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?

Engagement Photography – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica – December 2018

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This lovely couple got just got engaged here in Costa Rica, and of course; they wanted to get some amazing tropical photos to celebrate their love. Manuel Antonio is full of beautiful areas,  and we chose Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio’s famous beach for our photo session. We danced at sunset, climbed rocks and got wet; it was a fun shoot!

 

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

May the 4th Elopement – Makanda Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2017

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I just love this couple! When they asked me if I was available on the 4th of May, I did wonder if they were Star Wars fans and they were! (Yes, I know it’s August! Just been too busy to blog :)
They stayed at the beautiful Hotel Makanda in the heart of Manuel Antonio, I met them at the hotel and we did some artistic photos on the grounds of the hotel. Makanda has recently been completely remodeled into a fabulous boutique hotel, it’s just exquisite. I think the bride and groom in black looks great against the stone wall background.
We headed down to the north end of Playa Espadilla for the wedding ceremony on the beach.

It was a  perfect intimate ceremony….and I just love the photos!

 

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.

Day of the Dead Wedding – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2016

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Love this wedding! This couple from England love all and everything about Mexico and Day of the Dead, so they brought just that to Costa Rica for their wedding! Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, where family and friends gather together to remember loved ones who have died, and help them in their spiritual journey. It also has a big following internationally for it’s colorful art!
The wedding party were staying at a villa in Tulemar, in the heart of Manuel Antonio. The ceremony took place on Tulemar’s secluded beach, the aisle decorated with colorful flowers.  The group stayed on the beach to enjoy music, drinks and the sunset, and later returned their villa for a “Dia de Muertos” reception dinner. The villa’s terrace was spectacularly decorated with twinkling lights and colorful Mexican paper flags, the table adorned with Day of the Dead skull place cards, flowers, candles and personal bottles of Patron tequila.
Tropical Occasions created and planned this unique wedding with the bride and groom, it was just perfect!

 

Beach and Villa Wedding – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica February 2016

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This fun-loving bride and groom came to Costa Rica for a tropical beach wedding. I had met the bride and groom at the end of last year when they came to Manuel Antonio on a planning visit with their wedding coordinator, Laura from Liquid Weddings. It’s fantastic for me to actually meet and get to know the bride and groom before the wedding – with destination weddings, it’s not always possible! I often Skype with brides and grooms before the wedding, it’s a great way to find out what people are like and what they want from their wedding photographs. Plus they can get to know me and be more comfortable for the big day.
Back to the wedding! …the wedding party were staying at the beautiful Montemar Estates in Manuel Antonio, 3 villas nestled on a mountain top over looking the jungle and Pacific Ocean.  I first went to Montemar to meet with the Bride and then Groom to capture some of that nervous fun and excitement before the wedding.
Then wedding ceremony took place at Playitas Beach about 10 minutes from the house, at the north end of the famous Manuel Antonio beach. After the ceremony we took some fun photos on the beach, and then some great light hit for some romantic couples portraits.
The wedding party then returned to Montemar Estates for cocktails, the reception dinner and then a DJ and dancing. I think the night-time party shots are great!

Wedding Planning – Liquid Weddings
Villa and Reception Loacation- Montemar Estate – Manuel Antonio
Ceremony Location – Playitas Beach – Manuel Antonio
Hair and Makeup – Monica – Hair by Monica

 

Honeymoon Photo Shoot – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2016

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This couple came to Costa Rica for their honeymoon, they had opted for a small civil ceremony back at home, so really wanted some fantastic photographs to celebrate their wedding. 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 all the roots, what do you think?

Sunset Wedding at Discovery Beach House – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica Dec 2015

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Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio is a gorgeous beach for a wedding, a beautiful bay with the majestic backdrop of the Manuel Antonio National Park. This bride and groom choose the Discovery Beach House which is located just steps away from the beach. Randy Gritz from Celebrations Costa Rica created an elegant yet casual event which fitted the wedding couple perfectly. I met the bride at the beach house, surrounded by their children in a happy state of excitement over the wedding. We walked through the garden to the beach where the ceremony took place on the sand strewn with rose petals. After a moving ceremony we watched the sun dip in to the Pacific Ocean, and then the guests returned to the house for a wonderful dinner prepared by Desiree‘s Catering.  This family’s happiness and love flowed through the day, I hope I have captured some of that sparkle in these photos.

Location: Discovery Beach House. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Wedding Planning: Randy from Celebrations Costa Rica
Catering by Desiree
Hair and Make up by Monica from Costa Rica Hair

Elopement at Hotel Parador – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica – Dec 2015

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This couple decided to leave the winter and have their elopement wedding in the sunshine in Costa Rica! The bride and groom were staying at the beautiful Hotel Parador in Manuel Antonio. I met the couple in their room at the hotel as they were finishing getting ready, they then traveled by golf cart to the secluded ceremony site. The ceremony took place under an arch decorated with colorful tropical flowers. After the ceremony we went to the close by Playa Espadilla beach to watch the sunset and get some romantic couples portraits. This intimate elopement was organized by Alfonso, El Parador’s Wedding and Events Planner.