the "job"

just "working" today...
nik

Hmmmmm...

Whoohooo!

Nothing like chillin' in a crate, combined with a little bubble blowing...now that's relaxed, right there...

being 6 months is great! (:
nik

the Hunsaker Wedding

Ok, so I lied...we did have a wee bit of water...but can you blame me? After all, the name of the town is Three Rivers... btw look at Melissa's dress...and her train isn't even down here...Gorgeous!
Do you think something is something fundamentally wrong with me that silly faces and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always some of my favorite shots? Never mind, don't answer that...this is a public blog...
smokin'!

Thank you! thank you, Tim & Melissa! Your Joy! was contagious! Blessings.

nik

the 3 day Countdown!

Take One:
Yes, this is Tim & Melissa...well, their feet anyway...Tim owns a gravel pit on the most beautiful piece of property. Isn't the pattern of the mud amazing? That's what I thought... Take Two:
It's a good thing for me Melissa was game to buy another pair of shoes and go at it again! (:
This time to Celebrate their day, we are going to another piece of beautiful property in Three Rivers, CA www.whitehorseinn.info

No second takes...Nikolai Designs is taking a strict no mud AND no water policy!!

Looking forward to Sunday guys! (:
nik

the Vieira Wedding

the bouquet.

the bride!

the laughter.

the tears.

the perfect wedding!

thank you. thank you, Jason & Stephanie for asking me to be a part of your day! It was amazing...full of love and LOTS of laughter. Lots!
Tons! (:
nik

the 3 day countdown!

Meet Stephanie & Jason.
Such genuine people. Fun, honest....real! I really enjoy the natural flow of conversation that happens every time we have been together! Looking forward to Saturday guys! (:

nik

More Mack.

Yellow!

Really, sometimes all you need is just a touch of yellow to complete an outfit. like father. like son.

nik

Fishin'

After a morning home with my kiddos...I can safely say I think there IS such a thing as to much "Voice"! My kids have no problem "finding" their Voice...in fact, I think NOT using your Voice sometimes displays a bit of maturity, will say, beyond the age of 4.

Therefore, I conclude, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away....

and, most definitely, a time to be silent....(:

and a time to speak,
nik

Meet David Coury.

David Coury shared some valuable communication insights today. www.davidcoury.com
I will forever notice now if I am crossing my arms, or holding them behind my back. I will also work very diligently to make more "I" statements, and know what "I" want to say. Not to mention, I am going to forever hold it over my husbands head that David said, "emotions are Ok!" And perhaps, just perhaps you will over-hear me working through them in a Mickey Mouse voice (Well, if nothing else...you can't take yourself to seriously while talking like Mickey Mouse, can you?) I will also ponder on, who cares how you got here...move on! I really like that one...

I could go on, but I am sure David will have a book out before you know it of all these insights...My personal insight for the day...

I am first and foremost a portrait photographer, I like the connection made in a portrait setting, and not the hustle and bustle of events.....and yet, this is my favorite shot of the day, and I really! enjoyed making it, at an event, of all things........ hmmmm.....as David said, "Try it..." and if you don't like it, try on another hat! Maybe I won't hang-up my event hat, just yet....

nik

Meet Macklin!

Seriously, how cute is baby Mack? Not to mention, he is soooo chill!!
Oh my, big yawn! I think it was the nice big warm lights! (:
This session was a special treat....for so many reasons!
xoxo
nik

More Miss Brown.

Miss Brown recorded a children’s CD, "'Let’s All Sing with Miss Brown." Her recent Cd was produced by Hollywood’s David Coury. www.davidcoury.com




David Coury will be in Porterville on Saturday...

I love the Valley. (:
nik

Somebody 'stop' me...

I don't have a photo to post. Just a big, Thank You!, to Syl
for an intense and super informative Speedliter's Intensive yesterday in LA.
www.speedliting.com
Poor poor Syl...I am afraid he is going to need a LOT of wine in October... (:

My brain is now complete mush!

I am thinking of light, light, more light, light and shadow, turning day into night, and stops.

I think I dreamt of stops last night....iso 100-400....how many stops Nikki? How many stops of real estate are my children?

hmmmmm....it's an illness really.....

more photos soon.
nik

Linky Thingy

Ok, this is now my 3rd time of trying to put a link in my blog....so I feel completely justified to have a small rant about it. Because really, 3 times is supposed to be a charm.
Tried to put Miss Brown's website here with a linky thingy...which would have been so nice....you could with a click, viola', been on Miss Brown's website, but arghhh, I can't get my linky thingy to work....arghh
Sorry, I digress. So, here is the website: Oh Wow! In this case it was 4th time is a charm...whoohooo! I can do a linky thingy!
www.missbrownsings.com
Meet Miss Brown!

"Miss Brown can be anything!" More looks to come....(:

On a side note... I almost made Miss Brown pinky promise that she would save a ticket for me when she landed her first role on Broadway...but, I just wasn't sure how reliable a pinky promise was coming from a clown with orange hair...

(: Miss Brown....it was a pleasure!

nik

Meet Kathee.

Ok,... I love this Image, I loved taking this picture. love.

Kathee is divine...in every way! Congrats to her, for being a small business award winner out of 15 counties.
www.awishyourheartmakes.com
It really was a treat Kathee to take your picture....thanks for asking!
like the good book says...ye have not because ye ask not...(:

nik

Meet Tami & Jack.

celebrating moms...tenderness.

Meet the Romero Family.

What a pleasure... Adan is just the happiest little guy, ever! I wonder why? (:

Quiero aprender a hablar espanol!! si?
nik

the Anderson Wedding

Meet the Bride. Meet the Groom & his Men.
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Robertson.

Victoria & Joel. It was such an honor to be a part of your day. What a truly wonderful experience. Thank you...
nik

the 3 day Countdown!

Meet Victoria & Joel. I am looking forward to spending Saturday with you guys! Fun Stuff! (:

nik

Smile!

the Second Amendment.

well, if you got em'... Meet Luke. Lineman of the Year.

Luke, I was wondering....if my Mom wants to adopt your Aunt Lisa as her 4th daughter...does that make us related somehow? (:
It was so nice to meet you...I had a blast!

more to come...

nik
p.s. your Mom is fabulous!

Meet Zoe.

This is my favorite picture of Zoe. From the Greek, Zoe means "life". A very big full word for a little girl....and yet, it's perfectly Zoe. Thanks Jess for having me take these. As usual, I had so much fun with you both...so glad you put up with my 'artsy-ness'! (:

see you soon!
nik

Hip! hip! hooray!

Hip!
day 3 of no 'accidents'!!

hip!
did I mention all potty's made it to the potty, for 3 days now?

hooray!
Ok,... this October, I am spending 5 days with David Hobby in Paso Robles. Sort of. It's a lighting workshop, with thee Strobist...really!!!! You know strobist.blogspot.....The guy who makes his own snoots, Gobo's, and grid spots out of cardboard cereal boxes (for fun)? The guy who has a love affair with Gaffer's tape? And is completely nuts about all things off camera flash? The guy who has 350,000 followers world wide? Ahhhh...I am super excited...ok, mostly nervous...but also very, very excited!

And if that is not enough, David Hobby knows Joe McNally...I mean they were in Dubai together for crying out loud...

I die.
nik

Meet Joseph & Brittany.

I started to type this blog and realized...I can't summarize this session. To many good things all rolled in to one. overwhelmingly good. I could gush and gush.

much more to come.
nik

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

I am beyond random. Decided to potty train Tye last night. Ahhhhh!!! a full day on the potty! It needs to be done, but Ahhhhh! I would rather help Mike Rowe inseminate turkeys for a week. no kidding.

Tonight had to "work" on something just for me...no holding back...any thing I wanted....any way I wanted to do it...
ahhh, now that's better.

I need to get some sleep, because "Everybody has go to STOP and GO POTTY."
it's true.
nik

Happy Birthday!

Meet Tad Pole. This cracks me up...typically, Tad is just two big walking dimples. He is always smiling and is just "happy-to-be-a-part-of-it" whatever "it" is going on at the moment. However, occasionally he gives me this look and says, "Mom, don't laugh...I am serious." Oh boy, what did your brother do? (:

Tad pole, 4 years later and I still can't believe it! You are such a miracle...
love you 54-5, sure-do-love-you, my heart gives love to you, you're the best!, I love you more than the stars...and the moon...

mom

Meet Anna Kathryn.

a Sylph.

such a gentle spirit. such a pleasure to work with.

Anna, I could have "worked" all day...well, we did need lunch...but after that (:

nik

Melissa and Tim

What can I say? I hope we go back... Melissa, you were a total trooper...Tim, I love love the location...amazing.


nik

Artist.

Experience. Passion. Strength. Energy.
Director. Instructor. Choreographer.
Dancer.
Student.

Thank you for letting me take this.

nik