{ Happy Birthday to my Best Friend...}

I have a best friend named Crystal...

We have been best friends for 13+ years...

That means that we were best friends when dial up was the "in thing", cell phones weren't around and we spent all of our time shopping, doing our makeup and goofing around...

She is the most gorgeous friend ever...and is naturally beautiful and sweet...

Her birthday is today and I want her to know how much she means to me...

And also how OLD she :) ...

We don't hang out as much anymore....because we are both OLD...

But I still love her just as much...if not more...

She inspires me to be the best I can be...

She inspires me to be a free spirit with a heart full of love and kindness...

And inspires me to keep pushing forward...

I love my best friend...she is the best I could ever have...

Happy birthday Crystal!!

{ Haley & Zach | Engagement }

I owe a lot of my referral thanks to Ashley! She has given me many opportunities to photograph her little family which in turn has lead to many referrals! One of those being her sister, Haley.

Please correct me if there is a bigger fan out there but I am pretty sure that Ms. Haley is by far my biggest fan! I was so flattered when I met her and she told me that she "stalks" my blog. Makes me blush! It was super sweet to hear especially after one of my "droughts" where I was feeling a lack of creativity. Any photographer knows what I am referring too.

Haley and Zach are high school sweethearts! We all went to the same high school together so it was super fun to be able to photograph their engagement! Check out how adorable these two are and how much love they show...

Thank you again Zach & Haley, for letting me be apart of your new adventure! I cannot wait to see you again! Your wedding day will be one you will never forget...

-Nicole

{ Matt & Kendra | Engagement }

I had the pleasure of photographing two of the sweetest people I have ever met! Matt and Kendra found me through a chain of friends and asked me to photograph their engagement pictures! I gladly accepted their request! Matt was incredibly funny and light hearted and Kendra was so kind and sweet! I don't think she knows how to not smile! She's absolutely beautiful!

Their photo shoot was done at Washington Park on a gorgeous sunny day! The Rose Garden was in full bloom which added just the right amount of color to their pictures. They are planning on a Hawaiian wedding! I cannot wait to see some of their wedding pictures!



Thank you so much, Matt & Kendra, for giving me the opportunity to photograph such an exciting time in your life! I wish you nothing but the best in your love-filled future!!

-Nicole

{ A Teacher's Love | Henry }

As most of you know, I am a student at The Art Institute of Portland, majoring in photography and design. What you may not know is that the program at my school is more geared for the commercial photographer. So trying to show my newborn work for assignments is hard to do and very rarely happens. I am always trying to find some sort of way to prove that my newborn work could be used just as effectively as a Nike shoot. Well, I finally had my chance to show off some recent newborn work of mine and was given the opportunity to show more on my school walls! Yay!

One of my most inspirational teachers at the school just had her baby! I had wanted to ask for so long but I was way nervous to ask. I had the mentality that if her family wanted to get newborn photos, that they would let me know. But that was such a silly way of thinking. I mean, she had so much to worry about at the time (school, finals, home life, a new baby on the way) that thinking of me and my newborn work was a ridiculous thought. After she had delivered her baby, I finally worked up the courage to ask her if I could use her newest one as a model. And to my surprise, she said yes!!

May I please introduce the world to one of my greatest mentors newest baby, Henry!

Thank you so much Alexis, for giving me the opportunity to photograph such a special moment for you and your family! I truly enjoy you as a teach and as a person. You inspire me to keep pushing on through all of my doubts and your words have been so encouraging to me. Thank you, thank you thank you...

-Nicole 

{ One Gorgeous Mama To Be }

I think the hardest part for me when it comes to my photography is being asked to photograph people I haven't met. I just get so nervous! Naturally I think of all the "what if's". What if they don't like the location? What if their little baby doesnt sleep? What if they don't like my style...what if, what if, WHAT IF!? So for me to get past that, I sometimes offer up free sessions in return for modeling. Not only do I get to work on interacting with people I haven't met before but I also get to work on poses and some other photography related. Oh, and my "what if's" :)

Chivara was one of my lovely mommy-to-be's who volunteered to model for me. I am pretty sure we were separated at birth because I had so much fun with her. Seriously, the best time on a photo shoot ever! We were getting sassy with each other and it was hilarious! She is about to have a little girl any day now. I am pretty excited that I was able to capture this precious time in her life...and I am pretty excited to have made a new friend!!

Thank you so much Chivara for modeling for me! You are on gorgeous momma! I cannot wait to meet your newest addition!!

-Nicole

Thank You To The Fathers

This post is going to be a little different today. No pictures, just words. Beings that it is Father's Day, I feel I owe a lot of thanks to a lot of different father figures I had growing up. And this post is going to be all about them!

Growing up, I didn't really have a father in my life. I had a horrible step-father and my mom's divorce to him couldn't come fast enough. Later on in life, I met my biological father and that turned out to be a disappointment as well. As I look back and reflect on the two individuals who were suppose to be the daddies in my life, I can't help but think about the real men who have made such an emotional and supportive impact in my life. I like to call these men, my "real" dad's...let me tell you a little bit about them...

First and foremost, my uncle Bobo (Dan) has been the most supportive and influential father figure in my life from the day I was born. He has been there for not only my mom but for myself and brother as well. I can't think of a time in my life when I couldn't count on him. I have so many fond memories of growing up with him.

I use to spend a lot of time with my uncle growing up. Some of my favorite memories include:

• Mickey Mouse pancakes. I use to think these were SOOO cool!!
• His toy collection. This man had the biggest train set ever. He also collected some of the most unique toys I could think of. I remember him have these pinball machines, but they were little...they were so neat!
• Micheal Jackson. I use to watch the Michael Jackson videos at his house. My uncle Bobo probably is the reason I got hooked on him at such a young age.
• Trips. Bobo took me on my first trip ever to Disneyland. He also took me all around Oregon and took me on my first plane ride! And even though I cried and wanted to go back home to my mom, I look back and think of how cool it was that he wanted me to tag along!
• My dance/school performances. My uncle NEVER missed a single school performance. He was always there!

I haven't ever thanked him for giving me such a great life but I want him to know that I am very grateful for having him in my life. I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without him. I love him very much. And no, I am not going deep sea fishing...sorry Bobo <3

I also have my neighbor, Steve Glavan, to thank for being a father figure growing up. Steve was the father to my best friends, Chelan, Kari and Chris. They lived right next door. Steve provided so many funny moments in my life. I don't think that I ever went to their house to cry on Steve's shoulder per say, but I went over to get a smile. Steve has this sense of humor that is so clean but anyone would  (and still could) laugh at. He made these AWESOME message machine recordings. I think about them all the time..."If you are at the ballet, press two two. If you are golfing, press four." They were seriously so funny. And he is still very witty!

I have never thanked Steve for being such a solid figure in my life and for opening his doors to me anytime I needed or wanted. His smiles and warm heart made the rough times easier. I couldn't have asked for a better neighbor growing up. I honestly believe that he was put in my life for a reason. Thinking back to those times, I now know why. Thank you Steve, for being such a great influence on my life. You not only provided me with a second family, but you supported me, you were there for me and you introduced me to a family of God and faith. I love you!

Chuck Redwing was also a father figure of mine. He was along the same lines of Steve but had a very nurturing manner to him. Chuck definitely gave me a shoulder to cry on, gave me that dad advice that I needed in my teenage years and provided me with many laughs and smiles. We use to have this tradition that went strong for five years (I believe) where we would go to the Monster Truck show. Oh my gosh, it was so fun! Seriously!

Chuck made me feel like I was a daughter. He made me feel like I belonged to his family. Him and his wife, Marlene, are my Godparents. I call them that all the time because that's exactly what they are. They were the second set of parents that I needed. Anytime that I had tears rolling down my face, they were right there, on the phone or at my home (mind you they lived a good 45 minutes away from me). Thank you Chuck, for the hugs, laughter, advice and kindness. I think about you all the time and wish I could see you more. You were a solid figure of love and kindness in my life and helped guide me through some hard times. You and Marlene are the biggest blessings in my life. Thank you...


Now, I have the most amazing stepfather! Ed has been such a supportive father figure. I seriously have needed someone like him in my life for as long as I can remember. I am horrible at telling him or showing him how thankful I am but I truly am. Everything a father should be, Ed is. And we even butt heads and make up like a father daughter should! LOL! Seriously though, he is great. For not ever having kids of his own, he picked up the pieces and learned super quick. Thank you so much Ed, for being the father that Brandon and I needed. We love you!

Thank you to all the dad's out there, the fill in's and biological. You all have made a big impact on the lives you are involved in. Remember that you are influencing the world in more ways than you know. We all appreciate your time and dedication to staying positive and loving in the lives of the children you are helping raise.

{ Rylan | One Handsome Little Guy }

Have you ever seen a baby and thought to yourself "Gosh, I can't wait to see what that kid is going to look like when they get older! He/She is going to be CUTE!"? Well, that's exactly what I thought when I met this handsome little guy! Remember his parents, Jena and Greg? This is their newest addition, Rylan!!

I was so excited to finally meet him! His mom had been teasing us all with pictures and I couldnt wait to see him in the studio! He is perfect in everyway! He has the softest hair (with a natural mo hawk), cutest little cheeks and he is such a great poser! Here, let me show you...

Thank you SO much Jena & Greg! It was so such a pleasure photographing your maternity as well as the end result, Rylan!

-Nicole