Wedding photographer Ireland · Documentary · Digital and analogue
I'm Kevin Kheffache, a documentary wedding photographer in Ireland, based in Dún Laoghaire in Dublin. I photograph weddings all over the country the way they actually happen, with no awkward posing and nothing staged. Digital is the foundation of every wedding, and when analogue is part of your collection I shoot 35mm and medium format film alongside it.
How I photograph a wedding
I don't direct, pose or construct moments. I watch what happens and make photographs from it. I'm more like a guest with a camera than an "in your face" photographer. I never ask anyone to do something again, because it would look fake if I did, and I'm always looking for the things nobody planned: a little glance between you and your new husband or wife, your father's face when you walk in or the flower boy messing down the back of the church.
Before the day we have a planning call. I read your timeline and look at your venue, from my own experience of photographing there or from research, so I know what you're looking forward to, what you're anxious about and which details I shouldn't miss.
On the day
During getting ready I find the light and watch. I'm not arranging the room or asking anyone to hold things up for the camera. The small rituals, the nerves and the quiet moments before everything begins are some of the best photographs of the day.
At the ceremony I photograph from a fixed position for most of it. I don't move around during the readings or the vows, because it distracts your guests. I know the moments worth anticipating, the first look down the aisle, the rings, the kiss and the walk back out, and I'm in place before they happen.
The drinks reception is often where the best photographs happen. People relax, conversations flow and children run around. It's also when we take a short portrait break, usually 20 to 30 minutes, just the two of you and away from your guests. I'll suggest a few spots that work in the light on the day and we'll wander. Most couples tell me afterwards it was the quietest part of their day.
Family photos take about 15 minutes. We agree the groups on our planning call and I work through them quickly, with brief and gentle guidance, so nobody loses the afternoon.
During the meal and speeches I find a position where I can see the speaker and the room. The reactions are usually better than the speech. For the dancing I stay until the floor is full and the room has its own energy.
I'm Irish and I know how a wedding here flows, from a small registry office ceremony to a full cathedral wedding. Irish weddings have their own rhythm and knowing it means I can anticipate the moments that matter, whether it's a quiet family blessing or the first song that fills the floor.
If you're still weighing up your options, here is my honest guide to the main wedding photography styles.
Recognition
Documentary wedding photography has its own international bodies, and they judge real moments, unposed and unmanipulated.
This Is Reportage top 25 in the world and top 3 in Ireland · Fearless Photographers top 100 in the world (2019) and top 3 in Ireland · WPJA top 25 · President of the IPPVA 2019 to 2021 · Co-founder of Doc Day
Awards are one signal among several. The better questions are whether the photographs look like what you want, and whether the way I work fits how you want to feel on the day.
Where I work
I'm based in Dublin and photograph weddings across Ireland, most often in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare, Galway, Cork, Kerry and Donegal. These are six venues I know well. If yours isn't here, ask me. I have almost certainly photographed there or somewhere very similar.
Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow
One of the most photographed venues in Wicklow, and for good reason. The Sugar Loaf behind it is unlike anything else in Leinster and the grounds give you a huge amount to work with. I photograph full days here regularly. Read my Powerscourt House wedding photographer guide.
Clonabreany House, Meath
A country house in County Meath that photographs beautifully in every season. Small enough to feel personal, with enough grounds for real variety in your photographs. One of my favourites for couples who want relaxed rather than grand. See my Clonabreany House wedding photographer page.
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
The most elegant hotel wedding in Dublin and one I photograph regularly. Georgian architecture, immaculate interiors and a garden most people don't know is there until they see the photographs. Right for couples who want the city without giving up a sense of occasion. Read my guide to weddings at the Merrion Hotel.
Slane Castle, Meath
A Gothic Revival castle with a rock and roll history and grounds above the River Boyne. I've photographed here several times and the setting is unlike anywhere else in Ireland. It's in my guide to the top 10 castle wedding venues in Ireland.
Tankardstown House, Meath
One of the finest country houses in County Meath. The walled garden alone is worth the journey, the food is consistently excellent and the team know exactly what they're doing. I'm there often and I always enjoy it. Read my Tankardstown House venue guide.
Cloughjordan House, Tipperary
A Tipperary country house with a warmth that comes through in every gallery I've delivered there. Guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Good light and an unhurried pace suit documentary photography perfectly. See Aoife and Brian's wedding at Cloughjordan House.
Analogue film
Alongside digital I photograph on 35mm and medium format film, choosing the moments where analogue brings the most to the story. That's typically around 30 analogue photographs on a shorter day and up to around 100 on a longer one. Analogue is included in the Kheffache Collection and available with every other collection.
The collections
Most couples book The Full Story at €5,650. It covers the whole day, from morning prep to a few songs after the first dance, with a second photographer until dinner, a fine art album and the Content Creation video, which I film myself and deliver within 72 hours.
The Kheffache Collection is Annie and me together all day, with analogue alongside digital. I only take eight a year.
My collections for 2027 and 2028 run from €1,850 to €7,950. Every collection includes a planning call, a private online gallery and a print release.
In their words
“On the wedding day he managed to capture every moment without making us pose for hours, allowing us to fully enjoy the celebrations.”
Eimear O'Keeffe
“On the day itself, he and his wife Annie quietly slotted into the wedding groups and struck the perfect balance of capturing all the right shots without intruding too much.”
Sarah-Grace Keane
“Truly captured the energy of the day and was such a kind person who made us feel immediately comfortable.”
Kaitlyn Votta
FAQs
What makes you different from other wedding photographers in Ireland?
I photograph weddings in a documentary way, so most of your day is unposed. I don't direct you or construct moments. I set aside 20 to 30 minutes for relaxed portraits and about 15 for family photos, and the rest is your day as it happens. Your gallery feels like your wedding, not a shoot.
What is included in your collections?
Every collection includes a planning call, a private online gallery of edited, high resolution photographs and a print release. Coverage runs from four hours on Intimate to the whole day, and every collection except Intimate includes a fine art album. The Full Story adds a second photographer until dinner and the Content Creation video. The Kheffache Collection adds Annie all day, analogue photography and express delivery. See the collections for the full breakdown.
Do you understand Irish wedding traditions?
Yes. I'm Irish and I've been to weddings here as a guest and as the photographer, so I know how the day flows, from a small registry office ceremony to a full cathedral wedding.
What is the cost of wedding photography in Ireland?
My collections for 2027 and 2028 run from €1,850 to €7,950, depending on the hours, the number of photographers and what's included. Most couples book The Full Story at €5,650. Travel within 100km of Dublin is included. I've written a longer guide to what wedding photographers cost in Ireland.
Do you travel across Ireland for weddings?
Yes. I'm based in Dublin and photograph weddings all over the country, often in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare, Galway, Cork, Kerry and Donegal.
Tell me about your day.
Send me your date and venue and I'll let you know if I'm free. I always reply within 24 hours. If I am free, I'll hold your date for seven days while you have a think. A signed agreement and a €400 booking fee then secure it.
Now booking 2027 and 2028. I take a limited number of weddings each year.