Posts Tagged ‘COTR’

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Rick Rigsby | COTR | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

When I heard I was going to photography and listen to Rick Rigsby, well, to be honest… who is Rick Rigsby?

I’ll let Rick’s website tell you who he is, and you can check it out more HERE

Here is about Rick:
A master storyteller, Dr. Rigsby weaves a life of triumphs and tragedies with timeless common sense values—to respond to the challenges of our day.

Following a successful career as a television news reporter for a CBS affiliate in Northern California, Rick Rigsby began graduate studies, earning a Master’s degree at California State University, Chico, followed by his Doctorate from the University of Oregon. For the last two decades, Dr. Rigsby has served as a college professor—the last 14 years at Texas A&M University—where he continues to serve as chaplain for the Aggies football team.

Rick is an amazing man, he started out speaking about a testimony he heard about a woman who was healed of cancer and he asked us, but what if she was not healed, what if God decided not to heal her. I did not know what was coming and I’ve experienced the lives of loved ones stolen from me in the name of cancer. Cancer changed my life and I’m not alone.

Rick is a great speaker and he draws you in with his sparkling personality and his way of telling it like it was. Rick drew me in and as I listened I never expected to hear what I would hear.

Rick tells an amazing story of how he met his wife, how she was the only one to give him her “real” number, she danced with him and she married him. Rick seemed surprised she would have married him. They had two children and when she found a lump in her breast, 6 years later the rug was pulled out from Rick and his wife died.

There was a powerful movie of his family and wife. It caught me by surprise and I thought about how he started the day… What if?

What ifs’ happen to us all the time, everyone goes through things, our personal Gethsemane. I’ve been reading a book about being wounded and it says we need to change the way we see the things that wound us. They are not there to destroy us, but to create us. Rick did this and he’s used a situation in his life to reach hundreds and thousands of people with a powerful, positive message.

I was so honored to listen to Rick, so thankful for what I’ve been exposed to.

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Daniel Blunt | John Mark McMillan | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

I had the honor and distinct pleasure to shoot a concert last month of a friend and amazing musician: Daniel Blunt.

Daniel is an amazing musician but even more so, he’s an awesome person. He’s humble, a characteristic not seen much in the music industry and he strives for excellence in all he does.

This was Daniel’s first concert and it was so much fun to see him perform, and to photograph the event.

You have to purchase Daniel’s New CD Contact COTR for more information about the release date… PS, I already pre-ordered mine.

Daniel was opener for John Mark McMilllan, John is very original and outspoken on his beliefs. he stops in his concert to express his opinions with a humbleness and pure heart, you can tell he’s spent a lot of time thinking about what he shares and really puts a different and very realistic spin on the gospel. His music is full of life and true meaning. It was a pleasure to meet him and shoot the concert.

and lastly, I love shots like this….

So thanks again to the Pastor Blunt and the COTR for exposing us to such mega talent and experiences!!!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Slimed | COTR | Lisa Nikole

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Every so often this photographer gets asked to shoot some amazing things, and every so often I wonder… HOW am I going to do this?

Slime day, Feb. 14th, 2010…yes, happens to be valentines day also. I was down in our children’s area and getting ready to shoot… Slime!

How fun! I have to say it was a challenge. I had no idea how they were going to get slimed, nor did I know if my camera was going to end up as part of the sliming.

I have to tell you a bit about our children’s department, first I’m taking a guess, but, I am going to say there were about 800 kids down there between both services, probably more, but that is a good guesstimate.

There are a ton of amazing helpers and staff down there but the two that stick out the most in my mind are Mendy and Tommy. Talk about energy, these two if unglued could serious create rocket fuel. They are amazing for the 724 kids (children’s area) and to not take away from the seriousness, they both came bring amazing light to the kids lives and cause them to really think about bible principals and a daily walk with God!

Everything and I mean EVERYTHING at COTR (Church on the Rock) is done with excellence and I see that each and every time I get to shoot a new area or become part of something that is going on.

Just a side note, we had a concert last week and we needed a couple signs made fast for a broken water fountain, so we ask Jamie if she can do this for us real fast…Jamie goes and returns with two very nice computer printed signs. I laughed and said, ummmm.. you could have just wrote on a paper towel *you had to see the look on her face* and she responded…ummm no, everything here is done in excellence. Man, did I ever strike gold in finding COTR!

So, back to the sliming, it was a blast and I just had to share a few of the pictures with you, because, well… you’re awesome and sharing is what I do!

Slime me, slime me... yeah they all wanted slimed!


This is Mendy and friend... uh huh.. see what I mean.. she's a blast!


This is Tommy, and yes that's a water gun..


Looks fun, huh! You know you wanted to be there!

These next few are of Mendy getting slimed, she tried to cover her hair but at the last minute said, “forget it”… not sure if she regretted that or not?

and this..this is Jamison, he used the shower cap approach, I’m not sure if it helped much!

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Christmas | Live Nativity | St. Peters Missouri

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Running a tad late with posts, I had so many posts going on, but I wanted to make sure you all got to see this! How awesome it is. One private comment..yes, Bob, I know! :-)

I have to go to the coolest church on the planet.  I get to photograph the most amazing things and it’s a church that never stops doing and giving and bringing such great things for us to be a part of.

Sunday we had a live nativity.  How cool is that?  Fact is it was very cool, it was freezing cold.  These had to be some of the most dedicated warm blooded people I know.  I’m not sure what the temperature was but, for some reason I did not bring a coat and I was frozen through!  But there were two teams of Nativity people who sat, and acted for people to enjoy.

Not only were the people troopers but so were the camels and sheep and goats and chickens.

I got to look at peoples faces as they saw the live nativity right before their eyes.  Children looked in amazement and I heard the gasps of people as they saw what was put together for them that day.

and it had to be one of the most photographed event on phones that day!

I wish I had sent everyone a picture from my Iphone, I just was not thinking.

My favorite part are the camels.  I love Camels and I’ve been blessed to take pictures of Camels in Israel.  These camels were different, first off they did not spit, and the one camel became my friend, yes I become friends with camels.  Don’t judge :-)

So, below are some of the images of the day!  It was cold but it did not stop anyone from stopping and looking in awe at a very big real reminder of the Nativity.

The Nativity

The Nativity

Shepherd Boy

Shepherd Boy

She literally gasped when she saw the Nativity!

She literally gasped when she saw the Nativity!

He stood there and watched for some time

He stood there and watched for some time

From one generation to the next...

From one generation to the next...

My friend, I think he's trying to smile at me :-)

My friend, I think he's trying to smile at me :-)

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Gift Giving | Church on the Rock | St. Peters Missouri

Friday, January 8th, 2010

It rained the night before, the pavement was still wet.

It wasn’t as cold as last week, but the sky was still grey.

We’ve been hearing about this day for weeks, and we’ve been preparing for it also.

Buying gifts, wrapping and bringing them to church.  I put our gifts in a box and went on with my plans.  Saturday a call came to wrap presents and people showed up. A week before the young people wrapped over a thousand presents.

It was grey, it has rained and the pavement was wet, when I arrived to take pictures I could see that nothing had stopped the flow of what needed to happen early Sunday morning…

A tent with heat had risen in the night and boxes and boxes and boxes of wrapped presents were brought out to the tent, marked for age and set into a well organized pattern inside the tent….then we waited.

After the church service all children aged zero to twelve were invited into the tent to receive a free present.

I was once again privileged to take pictures.  To capture the emotion of the day, and to capture those amazing children receiving maybe their only gift this Christmas.

One woman came out of the tent thanking everyone in her path..she was so blessed!

Like a well oiled machine 1800 presents awaited a child’s arms to take them home.

The day may have been dreary and damp but the spirits were so high.  People were so excited to be a part of such a great event.

Thank you to everyone who made this such an awesome event and for making the world a brighter place, even on a sunless day, the Son still shined!

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Thankfulness

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

I spent the day yesterday, being very purposeful in being thankful.

Everyone has the usual I am thankful fors: mom, dad, brother, sister, husband, wife, God, church, family, friends and so on.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for all these things in my life, but as I went through my day yesterday I kept in the front of my mind…being thankful.

I went to Wal-mart to pick up a few last minute items, and I was thankful that I had the freedom to run into a store and grab a few items and leave.

I was thankful for vision that keeps me doing what I do. I’m thankful for family because there are so many lonely hurting people out there, even people in a crowded room of family can be lonely.

I had a shoot in Old Saint Charles of a wonderful family and I was so thankful to be able to capture their family together and enjoy just a short moment of their love for each other.

I met my husband for lunch and was so thankful we had the abilities to go out to lunch and make time for each other.

Now, this is where it gets tricky….because my husband made a couple errors on directions and I got lost and well… I can still be thankful I have a husband and that I made it home! :-) There’s a big dark grey area here, but we’ll leave it there :-)

I made it home and iced brownies to share with a few friends. I’m so thankful I have friends to share with and laugh.

I went to church, I serve as an usher and I’m so thankful for everyone on our team and everyone that has enriched my life in the last year at COTR. There are just way too many to name, but you all know who you are!

We had our family picture taken for our Christmas Card. I’m thankful that even though “the shoemakers family has no shoes” I at the last minute could ask a friend to take our picture so I can get the cards done and sent out to you.

We came home and baked a few more cookies and I made the pumpkin pie. How can you not be thankful for the abundance in our lives.

I went to bed…and I’m thankful I woke up this morning to tell you about my day!

So often we go through our days and nights consumed in a me, myself and I attitude. Us four no more mentality and I am so grateful and thankful that I am continually reminded on a regular bases that there are people out there that do not have warmth, love, someone to hug, trust, food, care, health, peace, sound mind, a job, vision, beauty, sunshine, freedom, safety, an iphone, the internet, a phone period, music, a pillow to lay their head down upon, a sound sleep, joy, money, enough money, passion, trust, happiness, smiles, friends, family and the list can just go on, and please feel free to add to it if you like.

I’m thankful that on a regular basis I am reminded that there are amazing and wonderful people out there that do good for others, serve in other nations so I can have freedom in mine, help a school in need, help an unemployed person find a job, send money to a mission, help a lonely person feel loved, give a blanket and food to the homeless, give time and money to complete a project for someone else to have shelter, family, warmth, provisions, love and peace.

Sometimes all you need to do is just smile! I’m thankful I can hold my head up and look at people when I am out and just smile at them and wish them a wonderful day.

Sometimes all you have to do is give of yourself, get up and get out and find someone in need, find an organization that helps others and reach out and you’ll find you have SO MUCH to be thankful for, even if you are not the richest, prettiest, most wonderful person on the earth. But, when you reach out, you become a most amazing person to someone in need.

I’m thankful my heart is not hardened by what I’ve seen in the past and what happens around me on a regular basis (just reading the news can hardened your heart and soul).

I’m thankful for all of you. For Photographers who push me to the next level and help me get through the level I am at. For Musicians who create the most amazing sounds that is filled with such passion and soul, with out it my slideshows would be worthless. For the people that smile back and me, and those that don’t. I just have to keep trying. For the brides and grooms I’ve gotten to spend time with, thank you for allowing us into your life and trusting us with such an important part. For our future couples, just wait, it’s going to be amazing.

So, today I’m thankful, but what’s better then that is I’m always reminded to be thankful of what I have. A phone call can change your life in an instant. Just the snap of a finger and things can change. Be thankful…everyday…. and do me a favor…Smile! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

AJ-Lisa NIkole Wedding Photography Saint Louis Missouri-80

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Thanksgiving back | Patrick Henry | Saint Louis

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I’d like you all to watch this video…..

This video really got to me, I don’t cry easily, but when I saw this video, it broke me. I hope it had just as much meaning for you. So, this is where my story begins….

Last year was my first year to go to Patrick Henry Academy in downtown St. Louis and when I mean downtown, they are within walking distance of the Dome, Arch and the Mississippi. When you drive into the city of course you notice a difference, you can feel it also.
ph5

There is one big difference today as I arrive at Patrick Henry a bit ahead of schedule, there seems to be a buzz in the air, and I know the neighbors can feel it, they already are walking around and looking. See, work has already begun, some amazing people have been down here all week, tearing up concrete, preparing a way…. for a park, grass, mulch, trees and benches and so much more. My job… to take pictures and make sure this Thanksgiving back gets photographed. I was so blessed to do so along with two other amazing photographers: Tamara and Preston!

Right around 9am 4 buses pull up to the school and over 300 happy faces pour out of the buses and onto the sidewalk as they get ready to find out what needs done and get to work!
ph4ph7

Soon the school is just filled with chatter and busy hands and feet as everyone starts to get to work. Inside and out people are cleaning, decorating and taking the talents and skills God gave them and putting them to great use.

I put together and slide show to share the days events. The biggest transformation had to be the parking lot, that over a week was slowly turned into this amazing park where the children could run and feel grass between their toes and sit and relax and enjoy the beauty that was put there for them to enjoy.

Here is a before shot of the parking lot being worked on
ph1

And here is the after…in just a few short hours, it was converted like a miracle into a beautiful park
ph3ph2

Now just sit back and enjoy the video show. I’d me amiss if I did not tell you how grateful I am for playing such a small part in this Thanksgiving back. It was such an honor to work with and next to some of the greatest people on the earth. Thank you COTR for opening up your arms and embracing Patrick Henry and allowing us to give back!

Special thanks also to Pastor Blunt and Pastor Kim for opening up your ministry to go out and bless the children of Patrick Henry and the teachers and really the neighborhood. You are Awesome!

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