That was the year that was, 2016 ~ Jo Jackson Photography

It's wild and windy here today as we come to the end of what has been a turbulent year for so many people.

For my camera and I on the other hand it's been a far more positive year - about exploration and development, about trying new things and changing for the better.

I worked with babies and brides, shot in sunshine and snow,  photographed families and friends, graduations and birthday parties and might have already made big big plans for the new year to come!

Looking forward to 2017!

I don't know about you but I can't wait for the clock to get to midnight tonight - and not just because of the fireworks, bubbly and fun to be had creating our traditional sparkler family photo either!

2017 is going to be a big year - I've decided! - and it will start for Jo Jackson Photography with the closure of my old website (*sniffle*) and the beginning of a new phase in the adventures of my camera and I.

Christmas Traditions

One of the best things about Christmas is getting to do all those awesome and special traditions that your own family has.

Wishing you a very magical Christmas!

Wishing all of you a very magical Christmas from my little family to yours!

Special Offer - Canvas Prints

Still looking for a last minute gift idea?

Over at Fine Art America I have a limited number of 8" x 10" canvas prints of my 'Sunrise in Syöte' available at a special price! Only valid until Friday 23rd December and only a limited number of canvases are available!

Don't forget gift vouchers also make awesome gifts and if you buy a photo session for your friend or family member you'll qualify for 50% off the cost of a session for you and your own loved ones! Why not give the gift of memories this Christmas, contact me to buy your gift card now!

Go get your canvas here before they sell out!

Small Business Saturday

Today is small business Saturday - a day to emphasise the importance of working with and buying from small businesses - and as such I want to thank everyone who has booked sessions or weddings with me this year.

It really does mean a lot to my little family and I. <3

I can promise you that every time you buy something from a small business a real person does a little happy dance!

And so, to mark this super day, any full price family session booked today - and today only - will be HALF PRICE!! 

Email me now - jojacksonphotography@gmail.com - to make the most of this very special offer! <3

Give the gift of memories this Christmas ~ Jo Jackson Photography

Beautiful You ~ Boudoir photography, Oulu, Finland

It's been a little quiet around here lately but I can assure you I've been very busy behind the scenes - Christmas mini sessions, Father's Day gift ides and so much more coming your way very soon!

But first, I'm very excited to share a new kind of photoshoot that I'm now offering to clients.

Bonfire Night ~ Family photography, Oulu, Finland

"Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot..."

Having grown up in York I have no excuse to forget Guy Fawkes' Night. He was born in the city in 1570, in the building next door to where my parents used to work- and haunted it too so the stories say!

Here in Finland there are no bonfires to mark the anniversary of the gunpowder plot but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the evening with some sparklers in the garden!

Happy Halloween ~ Family photography, Oulu, Finland

I love Halloween! I might be one of my favourite holidays.

As a family we have a few little traditions we always do at this time of year and one of the most fun has to be our annual pumpkin carving!

Make 'Em Laugh ~ Children's photography, Oulu, Finland

I was shopping for birthday presents for my husband last week and while waiting in the queue I spotted two t-shirts in the sale that were just meant for a photoshoot!

First lights... ~ Jo Jackson Photography, Nature photography

This week saw the start of the aurora season here in Northern Finland. Sadly I missed the more epic shows earlier in the week but I managed to catch these from my back garden last night.

It doesn't matter how many times I see them, the thrill is always the same. <3

Hopefully this is just the start of another awesome aurora season!

Anniversary ~ Jo Jackson Photography

Today was the day I know my whole family has been dreading for several months now. Today marks a year since my darling Dad left us.

It's been hard, so hard, and I know the pain never truly goes away when we have to say goodbye to loved ones.

Sunflowers ~ Jo Jackson photography

Finally, Rosie's sunflowers are ready to bloom. I know they'll be worth the wait, they always are.

Forest fairies ~ Children's photography, Finland and Yorkshire

Seeing as we were heading into the 'wild' for the weekend it seemed appropriate to take along their fairy dresses and see if we couldn't manage a mini fairy photoshoot over the course of our trip.

Luckily for us the sun was shining, the girls weren't too blueberry stained and there were plenty of pretty places for photos.

So here are my little forest fairies enjoying the trees and the berries near Kuusamo at the weekend. <3

Weekend in Kuusamo ~ Family photography, lifestyle photography, Finland

Last weekend we drove across the country to a little cottage not far from Murtovaara, near Kuusamo. There was cold running water and limited electricity from a solar panel down by the lake but it was just perfect. Open fires, wood burning sauna, the lake right outside the cottage, berries carpeting the forest floor and plenty of space for two small people and a giddy labrador to roam around without disturbing anyone.

The weather was very kind too, it did pour down on the Saturday night but we lit the sauna and after dancing around in the rain, we warmed up inside.

Obviously I took hundreds of photos but wanted to share a few with you.

Summer fun ~ Family photography, Oulu, Finland

Last weekend I got to photograph a family I've known for several years now which is always lots of fun. Their eldest son has been a pupil of mine and earlier this year he left my preschool classroom for the last time before starting school this past week. They grow up so fast....

We shot some photos outside their new house, which is currently being renovated ready for them to hopefully move in before the end of the year, and then moved onto a nearby park but we started the session at some rather awesome graffiti. And I have to admit, there's something rather fabulous about having such a unique location suggested to you by the mum whose family you're going to shoot! :)

Happy Anniversary, Merika and Ilja! ~ Wedding photography, Oulu, Finland

Another anniversary to be celebrated today, always lovely. A year ago I was photographing the marriage of Merika and Ilja - and what a wonderful day it was! <3

Happy Anniversary you two - here's to all the adventures yet to come!

Rain, rain... ~ Family photography, Oulu, Finland

...go away!!

I don't know about you but I'm not ready for summer to be over yet. We had glorious sunshine and patches of real warmth this week but we've also had the sort of rain that would make Noah start reaching for his tools!

Thinking back to the sunshine of last week, here are some shots of Rosie in the garden with the sunflowers she's grown herself some seeds she got for her birthday. They're my favourite flower so I was always going to be excited when the time came for them to bloom but she's just as giddy as me, which is awesome.

Miia + Iiro ~ Wedding photography, Oulu, Finland

A couple of weeks ago, on a very hot and sunny Saturday, I photographed the wedding of an old friend and her fiance here in Oulu. Miia and Iiro had their wedding ceremony at Turkansaari, followed by a reception at Oulunsuun Pirtti. The 17th century wooden church at Turkansaari is gorgeous, very small and obviously very old but so lovely. It's size meant it was a very intimate ceremony and I felt very lucky to be a part of it.

It was a day full of smiles and love and a joy to capture with my lens.

Miia + Iiro ~ Engagement photography, Oulu, Finland and Yorkshire

While I work through the photos from yesterday's sunny wedding, here are a few more shots from Miia and Iiro's romantic engagement shoot from earlier in the week for you to enjoy.

They were so natural with each other in front of the camera, I absolutely loved photographing them!

SNEAK PEEK - Miia + Iiro ~ Wedding photography, Oulu, Finland

Yesterday was the gorgeous wedding of Miia and Iiro at Turkansaari chuch. The sun shone bright and hot all day but the smiles on everyone's faces never faltered.

Here's a little peek of them in all their lovely glory for you to enjoy while I carry on editing all the other photos from yesterday!

Moments Matter - Family Photography Workshops ~ Oulu, Finland

Calling all mums in and around Oulu!!

I'm launching my first ever workshop designed for mums who'd like to take better photos of their families by helping them understand their DSLR cameras and by helping them to approach family photography in a relatable and fun way.

For more information on the workshop and how you can reserve you place you can either email me directly or use the contact form here on the blog.

So, what are you waiting for?

PREVIEW Miia + Iiro ~ Engagement photography, Oulu, Finland and Yorkshire

Last night I met up with Miia and Iiro whose wedding I'll be photographing on Saturday - exciting!! Miia is an old friend which always makes the responsibility of capturing their day even more special.

We walked around Ainola park in the evening sunlight taking some simply lovely photos of the pair of them in preparation for their wedding day.

Here's a little sneak peek into their engagement session.

Evening at the beach ~ Family photography, Bridlington, Yorkshire

Before heading back to Finland, my family and I headed to the coast to spend the evening at Bridlington last week. Many many years ago it was our home, we lived right on the front in a holiday flat, and it will always have a special place in our hearts. <3

Luckily for us the sun was shining and as we remembered times gone by with those loved ones no longer with us, it was lovely to watch the girls enjoying the sun and sand just as we did when we were children.

Markka + Jukka ~ Engagement photography, Oulu, Finland and Yorkshire

Love is definitely in the air this week. Two engagement shoots and a wedding on Saturday, lucky lucky me! <3

Last night I met Markka and Jukka for their engagement session ready for their wedding at the start of September. It was lovely to finally meet them, and their adorable little boy, while we explored their wedding venue and took some photos.

Bumps in the back garden ~ Maternity photography, Oulu, Finland and Yorkshire

During our trip to the UK I was able to meet up with several old friends which was absolutely fantastic. Some of them I hadn't seen in years but it was so easy to chat and catch up...it was like we'd only seen each other the other week. That's the mark of a true friendship. We're all older, some of us are married now with multiple children but we're all essentially the same people we were when we left school almost 20 years ago now! <3

One of my friends is eagerly anticipating her fourth child and I offered to take some photos of her while I was in the country. We went into her beautifully verdant back garden and while we swapped stories of our own adventures into motherhood, I captured some shots of her beautiful glow, stunning smile and the bump that will in a few short weeks become a much loved baby in her arms.

Temple Newsam ~ Family photography, Yorkshire and Finland

Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon visiting the animals at Homefarm, Temple Newsam. With several fantastic adventure playgrounds and lots of adorable animals, it was the perfect place to visit with energetic little people.

It was also a lovely place to visit with the girls as we were actually there 5 years ago when Evie had her photos taken at the age of 1 by the enormously talented Maryanne Scott.

We were lucky enough to see some very young animals and the girls were thrilled to see them so close - even if the smell was rather...over powering at times! ;)

Happy Anniversary, Heidi + Erkko! ~ Wedding photography, Oulu, Finland

This time last year I was photographing the gorgeous wedding of Heidi and Erkko in Oulu, how fast time flies!

Happy Anniversary to you both!! <3

Queen's View, Loch Tummel, Scotland ~ Family photography

Before we left Scotland yesterday, we stopped at Queen's View at Loch Tummel.

When Queen Victoria visited in 1866 she assumed it was named after her. It's believed it was actually named after Isabella, the first wife of Robert the Bruce some 500 years earlier.

Loch Rannoch, Scotland ~ Landscape photography

On our way back from Loch Laidon there was just enough of a pause in the rain to get some shots of Loch Rannoch, with the peak of my mountain in the background.

Loch Laidon and Red Deer on Rannoch Moor, Scotland ~ Family photography

During our trip to Scotland last week we visited a place that meant a great deal to us all. Ever since we were small we've visited Loch Laidon up on Rannoch Moor whatever the weather but this time was the first we went without my darling Dad. It was lovely to be there but very emotional for us all.

Red Deer Centre - Highland Safaris ~ Aberfeldy, Scotland

We had a gorgeous afternoon at the Red Deer Centre just outside Aberfeldy. The girls loved it. We were able to feed red deer, met a barn owl and they spent an hour panning for 'fools gold' and other gems.

The animals were magnificent - especially to be able to see them up close, the staff were awesome in every sense of the word (good humoured, polite, knowledgeable...) and the weather was very nice too!

Garden Fairies - Children's photography, Oulu and Yorkshire

I've had an idea in my head for a themed photoshoot to do with the girls for months. It was born out of discovering old bridesmaids dresses in the wardrobe and having a glimmer of inspiration.

Two boxes of dye, some floral headbands and a trip to Scotland later...and I have taken what I think are some pretty gorgeous photos of my girls as fairies. They don't have wings and I was originally thinking of adding some digitally but I decided against it and I just love how they've turned out.

Climbing Schiehallion ~ Rannoch, Scotland

Today I did a thing. A big thing. Today I climbed a mountain in memory of my darling Dad. The Scottish Munroe, Schiehallion, which I grew up seeing and never managed to climb. Until today that is.

Garden Visitors - Kinloch Rannoch, Scotland

Ever since I was a child, we've been visiting the small village of Kinloch Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands and now that I have children of my own I love bringing them here during our summer trips to the UK:

We stay on the Dunalastair Estate in some of their gorgeous holiday cottages. So far we've taken the girls to one of the houses called Maragdubh and this year we're visiting a charming little cottage called Rose Cottage which we last visited to see in the new millenium in 2000! Rose Cottage is opposite Schiehallion, the mountain I'll be climbing tomorrow in memory of my darling Dad and to raise money for the RSPB. You can read more about my fundraising here.

The cottage and it's garden look like they could have fallen straight out of a Beatrix Potter story and I can honestly say I love it up here. The cottage is surrounded by farm land, with sheep and cows meandering around, and the garden is packed with flowers, as well as a chamomile lawn and an impressive bird feeder that attracts tens of birds from dawn til dusk. Including a family of great spotted woodpeckers! So far we've seen Mum, Dad and three juveniles, which is an awesome thing to sit and watch from the kitchen window.

Eddie and Ellen - Family Photography, Oulu

Before we came to the UK for our summer trip I got to photograph two adorable little people to mark their birthdays, brother and sister Eddie and Ellen who turned 2 and 1 respectively. I was lucky enough to photograph Eddie's first birthday photos too - which was so much fun - and the pair of them as part of my Mummy and Me mini sessions so it's safe to say I was looking forward to this shoot rather a lot!

Tiny Toes ~ Family photography, Oulu

Today I was lucky enough to photograph the children of an old friend, including their newest family member - a very handsome little chap, all of three weeks old.

UK Summer Sessions - Family photography, Yorkshire

The summer is almost here and we're starting to get ready for our trip home to the UK at the end of the month. Hooray!

During our stay we'll be visiting Scotland so that I can climb a mountain in memory of my Dad which I'm definitely excited about! It's a personal challenge more than anything but I will be fund raising for the RSPB (a charity my Dad always supported) and if you'd like to sponsor me you can find more information here.

I'll also have some time when I'm in and around the York area and I already have some photo sessions lined up with family and friends - seems a shame to be there with my camera and not use it, don't you think?

If you want to try and arrange a photo session for you and your family either at the very end of June or during the second week in July please do get in touch and I can do my best to fit you in but please don't leave it too long to let me know. Time is flying and I'll be home before I know it!

We can take photos in your home or back garden or we can meet somewhere like the Museum Gardens and capture some memories of you and your family having fun (hopefully in the sun!).
While I can't guarantee the sun will shine, I can promise you a fun hour or so with me and my camera and photos you'll treasure for the years to come.

Pretty Ponies ~ Family photographer, Oulu

To say that today was a very exciting day in the Jackson household would be something of an understatement. Evie and Rosie were going to ride ponies for the first time!

Anni and Aleksi ~ Graduation Photography, Oulu

Yesterday I was lucky enough to photograph my first graduates. It was a gloriously sunny day but it was also incredibly windy! Luckily my students, Aleksi and Anni, were both game for adventure and didn't mind posing beautifully while the wind battered the blossom trees around them and tried to blow the caps from their heads next to the sea!

Win a free Engagement Session - Engagement photography

Summer's here and I can't wait to shoot the engagement and weddings I've already got booked into my calendar! 

<3

And because I love hearing about people's love stories so much, I wanted to give the engaged couples among you the chance to win one of two engagement shoots with me, each worth €150!

The engagement shoot includes a 90 minute session at an outdoor location of your choosing, allowing for outfit changes should you wish, and a minimum of 30 edited images. This isn't limited to those living in Oulu either - I will be in the UK at the end of June/beginning of July so UK based couples are eligible too!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply share your engagement story in a comment over on my Facebook page (you can add a photo of the two of you too if you'd like!). The story to get the most likes before the end of the week will win a free session and I'll also choose my own favourite story as a second winner!

So what are you waiting for? Share your story over on Facebook and watch the likes add up!

<3

 GOOD LUCK!! 

<3

The voting/liking will end at midnight on Friday 3rd June 2016. Couples must be engaged to be eligible to win. The engagement shoot must take place before the end of August 2016 and cannot be exchanged for another type of photography session/vouchers or gifted to persons other than the winners. Winning couples must sign a model release and allow images to be used by the photographer for promotional purposes. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Playing around ~ Family Photography

Today the sun was shining and the girls and I thought we'd have a little play around with hairstyles and such for our planned photography project that we'll hopefully be starting soon. I'll be sharing more about it in the near future but I can tell you that if it works...it's going to be so good!!

Unfortunately Evie was feeling a little under the weather and so wasn't really in the mood by the time we actually got around to taking photos. Rosie, on the other hand, was definitely in the mood to pose and when I looked back through the photos I'd taken I was genuinely stunned at how grown up she seemed.

Growing up fast ~ Family photography

This week has been a crazy one in our house, lots of firsts for one thing!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you're all having days as wonderful and lovely as you all are!

A New Look for Jo Jackson Photography!

I've been thinking of changing my logo and website and so on for a little while now and, well, I decided there was no time like the present and so...

TA DAAAA!!!

What do you think?

I wanted something sparkly and fun, but kinda classy and if at all possible, having something to do with peacock feathers.

I have to admit, I might be a little in love with my new logo. (As my husband will attest given the gushing he's had to put up with while I've been updating everything for the last week or so! <3 )

My old logo was designed by a fantastic photographer a few years back and it really was awesome but...I felt I'd outgrown it and a change was in order.

To go with the new logo, website and blog there are also going to be new prices and these will come into effect tomorrow - 1st May 2016 - so if you want to book me at my current rates there are still a few hours to do it! ;)

I'd love to know what you think of the new look and if you want to book me at my current rates, what are you waiting for? Message me already! ;)

Love Stories - Katariina + Ian

I've another Love Stories session to share with you this evening, this time it was a woodland shoot with Katariina and Ian.

Pinja, Nella and family - Family Photography in Oulu

I have to admit, this was the first time I was asked to shoot a family where the focus would be on their four legged friends and on one of them in particular. Pinja, a gorgeous little lady, hasn't been well (at all) of late and her family wanted to get some pictures of her and their other lovely dog, Nella, with them before it became too late.

As a dog owner throughout my life I understood exactly why they wanted the photos and so was definitely determined to help them capture these all important memories while they still could.