Atlanta Fashion Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Atlanta Georgia

The beautiful Raina Bass, winner of Karen Nickel Photography’s Facebook Contest.

“Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!”

~by: Steve Maraboli~

There are so many opportunities to start fresh throughout the year, but Spring is one my favorites. For all the fall and winter months I’ve been hiding under heavy coats and big sweaters, trying to stay inside where it’s warm, wearing layers and layers of clothes, long flannel pajamas and snuggling into cozy blankets in front of a roaring fireplace.

It’s been amazing! The cold and dark force me to slow down, to hibernate and to conserve my time and energy. In the winter months I get a little more sleep and spend time doing quiet things like staring out the window, drinking lots of coffee, reflecting on the year that is about to pass, thinking and reconsidering. I’ve organized old files, caught up on my email and cleaned off my desk (well, kind of). But when I woke up this morning, I saw golden sunlight reflected all over my floor and I thought “Ahhh, Spring, so glad you’re here!”

April is one of the advance guard months of Spring, the middle season between winter and summer. It’s the month of new beginnings and hope. My favorite month of the year!

I am celebrating Spring with a special deal for all the Mom’s out there! 15% off a “Mom to Model” photography session in the month of May (three looks). A “Mom to Model” session is a photo shoot where all you busy moms take the time to get a photo shoot just of you and just for you! Dress up, get a babysitter and come to Karen Nickel Photography where I will take photographs of you, by yourself, looking gorgeous.

That’s right! A session to treat your wife (the mother of your children) or your Mom, with a day of pampering, just for them. They give and do so much for us. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to let them know how much you love and appreciate them. They deserve it!

Cast off those heavy clothes, expose your pale skin, buy a cute new hat, put on your pretty dresses and let me get some great shots of you!

Let’s welcome the sun together. Happy Spring!

P.S. Mom, thank you for all you do. You always gave me a listening ear, offered your opinion, even if I wasn’t ready to hear it, and encouraged me each step of the way. I know I was not an easy one to mother, but I’m so glad God chose you to be my mother. I would have it no other way! Love you…K

For the first person who books their “Mom to Model” session, I will include a Make-up artist to doll you up (free of charge).

Email Karen Nickel at Karen@nickelweddings.com to set up a phone consultation or give her a call at 678-773-2562.

Below are images of a very sweet girl named Sophia. Her Mom gave her a photography session to celebrate her two digit birthday, age ten. Sophia was a joy to capture, light-hearted and  confident in just being herself. She was quite the little model!

As you know I LOVE fashion photography and recently partnered up with Allison Prenger of The Style Pundit, introduced here. So, I have decided, what better way to share my love for fashion photography, then to do a monthly fashion photography blog. This will be a great resource to help people(YOU) with their fashion needs. Whether you just enjoy looking at fashion pictures (like I do), you need inspiration, or you have fashion questions, this is the place to be…and ask (seriously, please feel free to ask). Allison is not only is a fashion expert, but a stylist, and will be very involved in promoting the present styles and fashion forward clothing.

Trend vs. Staple

Style, is one-part staying current on fashion, and one-part being conscious of what you purchase and how you build your closet. This look is the epitome of this style theory. As all of us fashion followers are aware, animal print is haute, haute, HOT, this season. That being said, invest in a pair of pants that are the animal print of your choice. Here Allison is wearing a Current/Elliot pair, but we also recommend these snake print ones, or this frugal find. That being the fashion or trend part, let’s focus on the sweater and heels. There are two important aspects to this part of the look.

1.      They are staple investments that, when asked, Allison said she has had these since 2008, and still wears them every spring.

A grey sweater and pastel pumps, will NEVER go out of style. Take the Style Pundit’s advice and go invest in these staple items!

2.       They are great transitional pieces for spring.

We don’t know what part of the country you live in, but in GA the temperature can vary. Wearing a great sweater in a lighter hue, paired with pastel pumps says “I am warm, but I realize it’s not the dead of winter anymore.”

If you are interested in a winning a free model session go here or contact me here.

For March I’m trying to build my Facebook fan page and decided,  what better way to do it than giving things away.  Everyone likes free stuff, right?! I did a couples session recently,  for a client, and she brought me cupcakes (made my day).  As you know I LOVE cupcakes and so,  I have just raved about that freebie to any and everyone who would listen for at least a good month now.   So here is the deal…

 Post a picture of your favorite accessory (scarves, boots, rings, crazy socks, ties, earrings, etc..).  At the end of March I’ll count up the person who received the most comments or likes on the image they posted,  and will treat them to a crazy model shoot (FOR FREE),  with yours truly and will be styled by Allison Prenger @ The Style Pundit . They will also get pictures to share on Facebook.  Heck,  what girl doesn’t want a model shoot dedicated completely to themselves! I have gotten addicted to Pinterest, which is a great way to be inspired AND find some cool new ideas and accessories. So get started, be inspired, and share your finds here on Karen Nickel Photography’s Facebook page!!!

Model: Allison Prenger @ The Style Pundit

Styled by: Allison Prenger @ The Style Pundit

If you’ve booked a model portfolio shoot, here are some things to think about and a check list of what to bring with you.

Are you putting together a portfolio? – You’ll need 3 outfits: a casual ensemble, an evening wear ensemble and something fun and fashion forward. If you aren’t sure about your choices, text pictures to Karen and she’ll be honest with you.

Think about locations –portfolio pictures say something about you as a person as well as you as a model. If there’s a location you love, tell Karen about it or send her pictures of places that inspire you. Karen will travel 20 miles in any direction from Karen Nickel Photography. If your preferred location is further away, let Karen know so you can work that out.

For Inspiration – Are you inspired by a particular fashion era? Include some vintage pieces in your ensemble. Read Vogue, Glamour and Elle for photo shoot inspiration. Practice smizing. Watch America’s Next Top Model for instructions on body placement and attitude for photographs. Tyra knows what she’s talking about.

Come to the shoot with your hair and makeup already done – Karen can give you good salon suggestions if you need them. Get your nails done too, but look at the outfits you’ve chosen and pick your nail color carefully.

To Pack:

Lots of accessory options – different pairs of shoes with varying heel heights, all manner of bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces, scarves, hats, belts, etc. Bring a couple options per outfit and then a couple extra just for fun possibilities. A small rolling suitcase will definitely help you out here.

Makeup – face powder and lipstick in a variety of colors.

A variety of undergarments – (women only) you can never go wrong with a shaper or a pair of spanx. Also, be sure to bring bras in different colors and a couple of strapless options. Make sure you have pantyhose, tights or socks too.

Safety pins and double sided tape

For fortification: Bring water. You might also need a small snack.

For relaxation: Ipod with your favorite music? small bottle of wine? Anything that helps take the edge off and make you relaxed.

Props – optional, but if there’s something specific you like (a book, an antique, etc.), bring it.

Come rested. Come happy. Come relaxed. Be open minded.

Models: Ocean Nickel (aka: Karen Nickel’s son) and Anna Johnson~ Jean pants designer: Vanessa Henderson-House of Van Miller

Happy New Year and congratulations on getting through the holiday season! If the end of your 2011 was anything like mine (and I hope it was), you all got some quality time with the people you love, you stayed up too late at some stellar holiday parties, you did something generous for someone in need and you remembered to give thanks for all the things you’ve been given. It was one wild ride, wasn’t it?

But now welcome to January. You’re broke but your business needs an update, your portfolio needs a boost and all those pretty things you designed last year are begging to be photographed but you haven’t had time to deal with them because you’ve had too many holiday parties.

If you’ve been nodding your head and saying “Yes! Yes!” then welcome to No Money, No Problem January here at Karen Nickel Photography!

No Money, No Problem January is where designers and models donate their time, effort and resources for a FREE portfolio photography shoot. Karen Nickel will shoot the photographs and everyone involved gets 3 free images for their portfolio.

Free.

That’s right.

No money exchanged at all.

Everyone donates their products and expertise and everyone gets portfolio shots. This is known as a win and another win! Intrigued? Of course you are. Here’s the low down.

Karen’s looking for:
Fashion/accessory designers with new designs
Location Scouts (Do you know of a photo worthy location? Come work with us!)
Hair and makeup artists
Stylists
Models

If you’re out there and you want FREE portfolio shots, contact Karen Nickel. Whatever else you’re doing, it can’t be more important than spending time with your fellow artists and designers and starting 2012 with your newest and best material. Contact Karen Nickel Photography and spend the first part of 2012 doing something good for yourself.

Karen@nickelweddings.com or call  678-773-2562.

Remember: A new year deserves a new image.

PS: Karen’s also looking for new props for her photo shoots. If you own an Atlanta based business selling art objects and vintage items (jewelry, cars, musical instruments, antiques, etc.), call Karen if you’re willing to lend her objects in return for photos you could use for promotions.

model: Anna Johnson

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.
I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful,
and don’t forget to make some art -
write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.
And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.
–Neil Gaiman

Model: Anna (Jay) Johnson~ Designer: Vanessa Henderson…The House of Van Miller

In 1947 Christian Dior changed the world of fashion when he introduced a line of dresses that he described as “molded upon the curves of the feminine body whose sweep they would stylize.” American magazines heralded the nipped in waistlines and extravagant flowing skirts as the “New Look” and Dior himself likened this silhouette to a flower with a small stem and full rounded petals.

Almost single handedly Dior released women from the straight lines, square shoulders and masculine silhouettes of the resource-deprived decades during WWII and gave them permission to be themselves in all their soft flowing curviness.

God bless him.

Women are made of curves. It’s the way we are and the way we should be celebrated. However, since the 1950’s, fashion has struggled to find a balance between celebrating naturally curvy women and celebrating models thin enough to be mistaken for coat hangers. Fortunately, in 21^st century we may be finding room for both female silhouettes (and everything in between) as plus models share the stage with the size double zeros.

Truly I hope we’re no more than a year away from a TV show like America’s Next Top Plus Model because the women of America need to see some variety on their TV screens. Curvy girls can “smize” with the best of them! Make it happen, Tyra!

Karen jumped at the chance to photograph her first plus model, so please welcome Jayde Ramos.

The key to being a stylish girl is celebrating your shape, which Jayde does beautifully. Vanessa Henderson of the House of Van Miller designed this sexy black dress and it perfectly hugs Jayde’s curves.

Karen accessorized Jayde’s animal print dress with sunglasses and a sheer black wrap and then photographed her in an overgrown field with the sun shining around her to highlight her hourglass figure.

I love the contrast here between Jayde’s white skin and the lacy romantic black blouse. The bright skirt pops with color and the whole ensemble makes her look like a businesswoman with a hot date. Maybe she is…!

At the end of the day with the sun going down, Karen captured Jayde’s romantic side in this cream blouse and camel colored trousers ensemble.

Fashion designers, plus size modeling is your new play field. Get into it!

Please contact Karen Nickel at www.karennickelphotography.com or call  678.773.2562 if you are interested in a Fashion Model Session.

A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous.
-Coco Chanel

Plus Model: Jayde Ramos

Here in Cumming GA, the Age of Aquarius is dawning yet again. Flower children float through the forest with roses entwined in their hair and hippie kids everywhere are envious of Christina Pike’s long, lustrous locks.

Denise and Carla of Bella Mia Hair Salon in Roswell GA joined their considerable skills to make the most of Christina’s pale blonde hair and delicate features. They chose tiny roses and dark dramatic lashes, making her look like a wood sprite just awakening from a long enchanted slumber.

Vanessa Henderson, the fashion designer behind the House of Van Miller, took 1970s retro fashion in a whole new direction with the pieces she designed for this shoot. She reclaimed the primal sensuality of animal prints and the romanticism of lace and the color white, designing three completely different looks that Christina carried off with élan.

Evoking a freewheeling spirit caught in star shine, Christina models this flowing white evening gown like a fairy that somehow wandered into Woodstock. The dress wraps, falls and drapes around her in a lovely simple way, cleverly designed to seem both unconstructed and intentional at the same time.

Karen’s lens captures Christina looking like a wild creature in her natural habitat. Vanessa’s bold black and white zebra dress design makes a strong confident statement against the stark bare tree branches.

Peace out, everyone. Go spread some love and harmony!

Hair and Make-up: Bella Mia Hair Salon, Roswell GA~Hair by: Denise Trachtenbroit~Make-up by: Carla Rye~Clothes Designer: Van Miller~House of Design: by Vanessa Henderson

Models: Christina Pike, Olashade Olabisi, Allison Prenger

If you are interested in a fashion shoot, please give me a call at 678.773.2562 or email me at: karen@karennickelphotography.com