Born to hurl: Limerick photographer captures magical shot

MY JOURNEY in photography began in 2004 when I started working at Michael Martin Photography in Limerick city. ‘Newborn’ photography was not even really a thing back then. It has only become really popular in the last few years.

Stacey and Luke from Limerick brought baby Jayda into me back in late April of this year. She was only two and-a-half weeks old and cute as a button. She was a great baby, not a bother to pose and we got some lovely shots of Jayda with Mom and Dad too.

In creating the image we had the base image of Dad Luke holding up Jayda to the light. As with all newborn photography a lot of what we see is not necessarily how it was exactly photographed.

For example, you might think Jayda is actually in the air but is, in fact, lying on a table! The editing afterwards is intensive in these types of shots and it could take an hour to go from camera shot to final picture.

Hollywood A-listers tee it up in Limerick during short visit to 'Emerald Isle'

This is probably one of the biggest ways photography has changed down through the years. With film, you had the shot or not, there wasn’t a lot you could do if you didn't get ‘the shot’.

Whereas now, you take the shot with the thought of “how can I add to this in post processing’ in mind. I added in the hurley and sliotar in the editing process after, carefully making it look integrated into the image.

Having been born in Tarbert and currently living in Moyvane, County Kerry, the GAA holds a very special place in my community and almost every child is involved in it in some form. While Gaelic football is the sport of choice in North Kerry where I am from, I do have a connection to Limerick and its hurling tradition.

My grandmother on my mother’s side was from Patrickswell and my grandfather was from Adare. I have very fond memories of crowding around the television in my Granddad John and Granny Elizabeth Moynihan’s house to watch the hurling matches on the television, being told to quieten down by Grandad if we got too loud and he could not hear the commentary.

I firmly believe that photographs possess the remarkable ability to transport us back through cherished memories and evoke profound emotions. I hope the image of newborn baby Jayda holding the hurley will become an invaluable heirloom for her family.