Photography was a gift from my late Dad, I mean late in both senses of the word, that he is sadly no longer with us but when he was he was chronically late. In 2003 on a family holiday in a small shop in San Francisco my dad handed me my first camera. He held an undeniable sparkle in his eye, he knew that this single gesture would change everything. How right he was.

Over the years that followed there wasn’t a trip to a park or a coffee date that myself and Dad didn’t have a camera between us. It became a language that only we shared. When I became a Photojournalist, he followed my career closely, and in person, Dad would join me whenever he could, especially where the Irish rugby team were involved.

After he passed, photography evolved to so much more; it became bottled memories I could savour, and a deeper understanding of his legacy. The candid, playful moments we’d captured together, not just portraits where he looked his best, but raw, unfiltered images: him entertaining his grandchildren, pulling faces, riding the flying fox at Malahide playground an inch off the ground, or a trace of cappuccino on his lips.

To me these aren't just photographs; they are a moment in our history locked in place forever. I look at them now and tangibly see and feel how he loved me. This is by far the greatest gift I've ever received and it's one I hope to share with you.

After 15 years immersed in photojournalism, editorial, and advertising photography across Ireland and North America, I consistently found myself drawn back to the vibrant energy of weddings. Looking at those irreplaceable photos of my dad – our shared glances, his unique expressions, the magic of our friendship – it all clicked into place. The unique sentimentality we shared in those seemingly small, authentic moments? That’s the heart of a wedding day. It’s not just about what you wore or where you went, but the way your own dad looked at you, the joyous tears, how your beloved dog might have walked directly on to your train and made you laugh until you cried.

A wedding day is a culmination of years of love, laughter, and a rich cast of characters coming together to celebrate your love. Thanks to my dad, and the profound lessons he taught me about capturing the true essence of life, I’m ready to share this gift with you. His legacy isn’t just my 'why' – it’s the heartfelt reason your wedding photos will be truly, uniquely special; bursting with joy and warmth and your extra special moments that you will savour forever. Trends come and go but to hold a true snapshot of how we are loved is a timeless heirloom that will last a lifetime.