Portrait Photographer Archives - Jo Nelson Photography

Family Portrait Photography in Gloucester

October 15, 2017

Chantal asked me to do some Family Portrait Photography with her little tribe in Gloucester recently, and I was so spoilt with the perfect Spring afternoon to meet them for their portrait session. I was also spoilt because Gloucester is a town with such beautiful scenery. It was like a countryside dream! I recently photographed Chantal and Dan’s wedding in Gloucester. But because wedding days are fleeting, they decided to book me for a family shoot so they could have more time to get relaxed photos of the three of them together. Such a great idea.

Family Portrait Photography in Gloucester

With golden light streaming through the trees by the river- I almost considered trading my sea change for a tree change in the country. Gorgeous Kirra had her cheeky smiles out for me, and couldn’t have been happier to find pink boots on the end of her feet. It was such a pleasure to photograph this beautiful family.

If you want to get your tribe in front of my camera, contact me today to book a family portrait photography session. I can help you choose a location where we can get some relaxed and natural family photos, in a setting that speaks of your family. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner so get in touch so you can put it into the calendar now. Future you will thank you 🙂

Family Portraits at Black Head Beach

February 1, 2017

Happy New Year! What a lovely way to start the year, with some Family Portraits at Black Head beach. Recently I’ve had lots of families make the most of being together during the holidays, by organising a portrait session with me. Danielle and her extended family were holidaying at Black Head- so we met near the rocks for some relaxed family portraits. It was a lovely chance to capture the whole family together, as well as the smaller family groups and couples within the family.

The rain cleared with perfect timing for our shoot, even leaving a brief glimpse of a rainbow which we made the most of- of course! The kids loved exploring the rocks near Black Head beach, and it made for a lovely location in the soft afternoon light.

Natural and Creative Family Portraits at Black Head Beach

So if you have family coming to visit at Hallidays Point, Forster or Tuncurry- make the most of your family getting together over the holidays, and organise a portrait session with me. It also makes for a great gift. So many mums tell me that they just don’t get the time to organise family photos, so they rarely happen! Do yourself a favour and organise it ahead of time so that you can capture what’s truly important- photos of the ones you love, while your tribe is all together. Memories are so precious!

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.

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!