gesture and one which made us feel very welcome indeed. Once inside Tyler Lee became very unsure of his surroundings, not wanting to leave my lap and crying when Denis or his lovely wife Liz approached him. However, they were very patient with him and gave him the time to get his bearings together, this was something I was very appreciative and glad of as this was Tyler Lee's first ever professional photo shoot and I was so looking forward to seeing him get his picture taken, it would have been very saddening having to leave the studio and try another day if he had not calmed down.

Once Tyler Lee calmed down Denis took us into the studio itself which had such a calming and relaxing atmosphere with it's white backdrop, soft music and lighting. Denis was a true star with Tyler Lee and knew how to coax him into being relaxed and reassured enough to run around and act like his smiley, playful self. Denis had a great way with him and really took the time to get the best, most natural shots of my boy as he possibly could. He was very patient and was keen to try different shots of Tyler Lee, all of which turned out beautifully I may add. I was so surprised with how well my boy took direction and was able to copy Denis into interacting with the props around him, it was so lovely to see.

As you can see the above pictures are absolutely stunning. I love how natural they are and my boys sweet little smile is captured perfectly. I was so surprised with how Tyler Lee positioned his hands himself in the second shot and how he lay his head on them, this is so sweet and one of my favourite pictures of him to date. I will be returning to Denis for all our professional photography needs in the future.

A huge well done and thank you to Canon Ireland for running National Portrait Week alongside the IPPA every year and for donating the proceeds of these portrait shoots to charity and to Denis Hyland and his wife Liz for making Tyler Lee and I feel so welcomed in their studio and for capturing my boys spirit to perfection on camera.

If you would like to take part in National Portrait Week and receive a professional portrait in return for your €25 donation to the LauraLynn Foundation then you can search the IPPA website National Portrait Week section for a suitable photographer in your area. If you're in Co. Cork then I highly recommend Denis Hyland!