December « 2009 « Lisa Nikole

Archive for December, 2009

Happy New Year | Lisa Nikole | Amazing 2010

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

I’m blessed, 2009 was an awesome year for us. I personally went through a ton of changes.

I moved 600+ miles away from my daughter and her family
I moved to the country, and …. I’m a city girl
I found a new and wonderful church full of awesome people
I made a ton of new friends
and lost a few old ones
One of our images was selected for publication (suwweettt)
We shot more E-sessions and weddings
We are producing a book that people submit their image and words to be put into
We worked on a product (still tossing this around)
I’ve learned a lot of lessons, some hurt and some made me smile
I laughed and I cried
I learned a lot about marketing (I have a Looonnnggg way to go)
I made it to PDN (in my favorite city in the world)
We met Zack Arias, Tofurious, Kenny Kim, Jason Groupp, Bob and Dawn Davis and Picseshu and got to see my old buddy Ahmet Ze and the girls from Simply Canvas (you rock)
Participated in the Cleveland Ohio and St. Charles Missouri bridal shows
Because of my awesome church I photographed, Sinbad and Darryl Strawberry, both honors and got to shoot several other amazing outreaches events that changed my world!
I traveled a lot this year to shoot some amazing couples
Oh and created this awesome new blog (thanks Tofurious, Lawrence Chan)
Met with a few photographers starting out and wanting advice (and yes, they asked me)

and today as I look back, I can only hope and pray that 2010 is bigger,better and greater then 2009.

My goals ( I don’t believe in resolutions)
I’m going to read the bible in 365 days (thank you COTR)
I’m going to shoot more and better
I’m going to WPPI
I’m still looking for that biker to shoot
I want to shoot the Patriots Motorcycle Club in action
I’ll be back in NYC, Pa, Ohio, Ill. and Kansas city for sure and maybe a few other surprise spots
I want to help educate more brides and point and shoot (pro) photographers
I want to smile more and as Dr. Alex Ness said:
I want to let the worries,stress and fears flow off me as water off of a ducks back!
and most importantly….
I want to hear from more of you, meet more of you and enjoy every day I’m given.

So raise your glass…Here’s to 2010 and all she holds *clink*

Here’s to our 2009 couples. Our brides, grooms and engaged couples you’ll see again in 2010!

Tags: 2009, 2010, brides, couples, Kenny Kim, Lisa Nikole, NYC, PicSeshu, Tofurious, Zack Arias
Posted in Ramblings | 4 Comments »

So this is Christmas | Taking a break | Reflecting
Friday, December 25th, 2009

I’m not sure why, but whenever I think of Christmas the first words that come to my head are:

SO, This Is Christmas!

It’s late, and in a few moments it WILL be Christmas Day!

The wind is howling outside and everyone is asleep or on their way, I’m relaxing and thinking about how blessed I am as a person. I’m not bragging, I have a great life. Not because I have everything I want or need, not because I’m surrounded by people that love me and not because I have all the money I need. See, none of those things are true. But tonight as I sit here and type, I feel so abundantly met in every area of my life. I’ve not even opened one present and even if there were not presents I’d still feel complete.

I talked with a person tonight that could not even look around them and appreciate what they had, because Christmas was not “the way it used to be”. I hope none of my Christmases are like the “used to be” I hope each one is different and unique and maybe sometimes even challenging.

I know if I were alone on Christmas I’d find something to do for someone, like a woman I talked to at my church tonight, she’s alone, but she is making dinner for herself and a neighbor and says “I’m never alone”.

Every year I wish the same thing, I could have a Christmas with out presents. It’s just become SO commercial and I feel the same pressure you do as to what to buy, how much to buy and who to buy for.

This year I spent 2 evenings at a dress rehearsal and another 4 nights photographing 5 Christmas In The Park Productions. I watched SO many people give of themselves and their time and money and talent to share one thing…. the true meaning of Christmas.

If there was any one thing I could ask of you is, tomorrow, as you prepare for company or prepare to go to someone’s home, as you open your presents or pass out presents for someone to open, as you sit to eat or serve someone else a meal, can i ask you to do one thing for me?

No matter if you are serving or being served. STOP! I want you to stop for just one moment and look around you. Take in every sound, sight and smell. Look around and smile. Don’t miss out on the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t miss Christmas this year, it’s never to late to appreciate!

Then do me a favor…I hear so often from so many of how I encourage you, that my words are so uplifting and upbeat. So, I’m asking you, to let me know, in that one moment in time, when you stopped and looked around. Tell me what you saw, what you experienced. Or better yet, take a picture and share it with me. Make me smile!

I want to wish you all the very very best Christmas Day ever! Enjoy every moment of it and SMILE…

Here’s a cute video from one of the performances at our church…

Christmas from Lisa Nikole on Vimeo.

Tags: Christmas, church on the rock, giving, St. Peters Missouri
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Darryl Strawberry | St. Peters Missouri
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to not only photography Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Strawberry but to listen to their amazing story.

Darryl has a book out, if you’ve not read it, you should! My son actually wanted to read it and every day he had something new to share about the life of Darryl Strawberry.

If you live under a stone then you may not know that Darryl went from riches to rags in a matter of years.

How could he be so self destructive? Didn’t he have it all?

Kinda reminds you of a similar story in the news lately!

Darryl’s wife Tracy spoke first and although her speaking is short as she introduces her husband, it’s powerful. She’s one woman that knows that she knows that she knows who she is and why she is there. She has emotion and purpose.

Darryl does not play, he really speaks it as it was and as it is. Five years ago he came to St. Peters with nothing, today he shared on what God can do in just 5 years.

I followed the tragic times of Darryl Strawberry and as I listened to him I could not help seeing the thin, burned out, wasted figure of a man standing in a court room silently screaming for help.

Listening to Darryl talk now, I have always been a believer that once God gets a hold of you and you listen, you can do anything. Darryl’s life is such a powerful example of that.

Now I’ve been honored to listen to and be a part of a rags to riches story!

Sometimes when I sit back, I’m so honored to be exposed to the people I am and be able to somehow just connect for a brief moment in their lives.

Here are just a few images of the day Darryl Strawberry rocked it at Church On The Rock in St. Peters Missouri!

Tags: church on the rock, Darryl Strawberry, St. Peters Missouri
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Baby Isabella | Awwwww | St. Charles, Mo.
Thursday, December 17th, 2009

I had the sweetest opportunity to be asked to photography baby Isabella.

When I first got asked to photographer her it was by her grandmother, Connie. Connie was so excited to have pictures done, as I think any grandmother would be.

When I arrived Isabella was fast asleep, no, really she was out! We used that time to get some close up shots of her and then to some really cute shots of her still sleeping.

Both of her parents told me she does not sleep a lot when she is awake it’s crying all the way.

We must have picked the perfect day, Isabella stayed a sleep for some amazing shots and we moved her several times, and then, near the end, she woke up and even allowed us some more fun shots.

And this shot… this shot is dedicated to all the grandma’s out there who do everything they can to make their grand-baby smile. Isabella’s other grandma was standing off to the side doing everything to make her smile, and of course, she did, as best as she could for being 6 weeks old, but her face is really smiling, look at those eyes!

What a blessing a beautiful child is to a family. It was such an honor to photography Isabella.

Tags: baby portraits, Isabella, Lisa Nikole, St. charles Missouri
Posted in Portraits | No Comments »

The Winner Is | New Splash Page Image | Lisa Nikole
Sunday, December 13th, 2009

So we had so much fun with this and so many of you responded, thank you! I am overwhelmed that so many took the time. What a blast.

So here is how it went…

2nd runner up is:

1st runner up is:

and the winner is….. drum roll (everyone just pat your desks with your pens)

SO there you have it. Jump is our new front page! Brandon and Melanie have to be thrilled, I’ll be linking them to this post!

Hope everyone had an awesome day, I was out shopping. I cannot tell you how busy it was…I just looked around and wondered… what recession?

LB

Tags: Contest, splash page, Winner
Posted in Ramblings | 7 Comments »

Need your help | New Front Page Image | Lisa Nikole
Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Okay so here it is, every year we do this and every year we get stuck because we have so many amazing brides we don’t know which one to put on our splash page.

Trust me, we’ve narrowed it down, and that was hard enough.

Problem is Raquel and I differ a lot in style and opinion, makes you wonder why we get a long so well

It’s not really a problem since it’s one of the greatest things in shooting together, We see things differently and that allows us to cover a wedding or event in an amazingly awesome way.

So here are our picks and now we need you to help us pick the one that will grace our website for the 2010 year.

Picture 1: Train Station

Picture 2: Arch

Picture 3: The Church

Picture 4: Balcony View

Picture 5: Jump

Picture 6: Subtle Love

7. Dramatic Bride

Okay so there you have it, I lay it humbly at your feet and ask you to help us choose, because as you can see, it’s a tough choice!

Have an amazing day…. LB

Posted in Uncategorized | 32 Comments »

Okay, had to share this cute gift idea | Polariod
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

I’m a DWF’r and if you are not sure what that is, it’s a forum of professional photographers. DWF has recently started to Twitter. So of course I follow them, they are amazing. The things they Twitter…

Like what I am going to share with you today. They find great articles, current events, life changing ideas and best of all, it’s geared to us Togs. So, here is a link so you can follow them on Twitter: DWF

So back to what I had to share, they posted the other day this really cute idea and at first I was like ehhh, it’s cute, but when I got to the bottom and saw “Dry Erase” I went nuts and knew I had to have these in our home. Ordering now!!!

So for you to enjoy…

Here you go: Polaroid Frames

Tags: DWF, Frames, photographers, Polaroid
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Carol and Charlie | Portrait Session | Troy Missouri
Friday, December 4th, 2009

I know both Charlie and Carol from church. I met Charlie while joining the usher ministry and we started to chat about photography. Now first I have to forgive Charlie for owning a Nikon (I’m joking, it just gets you all so riled up) LOL.

Charlie is an amazing man, with an incredible story to his life. Everyone has a life story and that is what I am all about, peoples, life story.

He’s a soft spoken man who speaks in volumes who has a deep love for his family, his wife and the people who are close to him.

Carol is not much different. She’s a sweet dear person with a tender heart. She has a story of her own to share. Together they make an awesome team.

When they asked me to shoot their portraits for several adventures and businesses they have going I was thrilled. First of all, they are so cute together and each one of them has a unique and special gift. Together it’s like such a cozy feeling when you are with them.

See what I mean, and this is not posing folks…they just fold into each other and are always holding hands…AND the way they look at each other…it’s sooo refreshing.

They have no idea I’m writing this, probably have no idea they are going to end up on my blog, but somehow I feel I’ll be forgiven!

I’ve watched them together and when we were together shooting I was watched how they reacted to each other and I can tell you, it’s no joke, these two are still so much in love.

I shoot weddings and I deal with couples that are at the beginning of the journey of life together, the flurry of love and excitement that surrounds a wedding day is something overwhelming, it can knock you over.

I can tell you in Charlie and Carols life, that love and that feeling is still very evident today. It was an honor to capture their moments together and share some one on one time with them. If you are around them for any period of time, you’re going to feel love and a genuine peace.

Okay and this…THIS is so stinkin’ cute. When I said, Okay, you can kiss, I really did not expect them to kiss. THEY DID! It was the most endearing thing, so of course I have to share it with the world!

Love you guys! Thank you for sharing your specialness with me!

Tags: Charlie and Carol, Lisa Nikole, Missouri, Portrait, Troy
Posted in Portraits | 2 Comments »

The Winner of the Adorama Coffee Table Book is……
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

I have to apologize it took longer then I thought to draw a name, we wanted to do it on video, but that just was not working…so finally last night, I put the names into a hat and had my husband draw the name.

So the winner of the Awesome Adorama Coffee Table book is…..

Can you hear a drum roll?

Robert!!!!!!

Robert, I’ve sent you an email, and congrats and when you are done designing your book, I’d love it if you would share it with me.

I can’t wait to see what you do with it.

Thanks to everyone for entering this contest and in a week I’ll have another amazing contest up. This one…may require a bit more work

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »