Helen Nickisson Photography

29/05/2026

A reminder that portraits don’t have to feel stiff, formal, or overly serious.

Sometimes they can simply feel expressive. Elegant. Alive.

Ash brought such beautiful movement and confidence into the studio for this shoot — and this image feels like summer, freedom, and a little bit of old-Hollywood glamour all at once.

One of the things I love most about studio portraiture is how much can be created with light, movement, and a simple backdrop.

You do not need modelling experience to create something beautiful.

25/05/2026

Final bookings for the Camera Basics course are coming in now - only a couple of spots left! Starting next Tuesday, June 2 for 4 weeks. Get to grips with your camera - Message me if you'd like to attend.

24/05/2026

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY EVENING
Light Movement & Creative Blur

Thursday 28 May | 6pm–7.30pm
@ The Studio
$15 (or 3 sessions for $40)

This week we’re slowing the shutter down and getting creative with movement, light and abstraction.

Think glowing trails, reflections, motion blur, light painting, spinning colour, and images that look nothing like ordinary photographs.

Everything is provided — just bring your camera and a willingness to experiment.

These evenings have been small, relaxed, hands-on, and honestly just a lot of fun.

Everyone has been trying different ideas, sharing settings, comparing results, and walking away with images they never expected to create.

Limited to 6 participants.

Bookings are confirmed once payment is received — I can’t hold places without payment, especially with numbers kept small.

Message me to book.

20/05/2026

Behind the scenes at the studio.

I’ve been slowly building up a small studio wardrobe, wraps, hats, and creative props to use during portrait sessions.

Perfect for adding a little extra personality, softness, drama, or fun to a shoot — without needing a huge production.

(And yes… there’s a changing space too!)

19/05/2026

A little preview of what’s coming up for the next Creative Photography Night…

📷 Light Movement & Creative Blur
📅 Thursday 28 May

This session is all about experimenting with movement, light trails, and creative blur to create images that are a little unpredictable — in the best way.

Simple lights, movement, long exposures, and a willingness to play a bit 😊

No special gear needed, and very beginner-friendly.

⏰ 6-7.30pm
📍 Studio (Blenheim)
💲 $15 per session
or 3 sessions for $40

Small group (max 6).

👉 Message me if you'd like to join us — bookings are confirmed on payment.

15/05/2026

A little update on the Creative Photography Nights 😊

I’ve decided to shift these to a fortnightly rhythm for now — partly to give everyone a bit more breathing room, and partly because I’d like each session to feel a bit more like an event rather than squeezing them in every week.

So the next Creative Night will now be:

📷 Light Movement & Creative Blur
📅 Thursday, 28 May

(And honestly… this one is going to be fun.)

More details and sneak peeks coming soon 👀

Send a message to learn more

11/05/2026

THE ART OF LOOKING CLOSER

Thursday’s Creative Night is all about seeing ordinary things differently.

Textures, shapes, reflections, tiny details… the kind of images you normally walk straight past.

It’s a surprisingly addictive one once you start looking properly 😊

Still a couple of spaces if anyone feels like a creative reset for an hour and a half on Thursday evening.

📍 Studio
⏰6-7.30pm
💲 $15

No special equipment needed.

Message me if you'd like to come along.

10/05/2026

CAMERA BASICS — A Practical Photography Crash Course

I’ve had a few people recently ask about learning photography and understanding their cameras properly… so I’m putting together a small beginner-friendly course for June.

This is designed for people who:
• have a camera but mostly use Auto
• learned photography years ago and feel rusty
• want to finally understand aperture, shutter speed and ISO
• feel overwhelmed by YouTube tutorials and photography jargon
• want practical, hands-on learning in a relaxed environment

Over 4 Tuesday evenings, we’ll break photography down into simple, understandable pieces and immediately put it into practice in the studio.

Each session includes:
Roughly 45 minutes of guided teaching
45 minutes of practical shooting exercises

Topics:
Week 1 — Aperture & Depth of Field
Week 2 — Shutter Speed & Movement
Week 3 — ISO & Understanding Light
Week 4 — Composition & Bringing It All Together

This is a very small group course (maximum 4 people), so everyone gets plenty of individual help and time to ask questions.

The Studio - Queens Market Mall, Market Street
Tuesday evenings starting 2 June
6.30 - 8pm
Bring your own DSLR or Mirrorless camera

Perfect if you’re thinking about getting back into photography — or finally getting that camera off Auto mode 😊

If you’d like more details or want first option on a place, send me a message.

09/05/2026

Creative portraiture has always been one of my favourite things to photograph.

Light, movement, styling, expression… shaping an image instead of just taking one.

A few frames from a recent conceptual session with the incredible Ash.

Ashleigh Renee Perrie

03/05/2026

Formal season has begun ...

This was from a few years ago — one of those nights that’s full of excitement, nerves, and a lot of laughter.

It also goes by very quickly.

And while there are always photos from the night, they’re often taken in the middle of everything — busy, rushed, a bit chaotic.

That’s why I'm offering studio sessions around formal time.

A chance to slow things down for a few minutes and create something a little more considered — whether that’s before the event, or after, while everything’s still fresh.

Couples, friends, or individual portraits — whatever matters most to you.

📍 A small number of sessions are available
📩 Message me for details