Nichole Van Workshop | Denver Portrait Photographer

Posted on April 5, 2010

You should make photographs with your heart, mind, eye & soul. The capture device is simply there to allow you to transfer your vision to a medium that you can share with others.

- Bill Frakes

So as many of you know (and some of you don’t) I had the distinct pleasure of attending “Nichole Van’s Professional Photography Workshop”.  Let me start off saying “WOW!”.  In all honesty I am not sure I can fully express what a fantastic experience this was.  It was well worth the investment and I highly recommend it to any of my fellow photogs whom are looking for a great workshop.

Let me start off by saying that Nichole is not only an extremely gifted photographer, but her previous experience as a college professor gives her a unique advantage when it comes to teaching the content of her workshop.  She really is able to explain things in a way that makes them easy to follow and understand.  The workshop itself is extremely well organized and is full of fantastic content. She has thought of everything, is open and forthright based on her experience and it showed.  I personally came home with a wealth of information that I will now be able to apply in my own art and business.  Yes, Nichole has a very distinct style when it comes to photography but her workshop isn’t about her style; it is about learning the tools to assist you in being able to express your own creative vision. Leaving her workshop I actually felt like I was given numerous little gifts that will forever be in my photographic tool box.  For me this is what a great workshop should be.

Oh and a quick side note…. Nichole is hysterically funny!  I know many wouldn’t choose to mention that when reviewing a workshop but the girl had me laughing the whole time I was there and I appreciate  a great sense of humor.

So our shoot day was quite cold to say the least and I have to give a huge “THANK YOU” shout out to our fantastic (and gorgeous) models. These girls literally stood outside in the freezing temperatures for hours without complaining.  No matter how many times I offered them my coat or told them they could go in to warm up they gratefully refused and when on working to give us there best poses.  They were all a blast to work with and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Also, a few of us were fortunate enough to coax Nichole’s beautiful daughter outside for a few shots. She was such a great sport and so patient with all of the cameras pointing at her. She is quite the little lady and gracious to boot.

So without overloading you blog stalkers out there I wanted to show a few (ok more than a few) of my shots from the workshop.

Thank you so much Nichole , Dave, their families, the models and my fabulous fellow workshop attendees for making this workshop so much fun!  It really was worth the money and time I invested to attend and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  ;)

Oh and for those of you who just read my review whom are thinking, “Wow, I need to attend one of Nichole’s workshops”; you can find them here

Nichole’s Amazing Workshops (my verbiage of course)

I *Heart* Faces | Denver Portrait Photographer

Posted on March 30, 2010

I *HEART* FACES DRAMATIC BLACK & WHITE CHALLENGE

I LOVE THE  ”I HEART FACES” BLOG. IT IS A FABULOUS PLACE THAT HAS WEEKLY PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGES.  ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE AND I THINK IT IS GREAT WAY TO SEE THE WORK OF SO MANY AMAZINGLY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHERS (BOTH PRO AND HOBBYISTS ALIKE).

THIS WEEK’S THEME IS DRAMATIC BLACK AND WHITE. I LOVE THIS IMAGE AND I I THINK IT FITS THE THEME PERFECTLY.

IF YOU LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND YOU CHECK OUT WWW.IHEARTFACES.BLOGSPOT.COM.

YOU WILL BECOME ADDICTED QUICKLY!

Sweet Sweet Baby | Denver Newborn and Family Photographer

Posted on March 16, 2010

“She will fill our lives with sunshine… And our hearts with love.”
~ Author Unknown

After yesterday’s session I find myself speechless. Capturing images of this beautiful 7 day old beauty was an amazing and emotional experience.  The love her parents have for her was palpable and to be in the presence of that love was magical at best.  Experiencing the joy , love and wonder in these precious family moments reminds me of how blessed I am to share and captures these memories. It truly is awe inspiring and life altering in every way that is good.

Thank you Karla, Shem and Holden for allowing me to capture your new amazing daughter/sister.  She is quite the charmer!

Ok, I just have to make a small note about the next image.  You may have guessed it but it completely and utterly cracked me up!  I mean look at the look on her face. Is that not a laugh out loud moment?

Protected: Beautiful Boudoir | Denver Boudoir Photographer

Posted on February 1, 2010

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Champagne included Boudoir Casting Call | Denver Boudoir Photographer

Posted on January 1, 2010

“I ♥ Faces” week 49 – “Pets Only Challenge”

Posted on December 15, 2009

“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”

~ Martin Buber

It has been a while since I have been able to participate in the weekly “I ♥ Faces” challenges. My business and my toddler have been growing by leaps and bounds(which I am EXTREMELY grateful for). Both have been keeping me happily busy but It hasn’t left much free time for extra fun stuff like the  “I ♥ Faces” challenges. Well the holiday slow down is upon me and so I thought it would be a perfect time for some challenge fun.

For those of you whom aren’t familiar with “I ♥ Faces” you can check them out at www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com. You don’t need to be a professional to play along; you only need to have a pic you love that fits with the weekly theme. Easy breezy and a blast!

This is one of my most favorite animal captures.  Isn’t he gorgeous? I think I love it so much because his eyes are so soulful.

An admitted Zoo addict | Denver family photographer

Posted on November 19, 2009

” Does the quizzical expression of the monkey at the zoo comes from his wondering whether he is his brother’s keeper, or his keeper’s brother.”

Ok, so I am a Zoo addict.  I love going there. In fact, even if I did not have kids I would wander around the Zoo.  Well now that I am sitting here writing this I think it isn’t actually the Zoo I love; it is so many things. It is the opportunity to see animals that I would never get to see and learning about them. It is the sound of squealing children when they see  a giraffe’s tongue for the first time. It is the smell of kettle corn, the sound of the train and the blue tongues of children who convinced their parents that cotton candy is a “must have”. Mainly I love that it is a place where families gather and spend time together; real quality time.  Several generations gather in this one place and it is filled with love and wonder. Who wouldn’t love that?   I love the Zoo so much that I try and go there at least once a month.  I could probably fill a whole hard drive with all the images I have taken over the years at the Zoo. Well out of the goodness of my heart I will only bore you with a couple of shots from my last visit.  It was a great day.  I had both of my boys with me, the weather was gorgeous and Roman tried cotton candy for the first time.  Not a hit by the way; despite is huge sweet tooth(something he got from his father) he didn’t like it that much (images below).  I am sure our dentist will be thrilled by this epiphany.

True Beauty| Denver Portrait Photographer

Posted on October 14, 2009

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

I have to say that I have to be the luckiest photographer on the planet.  I have been blessed with the most amazingly beautiful clients.  When I say they are beautiful it is not their outward appearances I speak of;  instead it is their soul/spirit/heart I reference.  In the years I have had the honor of photographing people it becomes more and more apparent to me that who they are on the inside is what makes them beautiful.  Yes, my clients are outwardly gorgeous but when you combine that with their amazing spirit; all I can say is WOW!

This session is a perfect example of what I am talking about.  As you can see My is absolutely gorgeous! I loved photographing her and as I go through her images I am overwhelmed by the excitement I am feeling about them.  She is really an amazing woman and her heart is one of a kind.  I loved getting to know her while we were shooting but seeing her heart shine through in each image makes me feel like I know her even better with each photograph I edit.

Thank you My for allowing me to capture your true beauty.  I cannot tell you how honored I am for getting to know you;  you are quite amazing and have a heart bigger than most.  Here is your sneak peek.  I hope you love these images as much as I do and that you are able to see how your beauty radiates off the page.

Remember help My out by leaving her some blog love so that she can earn a free print!

Always growing as an artist | Colorado family photographer

Posted on August 25, 2009

As an artist there is always room for improvement and growth. You must continuously work on your craft so you can remain inspired. Well over the next 3 weeks I am fortunate enough to be taking part in a fabulous creative workshop with a photographer I greatly admire. I cannot begin to express how excited am about this opportunity. As part of this workshop I will be challenged with several different assignments and some of them I will be posting on here. I share them with you because I believe it is such a honor to be asked to photograph your families and because you share your special moments with me it is only fair that I share my moments with you; both as a mom and an artist.

Our first assignment was one which most photographers dread; “The Self portrait” (Da da da…… do you hear the haunting music?). At first just the thought of it made my stomach do flip flops. I hate being in front of my lens. In fact, I think that is one of my traits that makes me such a great photographer; I understand that others feel the same way too so I work at helping them to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of my lens. Well I have to admit it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, after I began snapping the images the artist in me took over and my self conscious self took a hike. In the end it turned out to be a lot of fun!

So without further ado I present me without a camera attached to my face.

I am so excited, flattered and humbled. |Colorado Photographer|

Posted on August 3, 2009

As some of you know I participated in Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk in beautiful Evergreen, CO  a  couple of weeks ago and had the time of my life. There were so many amazing photographers there and they were so very nice and welcoming. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my wedding annivesary.

Well after the walk everyone whom attended was able to submit two photographs from the walk for entry into the local contest; one image would then be chosen represent their local walk in the International competition.  Well today I was notified that my image “The Water Dancer” had been chosen!!! There were so many amazing images submitted and I was humbled to see be in a pool with so many talented photographers; to have my image recognized is overwhelming and exciting all at once.  This means I have to ask you all for your good luck vibes. They will announce the winners of the international contest on August 17th.

I just want to thank Katy the Evergreen Photo walk leader/judge and all the other participants for the honor and for allowing me to be part of such an amazing group of fellow photographers. I really am honored.

The Water Dancer

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