Nichol Krupp Photography

    All right everyone, if you want to come out for a great night of food, fun and music then this is the night.  On Friday November 16th at 7:00pm, Jonathan Cordero will be featuring music from his new CD that was just recently released titled, "THE HOPE PROJECT." 

     You can go and check out Jonathan on MY SPACE www.myspace.com/jonathancordero    for a preview of his music.  Jonathan is also the one who wrote the music you hear on my site. He wrote Morning Medley specifically for NICHOL KRUPP PHOTOGRAPHY and I am telling you what, this guy is quite the musician and artist.  I talked with him a little bit about what I was looking for and he far exceded any expectations that I had.  It worked out well as he wrote me three songs and I did all of the images you will see on his CD.  Look for him and remember his name because you will be hearing about him a lot in the future.

     Jonathan also sang at my mother’s funeral and everyone was coming up to me afterward to ask where they could buy a CD.  Well, now you can.  There will be CD’s for sale at NICHOL KRUPP PHOTOGRAPHY on November 16th when Jonathan debuts his album.  You can email us with any questions at NICHOL KRUPP PHOTOGRAPHY.  We hope to see you there!

~N

Last one…come on out and meet Jonathan in person on November 16th at 7:00pm.

     Well, my heart is especially attached to this little piece of HEAVEN.  This is the new addition to the Krupp/Avey Family.  Keith’s little sister Colleen and her hubby Matt finally got their baby girl. We decided to take the two kids for Colleen so that she could get her first REAL break in 6 weeks.  What better way to spend it than at the Michigan/Michigan State game.  GO SPARTANS!!! 

     Of course we had to do a photo shoot with her today.  The challenging part was that there were five kids all over the place while I was trying to create magic(my three and her two).  Good times!!! 

    We managed to get some great shots and I managed to get her liking a binky finally which she pretty much has not let go of since they left this morning.  Here she is with with her big brother as well as a cute shot of my Jackson trying to SHOOSH her and make her go to sleep.  ENJOY!!!

Last one for now…I think???

     Okay, so for those of you know me and know me well you will know that I am a fanatic about quotes and sayings.  I am constantly searching out things that may inspire me or make me see things in life more clearly or more different.

     Recently, I stumbled upon this book in a box of belongings that were my mother’s.  I had not gone through any of her things because it was just always TOO painful to go there since her death.  Every time I did it was just too upsetting. Well, as luck would have it, I found this book at a time that I really needed to find it and for that I am so grateful.  It is a very quick read with some great content.  You can read bits and pieces at a time as well which is nice for a mother of three and studio owner. I decided to write down ALL of the things that jumped out at me personally and then typed them up on my computer to keep them more handy. 

     I would encourage all of you to check this book out and write down the ones that give you inspiration.  I probably would have never bought this book in a store so I am glad my mom did.  THANKS MOM!  I MISS YOU!

Niki’s Favorite Sayings from the book "Life’s too short to Live only for the Weekends.”

Life’s too short to make excuses…to forgo traditions that bind and strengthen family ties…to leave kite flying to the kids…to silence children’s singing…to let misunderstandings destroy relationships.

Life’s to short to save good dishes only for special occasions…to only think a compliment and not say it…to replace hard work with wishful thinking…to use foul language…to be afraid.

Life’s too short to silence bells on a clock meant to chime…to put more value on a beached whale than a floundering family…to forget the smell of a few new crayons…to always have to win.

Life’s too short to take good health for granted…to eat the same meals day after day…to not appreciate the smell of newly mowed grass…to act disrespectful to any person young or old.

Life is too short to turn down food samples at the market…to stand up while eating a meal…to stop learning new things…to always look at the greener grass in the neighbor’s yard and miss the sunny dandelions in yours.

Life’s too short to stop sending handwritten notes…to not apologize when you dial the wrong number…to have never slid down a banister…to fail to donate blood…to take a bath without bubbles, candlelight, and a good book…to have never read a classic just for pleasure.

Life’s too short to never have contemplated the artwork of children…especially your own.

Life’s too short to have never built a snowman with a carrot nose…to HOG a conversation…to deny the reality of a miracle…to forget that prayer is a two-way conversation…to have never memorized the Lord’s Prayer and said it from your heart.

Life’s too short to pass up a small town’s museum…to take only posed photographs…to know the interior or your office better than your child’s face…to complain about your kids while others long for a child…to expect more from others than you do for yourself….to feel uncomfortable with silence…to resist change when it really is for the better.

Life’s too short to confuse entertaining with showing genuine hospitality…to miss your high school reunion because you’ve gained weight or gone bald…to send emails to strangers while failing to correspond with loved ones.   

Life’s too short to have never finger painted…to choose TV over watching a glorious sunset…to forget the September smells of freshly sharpened pencils and new books…to have never been on a scavenger hunt…to be obsessed with being skinny.

Life’s too short to realize how quickly children grow up, until they do…to treat each day as a duty rather than a delight…to forget to say grace before eating…to use candles only during a power outage.

Life’s too short to give up on a noble dream…to shorten it more by smoking…to blame your parents for your shortcomings…to run stop signs and red lights…to tire of the aroma of fresh coffee brewing.

Life’s too short to forget the magic of the tooth fairy…to speak harshly…to always travel the same routes around town…to think flowers are an unnecessary luxury…to spend more time cleaning house than cultivating friendships.

Life’s too short to miss greeting others with a warm smile…to worry about water spots on dinner glasses…to look only down your nose at others…to utter unkind words…to put others down when we could be lifting them up.

Life’s too short to break promises…to count on taking that “Big Vacation” SOMEDAY!!!

Life’s too short to jump to conclusions…to hate Mondays…to gossip…to exchange the pages of a good book for the images on TV…to forgo common decency…to live like we have FOREVER.

Life’s too short to satisfy the pen of a writer or the brush of an artist…

Life’s too short to delay inviting someone over for a meal…to wish for tomorrow and miss the joys of today…to base our lives on what others will think…to not know your neighbors…to complain about the weather.

Okay I just had to share one more to show off the hair and eyes on these munchkins.  I never knew that when we pulled off the hats that they arrived in, there would be all of that black hair underneath.  LOVED IT!

Here they are almost one year later.  It was a workout for sure but well worth it.  I have tons of them to share but I have to make mom and dad wait it out for a little bit.  I swear these have got to be three of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen.  Mom says they are done.  I think they should be.  WHY?  Well, because I do not think they should mess with pure PERFECTION.  Seriously, aren’t they stunning babies? Have a look for yourself.

~N

More to come soon!!!

If you follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. I say follow your bliss and don’t be afraid and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be."

      What do I mean by "This says it All for me and where I am TODAY?"  Do I mean that I am following my bliss?  Am I living the life I ought to be living?  Are doors being opened for me in areas that I did not know existed?  Well,  I would say yes to some of these things.  The rest I am still working on.  I am eager to live the life I am meant to live.  I am trying to do that without forcing things.  I would say that in many aspects I am definitely living the life I was meant to live but I also know there is so much more growth out there for me and so much more I have to share with others that it almost overwhelms me.

     Sometimes though, being a somewhat impatient person, I find that things do not always go at the pace I want to them to.  I then have to remind myself that I am not the one in charge here and I have to exercise some humility and slow down a little bit so that I can really experience LIFE. 

     After going on this mission trip to Costa Rica, I find that I truly am a changed person.  I am changed as a wife, mother, photographer and overall spiritual human being.  I have different goals than I had before leaving.  I want different things out of life.  I do not see these new goals changing a whole lot.  Actually, they feel rock solid to me.  Since coming home I have had people tell me that I am different…that I am more calm.  I see that in myself.  I love it!  I have been searching for more inner peace for a very, very long long time.  I think I am getting there.  I look forward to change and what it brings about.  I never really understood why people are so afraid of change. 

     I encourage all of you who read this to make every attempt possible to go on at least one mission trip in your lifetime.  Yes, it may be out of your comfort zone.   How cool is it to help others though.  You will find that you are the one more blessed in the end even when that was not your intention.  I assure you that you will not be disappointed.  How truly blessed we are here in America.  I do not think you can really comprehend it until you travel elsewhere for a period of time and live in someone else’s culture(and I am not talking about an all-inclusive resort).  Go and dedicate your time, love, and talents to others and see what truly being blessed is all about.  I promise you cannot come out of it unchanged without a new perspective on life.  You will see that "things" really do not matter.  It is "people" who matter.  That is the bottom line for me.  I am eager to go on my next mission trip.  I cannot wait to find out where it will be and how I can contribute to it and the people I meet. 

     I am sure many of you who read my blog thought it would be one of many photographic images and me talking about different photo sessions with clients.  That will be part of it but I see it going more in the direction of sharing thoughts with you on different journeys that I take.  That may involve my family, clients, travel, missions, or just simply life experiences whatever they may be. 

    Are you living the life you were meant to live?  Are using your gifts and talents wisely and to their fullest potential?  I am working hard at that.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and I know that in the short time we are here,  we have to go all out.  GO FOR IT!!!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

~N

Here are a few of my team members that went on the trip to Costa Rica. For those of you who do not already know me…I am the one in the hat and turquoise shirt. Then there is Matt(notice the one sleeping). What can I say about Matt…unbelievable musician who could sleep anywhere at anytime. He was the Christian Rockstar of Costa Rica for the week. Everywhere we went he got constant ooooooos and awwwwws. He looked better in my jeans than I did, my hats than I did, even my girly little camera bag than I did. NOT FAIR!

Then there is Marty, aka. Mart—eeee–aaacheeee! He is the one beside the nasty PIG HEAD in the market. He was my body guard and mentor for the week. You can learn a lot from this guy by just observing him. The epitomy of strength and FAITH is what this guy is all about.


Miss Andrea. What a great little CHICKA. She was so cool to hang out with and the only way to describe her is to say that she is an “absolute breath of fresh air” I mean it. She brought such a sense of humor to the group and has the most infectious laugh you will ever hear. “That’s HOT!!!”

These two were a great team. Pastor David of Bay Valley Christian Church, Bay City and Pastor Rene of Glory Christian School, Costa Rica. Each one of these men taught me a great deal about faith and life in general during the trip. Pastor David is such a father figure and amazing speaker. He got sick the first day and did not waiver one bit. He had to do endless sermons and speaking engagements and just kept right on going even when he did not feel well. His sense of humor is awesome and without sounding like a dork….he is just a really cool guy. I have to remind myself that he is only 43 because he is wise beyond his years.
Pastor Rene is a super great Pastor, teacher, father and husband. His dedication to his school, church and family are apparent. He was so good at translating our English into Spanish for the people of Costa Rica and has such a passion for what he does that you cannot help but be a better person when you are around him. Okay what else can I say about Pastor Rene….he calls his wife “AMORE” OMG!!! It does not get any better than that. I want to be called “AMORE” I just LOVE THAT!!!!





This is Miss ” L” I just loved her. You can take one look at her and see what a soft soul she is. After I photographed her she went over to her mom and told her she was mad at her for not doing her hair that day. I do not think she could be anymore beautiful.

This was a wash sink on the children’s playground. It just goes to show you how blessed our children are in America, however, I see a great deal of beauty in this image.

They had these cool hand made signs hanging along the walkways of the school. I loved each one of them. They make you think.

Well,  I finally made it home from my mission trip in Costa Rica.  I was up for nearly 24 hours Monday when we traveled back to the states which was a little tough after a week with very little sleep already. 

COSTA RICA IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!  I missed my family dearly but did really well. Communication in Costa Rica is quite tough via phone and email so I never once got to talk to the kids.  I was able to talk to Keith a couple of times for just a few minutes. 

This trip was clearly life changing for me on a personal level.  There are many things I will do differently back here in the US.  I did not feel right walking into my home last night after being where we were.  Don’t get me wrong, Costa Ricans are very proud people and some of them have quite a bit but the majority of the areas that we saw were run down,rusty and unkept.  There were dogs walking all over the place just roaming.  The drivers were totally LOCO(crazy).  We almost got hit several times.  Probably too many close calls to count actually.  It was definitely a new experience. Putting our seatbelts back on once we were in Michigan was wierd.  You just don’t wear them there even though all you do is drive up and down narrow mountain roads.

We went into several different churches and had an awesome two-day kids retreat.  We went to Costa Rica to bless others and I think we all came home feeling more blessed ourselves. 

It was a busy week that was very scheduled but they planned in time for us to do some sight seeing and other fun stuff as well which was great.  We did a lot of preaching, praying, and bringing people to the LORD which was beyond words for me personally.

Photographically speaking, I never really knew that I could use my camera as a way to connect and minister to others which was exactly what I did.  The kids we worked with at the retreat were very tough at first and as the meetings increased and as they spent more time with us they began to break one by one.  Before the night was over many of them were saved and on their knees up front in tears.  What an amazing sight to see. 

Pastor Rene’ and Pastor Dave(BVCC) were unbelievable together and really worked well as a team. They left to go on a mission in Panama on Monday the same day we flew out to come home.  The people of Costa Rica are definitely some PASSION FILLED people who are so giving and so willing to serve.  It makes me want to bring what I learned back and serve more myself.  The food was wonderful, although I can definitely do without pintos and rice for a while.  The Coffee there is exquisite and they served it with leche’ evaporada(evaporated milk) instead of cream.  I have been drinking it that way ever since I got home.  Try it…you may be surprized.  I am still extremely sleep deprived but trying to catch up on that.  There will be many many pictures to follow but for now here are a few.

~N

We are home!!!!  We are SAFE!!!  We are all exhausted!!!  Our mission is over in Costa Rica for now but will continue here in the states.   I am beyond eager to tell you all about everything but need some more sleep for now.  I was up nearly 24 hours yesterday.  I will share photos and thoughts about the trip with you soon.  Thank you all for your thoughts, emails and prayers.  I took about 2000 photos on the trip.  WOW!  That will take a while to go through.  I am going to need a few photo albums for that one.

I MISS IT ALREADY!!!  I missed my family DEARLY, but could have easily stayed another week to continue the work we were doing. THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE….I will go back.   

GOODBYE FOR NOW!!!

~N

Went to New York City for the first time recently and thought I would share a few from my trip.  I have tons but here are a few.

I loved this homeless guy in SOHO.  He was a quite a character.  His hair and beard went on forever and forever. 

Another homeless person in Central Park…

It had just finished raining in Central Park when I took these.

I have hundreds of images.  I will share more from the trip soon.