{ 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

{ Sabrina | A Continuous Model }

If you read my blog posts, then you have already met Sabrina. She is a super sweet and super adorable teenage girl who is a pro at modeling! I like to have her model for me when I feel the need to practice posing techniques or interactions, or I have her model when I need one for an assignment.

This shoot was suppose to be a clothing shoot...but I got distracted and photographed her natural beauty...yet again :)

Thank you Sabrina...you will never know how much I appreciate you...

Nicole

{ Zeke & Hez | Brotherly Love }

Ezekiel and Hezekiah made their way into the world and I was finally able to meet them! These two handsome boys are my boyfriends newest nephews! I couldnt get over how precious they were! They were my first set of twins as well as my first family members that I have ever photographed. I must say that these boys made my job super easy! They were cute, barely made a peep, allowed me to pose them for four hours straight and they also let me get a couple extra cuddles with them! 

Thank you sooooooo much Clifton and Amy for being so patient while I tried out some new shots! I hope to see your adorable Zeke and handsome Hez sooner rather than later!

Nicole