Archive for the ‘Weddings’ Category

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Who says love is young? | Rudy and Peggy | Lisa Nikole

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

It’s been a few weeks, but I was called and asked to shoot a wedding of a friend for her mom.

It was a simple affair, small family wedding.  Do I have that date open? I did!

I’d not met the bride or the groom before and when I arrived at the church, I had to ask.. “so, where’s the bride” and I was directed to where she was getting ready!

When I opened the door, introduced myself and started to do what I do best…cover their special day.  I was not sure what to expect, but I assure you, it was not what I experienced!

The couple of course were older, and Peggy (bride) was surrounded by her children, sisters and family.  Her nephew would marry them, her grandson created a song that night just for them and sang it.

Rudy (groom)  was “ready to get this going”.  Rudy was distinguished and had a great sense of humor, and he could not wait, to see his bride!  Peggy was beautiful, poised and very ready to walk down that aisle and be with the man she loved.

The music started Rudy took his place and Peggy made her way down the aisle, it was really beautiful to watch two people so in love, so in love and so caring of one another.  The look in their eyes towards each other said it all.  Nerves did not play a role in this wedding, they had been planning this and they were so ready to spend the rest of their years together.

The ceremony was relaxed and very personal with lots of smiles and also a seriousness that a marriage ceremony should bring.  It was refreshing to know, that at any age, love can be found, love can be had and love can be shared!

It was refreshing to witness and beautiful also!  I’m not going to tell you how old Peggy and Rudy are, but I will tell you this… they look AMAZING for their age!

I always say it’s such an honor to be trusted with something so special as the union between a man and a woman, to share in the secrets of the backroom as they get ready, to peak into their lives and to be able to capture those moments and share them with you and with them.

But to Peggy and Rudy, thank you for allowing me to capture your day, your elegance and your love is something I am going to remember for a long time.  I was truly touched by your union and marriage!

Thank you!

Rudy waiting to see his bride!

Beautiful couple and amazing families.  Thank you again!  Enjoy your life together Peggy and Rudy and enjoy many many anniversaries together!

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Happily ever after | Gina and Kevin | Lisa Nikole Photography

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Gina hired us without meeting us, ever. She saw our website and she loved us, she knew what she wanted. She said that when she called with some questions and I took the time to answer despite being with my family at a campfire, she knew she had the right person. I knew she did too :-)

Gina’s on twitter and during the time she hired us to her wedding day, we would exchange a few tweets! I knew it was important to her to make sure I included her special day on my feed and I did!

There was just this one problem… Kevin and his groomsmen were ugh… can I even say it…. Browns fans! I had to go to the stadium for a shoot, but Gina was not, so for her, I went along and of course we had a fun shoot! There was even a point when the guys were climbing up the gate, we were done when we heard over the intercom “For your own safety we ask that you not climb the gates, and… congratulations!” SO, how cool was that?

It was a beautiful day, awesome people and great families.

I’m always so honored to capture and preserve special moments for people!

Thanks so much!

Notice the thumbs down (you go Gina!!) :-)

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Justin and Rebecca | Their Day | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Sometimes brides just find us, and other times they search us out, meet with us and decide what they want to do.

Justin and Rebecca had made up their minds and without even meeting both of us decided we were their team.

Surrounded in love and strong families the marriage of Justin and Rebecca made it’s way to the final minutes before they said I do. Emotion filled the air and things just moved along so smoothly.

Rebecca’s dad spent the night before pulling out pictures he’d carried of his baby girl in his wallet and then later sharing them with Justin and his groomsmen and then with his wife, who looked at a few, but knew it was a bit too much emotion for her to deal with at that very moment.

When Rebecca’s dad first saw her, his reaction was not only captured once or twice but three times as he stepped back to look at his beautiful daughter!

Justin was ready for the day, his brother helped with the final touches and even when pinning (we faked that part) the boutonniere’s on there was just a bit of humor of who would get stabbed.

It was a beautiful and peaceful wedding witnessed by tons of family and friends, and officiated by both Justin and Rebecca’s perspective pastors.

I’m always so blessed to be privileged to be able to capture a wedding and even more so when it’s as amazing as this day was.

Congrat’s to both Justin and Rebecca and their families.

Thank you allowing us, Lisa Nikole to be part of such an amazing day!

Flowers: A Floral Dynasty
DJ: Selective Sound – our buddy Christian Dela Vega
Video: 6eleven
Officiants: Pastor Jordon Biel
Pastor Joel Dickson
Photography: Lisa Nikole :-)

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What do I do with my hands? | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

I don’t know if I remember a time when I was on a shoot that I was not asked THAT question: “What do I do with my hands?”

As a photographer, it’s the last thing I’m thinking about. I look at background, foreground, lighting, shadows, positioning oh yes and then, those hands!

Until recently when I was photographed by my buddy James from JLS Studios did I even contemplate “where to do my hands go”?

I was in downtown Saint Louis at the amazing legal Graffiti Wall, getting set for a shot. There I was standing, leaning, moving left, move right, up, down and my hands…are just hanging there, what do I do with them? Ahhh, yes pockets, so I put them in my pockets and of course James tells me to take them out. So there they were hanging there. But, it did not matter, these were head shots and my hands could have been wrapped in a pretzel shape and no one would have seen.

So, to all my clients…I have to say I understand a bit more about the hands syndrome, but I have to tell you. My job is to make you look amazing, fabulous and off the wall hot! So, yes, I’m worried about where those hands are going, but even more so, I’m checking about 10 other things first.

It’s hard to tell what the photographer is going for, I see an image as we go. Every client is different and I never shoot different clients the same way. Everyone is unique and everyone has their own look. Not every one can pout, pull off sexy or just smile relaxed and look into the camera. My job is to get you to the point you are YOU when I photograph you!

This is why engagement sessions are so important with your wedding photographer, it’s a get to know you session for both the bride and groom and the photographer and at the end of that time together you both will have a better understanding of each other and when wedding day comes and I say something like “now melt into each other” you’ll know exactly what I mean!

So, just relax, take a deep breath and smile, look straight into my lens and let me make you the most awesome YOU you’ve ever seen!

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Posted in E sessions, Portraits, Weddings | 4 Comments »

Andrew and Sarah | Lisa Nikole

Monday, May 24th, 2010

I met with Sarah, Andrew and Sarah’s mom back in late December. What a beautiful family, even then I knew their connection and love for one another stood strong and firm.

They told me of a relatives wedding where the paid photographer did not show up the day of the wedding. It really made me sad to believe someone from our industry had done such a thing and I told them of how no matter what their day would be covered, that if IF some unforeseen incident occurred I always have photographers who will and can fill in for me.

Andrew and Sarah would be the first wedding of our 2010 wedding season and I could not wait to photograph it.

We met at Sarah’s parents home and the setting was amazing for pictures and even though the rain had prevented us from going into the yard, there was so much beauty surrounding the back porch we took a majority of our family pictures there.

We left Sarah’s and headed for the church to meet the guys, who were more then ready to get these pictures started, walking around the church and up a hill we took advantage of such beautiful scenery to do our guy shots! We even hid Andrew while Sarah arrived at the church.

There is something so magical about a country church and that’s is exactly what we felt at St. Paul’s Catholic church in St. Paul Missouri. The church was full of people who just wanted to support and show their love for Andrew and Sarah.

The sun came out to illuminate the beautiful stained glass windows as two people stood in front of a packed church to vow their love for one another.

We took Andrew and Sarah down to Old Saint Charles where we did some on location shooting and excused the wedding party to have some private time with the bride and groom. I love when a couple melts into each other and creates “moments” for us to photograph.

From there it was one more stop to a family tradition bar top wedding party picture at The Dog Prairie Saloon and then…back to the church for a rockin’ reception.

Every so often you meet a couple that illuminate. Andrew and Sarah light up the room, that inspire everyone around them and that enjoy life!

That’s Andrew and Sarah.

Thank you for allow us to share in your dream and now your vision of love!

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Melanie and Brandon – The Video

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

A video of Melanie and Brandon’s awesome day! Just click on their names below and….. enjoy!!!

Brandon Melanie

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Brandon and Melanie – Love and Emotion

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

This blog starts a new way we are going to blog our weddings, from now on, our stories will be shared with the images and not just a story from me and then a list of images. I hope you like the new way we are going to do this!

Melanie was so calm and cool, by far the calmest of brides I’d seen this year. When she thought something was on her dress, she looked down and said “Oh well, I can’t see it” and moved on!

Brandon, a bit nervous, but so anxious to see Melanie!

The running joke was that Melanie’s dress was in all reality a pant suit that she decided would be more comfortable to wear. Poor Brandon! So I told him Melanie looked beautiful and we left it at that!
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Tears were flowing long before Melanie walked down the aisle. There was something so special about these two families. The connection between all of them through the two lives of Brandon and Melanie becoming one!
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When Brandon saw Melanie, he melted, tears flowed from his face. Melanie walked down the aisle escorted by her Uncle and it seemed as if a moment in time had stopped, as Melanie reached the 2nd pew, Brandon came down to her! Melanie in tears, hugging her mother, her aunt and receiving a kiss from her Uncle and hugging her future mother in law.
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Everyone not just in tears, but sobbing, not in sadness but as if an expression of uncontrollable joy.

This was not a sad occasion, but, the love and emotion of celebrating the passion of Melanie and Brandon.
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This photographer had tears in her eyes as she photographed the emotion!
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The families were amazing and we felt like family! That is what it’s all about for us. Not just “doing a job” but becoming friends sharing in their day and beyond!

The wedding party, was equally as amazing and SO MUCH FUN!!! They loved and cared for Melanie and Brandon not only by words but in actions!
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When I heard the first dance was to Metallica I froze! Metallica, How are they ever going to pull that off? The emotion of the day led us to moment when the bride and groom took the floor. Melanie leaned into Brandon, Brandon took her hand and the music began to play.

Brandon told me I would like, no love the emotion of the song and from beginning to end the song originally scored by Metallica and re done by Apocalyptica “Nothing Else Matters” and executed by the deep passionate glances between Melanie and Brandon. It was, by far one of the most emotional songs I’ve heard and seen!
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Amazing…. here are a few shots of Melanie and Brandon
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Thank you so much for allowing us to become part of your amazing special day. We with you the best of everything and as I told you, with families and friends like you have…. you’ll never be lacking or wanting!
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Posted in Weddings | 8 Comments »

Stephanie and Steven – reposted….

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

*** Due to some technical error, this blog post was lost, I wanted to post it again to make sure it got it’s proper place. Tomorrow we will begin with Melanie and Brandon’s blog post!

I never met Samantha or Steve before their wedding rehearsal. I did not even know what to expect. I was thrilled they chose us to cover her special day and I knew she would not have a second thought about her wedding photography!

Kirkwood Missouri is where they were married and it’s really such a beautiful small town. There is a train station, market and a really cute open air plaza.

Sam and Steve were already married, Steve is a U.S. Marine and Sam wanted to be with him, so last year in August, they married so she could move to California with him, but Steve always promised her a wedding! Today was her day! Steve married Sam with family and friends in attendance and she had the celebration of a lifetime!

Samantha’s three sisters were at her side and Steve’s two and half (he’s adopted) brothers were on his side (it’s a joke)! The greatest thing about this whole day was everyone was so close, both families were so bonded it was hard to tell what side they belonged to, and at the reception for the bridal party dance, the DJ played “We Are Family”!

Such tight, loving families AND friends!

Sam designed her own cake and used her grandmothers beautiful earrings as decorations. They chose an amazing arrangement of flowers and even incorporated ornamental cabbage into the plan, it made for something very different, yet so beautiful.

Now here is a news flash even IF your GPS AND the lady at the hall tell you, you are going the right way. Don’t believe them! I ended up 30 minutes on the OTHER side of the reception hall and had to really struggle to find my way to 2 hearts banquet center. I actually ended up near 70 by the airport! We did miss a few things, but, got there in time to cover everything that needed to be covered and Thanks to great families that understand.

**Note taken to find the venue the night before! Point taken!

It was just so beautiful of a day and a gorgeous night! Raquel and I are very thankful that you chose us to cover your special day. It was awesome getting to know you all.

Ohhh, and you have to tell me, WHERE did you get those chocolate truffles? They were amazing! WOW!
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Melanie and Brandon – Sneak Preview

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

I am so excited to blog about this couple and their amazing family and friends…but for now…this is all you get!

Yes it’s a teaser, but what else do you expect?

I’ll be blogging soon! Promise, I’ve got lots to say :-)
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Posted in Weddings | 2 Comments »

Our weekend..Cleveland Ohio

Monday, September 28th, 2009

It took me 9 hours of driving to get there. I picked the best hotel and the best location and was not let down. I only stay at Marriotts and I am always very pleased! This hotel was a Courtyard on Chagrin Blvd. It was right down the street from some of my most favorite stores: Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Corky and Lenny’s and Taza’s.

Raquel came up to help set up for the Bridal Show.

We went to eat at Taza’s and sadly they changed the menus and dinner was okay, but our waiter was awesome! He kept us in pita and za’atar all night, THAT has never been done for us there before!

We then left to pick up some tea at Trader Joes, if you’ve never tried Tejava, you have to give it a try. It’s awesome! At the checkout Raquel mentions that she loves the sample hand lotion they have and the cashier just gives it to her! It was a brand new bottle and she gladly accepted and we knew….THIS was our weekend!

We went back to the hotel and proceeded to package up our “little” favors and our basket for the giveaway…it took a few hours and by 10:30, we were done.

The next morning up, showered and breakfast! We headed to the show. It was time to set up! It’s 7:30am

First thing I have to do is give Taya the best and biggest props I can give. Taya set up the show, managed it and she did an awesome job. She thought out every detail of the show making sure that the vendors were covered and had things in place to make sure the vendors got the best possible showing! She had a rough few days I am sure and she worked very hard, and I am sure she did not do it alone, but Taya, YOU CRUSHED IT! It was an awesome show! We have NEVER had such an amazing group of people to work with. Thank you all!

Other props have to go to Rock The House, nice guys but they picked up the ball when another vendor left and Mc’d the bridal show! Great job on such short notice!

Cleveland Photo Booth was there – Okay, I’ve never done a photo booth…HOW FUN! You’ll be seeing CPB more and more and we are going to add a photo booth package very soon!

We were between Macys (awesome ladies) and Ardyss (ladies this is simply amazing, oh and men also!)

We shot some video and I’ll be putting together a short “how to” and “how not to” video to help people who have never done a show before.

One of the greatest rewards of a show is meeting people, not only potential clients but other vendors. We always take time to walk around and greet people and talk, YES, even the photographers. I’m not their competition, I’ve never agreed with that mentality.

The show was great, we were fed breakfast and lunch, met some awesome Cleveland brides to be and we just can’t wait to see who ends up choosing us to be their photographer for 2010!

Our 2010 brides list is growing. It’s going to be an awesome year!

Just a few pics of the day!

part of what we gave away

part of what we gave away

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