ANNE MARIE MOCKLER PHOTOGRAPHY

The Woman Behind the Lens

Hi, I'm Anne-Marie — and yes, I'm the one always pointing a camera at everything!

I've had a camera in my hand since my teenage years (and yes, I was that friend documenting all our wild nights out in the ‘90s and ‘00s — much to everyone’s delight, of course). But it wasn’t until my daughter was born nearly 18 years ago that I picked up my first "proper" camera... and immediately stuck it on auto mode. I hadn’t a clue what I was doing — I just knew I wanted to freeze time.

Fast-forward to 2020: lockdown hit, my daily commute vanished, and suddenly I had time — time to finally figure out how to use my camera properly. I dove in headfirst, and guess what? I fell in love. Being in control of the camera meant I could finally create the images I always dreamed of.

What started as a hobby quickly became an obsession (the good kind!). I began chasing wildlife with my lens, and somehow that passion took me to places I never expected:

• Invited onto Ireland AM to discuss my wildlife photography!
• 2nd place in the 2023 Biodiversity Photographer of the Year
• Published in The Irish Times
• Featured several times in The Irish Examiner

But as much as I adored photographing foxes, herons, and butterflies, I knew I wanted to turn this passion into a sustainable business — and wildlife doesn’t exactly pay the bills! That’s when I discovered the joy of photographing people.

Capturing sleepy newborns, giggling toddlers, and families just being themselves lit me up in a whole new way. I threw myself into learning everything I could — workshops, courses, late-night editing marathons — you name it, I did it. I practiced on friends, bribed family members, and slowly but surely, my confidence (and portfolio) grew.

In 2022, I took a leap and built a studio in my back garden — my little creative sanctuary. Not long after, I took another leap: accepting redundancy from my job of 23 years to go full-time with my photography. It was terrifying... and the best decision I ever made.

Now, I spend my days doing what I love: capturing real, beautiful, joy-filled moments for families all across Leinster.

Thanks so much for being here — I can’t wait to meet you and tell your story through my lens.

Anne Marie xx

Biodiversity Photographer of the Year 2023 (2nd Place)