Model Call - Winter Wonderland Bridal Shoot

Having seen so many beautiful wintery bridal shoots in the Shoot and Share photo contest I really want to take some of my own. I've never shot a winter wedding and the idea has really sparked my imagination!

So, I'm looking for models in the Oulu area who fancy the idea of dusting off their wedding dress and coming to join me for a photoshoot in the snow.

I'll provide the bouquet (and maybe even some hot chocolate to warm up with afterwards) if you provide the bride!*

If you'd like to be considered, get in touch ASAP!

*Chosen models will receive prints/images in exchange for their time.

12 photobook ideas for 2017 ~ Jo Jackson Photography

We're almost a week into the new year and I would imagine more than a few of you have already started taking photos of your friends and family, your hobbies and passions.
But as the weeks and months pass and the number of photos on your phone or your laptop increase...what are you ultimately going to do with them?

Some should, and hopefully will, end up on your wall or in a frame on your bookcase but not every snapshot should be framed. Luckily for you I have some ideas for photobooks that will give you a way to organise and keep your memories for the years ahead!

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

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!

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!

Sunflowers ~ Jo Jackson photography

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

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!

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.

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.