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.