Gig Harbor resident provides SPECTACULAR area photos
Gig Harbor resident Jim Nelson’s career was in education for more than forty years, with picture-taking as a lifetime hobby. Now in his mid-seventies, photography has become his fun passion. Gig Harbor has been home since retirement, and it’s the natural primary focus of Jim’s images. But his portfolio also holds dramatic shots of animals, flowers, nature and scenes from all over the United States, Europe and Africa.
After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, Jim taught in the public schools two years, and returned to UPS where he served as Director of Admissions. He married his Stadium High School sweetheart, Jan, and focused his camera on their four children - all born in Tacoma. The family then moved East where Jim became a Vice President of the College Entrance Examination Board in New York City - where he served for more than twenty years.
In recent years, Jim has won many awards as a photographer and there has been an increasing demand for his work - including large-sized prints for many homes and businesses. Several tourism and visitor’s bureaus show his scenic photography of Gig Harbor (see the opening panoramic photo of Gig Harbor at www.gigharborguide.com) and Washington State, and more than a dozen local businesses use his images on their Internet sites and in their ads. He was named last month as the featured artist at WatersEdge Gallery in downtown Gig Harbor, where many of his photographs are on display.
Jim’s Photos can be viewed on the Internet through links at his web site - http://jnels.org - or at - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimspics/sets/ .
November 26th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
I am forever greatful to Jim Nelson for allowing me the opportunity to enter UPS on probation with a 1.94 GPA from Pen Hi. I did not let him down and graduated with a substatially
higher GPA …
John
November 26th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I love it! Goes to show you that some people are able to look past statistics and see value in people for who they are. It’s fun when you can recognize truly life-altering people!
November 27th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Spent some time looking at his photo sites …. incredible! How wonderful to have a hobby that brings joy not only to oneself but to all who see the results! Thanks for sharing the info about this gentleman.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I have known Jim for 40 or so years. In addition to being a sepectacular photographer, I have found Jim to be a gentelman, a scholar, a connoisseur of food and wine and a fine judge of women (his lovely wife Jan). It is great to see him so successful in his retirement profession.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I am Jim’s youngest son, Ron. I live in NJ with my wife and Jim’s grandsons (13 and 15 year old boys). My living room has gorgeous photos of flowers all taken by my father. I want to thank those above for the kind words about my father - he is truly and extraordinary man and it is with great pride that read your compliments. Thank You!!!! Ron Nelson, New Jersey.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:51 am
What a fabulous all around job you are doing Matt.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Matt - Thank you for including the article about me and my photography in your Gig Harbor “blog.” It has been a fun experience.
And many thanks to the good folks who have ‘blogged’ in response or e.mailed me with their nice thoughts and words. For those interested Harborites, two other new examples of my images: 1.) the Kingfisher banner on the current issue of Gig Harbor Matters newsletter and, 2.) the forthcoming 2008 Phone Directory cover photo of the new Narrows Bridge.
November 30th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Having chosen to retire in this wonderful town only a year ago, we were so fortunate to have moved in next door to Jim and Jan Nelson. We so enjoy their friendship. Jim, camera in hand, has done a great job of documenting our never-ending landscaping project, and included us in his fun photo shoot outings.
We travel with Jims little coffee table book of Gig Harbor photos so that we can show everyone the wonderful place we live in. It’s a great representation of the town of Gig Harbor, and available for purchase at local shops, I believe.
Thank you, Matt, for the recognition you have brought to a very deserving artist!
November 30th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
My pleasure! It’s been the most exciting post I’ve written to date!
November 30th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Wow, Awesome job on the website! It is very informative, Kudos to Matt. Jim Nelson is a very talented photographer, thanks for putting his pictures in here. I work in Alaska and I am gone alot so I like to see picture of home!
December 1st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Thanks, Damon! Glad I can keep you somewhat connected.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
[…] photographer Jim Nelson (you may remember a profile I wrote about him a few months back) captured this image this morning. I figure that this UFO must have been headed […]