Atlanta Fashion Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Atlanta Georgia

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness.
-John Keats

Model: Samantha Francis

What is beauty?

Is it a sound?  Is it a person’s looks? Maybe even a familiar smell? Is it even possible to define beauty?  A dictionary can give a basic definition,  but can we as human beings say what is or isn’t beautiful?  No one opinion of beauty is completely the same, so here is my perspective.

. beauty is loving

. beauty is a genuine glance between two people

. beauty is the sound of the waves crashing against the ocean beach

. beauty is the sound of the wind blowing through the branches of a tree

. beauty is birds singing, as though they have an audience

. beauty is two people in a room, no words said, being comfortable with the silence that is shared

. beauty is the flare of sunshine in an image, it’s magnificent

. beauty is the smell of a flower

. beauty is laughter

. beauty is tears shared between friends, happy or sad

. beauty is listening to music alone that was once enjoyed with a friend, bringing you back to that very moment in time of togetherness

. beauty is a shared  memory

. beauty is holding hands, an embrace,  a kiss

. beauty is hearing a person’s hopes and dreams

I am dedicating this blog to my mother-in-law, Aurea. She is truly a beautiful woman, inside and out. She finds delight in the simple things in life.  She is one of the strongest, most courageous, loving,  kind-hearted, and encouraging woman I know. Thank you for being a part of our family’s life. You rock!

Here are some images I took while visiting Aurea and my sister-in-law, Michelle in CA.

A few fun shots I took for my son Ocean who LOVES cars.

Karen Nickel Photography~karen@nickelweddings.com~678.773.2562 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 678.773.2562 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

The last few weeks has been a time to process,  not only what I saw, but more importantly what I learned on my trip to Africa. There is so much. I wish I could share every single experience with each of you, but unless you feel like reading a book, I will stick to telling you a couple things that really struck my heart.

Before leaving, I knew that the images I was to take would tell the stories of many; however, I also knew that some big things would be changed in my heart and life. Crazy enough, I was ready for it! With that being said, I will begin.

While visiting the largest slum in Nairobi, I began to understand what all the talk was about here in the US. Things you can’t possibly imagine ever happening in the US are happening in Africa every day. Mostly  little to no hope situations.

The amount of children wandering on the streets is outrageous, many without parents or a guardian to care for them. They walk miles just to get ‘kind of’ clean water. I am talking about four and five year old children. Some with shoes, some without. Many wore clothes that were either too big for them or too small.

People of all ages beg for food or money. Whatever you could give them, they would happily take, even if it was a bite of a sandwich that you yourself were eating. They were not picky.

In this slum, I had the opportunity to meet with a pastor that lives in the slum with his family. As soon as he heard we were visiting, he quickly came to meet us at the entrance of his home (his home was gated for safety reasons).

This gentleman had moved to the slums from a very nice home for one important reason: so that he could send his four children to a better school.  He kindly led myself, Marisa, Jake, and Onesmus to his home. When I say home, it is not even what I would consider an apartment. It is better described as a shack. A one room, maybe 12×12 area, metal walls, dirt floor, along with some furniture.

He invited us in and offered us chai and dinner and I will have to say, I was completely blown away. This man had barely anything, didn’t know us,  and yet he not only invited us into his home, but was willing to give up one of his (and his family’s)meals for the day to serve us. Wow! I am embarrassed to say, that I don’t even know if I would give up my family’s one meal to strangers. Truly humbling.

Next I went to the Challenge Farm to meet many children who had been on the streets. Ninety-five children were taken in by the Challenge Farm, an amazing home where each child would get medical attention, be weened off drugs (glue), be fed , clothed , schooled, and taught how to farm, cook, and live with hope.

I cannot say enough about the Challenge Farm. The staff and all the children were such a blessing to be around. For more information, please go to  http://www.challenge-kenya.org/.

I will end with a story of hope, something that is hard for me to think about once again, as it was difficult to see, but ended with goodness.

One evening, probably half way into my visit, Marisa and I decided to go into town after dark so we could meet and talk with some of the glue kids. At night they tend to be in larger groups. So we drove into town, not knowing exactly what to expect, and came upon a pile of children. When I say pile, that’s an accurate picture.

There were probably about fifteen to twenty children laying on the sidewalk, closely stacked side by side, like sardines. A couple children had a piece of card board and a small square of mesh to help keep them warm. Most of them had their glue bottles carefully tucked in the sleeve of their shirt, so no one would steal it, and they lay on the cold cement sidewalk, eyes closed, trying to get some rest.

As we walked up to them, they all hopped up to see us and give us greetings, hoping to get some money or food from us. They were very friendly. During our visit with them, we met two boys.

Owens and Alan are brothers, ages five and seven. They revealed that their mother had brought them to this new town, told them to ‘go to the church, they will help you’ and left. It had been three months since that time, and the Mom had no intentions of ever returning to get her boys.

Fortunately, both Owens and Alan had not started taking glue yet. Since they were so young, I think strangers felt sorry for them and gave them portions of food, so they did not yet have reason to take glue, which is usually taken to cover the pain of an empty stomach and all the bad things that happen around them that they cannot change.

As a mother of two boys myself, I cannot tell you the emotions that awoke in me. How could a mother EVER leave her child in an unknown place where it is unsafe, no one to take care of these little boys and so much cruelty. Okay, sorry I had to get that out…back to my story.

It was heart breaking. What was even worse is we could not take them home with us. We gave them some food and told them we were going to get them help. The next morning Marisa made some calls and put word out on facebook.  We were going to do everything we could possibly do to rescue these boys.

We returned that afternoon, in hopes of finding Owens and Alan. We were able to find Owens, the five year old, but were unable to locate Alan. We took Owens with us and a couple days later, some of the Challenge Farm family were able to locate Alan. In the end, both Owens and Alan were brought to safety and now live at the Challenge Farm.

What I’ve learned is that everything is a gift. Don’t take things for granted-we are so extremely blessed.  Love people no matter who they are, forgive no matter what. It only hurts the one who won’t forgive. And never give up. There is ALWAYS hope.

Thanks for listening. Blessings to you all.

~Karen

If you would like to donate or find out more about the Challenge Farm to help the Glue Kids of Africa, please go to: http://www.challenge-kenya.org/index.html

I thought I would start with the amazing wonders of Africa and then in go into the real purpose of my trip in Part 2.

Getting close up with God’s creation was a definitely a perk during my visit. It’s not everyday you get to see baby elephants fed with a bottle, a giraffe look you straight in the eyes, and are given the opportunity to ride an ostrich and a camel. That’s right…I actually got to ride on not only one, but two animals most people would not necessarily ever get the chance to ride (or maybe not even want to,  just saying). It was quite odd, felt kind of strange, and not the most comfortable thing to ride on in the world….but it was for sure interesting and memorable.

The rhino was massive, as you can see by the foot I photographed, and only stood about 2 to 3 feet from me. I saw zebras in the distance, but unfortunately was not able to get real close. Oh yes, and monkeys too.

The vibrant colors of Africa, the wildlife, and the plants were stunning. The African peoples are so creative and are great craftsman. The intricate beaded jewelry, shoes, and clothes are beautiful things that most people purchase at a store here in America! These creative make those crafts and are really good at it.

I am so thankful to all those who made it possible for me to experience Africa. Stay tuned for, Help us Help Africa part two, where I will share the true passion and reason for my trip.

In the meantime, please enjoy a glimpse of Africa.

If you are interested in these images, please contact Karen at karen@nickelweddings.com or 678.773.2562 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 678.773.2562 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Hey world, it’s been a while since I last wrote, but I am glad to be back. I recently went out to California to visit my sister-in-law, her family, and my mother-in-law (who was also visiting).

You see, almost every year my husband and I each take a small vacation. Shawn, with his guy friends and me with my girl friends, and/or family. This year I was blessed to be able to visit some family, as well as, get some much needed beach time. Typically this mini vacation lasts 3-5 days, however, my husband is a very generous man, so he booked my flights and tacked on a few extra days, 9 to be exact. That’s right, 9 days in CA.

While I was there, I got to enjoy catching up with my family (and seeing my niece River!), hot yoga, beach time, hiking, visiting a couple wineries, good food, and a few hours of good old playing around taking fun pictures!

Below you will get to see my beautiful sister-in-law, Michelle, who is expecting her second baby girl. It was such a treat to be able to photograph Michelle at such an amazing location beside the Carpenteria beach, in CA. Michelle was willing to try anything to ‘get the shot’. She totally rocked it!!!

If you are looking for a unique photography experience, I’d love to hear from you. Karen Nickel Photography @ 678.773.2562 or karen@nickelweddings.com.

We are having a silent auction to help raise funds for our cause  “Help Us, Help Africa” which will provide trauma counseling for abandoned street children who have been rescued by the Challenge Farm. For a recap on what this mission is about, please check out my blog: Glue Kids

I’m really excited about this auction and I need everyone’s help to make it a success. Local businesses in Cumming GA  and friends have donated funds and time to make this night exciting and rewarding.

If you attend this event you’re probably going to walk away with a amazing item way below the retail value and your sure to have a good time . Items such as a signed electric guitar by the Jonas brothers band will be going to the highest bidder.  If you know someone who may be interested in attending please email me so I can send and evite.

Live music will be played by Matt Dale.

Here is a list of some of the  items that will be auctioned  at this event:

1. Canon Gate golf pass for 4 players at any Canon Gate course
2. Bouquet of flowers(from Lauren Florals)
3. Two Windermere Wine Dinner tickets
4. A Wooden Wine box with 6 different wines (2007 Kendall Jackson ‘Jess Jackson’ Cabernet Knights Valley, 2006 Lassegue Grand Cru, St. Emilion, 2009 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2009 Byron Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, 2007 Cambria Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, 2008 Benvolio Pinot Grigio, Friuli.)
5. Two in-home 50 minute full body relaxation massages by Teresa Sims LMT
6. A 60 minute custom facial includes deep cleansing, ultrasonic exfoliation and mask (www.susansskincarestudio.com)
7. A Jonas Brothers Guitar and authentication letter signed by all the Jonas Brothers
8. Two Atlanta Falcons football tickets

The auction will be on February 16th from 7 to 9 pm at the Windermere Clubhouse. Windermere has graciously agreed to provide the location wine and  hors d’oeuvres. Instead of charging a fee we will have a donation bucket and are hoping on collecting $20 per person for this event. This would be a fun couples night out to hobnob with me and my friends and make a difference to the organization  …Help Us, Help Africa!!

If you can’t attend and still want to make a difference  feel free pledge $20 by clicking on the donate button below. If you would like to donate a large amount and need a tax deductible receipt please email me at karen@nickelweddings.com.

Invite below:

What: Wine, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, make a difference
Date: February 16th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Windermere Clubhouse
5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming, GA 30041

Can’t attend: If you can’t make it February 16th, $20 would make a huge difference!

*For more information on the ‘Glue Kids’, please go to: http://www.challenge-kenya.org/

I come from a long line of people who have cared greatly for people in Africa and other poor countries in the world…so much so that some of them gave over 60 years of their lives to living in a culture that wasn’t their own just so someone else could have a better life.  That seems so admirable and strange all at the same time.

Until last October, I found myself in a strange dichotomy between carrying the same passion and desire to help people in Africa like my family has and being a busy 21^st Century person who is somewhat naive and numb to the world’s injustices.  Until the day I interviewed a new photographer, Marisa (Banas) Rodriguez, who had an interesting life story.

Before moving to the Atlanta area she spent a year overseas working with mission groups and aid organizations all over the world that address justice issues.  She told me several stories, but the one that made her eyes light up was the one about the “Glue Kids” of Kenya.

She told me that 5-year olds and 13 year olds were orphaned and living in dumps.  Their entire provision came from the trash…food, clothing and their prize possessions…old whisky bottles that they use to put shoe glue in so they can sniff the fumes. They sniff the glue so they won’t feel the pains from their hunger and the devastation of being abandoned at such a young age by their parents.   Her story was mind-boggling!  How could a 5-year old fend for himself?

To my utter surprise at the end of the interview Marisa said, “I am going again this year to work on a project. Would you like to come with me?”  How do you answer a question like that?  There was something about these children and the history of my family that encouraged me to shout out a whopping and surprising,  “Yes!”

A few months later, I received an email from her that completely penetrated any shred of numbness that I had towards social injustices.  She shared a link to a British news broadcast that investigated these Glue Kids.  I was shocked to learn that she went to the exact dump site where the footage was filmed and she worked directly with the children that you will see in the video.  She was actually able to pull one of the boys out of the dump and bring him to a children’s home called the Challenge Farm.  http://www.challenge-kenya.org/

Now, I am not a crier…at all…but the mother in me couldn’t help myself.  I want to give you a little warning that there are things in this video that are hard to see and it is probably not best for small children to watch.

When Marisa told me that she held that little girl whose mama gave her glue to sniff, everything within me wanted to be there to help these children in anyway I could.  Thankfully, I have been given an opportunity that is very dear to my heart.

On March 31^st-April 11^th, I will travel with a team to Kitale, Africa where I will help create a media package that will help bring funding to Challenge Farm projects.  Marisa will take me to the streets to meet these children and tell their stories through my lens.

We’ll go to the Challenge Farm where 100 X-street kids call home.  I have been told that the atmosphere is much different there.  The children go to school every day, eat healthy meals and receive life-skills and tons and tons of love.  They have asked me to take unique photos of the children that help people see their true personality and redemption.

I am thrilled at the opportunity and so excited to let you be a fly on the wall as I take this journey.   My responsibilities on this trip are actually a part of a much larger picture.

Marisa and her team will be traveling to Kitale to meet with dignitaries and Challenge Farm supporters to complete a grant proposal that they are working on that will fund computers and trade skills equipment for their government school.

Separate from this, they are also fund-raising for a counseling project where they will raise $30,000 to fund a 5-year initiative that will provide certified counselors to help the children overcome abandonment, rape, physical abuse and other horrific things they experienced.  They hope to have all the funds in before we leave.

It is time that I push myself out of my comfort zone and do what I can to bring some good to the world.  I am only one person, but I will do what I can to use my gifts to tell these children’s stories and get the word out.  If you would like to be a part of this…guess what…you can!

I need $2,500 to cover my costs, and any extra funds will go directly towards the children and the counseling project.  If you would like to give you can do so one of three ways:

To give a tax-deductible donation:

We will process my funds through Marisa’s 501c3 account at Adventures In Missions.  It’s a little bit funky, but in order to get you a tax-receipt we will need you to put her name on the donation.  But no worries…your funds will go towards my trip.  Here are the directions:

If you want to pay online via credit card:

-Go to  www.marisabanas.theworldrace.org

-Click on the link, “Give Support” on the left column.

- Select “Staff Support.”

-Again, make sure to leave Marisa Banas in the participant section.

If you would like to mail in a check:

-Make check out to Adventures In Missions

-Write ‘Marisa Banas’ in the memo line. **Very important!

-Mail check to:

Adventures In Missions

P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470

If you do not need a tax-deduction credit:

-Write a check to Karen Nickel

-Mail check to:

5968 Bond Street

Cumming, GA 30040

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

If I look outside my window today, I see rain.

Yes, it is still warm and muggy, but the sky is gray and every few minutes it starts showering. Then suddenly the sun will burst from behind the clouds in all it’s glory… but quickly disappear again and submit to the drab, charcoal clouds. And, to top it off, it has been like this for 3 days.

It’s hard when it rains on and off all day because when I go out to do a photo shoot… there is that chance that suddenly we will be in the middle of a flash flood! It would be fun if I had a stock pile of rain jackets, wellies and cute umbrellas… but that just isn’t the case!

I think the weather is jinxing me for saying that I was excited for fall… go figure!

Whew! I have been busy recently! Weddings on the weekends, and I got to spend a week in California with my husband, Shawn. We went down to participate in a photography seminar with one of our favorite photographers, Jesh De Rox. It was amazing! But now I’m  back to work!  I have so many wonderful pictures I’d like to share… but unfortunately, I am trying to catch up and get some editing done so I have something to post! Keep checking back! Or, if you are a fan of me on facebook, I will post the blog when I have something pretty to look at! Not a fan yet? Click HERE and you will go to my page, become a fan and get the latest updates!