What to Do After Your Photo Session in Dublin
Family, SOLO & Couple Ideas
There’s something special about the moment right after a photo session. You’ve slowed down and spent time together. You’ve had fun, and enjoyed being present with each other in a new place.
Instead of rushing to the next “must-see”, this is the perfect time to keep that feeling going, and enjoy Dublin in a way that feels natural and unhurried.
Here are a few simple ideas of what to do in Dublin after a photoshoot, to make the most of that moment, as a couple, solo or with your family.
Take a slow walk and stay in the moment
If we’ve just finished around St Stephen’s Green, Temple Bar or near Trinity College, you’re already in one of the loveliest parts of the city to simply wander.
For couples, this might look like walking hand in hand, stopping for a coffee, or sitting on a bench and watching the city go by. For families, it’s often when children relax the most, walking, exploring, or just enjoying a little freedom after the session.
Here are a few simple ideas for what to do in Dublin after a photoshoot if you feel like a gentle stroll:
- Along The Liffey River, crossing some of Dublin’s charming bridges like Ha’penny Bridge
- Graffton Street: for a lively atmosphere, street musicians, and beautiful storefronts (best enjoyed earlier in the day to avoid the crowds)
- A park like St Stephen’s Green Park, Iveagh Gardens, Merrion Square Park
- Go vintage clothes shopping on Fownes Street, Drury Street or Capel Street
- Seek shelter from the rain and wander in George’s Street Arcade
- Feeling like enjoying a beautiful view while sitting back and relaxing? Book the Vintage Tea Trip bus, or hop on the DART train to Bray for breathtaking coastal views.
Grab something easy and comforting
After a session, no one wants anything too formal.
Look for:
- a cozy café
- a casual brunch spot
- a relaxed pub with food
For couples, it can feel like a quiet little date.
For families, somewhere easy-going where kids can settle quickly makes all the difference.
If you are travelling solo, then it’s a perfect opportunity for a nice moment of self care.
My favorite places for a quick bite in Dublin are:
- Beanhive Coffee the cutest Latte Art for kids and adults, great food and the best muffins ever.
- Cornucopia Wholefoods Restaurant the cosyest vibe, this place feels like home with comforting food, drinks and pastries.
- Silk Road Cafe located inside the Chester Beatty Museum in the heart of Dublin Castle, it’s quiet and perfect if you plan to visit the Museum after your break.
- The Cake Cafe in Portobello. Near the Iveagh Gardens, it’s a charming café nested in a quiet street with lots of greenery.
- House of Read a small, old-style shop where you can enjoy a drink and a pastry in a quiet, soothing atmosphere
- The Temple Bar Pub the iconic one you’ve probably seen on postcards; lively and full of character, but do expect it to be busy at almost any time of day
- The Rolling Donut my family’s favorite place for donuts, with lots of vegan options.
Make it fun for the kids (and the grown-ups)
If you’re with children, this is the perfect moment for something simple and joyful.
An ice cream, a small treat, or even just sitting somewhere they can move freely can turn the end of the session into a memory of its own. Here are some ideas:
- Stop in a souvenir shop to buy some postcards to send loved ones. Carolls has souvenirs and gifts shops all over town.
- Visit a museum. Many are free and don’t require booking like the National Gallery or the National Museum.
- Buy the kids a little treat in a cosy toy shop like Industry & Co – Kids
- Shop for a special Irish book at the Winding Stair Bookshop or a vintage record / book at The Secret Book and Record Store
Soak up the Irish pub atmosphere
One of the loveliest ways to continue your day in Dublin is to step into a traditional Irish pub, and not just as a couple or individual, but as a family too. Pubs here are often much more relaxed and welcoming than people expect: during the day and early evening (usually until around 7–8pm), children are very much part of the picture. You’ll often see families stopping in for a casual bite, with kids enjoying a juice and a portion of chips while parents unwind with a drink.
It’s the perfect place to slow down, listen to a bit of live music if you’re lucky, and soak in a truly local atmosphere. If you’re with children, aim for earlier during the day when things are quieter and more comfortable. And if you’d like something a little less busy than the main spots, wander just a few streets away, some of the most memorable moments happen in smaller, tucked-away pubs where the welcome is warm and the music feels spontaneous.
Don’t rush, that’s the whole point
One of the things I love most about photo sessions like these is that they’re not just about the images.
They’re about creating space in your trip to simply be together and deepen your bonds.
So whatever you choose to do next, keep it simple.
Walk a little more. Sit somewhere. Talk. Watch your kids play. Or just enjoy the feeling of having taken a moment for yourselves.
That’s often what stays with you the longest.
That’s what I love most about sessions like these: they naturally become part of your day in Dublin, not something separate from it. At the end of the day, what you do after your photo session doesn’t really need to be planned.
And if you’re still in the planning stages of your trip and would love to include a relaxed, natural photo session along the way, you can find more details about vacation sessions here and pricing here.
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