I have officially been INSPIRED!!! How cool is this? You can RED your site. I love this idea. Spread the word that by joining RED you too can contribute to help save lives in AFRICA and help buy Anti-Retroviral meds for people with AIDS. It is a worthy cause. Here is just some quick information taken from the RED site about what you can do with a very small amount of money per day. Please go check it out and if you are one of my fellow friends or photographers with a blog or site of your own why don’t you RED YOUR SITE.

The AIDS epidemic has been described as the greatest public health challenge the world has ever faced. And the epicenter of this crisis is Africa, where AIDS is the leading cause of death.

But, it is a preventable and treatable disease. In fact, the difference between life and death can come down to just two pills a day for a cost of around 40 cents a day. That’s 2 pills a day that could save the lives of the estimated 4,100 men, women and children who die in sub-Saharan Africa every day – people living with HIV AND AIDS who cannot afford to buy the medicine they need to stay alive.

67% of all HIV positive people live in sub-Saharan Africa, even though it is home to only 11% of the world’s population. That’s 22 million people – more than all the people living in New York, equal to two-thirds of all of Canada’s population and more than the entire population of Australia.

And unlike other regions, the majority of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women – 55%.

Halting the spread of HIV is a key issue in fighting this pandemic and as a result, Global Fund and (RED) money finances both treatment and prevention activities. An estimated 5,205 Africans contract HIV every day including 1,000 African children. In total, 1.9 million people contracted HIV in sub-Saharan Africa during 2007.

TO RED YOUR SITE JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK http://redyoursite.com/

Have a great day!

Well,  once in a while (it seems like a lot lately), I have an adorable little one come in to my studio and melt my heart.  Then, there is always the RED HEAD factor, which I am a huge softy for.  Mr. Payton comes in the door with his BEAUTIFUL Mamma and I knew my job would be easy that day.  Okay maybe not EASY because he was a busy little three year old.  So, at that point you go from Photographer to Baseball Player, Bubble Blower, Tackler,  Chaser and Tickler.  

I had a blast photographing Payton and hanging out with him.  His mom was so very cool and has been trying to get into the studio for a while now.  I even made her get in the pictures and I photographed her all by herself which she certainly was not planning for but she will be grateful for it someday. 

Again, awesome planning for his outfits (Go to Gap.com),  and letting me do my thing led to some great shots that I absolutely adore.    Erica, thank you for giving me the time and space to work with your little prize possession.  I can totally see why you think he is so beautiful.  I am not kidding either.  I think he should be on the GAP ads for SURE. 

Enjoy!

~Niki <

LOVE LOVE LOVE his little PUCKER!

I MADE her do these. It was definitely not in her plans!

I have SO MANY favorites from this session, however, this one really GRABS me! LOVE IT!

 Oops forgot one…

I completely enjoyed this session the other day.  I loved that Kate had her mom and Grandmother come for a few shots at the beginning of the session.  She really wanted to document all four generations as we all know how random life can be and how important it is to capture such a special time.  I LOVED the texture of all of their hands together and I think one of my favorite images is the one with just Grandma’s hand holding Baby Jack’s hand.  Each of those lines in her hand has a story.   I also loved all of the cool hats she brought some of which she knitted on her own while waiting for her little miracle to arrive.  I always love something homemade and especially hats. 

Kate,  you have a beautiful family.  Cassie and I have enjoyed working with you.  I know you have been planning on coming here for a long time and I thank you for picking “Me” to photograph this handsome little fellow. 

Thank you for waiting so patiently for your sneak peek! 

~Niki

Four Generations

These last two are just a few more special ones with Great Grandma and Grandma. I love the one where she has her hand on her daughter’s face.  It just makes me smile.

 And my FAVORITE IMAGE of the day!!!

A few months ago I ordered a book off of Amazon.com called Momma Zen that came HIGHLY recommended to be by an old friend.  It was written by Karen Maezen Miller. OMG! If you have children you should read this book. It has an incredibly unique view on parenting, mothering, and raising children. It also just brings you peace in a way that I welcome since I tend to be a crazy WORKER BEE. Given that I work almost exclusively with children of all ages from newborns on up I just wanted to share it with you in hopes that you will get the book and soak up all of the incredible info it has to offer. I have only had it for a few months and it truly brings me peace and a new perspective.

Below is something that came from Karen’s blog. Once again, she is someone blessed with the gift of great insight. I love everything she says here. Go check out her blog when you get a chance. It does not matter whether you are young or old. This book ROCKS!

Last week I attended a retreat and came home infused with quiet calm and well-being. Then I glanced at the headlines in the newspaper and was shocked anew at the unimaginable depth of pain in this world. The scope of suffering is inconceivable. How can we respond in the face of this?

Where do we begin to do good? I will tell you the only way I know to begin. 

Empty the full hampers, sort and wash the laundry without resentment or commentary.

Sweep the floor of dust, mud and crumbs at your feet.

Don’t ask who made the mess.

At the grocery store, give your place in line to the person behind you.

Ask the checker how her day is going, and mean it.

On the way out, give your pocket money to the solicitor at the card table no matter what the cause.

Buy a cup of lemonade from the kids on the sidewalk stand. Tell them to keep the change.

Roll down your car window when you see the homeless man on the corner with the sign. Give him money. Have no concern over what he will do with it.

Smile at him. It might well be the first smile he has seen in a very long time.

Write a thank you letter. Yes, a letter. If you do not have a reason to write one, do it without a reason.

Do not fight with your partner, your roommate, your spouse, or your children. If that seems impossible, just do not engage in the next fight, and don’t worry about the one that comes after. It might not come.

Do not try to convince anyone else of your point of view. That’s why they call it “point” of view. The point is just you.

If you feel yourself tensing in frustration, no matter what the circumstance, say, “I’m sorry.”

Do not indulge in despair over the futility of your impact or question the outcome.

Make yourself at home and take care of it as your own. It’s the only one there is.

  Miller’s “The Laundry Line” MaezenKaren

A few weeks ago we rented some cabins  Up North for our annual rafting trip.  This time there were twelve other families.  It was an incredible time but crazy all the same. For some reason, my body did not seem to have a desire to sleep in.  Those of you who know me know that I am a late nighter so to get up at 6:00 a.m.  is not really my thing.  Nonetheless, I was up  watching  the sun rise, which I never ever do and was completely enjoying the stillness while drinking my coffee and journaling on the front patio.  As I watched the sun peeking out over the hill, I could not help but run and grab my camera.  The light was INCREDIBLE.  However, I needed the perfect subject and I found her.  At first she resisted.  She pulled the covers over her head, growled at me and rolled over.  But then I told her she did not even have to get dressed.  I told her she could just stay in her undies, grab a blanket and bring along her Bed Head.  Well, she did just that and we had an amazing 20 minutes alone while all of the other cabins were still off in dreamland.  I loved every second of watching the sun rise that morning.   She ran in the field, threw up her blanket, leaned under a huge tree and had her own little quiet moment as well.  Ahhhhhh, I know I must savor these times because soon they will be a distant memory(sigh).  I am so blessed to be able to capture them for myself, for my children and for my future grandchildren.  How I would love to have an image like this of my mother or grandmother.   There are many of these to share.  The Sweet Morning Light almost makes me want to start setting my alarm much earlier.  I said ALMOST. 

Some of you may recognize CC from one of my images that received an “Award of Excellence”  at this year’s WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Print Competition.  I have now photographed her three times.  She is almost two.  She was a Stunner the day she was born and just when you think she cannot possibly get ANY CUTER…  WELL, I will just let you decide for yourself.

Here she is at nearly two years old:

Such a doll...

I even love it when she gives me dirty looks.

Playing in the fountain.

At the Candy Shop!

 Forgot a few favs…

That is ALL for now.  I Had to post a LOT because I am a bit biased about this little one.