Atlanta Photographer | Fashion and Magazine Photography

Black & White Fashion Photography

There are few colors that have been used in fashion as much as black and white. Separate or together it seems like these two are always a safe bet for any occasion. Classic, clean and never goes out of style, black and white is the look.

To be honest, I find myself continuously drawn to this color palette (gray too). I can’t help myself. Putting on these colors each day feels as natural and comfortable as breathing to me.

Loving the simplicity of black and whites,  Gayle York and I decided it would make the perfect palette for this seasons shoot. Gayle put together all the outfits and did a stunning  job on Natalie’s make-up (as always). Lindsey DeHart went to work on Natalie’s hair and rocked it. And me, well, you know. I had a blast photographing it all. My team was phenomenal! Thank you for all your hard work.

Meet Natalie Mancini, she is our model, and has been modeling several years.  It definitely shows in each of her shots.

The day we did this shoot was, I think,  the coldest day we have had in GA this year. The wind was whipping and it felt like ice outside. Through our shoot we had to take several mini breaks to run to the car and get a little warmth to thaw our limbs. No matter, we were not going to let the weather get the best of us. So we continued on and did what we set out to do.

Afterward, Gayle was kind enough to make us some warm drinks and shared with us some delicious snacks. Thank you Gayle.

Please enjoy our black and white fashion photographs.

 Model: Natalie Mancini

Make-up and Styling: Gayle York

Hair: Lindsey DeHart

Black & White Fashion Photography {Sneak Peek}

“Adornment, what a science! Beauty, what a weapon! Modesty, what elegance!”
― Coco Chanel

Model: Natalie Mancini

Make-up and Styling: Gayle York

Hair: Lindsey DeHart (email: lmdehart06@gmail.com)

Passion…

When I think of passion, it makes me think of someone who is excited about every day as though it was their very last. A person that puts their all into everything they do and just loves life.  We all cannot help but be drawn to that person. We just can’t help it. We all want that kind of passion they seem to possess. You know that person I am talking about, right?  I am drawn to it and it is a beautiful thing!

People often think that kind of passion is unattainable, but I beg to differ. Let me tell you a story…

In North Carolina, I met this guy. He was no ordinary guy. I couldn’t help but want to be around him all the time.  I would make every excuse I could to do just that. Not only was he the most beautiful guy I had ever laid eyes on, but there was just something about him.  You know the kind of person I am talking about. The more I got to know him, the more he would intrigue me. He  loved life like I had never seen before. He was just so passionate about everything!  If he were playing soccer, he would put his all into it. When he decided he wanted to learn something new, he would both learn it and be the very best at it.  Throughout his career he faced many challenges with life and family, but that has never stopped him. No matter how hard it got and no matter what was thrown his way, he faced it head on and never gave up, ALWAYS giving it his best!

A year and a half after meeting ‘this guy’, we decided to get married. Yes, I am talking about my husband Shawn (aka: my Honey-Guy). To this day, he still intrigues me and has more passion than ever before. He is not only my very best friend in the whole wide world, he is my soul mate. He has taught me so many things over the past twenty something years.  He continues to be a living example of passion… a passion for people, a passion for life and a passion for serving and loving others day in and day out. Shawn is the most generous man I know. I am so very thankful for him.

I hope each of you out there have someone in your life that is an example of both passion and love. A person that makes you want to be a better person just because they are in your life. My hope for you is just that.  Discover a love for life and a passion that you can’t help but pass along to someone else. Life is too short to always ponder on the things we don’t have or where our life may go. We need to take life by the hand. Live it in the present because it is a gift.  Be thankful for all that you do have. Give everything your best. It will make a difference in the lives  of those around you and you may just find yourself loving life more!

Share your passion with others, you never know how many lives you will touch.

 

Forever {Wedding Photography}

I have been holding onto this wedding for a while now, but I think you will agree, worth the wait. This wedding definitely reflects the weather we are feeling here in GA this time of year. This couple was such a sweet couple to work with. Jeff and Catie’s wedding took place at The Grand at Kennesaw, in the cool month of December. The decorations were that of a classic southern Christmas. There were Christmas trees, and elegant decorations of gold and silver. To top it off, classic red roses. It was the perfect mix.

The one part of a wedding day that makes everything around me stop,  is  the wedding vows. There’s just something about those words of commitment between two people.

Vows are a deep and heart felt expression of both the bride and grooms forever promise to each other. It gets me every time.

Jeff and Catie were gracious enough to share their vows with me. Take a minute to reflect back to those sweet moments when you and your love spoke your words of promise to each other.

Here’s Jeff and Catie’s vows…

I, (Jeff/Catie), take you, (Jeff/Catie), to be my (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. With God working through me, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in joy as well as in sorrow, to share with you in God’s plan for our lives together united in Christ. I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with all of mine. I promise to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to grow old by your side as your best friend.

If you are interested in having Karen Nickel Photography to photograph your upcoming wedding, please contact us at karen@nickelweddings.com or 678.773.2562. Would love to hear from you!

“Dream” {Commercial Fashion Photography}

I am so excited to share with you all a photo shoot I recently did for a jewelry company called Sogno. This shoot was put together by the very talented Stylist and friend of mine, Rachel Collar. Rachel thoughtfully put together each outfit from Straw Dog (my favorite boutique, just sayin’), to accent each magical piece(s) of jewelry chosen by Tonya Maggio (owner of Sogno).  Staci Gibbs used her artist flare on both models, Priscilla and Constance, accessorizing them to create the perfect look. I was so inspired by this shoot, I asked Tonya if she would kindly share her story of how Sogno became who they are today. So here’s more about Tonya and how she started Sogno jewelry. Thank you so much Tonya for taking the time to tell us your story.

SOGNO- SOGNO {so-nyoh}, Italian for “dream”, is named for Tonya Maggio’s dream.

A love for beautiful things is Tonya’s passion, and she is inspired by the classic styles of Ali McGraw, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Grace Kelly, and modern icons Charlize Theron and Kate Moss. Tonya’s life experiences have led her through Asia and Europe, and her collection of treasures both physical and intrinsic from all over the world have blended to inspire the SOGNO lines. The SOGNO vision is to make the wearer feel comfortable and polished, whether you are wearing a white T-shirt or a silk dress; a Sogno piece easily goes from a day at the office, to an evening out on the town, to a weekend visiting friends.

FOUNDER-Tonya Maggio

Full of life, fashion-forward, and family-focused, Tonya is a quietly charismatic individual who seeks out the beauty in everything and everyone. She takes great pride in her efforts to be a giving wife, a caring mother, and a great friend to many. She refuses to follow the pack, is consistently a trend setter, and – of course – a fashionista who takes great pleasure in helping others find their own style.

After many years in the corporate world, she took a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong dream of design and launched SOGNO from her home. A mother of two beautiful boys with lyrical Italian names like her husband, Tonya plans to show them the world and teach them about the rich cultures both within and outside the U.S.

PARTNER-Michelle Klaas

After 20 years of friendship, Michelle is thrilled to join the SOGNO team in providing the market with effortlessly chic and affordable luxuries in life. Michelle lives in Breckenridge, CO and enjoys an active life on the mountains with her three children, husband and lab. When she’s not managing the household or hiking through the mountains , she’s guiding the financial and administrative growth of SOGNO. Michelle has a strong background in business and is passionate about joining Tonya on a mission to share the joys of SOGNO’s designs to stylish women near and far.

Models: Priscilla Sharp and Constance Gibbs ~ Jewelry: Sogno Jewelry ~ Clothing: Straw Dog ~ Stylist: Rachel Collar ~ Make-up/Hair: Staci Puckett-Gibbs

Happy Fall Y’all!

I like girls who like the countryside, put on walking boots and can bend with the wind a bit. If you’re going to live with me, you need to be able to embrace the countryside and wet dogs. - Jay Kay

When it comes to that awkward month when it is not cold enough to wear pants, but not hot enough to wear shorts; when it is too late in the year to wear yellow, but not late enough to wear chocolate brown – I introduce the perfect outfit option. Picking a feminine dress, which is very versatile, and pairing it with a pair of biker boots, very comfortable, is my formula for the perfect summer to fall transition. Day or night, this contrast and the comfort is perfect for walking around, going to dinner, heading to a concert, or cooking at a BBQ. Add a touch of sparkle, like this Sugar Bean sideways cross, and some loose waves for a dressier look. Throw your hair in a bun and add some wayfarers for a carefree feel that makes you want to square dance.

Model and Stylist: Allison Prenger of The Style Pundit

Dress: J.Crew (This or That)

Boots: Steve Madden

Sideways Cross Necklace: Sugar Bean Jewelry 

Tip: Pair a feminine dress with a pair of biker boots. 

Discounted DVDs from 2011 Photo Sessions!

Welcome to October! I hope you’re out there enjoying the changing leaves, eating a crunchy apple (or several) and unpacking your cozy fall sweaters. It’s time to say goodbye to summer and take a deep breath of fresh cool air.

With the beginning of fall and the holiday season hovering in the distance,  I have decided to clear out my photography archives. This means, the October Photo Special is for all of you who have had previous photo sessions with Karen Nickel Photography.

50% off DVDs for any photo session done in 2011 (for the month of October).

Did you get a photo session with me and decide against getting a DVD? Did your mother see the pictures and wish she had a copy of them? Maybe you (heaven forbid) lost your DVD or you changed computers or you just need another copy to make sure you’ve got a secure back up.

Whatever the reason, email me at Karen@nickelweddings.com to take advantage of this DVD special or give me a call at 678-773-2562.

 

Marilyn Monroe Love, part II {Fashion Photography}

The goal of this shoot was to capture the free-spirited, vintage, classically beautiful look, that embodied Marilyn Monroe. Success.

The setting could not have more perfectly matched for the swimwear, vintage camera, white-blonde locks, and bold red lip. Stylist Rachel Collar did an great job finding props to give this Monroe shoot cohesiveness. Her great personality, creativity, and desire to go above and beyond really made this shoot.

Although the vintage swimwear diversified and took the shoot to the next level, the Monroe-look would not have been complete without hair and makeup. Monoroe’s short, curled, white hair, was translated perfectly by Aki Hill. Gayle York’s flawless technique, creative eye, and ability to capture a perfect red lip, was beyond impressive.  Marilyn Monroe was not only recognized for her looks, but also her personality. Model Ashley Stringfield brought light and flirty joy to the shoot. Her sweet nature and ability to get into character brought the shoot full circle.

A huge thank you to our assistant, Danielle Adams, for making things run more smoothly and helping us out when we were in a bind. We really appreciate you!

A truly talented team came together to create an amazing, historically playful shoot. And when it comes down to it, these 215 words hardly do the photos justice.

Please give me a call if you are looking to start or expand your portfolio, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me at karen@nickelweddings.com or 678.773.2562

Marilyn Monroe Love {Sneak Peek}

I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.

-Marilyn Monroe

Model: Ashley Stringfield ~ Make-up: Gayle York ~ Hair: Aki Hill ~ Stylist: Rachel Collar ~ Assistant: Danielle Adams

Don’t follow trends, start trends {Fashion of the Month}

Don’t follow trends, start trends.
Frank Capra

When it comes to colors, you can never go wrong with the classics. Black, blue, brown, white… However, I am of the firm belief that you must accent your classical (“safe”) colors with unique and risky colors.

Hands down, my favorite shade for fall is (what I have deemed) terra-cotta. You know, like the pots that you plants all of your summer flowers in! I love it because I find it to be such a unique shade of brown that compliments my favorite colors. The subtle terra-cotta pattern in this shirt mixed with the purple is subtle perfection. And the classic white shorts and navy shoes, keep this look accessible, with a touch of flair.

Other than this blouse, I wear my bag (appropriately named Terra) with turquoise, red, and rose gold. Those colors are successful together because they are all warm, bight, earth tones.

In addition to investing in a uniquely shaded brown bag this season, make sure to also add a pajama blouse (like this one) to your closet.

Guest writer + model + stylist: Allison Prenger of The Style Pundit

Top: ASOS (This or That)

Shorts: Gap

Bag: Celine

 Shoes: Sam Edelman (Similar)

Ring: Sugar Bean Jewelry

 

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