6 August 2014
I caught the photography bug while working for Parks Australia a few years back. I spent a lot of time curating a massive collection of beautiful professional photography, and was also given an opportunity to take photos on occasion. I must have had a bit of natural talent, as I later went on a couple of dedicated photography trips to Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, and also to Kakadu – amazing experiences!
Based on the feedback I was receiving about my work, I took a leap of faith and quit my job at the start of 2014 to start working on photography full time – at the same time moving to Gerringong, an incredibly photogenic part of the NSW South Coast.
If I didn’t have to pay the bills, I would be out in nature with my camera everyday – landscapes and wildlife (birds in particular) are my passion. However the bills do keep rolling in, so I’ve diversified my skills and grown to love shooting weddings, as well as gaining a keen interest in architectural photography.
I’ve had no formal training, just a passion for learning new skills. It was the technical nature of photography which first drew me in, yet as my skills continued to develop, the creativity emerging from within surprised me! The beautiful geometric patterns in nature have always fascinated me – now I have a way to express how amazing and fragile our planet is. Seeing someone smile and gaze in wonder at my images is all I really need.
I hope you enjoy my work
Jon
Website: www.jonharris.photography
Facebook: facebook.com/jonharrisphoto
Before I moved to Gerringong, I came and explored a little bit. I had a hunch that the sunset would put a bit of a show on one evening. I ventured out onto the rock platform, and was rewarded with this epic sunset while looking back towards the boat harbour. Despite the powerful wind, which nearly blew my camera and tripod over, I felt a great sense of peace just watching the colours slowly shift and change as the sun tucked in for the night.
Catch! A diver feeding a pelican, Gerringong boat harbour
Blue Mountains – Golden stairs to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle. The lush rainforest at the base of the Golden Stairs is like a fairyland, with ferns and moss-covered boulders littering the forest floor.
Werri Beach from the headland, Gerringong
Blue Mountains – Golden stairs to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle. The escarpment of Mt Solitary lights up. This lookout is at the southern end of Chinaman’s gully.
Sunshine! Watego’s Beach, Byron Bay
Sunset from Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa
Enjoying the view – Jamison Valley, Blue Mountains
Gerroa sunrise – Crooked river is a tidal estuary which meets the sea at Gerroa. Early morning is a great time to watch the herons, egrets and spoonbills wading the shallow waters for a morning feed. A little bit of cloud provides a wonderful canvas for the sunrise to paint a greeting on, the colours constantly changing in hue and intensity.
Surf beach, Kiama
Sunset over Watego’s Beach, Byron Bay – Image Credit Jon Harris Photography
The Tower Building, Australia Square, Sydney – Image Credit Jon Harris Photography
Sydney Harbour Bridge. I love night time photos – I really think that cities come alive for photography at night. So what better place to explore this than Sydney Harbour? Water, clouds and lights all take on an ethereal quality in the longer exposure times required for a night shot, allowing you to look past distractions and see details you might normally miss…
Kiama sea pool at sunset
Dawn fishing off the Tathra wharf – South NSW
A happy couple celebrating their wedding – the sea pool at Gerringong boat harbour
Eons of wind and water have eroded the rocks into almost a honeycomb effect at the top of the Korowall Knife Edge – Blue Mountains
Gerroa Sunrise
You can see the yellow pollen on its forehead – Eastern spinebill, Gerringong