Little Leap 52

This year I'll be taking part in a weekly photography challenge - Little Leap 52.

There will be a different theme each week and I will need to try to take a photo to fit in with it.

It should be a lot of fun and I'll obviously be sharing my efforts with you as the year goes on.

What a year!

As we get ready to charge our glasses to the memories we hold so very dear from this year as well as all those before it and toast to the new year ahead I thought now would be the perfect time to look back over 2015 and the photos I've been lucky enough to take.

This year was a huge year for me and my camera!

Merry Christmas!

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..."



Big, huge, giant, heart felt thank yous to all those who've booked, supported and generally helped make 2015 an amazing year for me and my camera.

I'm home in the UK for Christmas with my family, it's going to be a hard one for all of us but I know we'll get through it together!

I hope wherever you are, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, that you're with those that you love and that you get to spend as much time with them in the coming year as you want to.

Right now we're waiting for Father Christmas to come and there are two incredibly excited little girls who can't wait to see what he's left for them when tomorrow morning comes.

Love to you all and all the very best for 2016!

Sisters - Children's photography in Oulu

This weekend I was asked to photograph two beautiful little ladies.

The littlest lady has to be one of the calmest babies I've photographed, she even slept for a little while in the middle of the session which allowed for some adorable shots with her big sister looking on proudly.


























The best thing about having these sessions in your own home is that you have everything to hand that you might need. Spare clothes, space to feed, toys your children love and, best of all, you'll have memories of your children in their first home. Sat on the sofa that they'll cuddle up to you on for years to come, photos of their first bedroom. Real memories that you'll treasure forever.

Christmas comes but once a year

Today the first flakes of snow have fallen and, as is true to form, I’ve been bouncing around like an idiot as a result. Humming Christmas songs, lighting candles…

But just now, as I sat watching the snow dancing in the light from the street lights I started to cry.

Family Photography in York

During a recent trip to the UK for a family wedding I was lucky enough to meet up with an old friend and photograph her beautiful family.

Kate and I went to school together...a fair few years ago now...and we both went on a German exchange together, an experience that I'm sure we'll never forget in all sorts of ways!

One of the things I love about photographing children and families is that you don't need to be in a sprawling park or immaculate ornamental gardens to get lovely photographs - although these do make for stunning backdrops naturally. A child's smile will light up any space and as you can see from this selection of photos it really doesn't matter where we take the photos, the joy and the love will be just as obvious whether we're in a castle or a conservatory.

My Marvellous Mailing List

I have lots of ideas. Far too many really and I've been trying for a while now to think of the best ways to tell you all about them.
And then it hit me today...why not set up a mailing list so I could send a message with offers, tips on photoshoots and family life, pretty pictures and a large dollop of fun every week or so.

So...if you're interested in hearing more about special offers and events from me, please sign up for my mailing list.

I promise you won't regret it!

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School Photo Season

This week I picked up my camera for the first time since I lost my Dad, it was scary and exhilarating and I feel so much better for doing it.

It was for the annual school photo day at my school and as crazy as it is to get good photos of more than 60 children, with their siblings, their classmates and their teachers...it really is so much fun. The weather wasn't brilliant but the cloud cover meant there was actually lovely light for taking the photos outside amongst the autumnal colours.

My darling Dad

My Dad was an amazing man. He was kind and fair, he could make anything grow and flourish in his garden and he overcame with considerable dignity more illnesses and challenges in the last years of his life than was ever fair for one person alone to face. He had an entrancing twinkle in his eye and a fantastic sense of humour. He always put himself last and would do anything and everything he could do to help someone in need. A big man with an even bigger heart.

My Dad also taught me how to take photos, he introduced me to the wonderful world of capturing moments and preserving memories. He was never far from his camera and looking through his photos in recent days reminded me of so many happy times we shared as a family.

My darling Dad passed away at the end of August.

He'll be with me

He’ll be with me,

Of this I know.

In the evening light,

When the shadows grow.

He’ll be there when the stars are bright,

Walking with me in the still of night.

His arms will be too far to hold,

But the love I have will defeat the cold.

No length of time will dim his smile,

I’ll see it when I sit a while.

All the years he was there for me,

Will stay locked safe in my memory.

Right now it hurts, it hurts so much,

To know his hands I’ll no longer touch.

To know his voice I’ll no longer hear,

But I know somehow he’s always near.

He’ll be with me,

Of this I know.

In the evening light,

When the shadows grow.

We’ll meet again,

Somewhere down this road.

One day, we’ll share,

All the hugs owed.

My highs and low,

He’ll watch from afar.

Pushing me on,

My guiding star.

My darling Dad,

Who went to sleep.

I know he’d say,

Now, do not weep.

Look on, look up,

Don’t be down hearted.

Nothing has ended,

Because I’ve departed.

The pride, the joy,

You gave to me.

Will never fade,

They’ll always be.

He’ll be with me,

Of this I know.

In the evening light,

When the shadows grow.

We never lose the ones we love,

Some watch over from somewhere above.

The laughs, the fun, the games we played,

The love, the care, they never fade.

But.

For now it’s time to say goodbye,

I cannot promise not to cry.

So go now to the endless night,

I love you Dad. Dream sweet, sleep tight.

Jo Jackson