Blog - Jo Nelson Photography

Amy and Matt- Elizabeth Beach Wedding

November 24, 2016

That’s the look of love right there! It was such a joy to capture the story of Amy and Matt’s wedding day, and get these moments on camera- that amazing look of love for each other. Amy and Matt were married on Saturday 19th November with a beautiful wedding ceremony at Tarbuck Bay beside the lake, and wedding photography at a few locations in Elizabeth Beach.

They chose to have their sisters for their bridal party, which made for a lovely intimate photo shoot when I stole the bridal party away for photos after the ceremony at Elizabeth Beach. We took a short drive to the Recreation Club and started with some photos on the jetty at the lake, and then we headed to Elizabeth beach itself and wandered down the sand for some lovely relaxed photos on the beach. Then it was back to Moby’s Retreat at Boomerang Beach to enjoy the company of family and friends at their reception.

Elizabeth Beach Wedding Photography

I hope you enjoy your sneak peak Amy and Matt- and I’m looking forward to showing you the rest soon!

Some other Suppliers who made their wedding day happen…

Cathy Keech (Celebrant)

The Little Things (Styling/ Event Hire)

Moby’s Retreat (Reception venue)

Cakes by Candi B (Cake)

$100 Mini-Session Portrait Photography Voucher!

November 9, 2016

Pre-Christmas Portrait Photography Voucher- Special offer!

It’s that time of the year when families are thinking about getting some fresh photos for their walls- and to use as gifts at Christmas time. Right now is a great time to make the most of my special offer and purchase a portrait photography voucher!

You can purchase a $100 Portrait Mini-Session Voucher, which includes:

A half hour Outdoor Portrait Session, with 5 high resolution images of your choice on USB

You can use this portrait voucher to book a photography session for your own family, or give the portrait session as a gift voucher at Christmas!

This offer is available until 3/12/16, and the voucher is valid for 6 months.

Get your tribe together… and capture what you love! Contact Jo to purchase a Portrait Voucher today-

Email me at joanna@jonelsonphotography.com

Or phone 0403 790 606, to arrange your portrait session or gift voucher.

You can also visit my portrait gallery to see more of my work!

Event Photography for Melbourne Cup in Forster

November 5, 2016

On Melbourne Cup day I had the pleasure of joining the crowd for some event photography at The Reef and Spice Monkey Restaurants in Forster. The restaurants hosted a fantastic fundraiser Luncheon event that included a fashion parade.

Web Gallery- for Event Photography from Melbourne Cup day in Forster

Guest photos are now available to purchase. If you would like to view the web gallery of images taken on the day, please send me an email at joanna@jonelsonphotography.com. I can provide you with access to the private web gallery that is now ready and let you know how to purchase images.

Forster family portraits- One Mile Beach

October 27, 2016

One Mile Beach has been a popular location lately for Forster Family Portraits. That’s fine by me- I love the sand dunes and that stunning view. Forster is certainly not short of great outdoor locations for family portraits.

Here are one of the lovely families I’ve had in front of my camera recently at this great location. This sweet bunch were part of an extended family group who asked me along to photograph their whole tribe together while they were away together on holidays in Forster. What a great idea! We had a great time on the dunes, capturing different combinations of kids and adults within the larger family group.

Forster family portraits

Now is a great time to get your family together for a family portrait photography session before Christmas. Beautiful photos make great gifts to give family at Christmas time, and you can refresh your walls! Check out my Portrait Photography page for more information. My photography packages are very reasonably priced, and my portrait sessions are relaxed and natural- so that you feel comfortable, and get photos that really remind you of the ones you love. I am happy to travel anywhere within the local area of Taree, Forster and surrounds, to capture your family, whether it is at your home or another outdoor location that you like. Have a chat to me about a location that suits you.

If you have a big group of family you want to get together, it’s no problem. I just allow more time when we plan your photo session. So if you are holidaying in Forster, or have your family coming to visit- book me for a family photos session while you’ve got them all together. With Christmas approaching, now is a great time to update your family photos and use them as gifts!

Family Portraits Forster

Photographer interview with Focus Magazine

October 15, 2016

I am so pleased that the Manning and Great Lakes Focus Magazine made contact with me to be their Behind the Lens Photographer for an interview in the October 2016 issue. When I was answering the questions for the interview, it what a great chance to reflect on all the things I love about my work as a photographer. And also all the things I love about our life here in Hallidays Point. I love getting to know the people and places of the Forster and Taree local areas. I really enjoy working as a wedding and portrait photographer in such a beautiful part of the world.

Here’s one of the questions from the interview:

Your love of photography began playing with your father’s Pentax camera and developing your own photos. What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned through this more labour-intensive style of photography?

It was a great way to start learning about photography. My dad’s Pentax SLR camera didn’t actually have an in-built light meter, so I was experimenting with light all the time, writing down my exposures, and then developing the film to see the results which was always an exciting part of the process. I learnt the value of each part in the photographic process for creatively shaping an image, and the value of a single frame. That one instant could be completely different to another, and create a totally different impression, even though they are side by side. The only way to see if you had captured the moment and creative vision you saw in your minds eye, was to develop the film. This especially taught me to be more precise in my technical ability, such as when judging exposures.

Amy and Matt- Forster Engagement Photography

October 9, 2016

I met up with Amy and Matt last week for an Engagement Photography Session. A beautiful spring morning, besides a fairly strong breeze- which we managed pretty well! We were perched on top of the sand dunes at One Mile Beach in Forster. This location was magical in the morning light, and the blues of the sea were oh so blue… I couldn’t help but think this spot would be perfectly romantic for an engagement shoot, looking out across the water from the cliff top.

It was great to catch up with Amy and Matt, hear about their latest wedding plans and get to know them some more. Such a lovely couple who have been so warm and genuine since we first connected near the beginning of the year. It’s exciting to see their wedding day in November now fast approaching!

Engagement Photography Sessions

Engagement shoots are such a great way to get to know me, and to get comfortable in front of the camera. It puts couples at ease to have experienced a photo shoot with me before their wedding- to see how I work, how the shoot flows, so that they can relax and get familiar with it. It’s nice to know what to expect when it comes to location photos for your wedding day. I think the fellas always breathe a sigh of relief once they realise that it’s not that bad after all- giving them confidence that they can survive their wedding photos!

An engagement photography session is a nice way to mark your time as a couple before you tie the knot- and to get some lovely but more casual photos of you together. It also gives you the chance to choose a location that is different to where you will visit on your wedding day, but might mean something to you as a couple.

Kids Photography should be fun

September 21, 2016

People sometimes worry about whether their kids are going to photograph well during a portrait session. They just don’t seem to stop running and moving around. Their expressions change every few seconds. My kids just don’t sit still! That’s okay- I tell them. That’s kids photography.

I want your kids to have fun, that’s how I get the best photographs. It takes a lot of patience sometimes, but it’s a great feeling to know I can capture the life and personality of a family without torturing or stifling them. Family photographs should show the personality and life of a family. That’s what I aim to capture. So it’s okay if your kids don’t usually cooperate for photos. Your portrait session will be just fine!

After all, you don’t really want photos of forced smiles. You know the kind- when you ask for a smile they can’t help but stretch their face as far as it goes into a painful looking smile (yes, they all do it). So natural is best. You want the photos to be a reflection of your kids personality. To be spirited and genuine- to have life.

My style of kids photography

When I say my style is relaxed and natural, it means I’m not spending a long time moving people into the perfect position. Instead I work with what makes people feel comfortable, and give direction. It’s really important that kids and adults alike feel comfortable in front of the camera. That’s when the magic happens!

I often make a game of what’s happening during a kids photography session. My style involves interacting with the kids so that they don’t feel they are simply being instructed. I might capture your natural interactions as a family while I stand back and let it happen. I also like to get in close and give you a bit of gentle direction to capture your faces towards the camera.

If you want to get your kids in front of my camera for a kids or family portrait photo session- contact me now!

Portrait Photography in Hallidays Point

September 6, 2016

Spring is here! So it’s time to bust out of winter with a Family Portrait Photography Session. I’ve got some beautiful photos to share with you, of recent family portrait photography in Hallidays Point.

If you have been meaning to get some family photos taken but haven’t got around to it- get in contact with me and organise them now, before things get hectic during the Christmas period. Then you will have plenty of time to organise what you want to do with them, and get them up on the walls of your home.

As a mum I know that time goes by way too fast as I watch my kids grow and go through different stages. And it’s so lovely to be able to hold those moments still. Of your little boy who is starting to lose his baby teeth, or your toddler who can’t stop running because they just learnt how! Every stage of family life is precious and I love being able to capture each family whatever stage they are at. When clients display the images from their photo session on their walls, I love it when they tell me how much joy it gives them to see those moments in time of their family. As you walk by photos each day in your home, it reminds you of what’s important in your life and makes us smile.

I had a great time with the Fitzhardinge family recently when I met them for a Family Portrait Photography Session at the beach in Red Head. I was in stitches most of the time from the funny things that were said, and had fun chasing them around the rocks and sand. These guys were great fun and are such a beautiful people- it was easy to capture their warmth.

Portrait Photography in Hallidays Point- book your session now!

Looking forward to capturing many more beautiful families… it’s warming up so get in contact with me to make a booking!

Wedding Photography Tips for Brides

August 17, 2016

Are you planning a wedding? When you start planning your wedding day, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all there is to do! It’s important to think about Wedding photography during the whole process of planning a wedding, so that it’s a natural and enjoyable part of your special day. I’m happy to help make it just a little bit easier for you. I’ve come up with a guide to help you with planning the photography aspect of your wedding day. As you get stuck into planning, you might not think about how your plans will impact on your photography for the day. That’s why I’ve put together a guide full of practical wedding photography tips that you will be glad I’ve told you about. I like to help couples ensure that their wedding photography is a well organised, successful part of their day.

As a wedding photographer I’ve spent the last ten years immersed in wedding days. Please glean whatever tips you can from the experience I’ve had working closely with other couples on their wedding day! I’m more than pleased to help you as a result of what I’ve learned over the years.

Want the guide? It’s easy! You can sign up for my monthly newsletter and receive your own free copy of my guide Wedding Photography Tips for Brides, as a thank you gift. If you sign up for my monthly newsletter I promise not to spam you- I hate that as well. I will simply send you beautiful images from my world of photography, and some great deals along the way. Scroll to the very top of any page on my website, and you can use the drop down box to sign up!

You can also get in contact with me any time if you have questions about planning for the photography on your wedding day.

Here is a tasty snippet from the guide-

Wedding Photography Tips- #3 Think about daylight

The most brilliant time of day to capture wedding photos is the last few hours before sunset. This is because the light is soft, warm and golden. This is the most perfect time, but of course it has to be negotiated with other important things such as when you want to start your reception, etc. If possible you should give your photographer the chance to shoot during the golden hour and your photos should have the most magical light. You may or may not have sunset photos on your favourite-kind-of-photos list, but if you do, you will want to check the times for sunset (google of course!). Do this while you are at the planning stage of your wedding so that you can work out a timeline for your wedding day.

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Forster Photographer- portrait locations

August 9, 2016

This Forster Photographer is enjoying finding new locations for family portrait and wedding shoots. It’s always so much fun! I love finding somewhere fresh that hasn’t been used a thousand times in photographs but is truly gorgeous. I’m finding there is so much to choose from in my local area near Forster and Hallidays Point! Exploring new places is something my little family and I get a lot of joy from. So when we get some time together, we often take off exploring somewhere nearby (dog included). Lately we came across our new favourite tree, which I wanted to share with you. The light is so perfect on this tree late in the afternoon, and I can’t wait to use it for an upcoming shoot.

It didn’t take long for my two little monkeys to set themselves high in the branches. This is when I decided that it would be a good chance to get a new bio photo of myself as it’s way overdue! I have been known to climb trees to get that perfect shot of someone else. But this time I hurtled up the tree for a shot of me.

So I came away from our brief afternoon adventure with a few nice shots of my cheeky kiddies and that bio pic that I’ve been meaning to get for ages. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the other locations I’ve got in mind too, as I get stuck into some family outdoor portrait sessions.

What a gorgeous tree- right?

Forster Photographer, Jo Nelson-Hauer

What locations are special to you?

Do you have a location that is special to you and your family that you’d love to use for a portrait photography session? It might be a place that is special to you and would mean something to you, as the location for your images. Let me know- I’d love to check it out!

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