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!

Kaede-Ray was a blast to photograph. She is a talented writer and enjoys photography, so we had a lot to talk about.

I don’t know if you all remember, but I did a wedding last November at an old abandoned home in Canton, set up underneath a massive tree, with cupcakes, coke, and flowers. Anyways, Kaede-Ray is their daughter. She is just as beautiful as her mother.

Senior pictures are so much fun!

It amazes me at how each senior is so different. I love hearing all about who they are, what their goals are and how they are planning to reach their goals. It kind brings me back, way back.

I feel so blessed to have had the chance to meet Alex. He is so talented! Through his senior session he played his guitar, a couple different ones actually. He brought 8 guitars all together (yes, you heard me right!). He is a musician and singer. He also sang a couple songs.

There’s nothing like photographing someone who is doing what they love. Alex seemed to get lost in the music, and of course, I loved being serenaded while photographing him.  It truly was a pleasure. Thank you Alex and Amy (his Mom) for sharing a little piece of your world with me.

If you are interested in having your Senior Portraits taken, I would love to hear from you. Please give me a call at 678.773.2562 or drop me a note at karen@nickelweddings.com.

If you are a senior, this is the year you will make some life changing decisions and experiencing some of the most amazing memories. This is not the end, but the beginning of your life.

This year my son, Ocean, is a senior,  and I have a huge amount of mixed emotions. I am excited and scared at the same time. He will be making life altering decisions over the course of the next 9 months (oh my goodness, that’s just crazy).

Sorry, every time I actually think or talk about it, my heart skips a beat. I seriously do not know where the last 17+ years have gone. In a blink of an eye, it is all gone. I’m a little scattered, sorry, back to decisions…

Ocean will be taking all the information and data he has collected from all his experiences in his lifetime, guidance he has received from my husband and I, school lessons, what he’s seen and heard from family, friends, and media (unfortunately media), and he will put it all together and come up with his own opinions (I believe I just wrote a run-on sentence. lol).

It is a bit nerve racking for  me because now I have to sit back, listen and allow my son to make his own decisions. However, if he asks me to give my opinion, you better believe I will. I truly am overwhelmed with joy for Ocean and am so proud he is my son. He has grown up to be a wonderful young man ( I know, I am a bit partial, as all Moms are).

Moms, a great gift for your seniors (and yourself) is getting senior portraits done. These aren’t your typical senior pictures, but ones that truly show your son/daughter’s personality.

What does your son/daughter LOVE to do? What’s their passion? What’s important to them? I want to get to know your child and really see their personality shine.

Give me a call and shoot me an email and we can set up your son or daughter’s senior portrait session.

My number is 678.773.2562 or email me at karen@nickelweddings.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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!

Atlanta Senior Portrait Session

Creative Senior Portrait Session

School is in full swing and so are Senior Portrait Sessions. Since a lot of Seniors come to us asking how to prepare for their session, we thought it would be helpful to guide you on how to get ready for your unique shoot.

First is finding the location that suits you best. We love new places and are willing to travel to fun areas, cool sceneries, and are thrilled to find places that truly reflect your personality. Whether it’s the urban feel your going for or a beautiful country scene, we have you covered.

Second is wardrobe. Wear what YOU like. It needs to be clothes that make you feel good. Remember, these are your senior photos, when looking back years later it will mean more to you in the photos that you have your lucky hat or your favorite jeans.

Wear something that holds great memories like the worn-in Converse kicks you sported everyday in high school. Of course we like changing things up too. So bring another outfit or two that expresses your style.

Lastly: bring a personal piece that means something to you. Is it that old Polaroid camera that you carried around all the time taking photos of your friends? Or maybe it’s that funky chair in your room that you love to sit in while you chat on the phone.

Hey, want to go crazy? That family piano where you learned all those school recitals lug it out into a beautiful field. Why not? You’ll only graduate from high school one time and the pictures should take you right back to that time in your life.

Remember that this personal piece is to add to your photos and give them a sense of uniqueness that only you can bring to the photo session. The more real and authentic you are, the more in love with these photos you’ll be.

Fall in love with your senior portrait

Let us help you fall in love with your senior photos. Stand out from the crowd and show who you really are to the world. We’re excited to get started…

Give us a call to get your senior Portrait session scheduled today.