Nature Photography in my Garden, Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

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Over my years here in Costa Rica, I have hiked into the rainforest countless times, but to tell you the truth I see so much wildlife right here at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out in the undergrowth, listening for rustles in the foliage, armed with my trusty camera. But there s something spectacular about being able put down my coffee and get photos like these, from the comfort of my balcony, and being able to share the experience with my family.
This is a collection of photographs I have taken over the last 2 weeks from my home in Manuel Antonio.
Two toes Sloth – Mother and baby travelling between mango trees
Squirrel Monkeys (Mono Titi) – with babies, eating mangoes and relaxing
White-Face Monkey (Capuchin)  – Mother and Baby on the move
Orchid Pollinator Bees – Only there for an hour on one day.
Golden Naped Woodpecker – looks like a pair are building a nest in a dead palm tree.
Chestnut Mandibled Toucan – Back for the rainy season
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Been round for a few weeks
Scarlet Macaws – permanent residents, thanks to the local rehabilitation and release program
**Please note that all photographs were taken with a telephoto lens (apart from bee photos), so not to disturb the wildlife.
Enjoy and Pura Vida!
John

Honeymoon Photography – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2019

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This sweet couple came all the way to Costa Rica from France for their honeymoon, so really wanted some immortalise their honeymoon in Costa Rica. One of the stops on their honeymoon trip was Manuel Antonio, my home town, I met them late afternoon on Playa Espadilla. There are lots of great areas for photographs, with the ocean, rocks, rivers and vegetation, I particularly like the photos with the trees and reflections, what do you think?

Waterfall Elopement – Dominical Costa Rica May 2018

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This adventurous couple wanted to celebrate their marriage surrounded by nature. They loved Costa Rica and coming here for their elopement seemed like the perfect choice. After looking at several areas, they choose to have their ceremony at the Waterfall Villas, just outside Dominical. This small hotel is a hidden gem, and has a beautiful waterfall surrounded by rainforest. Marcelo Galli conducted the ceremony next to the waterfall; the bride and groom even had their feet in the water! Such bliss….
After the ceremony we went to the nearby beach and took some gorgeous sunny photos. A beautiful adventure!

Creating Memories – Professional Family Photography in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica is known for its tropical beaches, rain-forest and volcanoes. With so many breathtaking sights and views, it is no wonder that families choose to vacation in our slice of paradise. Being a family man myself, I know the importance of capturing these happy memories.

Taking family photos with me is a fun and no-stress experience. My aim is to put you at ease in order to capture the personality of individual family members.
I create fun, modern, and natural looking family photographs and family portraits that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Here are a few examples of my family photography….

 

 

So why not book a professional family photography session?
It’s more affordable, fast and more fun than you would think!
Contact me today.

Locations: Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio
Rainmaker

Sunset Beach Wedding – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica – January 2018

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Love this tropical beach wedding!
The bride and groom both wore white; a stunning contrast the colorful tropical flowers. The wedding party and guests were all staying at the Buena Vista Villas in the heart of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The sunset ceremony took place at the private Tulemar Beach, within the grounds. After the ceremony  the wedding party enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the beach, under the beautifully lit trees. The party then went back to the villa for a the wedding celebration, love the mini gift bottles of the tequila. The reception on the balcony was beautifully decorated with colorful flowers and candles.
A wonderful wedding!
Wedding Planning : Tropical Occasions
Location: Buena Vista Villas, Manuel Antoino, Costa Rica
Photographer: John Williamson Photography

Rainforest and Beach Elopement – Costa Rica December 2017

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This amazing couple love beaches, waterfalls and the rainforest, so they came to Costa Rica for an amazing adventure and a unique elopement..

I met the bride and groom at their hotel in Manuel Antonio, Hotel Costa Verde; as the bride was just finishing her makeup. We started the afternoon at Rainmaker and got some wonderful photos in the lush green rainforest. We then headed to Playa Palo Seco, a beautiful long desert beach just north of Manuel Antonio, as we arrived the sun was just setting. We were blessed with an incredible sunset, and took advantage of the light for some sunset portraits. As the sun went down, my wife, Katharine; conducted the ceremony under a super full moon, with the waves lapping at their feet…sheer beauty!
Best of luck Angela and Byron, you were amazing to photograph, thanks for letting us to be part of your epic day!

Locations: Rainmaker and Playa Palo Seco
Hair and Makeup – Mademoiselle Salon

To see more of my rainforest and waterfall weddings take a look at my website gallery  at www.weddingphotoscostarica.com/rainforest-wedding-costa-rica

Waterfall Engagement Adventure – Costa Rica Dec 2017

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Arek, first contacted me earlier last year with an amazing plan to surprise his girlfriend Steph with an adventurous proposal. Arak wanted to propose in the middle of the Costa Rica rainforest at the base of a giant waterfall; and he wanted me to capture the moment forever! I was in!

The area was the pristine Diamante Falls reserve, about 20km inland from Dominical on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We embarked on an overnight trip with Pacific Journeys. Coincidentally, the guide was an old friend of mine, Diego; whom I worked with 15+ years ago when I was a photographer for Costa Rica Outward Bound. They did an amazing job, we just needed a sense of adventure and to carry our personal packs for the overnight trip, and all my camera gear…and my drone!

We he about 1 1/2 hours uphill through beautiful rainforest shrouded with mist to the base camp. The camp is in crevasse next to a set of 3 waterfalls. It is quite luxurious for what technically is an open air cave. There is a bar, fire pit, a kitchen and dining area, showers, comfortable beds, and an incomparable view.

After lunch, we headed to the falls to do some rappelling. Arek went first; and when Steph rappelled down, Arek met her at the base down on bended knee in proposal. With a stomach full of butterflies and even more from the proposal she barely could utter a sound, just pure happiness and surprise but her answer was clear..Yes!!

The night in the cave was incredible; our light was from candles and a campfire. The sound of the waterfall lulled us to sleep. The following morning we explored some more, discovering beautiful waterfalls and swim holes.

What a fabulous adventure, thank you Arek and Steph for letting me be part of it….one I think none of us will forget!

I have been updating my website with more of my adventure wedding photography, check it out at www.weddingphotoscostarica.com

Pura Vida,

John

 

Want to elope in Costa Rica? and get married by a jungle waterfall?

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It’s not as hard as it sounds….
This great couple from Canada contacted me at the end of last year, with an inquiry that they wanted to elope in Costa Rica. They had a few ideas; including photos on the beach, sunset and some with nature. Plus, they wanted a legal ceremony. So we emailed back and forth, got to know each other a little bit; and came up with a plan.
The bride and groom were staying in Dominical on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, I live 45 minutes north in Manuel Antonio, and know the area well. We decided on a mix of beach and rain forest for the wedding, doing the wedding in the morning at a waterfall and then meeting for sunset on the beach for some romantic photos. I put them in touch with Marcelo Galli, a wedding officiate; Marcelo and I often work together on weddings and he is an excellent officiate. Marcelo helped them choose the style of ceremony they wanted, after the wedding he gets the official documents authenticated and sent to Canada, or anywhere in the world.
We all met at 7am at the entrance to Nauyaca Falls, we had arranged to be driven up near to the falls so we only had a short hike in to the waterfall. Marcelo conducted the ceremony right next to the waterfall pool. The sunlight was just coming over the edge of the falls, and catching the mist created by the water…breath taking! We finished up at about 9:30am, and I arranged to meet them at the beach that afternoon.
We were in luck a gorgeous sunset and combined with a low tide, left beautiful reflective pools on the sand on the beach. We got some absolutely wonderful photograph, I think we captured what they were hoping for and more!
For a gallery of my adventure weddings visit my website.

Nauyaca Waterfall Wedding – Costa Rica December 2016

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This adventurous couple wanted to celebrate their marriage surrounded by nature. They loved Costa Rica and coming here for their elopement seemed like the perfect choice. After looking at several areas, they choose Nauyaca Falls. Nauyaca is a stunning set of waterfall nestled the Costa Rican rainforest just north of Dominical, Costa Rica. Nauyaca is a privately owned reserve and can only be accessed by foot or horseback. This couple got special permission to get brought close to the falls in 4×4, and from our drop off point we hiked in. We got to the falls early and the light was beautiful filtering through the spray from the cascading waterfalls. The ceremony was conducted at the base of the lower falls, after the ceremony we took some romantic photographs before the newlyweds jumped into the waterfall pool! The natural beauty of Nauyaca combined with a wonderfully happy couple made taking photographs easy! Congratulations to you both!

https://www.weddingphotoscostarica.com/rainforest-wedding-costa-rica

Waterfall Wedding at La Paz Waterfall Gardens – Costa Rica – Nov 2016

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Love waterfalls? Nature? and want to get married in Costa Rica?
This couple does! They chose the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge for their elopement in Costa Rica, a hotel and private nature reserve in the foothills of Poas Volcano. La Paz has five huge waterfalls along rainforest trails, plus lots of Costa Rica’s amazing tropical plants and wildlife.
The location of the wedding could not have been more stunning!
Marcelo Galli gave a beautiful ceremony on the private platform decorated with tropical flowers; surrounded by lush rainforest with a waterfall and river below. After the ceremony we took our time walking through the jungle trails, stopping at waterfalls along the way. At the lodge, the couple cut their scrumptious wedding cake and then we went to visit the very friendly and cheeky toucans. All the toucans are rescue birds and can no longer live in the wild, at feeding time they will hop right on your arm!
A wonderful wedding at La Paz filled with waterfalls and love!

Wedding Planning – Amanda at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge
Wedding Officiant – Marcelo Galli

Wedding – Punto de Vista – Manuel Antonio October 2016

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One of my first weddings of the 2016-17 season here in Costa Rica, it’s great to be back!

This wedding was at one of Manuel Antonio’s premier vacation rental villas, Punto de Vista. It spectacular villa for a wedding with views of the Pacific ocean from all of its 5 floors.
The bride and groom were both from Southern California, and a lot of fun! I met the bride in her room, where she was getting her final touches to her make and hair by our local, wonderful make up artist, Monica. The bride’s Mom and her friends helped her getting in her get into her dress. I love the photos of the bride’s mother helping with her shoes.  The groom came into the Bride’s room to do the “first look” on the balcony, a moving moment!
The wedding ceremony took place on top-level of the villa which has an epic view of the Pacific looking towards the Manuel Antonio National Park.  The team at Weddings Costa Rica created a beautiful altar for the wedding, with floating candles and lilies. The reception dinner was held on the top-level, the tables looked magical, with gold candlesticks sparkling in the candle light. After dinner the party moved downstairs to the ballroom for dancing and more celebrations. Another stunning wedding arranged by Weddings Costa Rica!


Wedding Planning – Weddings Costa Rica
Location – Casa Punto de Vista, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Hair and Make Up – Hair by Monica

That’s all for now, as we hunker down and wait for Hurricane Otto, the first hurricane in Costa Rica in over 100 years.

Elopement at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort Montezuma Costa Rica 2016

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The Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma is a wonderful, tropical location for a beach wedding in Costa Rica. The hotel is situated right on the beautiful beach Montezuma Beach. The bride and groom chose to elope and this has got to be the most romantic elopement! The ceremony was organized by the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort and took place in their tropical gardens steps from the beach. There was a full moon on the day of the wedding and we got some beautiful photographs with the moon. The couple then had dinner on the beach under the full moon, a perfect ending to the most perfect day.