Archive for April, 2010

Saint Louis | MarketSTL | Missouri

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Twitter is amazing, no really you have to understand the power of Twitter!

A week or so ago, I’m on twitter and a friend pops up to ask me if I’m going to MarketSTL? I checked out the link and it looked like an amazing event and then I saw the pictures. So I twittered back to @marketSTL and offered my services, they accepted!

I was so excited to be attending this awesome marketing event but even better was to be able to photograph it and give Will something amazing to show for next years show!

The event was held at the beautiful Luminere Hotel. What an awesome hotel with some beautiful interior design and okay these way cool plastic rocks that light up! How cool is that?

I was also so glad to see my buddy Small Town Girl who came to the event to live broadcast it. So here she was, broadcasting a Marketing event that specialized in social media and awareness and so much more!

This event was first rate with enough information on so many levels I know it had something for everyone. I’m a novice marketing person, but I took notes and I learned a lot, enough to be adding what I learned into my life and online social networking.

You are going to have to check out ______________ and all the great teaching notes and then next year you make sure to sign up for the event!

Make sure to follow @marketSTL for all the news and updates on social media!

If you are a small business and do not blog, get on it, what are you waiting for, I’m sure you have something to offer that people need to hear! One word WORDPRESS, get there!

Here’s the video I created for MarketSTL

ENJOY!

Jackie Joyner Kersee | Church on the Rock | Lisa Nikole

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

I’m privileged to go to one of the best churches around and because it’s pastored by two of the most awesome people around Pastor Blunt and his wife Pastor Kim.

Because of these two people I’ve been exposed to some of the best teachings and greatest people around, I’ve been privileged to photography those events.

A Wed. night a few weeks ago, I got to listen to and photograph Jackie Joyner Kersee, and I’ll be honest, when I heard she was coming I wondered what she could come to share.

I knew she was an amazing athlete and I was very sure she had profound things happen in her life to share. There was a moment in her sharing that I got lost in her words thinking about a woman from East Saint Louis making it to the level of stardom that she did. You know the saying “nothing good comes out of…. (you can insert your own town there if you like). But Jackie gave encouragement and hope and strong conviction of perseverance and life. It was an honor to hear her and to photograph her.

Jackie is considered to be one of the greatest female athletes in history, she won a silver medal in 1984 and gold medals in 1988 and 1992. She is also the heptathlon world record-holder!

Jackie retired from track and field in 2001 and started the Jackie Joyner – Kersee Youth Center Foundation to encourage kids in her underprivileged hometown to play sports.

There was an open question forum where some very interesting questions were asked, ones that came with thought, I enjoyed so much listening to everyone share and especially listening to such an amazing woman!

Barlow Girls | Steller Kart | Vota | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

WOW, what a night. I seriously have not had music THAT loud for a long time. Yes, yes I know I tell you all the time how loud I like my music but WOW, this was loud! But so much fun.

I have so much fun doing what I do I can’t even begin to explain it. I get to meet amazing people and shoot things that are a lot of fun. I enjoy the concerts because it’s such a challenge and so different then what I normally shoot. Can I just say this… red stage lighting… YUCK!

Last week I had a unique opportunity to shoot three amazing bands in one night. This was the Barlow Girl Love and War Tour.

The night opened up with a Q&A with Barlow Girls, three sisters with a unique message that they shared with all the people there, The girls were fun to listen to and shared a lot of their lives as sisters and answered questions from the select group of people that were there to listen to them.

First up Vota Great band, full of energy and a sincere tone is set in the way they perform and command the stage. Energy is one of the greatest things to capture with concert shooting. As the crowd of people got out of their seats to join the band upfront. It proved for some interesting shots and again a challenge to capture the night!

Following Vota was Stellar Kart (as of this posting it seems their website is down, but hopefully up soon!) Steller Kart is a boy band with an incredible sound and dynamics in message and performance. They came out in these really bright colored T’s (which you can purchase). The audience really enjoyed their lively sets and joining in with the band. They also shared a lot of personal (almost too personal) fun facts about each other! Great show!

The reason why they were all there: Barlow Girls!

Someone asked me if I knew who the Jonas Brothers were, of course I did and they told me that these were the girl equivalent to the Jonas Brothers. They are three equally beautiful and talented girls. They brought a strong message for the crowd and gave personal messages of battles in their own lives. One quote caught my attention above all others “I’ve got issues too, but God still uses me” So many people are defeated before they even begin. I thought their message was very powerful along with their singing and entertaining.

Easter Sunday | Tyler Williams | Church on the Rock

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Have I ever said I go to the best church in the world? Well, if not, let me make it clear that I do!

Easter Sunday is always a special time of year, most people who don’t go to church do and then there are the family gatherings!

Every year Church on the Rock invites a special guest speaker to share with us. This year was no exception, we had Tyler Williams from “Everyone Hates Chris” and his family. He and his mom shared some amazing words. Tyler being ONLY 17 showed more wisdom and maturity, I could not believe he was 17!

Then, over in our north campus was an amazing eqqsplosion. Music, Message, Dance, Drama and some eqqstra special gifts, including some Wii’s.

Over 6,500 people were on campus at COTR, I even got to ride in the Limo Bus that was used to escort people back and forth between cars and campus!

I was honored to shoot the event and just had to share a few images of the day with you!

The Banner!

Full House at North Campus

Mendy is an amazing teacher!

Drama

Packed House for Sunday Service

Tyler Williams

An awesome amazing wonderful day!

Thanks to everyone that helped make this day so special, and a special thanks to Pastor Blunt and Pastor Kim without them and their vision and direction, I’m not sure where I’d be!

365 | A Commitment | A Project

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Jan 1st I started two 365 projects, one was to read the bible. You have to know I am not a reader and just because it’s the bible does not make it any more a thing I will read. Now I’ve been trying to read more and I am, but the process of stopping, sitting down and reading, well… it’s not what I do.

I’m very thankful for my Ipod and an App that reads the bible too me, it also has a commentary that is really very interesting and helps set up the passage of the day!

So far so good, it’s day 100 and I’ve done very well in keeping up, catching up and doing what I need to do to get it done!

Now my second project is a 365 project to shoot one picture a day with my Iphone for 365 days. This all started when my friend decided he was going to do one and I thought, shooting an image per day, getting it online.. No problem! So I told him I would join him in his endeavor.

I have to tell you taking a picture a day, really really gets you to thinking and it makes you work and really opens your brain up to the thought of finding something interesting to share with people, and on day 100, as I look back, i see I like to shoot a lot of food! I plan on changing that the next 100 days.

Both projects have been a real challenge and it’s been difficult to keep up and stay committed but I am like this, if you can’t do this, what else can’t you do? I’m not a quitter and I’m a person of my word, I made the commitment and I will complete it!

You all are my witnesses!

How about this for a challenge… what would you like to see? Give me some suggestions of something from Lisa Nikole’s surroundings that you would like to see in the next 100 days! Leave me a comment on my blog, sorry I’ll have to read the message first before it goes on the blog

Now I have to tell you, I’ll be Happy News Years Day, because I will have completed my task and I will never ever ever commit to it again :-)

So here’s to the first 100 days!

Warther Knives | Weddings | Lisa Nikole

Friday, April 9th, 2010

I’m not an affiliate of Warther Knives, but I should be! I’ve been buying knives from them for over 6 years and I love them.

Read through to see an amazing product created especially for brides.

When I lived in Ohio I made a couple trips to their store/museum to purchase products and walk around the peaceful setting.

The Story of Warther knives is amazing and if you get to Dover, Ohio, this place is a must.

The story of Mr. Warther is simply amazing and inspiring. He was an incredible man and artist, yet so humble. Oh and if you go you’ll get one of these I have a couple and again, the story behind them…amazing!

Warther Knives are handcrafted and you can learn all about Mr. Warther, his family, knives and products by visiting his website

And the story of the museum is located here: Warther Museum

Now to the product, I generally do not promote too many wedding day products but when this knife passed by my desk today I knew I had to tell you all about it.

What a beautiful keepsake that will keep on giving for years and years and years.

a Warther Wedding Cake Knife! It’s beautiful, solid and handcrafted.

If your looking for a great gift for your couple THIS IS IT!

Let me know if you get one, I’d put my name on it that it’s going to impress you!

The Ransom | Church on the Rock | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

First I’d like you to watch this awesome video! What a great job done in house at Church on the Rock

This was played on a few networks and of course placed on youtube. It was a big night as The Revolution (youth group) of Church on the Rock prepared and practiced to present to the public several songs, dramas, dances and a human video!

I was proud to photograph the event, but I was more proud of the youth at our church. They worked hard with awesome results.

At the rehearsal, they were done in record time because they had their act so together there were only minor changes! Things were so well planned and practiced, little needed to be done.

The night of dress rehearsal, they had more time to relax and pray for you, those who attended and those who did not.

I can’t show you everything that happened that night, but I can show you a few images I took and tell you that at the end of the night over 240 people raised their hands and walked up front! THAT was worth every effort, every practice, every rehearsal. It was worth it all!

There was amazing dance, several drama’s directed to issues young people deal with, a human video (a drama skit performed to life music), A special guest from Miami Florida, Christian performer Blessed.

It was straight on, to the heart and done in excellence. I’m so proud of everyone that helped make “The Ransom” an amazing night that touched so many people!

Thank you for giving of yourself and your time!

Opening Dance

Youth Pastor Chris and Isaiah throwing Ransom T’s to the crowd!

Some of the drama’s

Scottie Cambell Music, you have to follow him and listen to his amazing talent!

Singing/Dancing

The stage was full of young people making a decision for Christ!

Mentoring | Lisa Nikole

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

In the quiet of my house I started to think of the people that have asked me for help this year.

THIS YEAR has been an amazing year for me and I’ll be blogging about that later.

But I wanted to talk about mentoring and what our concepts are about it.

First I want to say, I personally don’t like the word mentor. I consider myself a friend and someone who cares enough to spend time helping others develop into an awesome amazing photographer or person!

But when you think about it, if we all just open up our eyes we are being mentored every day, by things around us and things we expose ourselves to. All of that is creating the people we are and who we will be.

So, when you set out looking for someone to “mentor” you, what do you look for? What do you do?

In our internet generation it’s pretty easy to find people to talk to about what you want to do, find people of common interest and search out what you feel you need. Some people feel the internet is a waste of time but I see it as a vast open field of amazing things to explore and place to go. I guess it’s all in how you think and how big your mind is.

I asked on my facebook “When you think of Mentoring…what do you think of?

Here are a few of the responses:

I agree and would like to add that a mentor is someone who inspires you and you look up too. They are someone whom you would like to mimmic in some way. They may a dream or goal visual, tangible and obtainable for one to achieve. The show you the path to take and keep you on track. Mentors come in many forms and professions; teacher, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, pastors, ministers, saints, professional, students, couples both young and old and even children. They are all someone we can learn from and admire. Most importantly, a mentor is someone who is humble and acknowledges the fact that no one is an expert per-se they and we still all have room to grow and learn. Anyone who believes themselves to know it all, still has much to learn.

This is what a mentor means to me.

Have a great day, Lisa and all my photog buddies, you are all someone I mentor as I continue grow in the photog world. Anita Johnson
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Someone who helps me. Shows, then lets me practice and gives feedback. Mary Ann Drawl
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A Mentor is someone that knows you well enough, and you know them well enough, that you can make a mistake and say “What did I do wrong?” without fear of being judged or laughed at….unless it was really funny goofup!

A Mentor is also someone that you accept criticism from without it being personal. James Smith
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I agree with all that’s been stated…We share in CCAG….we mentor each other , weather we’ve been at our craft a year or many years.as ppl in general we mentor each other daily in our actions and attitudes….to inspire someone to find their inner most self and express it in what ever way suits their spirit! We mentor each other even when we dont know we’re doing it ! HUh go figure… Life is wonderful! Patti Becher

I love these examples and these people!

Now the reason this topic came up is because I’ve been mentoring a few people who:

a) feel they need to correct my advice. (then why ask me?)

b) want me to hand them everything that I have worked for and worked hard to earn in the past years.

c) total space cadets who are just looking for a way to (I hear this way too often) Make money!

If you are lucky enough to find someone who will take time to help you and not charge you for that expertise, then you should consider yourself very very lucky.

NEVER expect anything to be handed to you, that is not the role of a mentor. Mentor’s are to guide you, direct you and push you in the right directions and sometimes a mentor’s job is to let you go and let you experience life for yourself. But a mentor is NEVER to hand over years of hard work at the drop of a hat to make your life easier.

If you want it, you’re going to have to work for it, like I did, like others that are around me have. You’re going to have to search the internet and join forums and ask, and most of all you’re going to have to LISTEN!

When it comes to listening most people don’t have a clue. I believe the 21st century is all about whining, really, Stop crying about how hard it is, what you can’t do, what you don’t have and get out there and make it happen.

I shot my first wedding with a Canon Elan, yes a film camera. I got paid 200 dollars and… I did okay. Was it good or great, no, but I was honest with two people. Myself and my client and everything was great. I did not spout off to be a professional I was honest, I was starting out and I did what I had to do and I took my lumps while I did it also.

I slowly grew to where I am today and I’m still growing and I don’t plan on stopping… I have goals and plans and dreams like anyone else.

So if you are being mentored… take the advice you are given and do something with it and never expect to be handed anything.

If you’re in it for the money… do me a favor… get out. It takes a while for that boat to dock and you’ll burn out far too soon before the money rolls in.

Now go find your mentor and send them a nice email, card or something nice. They don’t have to help you, but they do because they are good people.

Good people are sometimes hard to find. Treasure them when you find them.

Oh and I don’t mean my clients..I’m good! But I really mean for everyone else… go hug your mentor today! They help you find your passion and desire and direct you to what you should and should not be doing. Listen to them, their advice is sage wisdom and you won’t find it too many other places.

Be well…

Yes, it’s a Christmas bulb, but I liked it and wanted to share!