I've been working as a freelance photographer for about two years now. I've decided to share some of the locations that have inspired me. Limerick city and the University of Limerick have been the places I've used as my canvas to shoot many of the headshot photography and portrait photography shoots I've been hired to do. Limerick has so much potential for photography opportunities. I've trawled its streets and always find somewhere new to photograph. If you have any other suggestions for locations, please do let me know!
1. Dock Road.
From the boardwalk stretching from Sarsfield Bridge all the way down to the Shannon Bridge, there are ample choices for riverside locations to choose from. Shoot your model with the River Shannon glistening in the background on a sunny day. There are a set of steps leading to the water's edge. I've tried sitting models down on one of the many white benches along the boardwalk or draping their arms over the bench - experiment with the poses. I have used the steps in the Windmill House apartment block further down the Dock Road as a location for a shoot I did with this model Hannah in December. It's all about perspective.
2. People's Park.
The park takes on a different atmosphere, depending on the weather. As mentioned previously, use the benches to your advantage. Use the band stand as a location for wedding photography or even a headshot photo. The park is an amazing area of greenery in the middle of Limerick city. The park has an interesting mix of sloping paths and flat areas, so get creative with your angles and see what you can come up with!
3. Behind the Hunt Museum.
This is not one you’d think of straight away. You first have a view of a Limerick staple, King John’s Castle in front of you. The large Sarsfield House building boasts interesting reflective windows, test different perspectives to see what you can do! The Sylvester O’Halloran bridge links the open green area behind the Hunt museum with the Potato Market. I’ve used the bridge as my centre point in several of my headshot and portrait photography shoots.
4. Coloured Walls in Limerick City.
If you’re a fan of colourful locations for portrait photography or a unique backdrop for a professional headshot, Limerick has got you covered. I’ve selected three locations in Limerick city that I have used repeatedly as locations for a photoshoot because of vibrant coloured walls on these streets.
Griffith Row - the buildings boast the colours of bright pink and green. It is a less populated side street too, so you won’t have to worry about members of the public walking into the frame. Experiment with angles and perspectives, see what you get!
Lady’s Lane – located just seconds from infamous Limerick pub Costellos, a point of interest for a night out in Limerick. At the end of the street is a wall painted the brightest neon orange. Go for a colour contrast with choice of clothing, any photos you take will certainly be noticeable.
Anne Street – Just off Thomas Street is the front entrance of the City Centre Car Park. The walls are painted a light pastel blue. I chose this location as part of a photoshoot last year and I loved the colour contrast between the wall and the model's pink hair.
5. City Centre Car Park.
Not only have you a beautiful blue wall to as your scenery to photograph your models, the car park itself is a multi-purpose location for photography. The top floor of the car park opens out into an open-air location, an urban setting to take editorial style portrait photography. The weather will set the mood of the location and the backdrop of some old Georgian buildings, synonymous with Limerick.
6. University of Limerick.
The University of Limerick contains the perfect mix of rural and urban locations to take portrait photography. The tennis courts near Kilmurry Student village is a location to add to your list. Stretching from Maguire’s Pitches to the UL Sports Arena is a sloping hill, if you angle your shot carefully, you can shoot photos with the perfect balance of grass and sky. Across the Living Bridge are the Irish World Academy, the Health Science Building and GEMS building, an eclectic mix of interesting architecture to include in your list of locations for a shoot. There is a wide selection of coloured walls which are the ideal photography backdrop to pose your clients in front of when taking headshots. Have a look at the walls of the Main building, Foundation Building and PESS building. Look out for a beautiful old black bridge bridge on the riverwalk from UL into the city centre.