Atlanta Fashion Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Atlanta Georgia

Lots of cool things are happening here at Karen Nickel Photography! I have decided to make some changes to my photography business, with the help of my husband Shawn, and I’m really excited about them. I’m doing some refining and making some changes to  both my website and my blog,  so I wanted to let you know what to expect.

As far as the business side goes, I’ve become really passionate about certain photo sessions and I want to focus more on them. To be a little more specific, I am going to be concentrating on individuals and couples and doing some more work in the commercial magazine world.  I welcome models and fashion designers for portfolio photography, graduating senior for portraits, couples in love who want “Beloved” sessions, moms who want to be pampered in my “Moms to Models” sessions and business owners who want promotional pictures.

I’m also expanding my website and opening my blog to guest bloggers. Up until now, I’ve focused my blogging on my personal experience with my clients and what’s it’s like out there taking photos. I’ll still write those blogs! Don’t worry. But now you’ll also get a chance to hear a different perspective. What kind of perspective, you ask? Well, you should come back regularly to find out!

I’m going to make it habitual. That’s right, you heard me. I’ll be posting regularly from here on out! Well, I’m not perfect, but I am going to give it my all.

Mondays will be blogs about my photo sessions (starting next week) and Thursdays will be sneak peeks of  photos and things I’m working on. I’ve also been working on some exciting monthly deals, ways to celebrate the holidays, and special things to mark the year as it passes.

It’s gonna be a whole new world over here so make sure to come back on Thursday and see what we’ve got going on.

Watch out world, here I come!

Meet Rebecca, she is my very favorite cupcake baker in Cumming GA. That’s right! I am kind of picky when it comes to cupcakes because that is probably one of my favorite treats. A moist cake with the perfect amount of thick icing, yes, that’s what I am talking about. You will not be sorry when you order her perfectly sweet cupcakes. My mouth is just watering over here while I describe them Cupcakes are one of those things that brings a smile to my face…guaranteed!

Okay, onto the photo shoot. We planned the photo shoot for the beginning of February and we weren’t sure what to expect on the weather, especially in GA (it has been so unpredictable lately). We got to our location and the snow started to come down. When I say come down, I am not kidding, they were the biggest snow flakes I have ever seen!

Rebecca and I both looked at each other and said, “let’s go for it”. Rebecca was great! We had a blast out in the snow. She had flowers (www.funkymountain.com) to use for the shoot too, which were so beautiful!
If you ever want to shoot in the snow and get crazy, just give me a call. We will make it happen! 678.773.2562

So, yesterday was a completely new experience for me. I mean totally out of my comfort zone.

As I mentioned in my, ‘Help Us, Help Africa’ (http://www.karennickelphotography.com/personal-projects/help-us-help-africa)post, I am trying to be more bold, step out of my normal routine and challenge myself, so that is what I did.

I was contacted, maybe three months ago (more or less…the Fall season goes by so fast) by a teacher at West Forsyth High School, where my two boys go. She teaches a Photography and art class there, and she wanted me, Karen Nickel Photography, to come out to WFHS to teach a class for her.

Now, if you know me at all, I do not like being in front of a lot of people, nor am I good at public speaking (not even a little), so this was an exciting idea but definitely a little overwhelming too. I excepted her invitation, though not sure how this would go, and went with it (that is how I roll).

Yesterday was the day! I got my notes together (yes, I know, kinda silly), gathered some of the magazines that show my work, updated my online portfolio, and headed off to West High to talk about photography and business.

When I arrived, I was informed that the amount of kids (maybe 35, so I thought)was now going to double,  because two classes wanted to join us. In my head, I am now thinking, can I do this…that’s a lot of kids….maybe we can sit in a circle (less like I’m the center of attention), etc. You get the picture.

I was a little flustered. The time came, and went, and all went well. I even spoke the whole hour and a half, which in the beginning, I thought there would be no way. All that to say, I have updated my online portfolio to share with all my amazing followers (yes, you). Please check it out. I’d love to hear your feedback.

I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, even if it is a bit scary or intimidating in the beginning. It is well worth it! You will learn a lot about yourself and can make a difference in the process!

Don’t miss out on our Christmas and Holiday cards…

The time is here to schedule your family sessions! Or… a session just for you (your very own gift to yourself, you deserve it).

You can share  your pictures and holiday cards with your family and friends,  and let them know, not only what you have been up to for the last 12 months, but what you look like.  And you know, just as well as any, that’s why people love holiday cards.

You can make your session as simple or as crazy as you want. Just be sure to make it yours.  Go crazy…pick a theme, bring your favorite couch/chair, or even make cookies together. Nobody wants the same picture from last year or the same design as your friend, or your sister, for that matter. This is your time to shine.  Stand out this year!

The holidays are almost here…

I cannot believe Christmas is right around the corner. This year has flown like wild fire. Summer came and went, Fall is here (with cooler weather, at least a little cooler)and now the holidays are soon to arrive, along with the hustle and bustle of the season.

This year I am going to make a huge (let’s try that again…H-U-G-E. Okay, I feel better about that one) effort to slow down during the holidays. You know, actually stop  to enjoy my family, friends and some of the smaller pleasures in life, such as making cookies, eating fudge, playing a game with my boys.

The holiday season can get completely chaotic and overwhelming as we all know, so let’s plan for it. Have a game plan…. it’s okay not to say ‘yes’ to every party, eat every cookie you are offered, buy everyone a gift. Why not try something new…make a new tradition, invite a neighbor to dinner, say ‘no’ (it doesn’t mean you are a bad person, just that you can’t do everything-people will get over it or wish they had the strength to say no), or try a destination get-a-way for the holidays. It’s okay to be different, change is good (I am talking to myself too, ya know).

All I’m saying is, don’t let another year pass you by without stopping and experiencing life with those around you. You won’t be sorry you did!

Below are a couple samples of our new designs. Remember, you can customize your card design!

For your Christmas and Holiday Cards, please contact Karen Nickel at www.karennickelphotography.com

Atlanta wedding photographers holding a picture

Not long ago, I met photographer Jesh de Rox in Santa Barbara California and he had a philosophy I admired. His philosophy was that creative artists (photographers, poets, painters, musicians, est..) should do and share life together. The more he invested and mingled with these other artists the better he was as an individual and as an artist.

He was always helping out with artwork for singers, he had a houseful of photographers that worked with him, poets gave him words for his website and the circle went round and round.

Atlanta wedding photographers I have met are talented artists all of whom keep their cards close to their chest. This reminds me of kids fighting over a sliver of pie. Jesh’s theory would equate to those crazy kids running amuck giving their pie away…

Is this revolutionary, crazy or brilliant?

I thought it sounded brilliant–but then I thought about my own chosen field of wedding photography and how this theory would apply. Should I just start sharing ideas, shooting locations, or information about my vendors to every Tom, Dick and Harry? Perhaps…but the interaction and investment would be missing.

Is it multiplying or subtracting?

One wild hair and a year later we are investing in our second wedding photography couple. These budding photographers work with us on a regular basis, share ideas and have free reign to my studio, camera equipment, computers, lights, est..

I can’t explain to you how it happened but somehow these couples have given me more than I ever could have given them. They have stretched my ability and I have become a better individual and artist through this process.  The masses are wrong and Jesh de Rox is brilliant.

I’m curious if any other Atlanta wedding photographers or artists of any walk of life have stumbled upon this nugget of wisdom. Drop me a line.. I would love to hear from you.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain

Note: Photo Above and Below are sneek peeks to an amazing project I’ve been a part of with another local artist, Mandy Gawley. A wonderful singer/song writer that is starting her exciting new venture. I’m so honored to have been able to collaborate with Mandy to create her musical identity through photography and design.

Bride outside of Atlanta

We would be kidding ourselves if everyone was right for us. And it’s important to know what our clients look like before you hire us for your next shoot.

Karen Nickel Photography offers a unique photojournalist style for every photo session. Now if you’re asking yourself…”hmmm, what is that exactly?”…let us explain.

Instead of creating a posed photo, we love to just step into the dynamic relationships we are photographing and capture moments of true authenticity. Real laughs, real smiles, real emotions. We would rather be documenting these real moments then having everyone looking into the camera saying “CHEESE!”

Why take a shot of everyone posing if that’s not who you really are? We strive to photograph the interaction between siblings, couples and families, like dad’s funny face he makes when telling a joke, or your sisters smile when she is being silly. That’s what we want: we want real.

And our clients want real too. We have had the amazing opportunity to photograph clients that are willing to relax and be themselves in front of the camera. When this vulnerability happens, we create our most prized images.

We measure our success when anyone can look at our photos and experience the personality of the people we photograph. Now if you’re saying “Yes! That’s me.” Then call us for your next shoot – we can’t wait to step into your world and capture beautiful moments.