Nicole Nielsen Photography's Blog

Baby Leland Newborn Session

nicole nielsen — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:05:39 +0000

I am always changing my mind about which type of subject is my favorite. It is usually the last session I had. I’m pretty sure today it’s newborn sessions. There is really nothing more magical than spending time with a brand new teeny tiny baby and their new family. I use this word a lot in my posts… “honor”. But, it truly is an honor to be invited into someone’s home amidst the nervousness and disarray that accompany a new family member. Along with the newness there is always a sense of peace and true contentedness that are unique to these first few days of life. I am so grateful to have been invited up to Sherri & Aaron’s home in Flagstaff to share in these precious moments. It was an extra bonus to be able to capture those gorgeous blue eye’s of Ananda’s. Love to your beautiful family.

Nothing Like a Newborn Session

nicole nielsen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:51:08 +0000

Each family that I photograph brings it’s own special quality to the shoot. I love that. I love the different dynamics between siblings, I love the kids that just aren’t going to sit with their family, and I love the dads who put on a smiley face for an hour even while dreaming of the tee time they missed. I really do. I guess I love it because I live it in my own family. Oh, yes, we too get our family photos taken. It’s about the only picture I am in each year and I really want my kids to know that I WAS part of their childhood. My husband tries to get out of getting them done and once he knows it’s too late he “yes dear”s me about all of my fun creative ideas. But he smiles for the camera and tickles the kids to get them to laugh. So, I do, I get what it’s like being on the other side of the camera and I love knowing that I can turn these precious moments into lasting memories for you.

But, I will tell you…there really isn’t anything like a newborn session. The excitement and cautiousness of new parents, the inquisitive looks from baby to mom, and the furry skin. I just eat it up. Baby Jakob did not disappoint. Here are a few fun shots from our session.

Fun Family Portraits

nicole nielsen — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:08:49 +0000

I can’t think of a more fun way to start the day than with the {L} Family. Not only do they like to experiment with portraits as I do but they are clearly just 100% in love with each other. Thanks for sharing your fun loving energy with me! I hope the pictures captured the emotion you were radiating! xoxo

The many faces of Adriana

nicole nielsen — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:14:16 +0000

The beautiful Adriana wears many hats. Mom, artist, yogini, preschool teacher, …. just for starters. She is just as beautiful on the inside as what you see here. And what’s more is that she is wise beyond her years. I am honored to know you my sweet Adrianna and look forward to years of practicing yoga with you!

Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes – healthy treats for kids!

nicole nielsen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:51:11 +0000

So as all you mamas know… that being a mother is all about compromise. I have pretty strong opinions about nutrition and what kinds of foods my kids should eat. And….so do they. These opinions, however, do not always coincide. So they when you throw in nostalgia for all of those symbolic foods from childhood and what our culture dictates as “kid food” I tend to get a little nutty. So, I’ve learned to compromise. I will never forget going up to Maine when I was little and running around Mrs. Smith’s cabin with my sisters and cousins and collecting blueberries. We would always report promptly to whichever adult was cooking that morning and they would be rinsed and tossed into the pancake batter. Yum! So, who says you can’t feed your kids healthfully, fulfill your need for tradition and nostalgia, and have everyone say, “YUM!” This time my experiment was a success! While staying at Meme and Grampy’s house this summer, I tossed some organic buckwheat pancake mix, organic eggs, coconut milk, flax seeds, ground almonds, and wild blueberries in a bowl. Through them on the griddle, topped them with some Maine maple syrup (full of antioxidants!) and everyone gobbled them up. Stay tuned for how I conquered s’mores;)

The Bird Bag- Product Photography

nicole nielsen — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:41:57 +0000

Oh how I love my bird bag. It serves me as a diaper bag, night on the town with a funky outfit purse, and water bottle carrier for hikes. I have been so fortunate to come across such wonderful products both through meeting other entrepreneurial moms and through my clients. Carrie Bloomston is one of these talented buzzillion-tasker moms who can do it all. I am so proud to wear her bag around town. Not only is it local and custom-made but it is fabulous. Thanks Carrie. I am honored to have crossed paths with such a talented artist and kindhearted person. Check out Carrie’s work! You will be hooked… oh, and don’t be scared by the local artist thing…Carrie’s products are affordable!!

Click here to see Carrie’s work!

http://suchitysuch.blogspot.com

www.studioamano.com

Super Nate and Childhood Cancer

nicole nielsen — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:24:20 +0000

I met Nate and his family last year while photographing his newborn sister. At that time Nate was just a little boy trying to figure out his place in this family. He was silly, adorable and anything but sick. This summer, at age 2 and 1/2 Nate was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma. His mom asked me to photography his family to document this time in their life. Nate has no hair due to his chemo treatments. In support of him, his family chopped their locks. I wanted you to meet Nate and his family.

His (super) mom has created a blog to document Nate’s progress in fighting this cancer and to help with fundraising efforts. Check it out. http://supernatedinoffria.blogspot.com/

I also received an email the night after coming home from my photoshoot with Nate’s family. Any and every parent needs this information. The more we question and challenge our exposure the more of a difference we can make for our children. http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/childhood_cancer_awareness_month_lets_focus_on_prevention/

Family Session in the Pines

nicole nielsen — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:42:13 +0000

I couldn’t be luckier than to be able spend the weekend in Flagstaff and work AND not even mind! In fact I love throwing in photo shoots where ever I go. It only makes it better that I got to spend with this adorable family. Watchout Aaron and Sherri….Ananda is just getting more gorgeous every day and she is quite a charmer. In fact, I think she already stole Sammy and Charlie’s hearts…well for that matter she has stolen mine too.

I’m always looking for an excuse to head up north so get a few friends together and I can customize a session for you! I have a feeling there will be at least one maternity session coming up in the next few months so just 2 more families and I’m on my way!

The “just because” session

nicole nielsen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:48:34 +0000

I met Ginger through yoga teacher training last spring. At first sight it wasn’t hard to miss her confidence and beauty. Within a few days of training her witty nature and midwest sense of humor quickly shown through. I later had the honor of attending one of her first yoga classes in which she was able to control a room while bringing her students a sense of peace and stillness. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see this loving, tender side of Ginger. She and Darin have been married for nine years but it felt just like an engagement shoot. They are giddy for each other and their love would have been hard not to capture. They decided to do a couple’s session “just because”. I’m so glad they did.

underwear and underwater

nicole nielsen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:10:00 +0000

That is how we deal with the summer heat in our house. I recently learned that 99% of the kids that we know go to camp. How did I miss that memo?? There is swim camp, school camp, art camp, gymnastics camp….the list goes on. So what do you do when you decide that you DON’T need to send your kids to camp?? Well, you get creative… Legos, trains and puzzles….sure but that can only entertain for so long and then someone ends up with someone’s toy and the drama begins….so next comes the cardboard box airplane, the airport repair crew, and acting out library books with Lego characters. Of course swimming lessons and swimming with mom are imperative. I would have said swimming with “parents” but since Derek is still healing from his hernia surgery (cue the “after 40 it’s all downhill” joke) it is all mom. Actually, I cannot believe I said this, but last night I told my hubby that I was glad it was finally in the hundreds so that I can swim without getting a chill. It took me 6 years but I think I finally get the summer in the desert thing and my blood has finally began to run thin. I guess that explains my hot yoga obsession…but that’s a post for another day. So back to entertaining the boys…basically, stay in your underwear or get wet.

Coming from Massachusetts via San Diego, I get the whole “the desert sucks” thing. In fact, I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about planning a family vacation in August at one of the nearby resorts. She mentioned that she must be crazy to come from California to Arizona in the summer…OK, true. BUT, if you are sitting by the pool or better yet, floating in the pool with poolside service and your kids are sliding down the waterslide you wouldn’t want it any cooler….or is that just me? So do I have someone serving me drinks by my pool? Not exactly, but I am not against grabbing myself a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc while splashing around with the boys for a late afternoon swim. It’s almost the same as that fancy resort;)