Being Happy for Others and Birthday Lasagna

So I have been working really hard lately on getting everything just so for the new website, blog, product guide, specials and just plain awesome stuff that my life seems to be flying by. But I promise that once it is all over and done, Nicole Renee Fotographie will be everything I always wanted my business to be and more. More? Yes, more. You see I had goals. I set them and even though I haven't met every single one YET, I still work on them. It is a constant process and let me tell you there wouldn't be one goal met without my determination and the support from my husband and a few family and friends who have helped push me and want more.

Why am I talking about this? Well, the other day I got a message on facebook. It was from a young photographer who had a couple questions and so I asked her when she would be free and I could call her. We ended up chatting for quite awhile and I answered any questions she had and I could tell she was quite excited just to be talking to someone else who had the same passion as her. Later that evening I had a ding on my phone and looked and someone posted on my facebook wall. I hope she doesn't mind but here is what she posted "Dear Nicole - I can't thank you enough for all the advice you just gave me over the phone! You put so much more confidence in me than I ever thought I could have. I have so much respect for you as a photographer. I look forward to going to some of your shoots with you and learning even more! Xoxo" I find it unsettling that it probably crossed her mind that she was writing to someone who may not give her the time of day. I help people as much as I can. I am always willing to share my knowledge with others, but I also know that there is so much for me to learn. As is with life. I mean if you already know everything where is there for your life to go but where you are. Learning is beautiful because your wings get streched and there always is room for improvement and more furry little feathers right? I mean, I am hoping that mine will eventually having diamonds or something because I like sparkle. LOL!

My point to all this is coming, I promise. Like, riiiiggggt now.

Recently there have been some things that I have seen and heard and just been around that made me go hmmmmmmmmmm. Why is it that we as human beings are so willing to accept people when they are hurting or failing and reach a hand out to them because you feel sorry for them, but it is so hard to accept the ones who are having successes, starting new ventures and soaring in their life? I don't quite understand this concept. I try to be the person when someone is starting something new to offer my help. I try to be the person when someone is down to give encouragement. I don't really think it is a hard concept. But it seems lately with it being so easy to access other people's lives through all the social networks, my little bubble that I used to live in has expanded quite a bit and opened my eyes to such negativity in this world. People are mean. People are so willing to try to knock others down just because they are so afraid of someone else becoming more successful in their eyes. Why not just be happy and encouraging of others in this human race. Why not try to lift others up because I promise when you do there is going to be someone right there lifting you too. Just a little thought. And I don't mean to let others walk all over you who constantly try to. But this is about encouragement. Making people a priority who only treat you as an option will be a discussion for another day. LOL!

So in closing I just want to say to encourage, lift, and be happy for others. I promise you will be a happier and more fulfilled person.

And I couldn't blog without a picture.......my handsome hubby on his birthday with candles in his lasagna. We're cool like that.




And I don't want to end this without a little love to my studio mates, Josh and Jenny Solar from Solar Photoraphers. I learned about their super duper new business venture on the plane to Las Vegas when they hadn't told the world yet. I can't tell you enough how awesome I think this movement they are bringing to this crazy world is. I encourage you to take a look and show them some love........


www.thehappyfamilymovement.com

Senior Special!!!

Hey there Seniors!!  You still have time to do your senior pictures!!!!  Why not take advantage of two for one!!  Book your session and bring a friend and you can split the session!!  Also, tag 10 of your friends who have not had their pictures taken on facebook and you get 16 free wallets with your paid session fee!  You can't go wrong with that!!  Email nicole@nicolereneephotography to book your session today!

Happy Birthday My Love

Dear Michael ~

Today, as we are in our life, in our marriage, in our existence together, I thought would be a good day to write you a thank you love note.  I mean, it is your birthday and I thought I would celebrate it by celebrating you.  

I celebrate and thank you ........

......... for being the father you are.  
......... for being my friend.
......... for all the roses you buy just because.
......... for allowing my wings to fly this year in my business.
......... for compromising even when you don't want to.
......... for washing the dishes without a word being said.
......... for going to work every single day because you want the best for us.
......... for building my firepit 30 minutes after suggesting we have one.
......... for talking to me not at me.
......... for loving God like you do.
......... for being as onery as you are even when it makes me crazy.
......... for loving me for all my me.
......... for always letting me know your love for me.
......... for your joy of other children besides ours.

I love you and I hope your birthday is filled with many blessings.



Happy New Year 2011!!!!!

Well It has been awhile since I have blogged.  But I really do have good reason this time.  2010 has been one heck of a year.  I am not sure if any of you read my New Year's resolutions but if you have been waiting a year now to see how I did (I know you have been checking on me day and night since January 1- LOL!) but drumroll please........ I am happy to say I am 6/12s a better person!  I am sure you are like What?  What is that exclamation point for.  That girl is craaazy.  She only made half her goals.  Well I am here to tell you that 12 goals are really hard!  I mean, in reality to think that only one month to become a gourmet chef was going to fly and then start working on another goal was JUST RIDICULOUS!!  But I am proud of the goals I did accomplish.  I set 12 goals and at least worked on half of them!  That is a win to me! I am closer to Michael.  Maybe not because we made it on so many dates, but because I listened more and the times we did make time for ourselves we made sure it was about us.  That's all I'll say about that.  I am 15 pounds lighter.  Woo hoo!  I won't discuss the muscle mass I lost once winter came but am slowly working on it ;)  I learned how to play Farkle, joined a Bunco group, play Apples to Apples and am pretty mean on the Wii.  I am often also a student in Bella and Ellie's Gravatt Elementary School.  And Sometimes I have to even be the principal.  Ellie always has to be the student yadi yada yada!  I attended a couple basketball games with my older girls (that's play to me ;)  And this year, in honor of my studio mates, The Solars, we are going to have some fun fests.  What is fun fest you say?  Well, it is just awesome fun with your kids.  Take a gander if you would like to, but I warn you, I cried.  Solar Family Fun Fest
I also took a big step on the business side........which can I say incorporated March goals and organization goals ;)

For those of you who don't know, I am co-studio mates with 4 other fabulous photographers.  The are awesome people and this has truly been a life changing decision.  I can't say enough about each and every single one of them .  Josh, Jenny, Kelley and Ali are four photographers who are friends, mentors, rockstars of photography, and I am blessed to have had them walk in my life when they did.  Each came in at different times, but I am a better person for it.

Since the start of the my joining the studio, all I can say is wow!  I hung on tight and enjoyed the ride.  I empoyed a Studio Manager/Assistant, Jacob Tarwater, who I can't say enough about and what he has brought to Nicole Renee.  Thank you.

2011 is going to be a great year at Nicole Renee.  I already am in the throws of a special promotion Burlesque that is quite the hit and in February am heading the Vegas with thousands of other photographers for WPPI.  It is going to be a blast.  All of us at The Studio are going with the exception of Kelley, because she is working on bringing a little baby dino into the world.  :)  Soon I will be working on a new website and fun stuff like that.  It is maddening to think of all that needs to be done!!

I hope that 2011 brings to everyone what they want out of it.  Set some goals.  They can't be reached if you don't set them!  Dream a little.  Play a little.  Laugh a lot!  I know I am going to!

Peace and Blessings!

Nikki

Living Room Mini Session Series

After taking pictures last week of the Feden Family, I had so many comments, emails and calls that I thought I would offer something similar for everyone to take advantage of. This is a great deal and here are the details! The sessions are 30 minutes long, they will be in a rural setting set up similar to the Feden portraits, you will get an 8x10 digital collage, your proofs will be in an online gallery if you would like to order more, and there will be several specially priced items and products for you to buy if you would like!! The session is Saturday, October 2, 2010 and there are several time slots available. Email soon though if you would like the sunset slots!!  All this is $50!!

Halloween Mini Sessions!

Halloween mini sessions have arrived at Nicole Renee!!  Email to book your appointment : nicole@nicolereneephotography.com.  This is a great way to get professional pictures taken of your little ones in their costumes!  This fabulous opportunity will be Saturday, October 16, 2010.  A rain date will be scheduled if needed.  The shoots are 15 minutes long, you get an 8x10 digital collage that you can have printed anywhere you like and there will be an online proofing gallery if you would like to order more pictures!!  All this is $35!!

The Fedens {Family}

I can't say how much fun it is when everything comes together in your mind and a family shows up that is as beautiful as the Feden Family.  Hillary {Bug} went to school with my Haley.  She is sweet and beautiful and ran her first half marathon to raise money for a disease she has been living with, colitis.  You can read her story here http://www.active.com/donate/napa09midamerica/napa09HFeden .  Over the past few years Julie and I have become friends and even got to experience "The Senior Cruise" together.  She also, as the activities director,  endures my Grandma Faye at her assisted living home, even when my grandma is stealing other residents wreaths off their doors and moving chairs to her liking.  Their oldest Heather is stunning and sweet and has a wild side I wish I had some days!  What can I say about Bill {Ferrett} Feden, well with a name like that what can you say. ;)





It was a pleasure photographing your family, Bill and Julie.  You make my job so fantabulously easy!!