I'm So Thankful!!!!!

What a crazy 2 days it's been!!!! Yesterday afternoon, I turned on my camera to take some pictures of a really cool door that my department and I had decorated for a contest and my CAMERA WOULDN'T COME ON!!!!! End of the world for those that know me! Anyway, I rush over to my favorite place Wolf Camera (also known as Ritz Camera. Obviously my warranty is out on the camera, but good news that the step above the camera I had, is ON SALE!! HMMMMM, Merry Christmas to me right!?! I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get that.....
Anway, you're probably wondering why I'm so Thankful, then right?! Well, this morning, I'm sitting at work and a friend of mine and one of my best friends in the whole world has just had an accident coming to work! She seems to be OK, but complaining of shoulder pain. So, I drive my friend (who happens to be the mom of the friend of that had the accident) to the hospital. We pull up just as the ambulance is unloading her. So, we rush inside and wait to see what is going on. Details are a little sketch, but basically my friend and her daughter got tossed around in the car a lot. The daughter is fine, a little bump on her head, but my friend has a sprained shoulder and a possible torn rotator cuff. She has numerous small cuts on her face from where the glass shattered and cut her, but not any huge cuts!! THIS is why I'm so thankful. I'm thankful they weren't hurt, they were responsible enough to wear seat belts, and that --although her injuries are painful and emotional damage from having an accident this big -- she's alive and walking and talking, and that we still have her here!!!
Now, the breaking of my camera doesn't seem as big as it did yesterday!
I'm loving life and glad you popped over to read! Have a great day!

IT CAME, IT CAME!!!!!!

My package from the New York Institute of Photography came yesterday in the mail. I would've broken speed records to get home to tear it open, but another surprise happened - SNOW IN TEXAS!!!! It was so much fun!!! Nothing we could build snowmen with, but who cares, it was snow -- in Texas -- in West Columbia!!!

This is one of the fields outside of West Columbia, in Damon Texas!! This was at about 5:15 in the evening!

One more, this is Daisy enjoying the snow, and waiting for me to put down the camera and get her warm!!!

As far as the Institute, I've already read the "introductory" stuff and the letters from the Dean. I've also googled my instructor!!! :)
Thanks for reading.......

LOVE the Christmas Season!!!!

What beautiful, gorgeous weather we're having!!! This weather makes me want to go Christmas shopping! We spent the weekend putting up the Christmas tree and doing TONS of Christmas activites!! We usually have the tree up earlier, but we were waiting on my Monique (my stepdaughter) to be here when we put the tree up and decorate.

Friday, we picked her up and headed to the Pearland Christmas Festival - it was awesome!! We had a blast there!! Saturday morning, bright and early, we went to the West Columbia Fire Station and had breakfast with Santa.

AND, we all got to ride on the fire truck. It was a little cold, but nothing we couldn't handle!!

Then, we went to Market Days in West Columbia, which is busting at the seems with GREAT Christmas ideas, then off to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese for my nephew!!

We put up our Christmas tree mid-day on Saturday and then to the BEST place in this area for Christmas light!! MOODY GARDENS!!
Here are some pictures from there!!

Help me!! Help me!!!

Monkey see, Monkey Do!

Like Father, Like Daughter!!!! :)

Have an amazing Holiday season!!

Follow me!

You can find out when I update my blog!!! On the right side of the screen, there is a link that you can click that says "Follow this Blog". You may need to have a user name and password, but I'd LOVE to know who is reading what's going on in my world!! It's nice to know that I'm not talking to myself out here!
Another way to let me know you're out there, is to comment on the posts that I write.
Have a great day!!

Christmas Special!

Well, I've got a special for you!!!
From now until Dec. 31st, you can have a session with me for $45.00 and you will receive a CD of your prints. From that point, you can go to Wal Mart or CVS or anywhere you'd like and make prints for yourself, family, or friends. You can upload them and create special gifts at places such as mouse pads, t-shirts, whatever you like. You will need to sign a model release form so that I can use your prints that I take for my portfolio or advertising.

Most photographers will not charge you a "sitting fee", but will over-charge you for the prints you buy from them. With this deal, you don't have to worry about that!

This deal will only last through the 31st of December of 2008. After that, prices may vary.

Also, keep in mind that I'm an on-location photographer, so I can come to your house and use your Christmas decorations, we can meet at a park, or another destination...that we can talk about when you call to make the appointment.

You can reach me at (979)235-0287 or via email at NicoleJonesPhotography@yahoo.com


I can't wait to freeze a moment in time for you!

1st Hunting Trip

OK, so as you know, David took me and Chase for our 1st duck hunting trip on Thanksgiving morning! It was pretty foggy, but I managed to get a couple of good shots!

Chase and Daddy in the blind!!

Chase took this one of me!!

Me and Chase getting ready to leave.

We saw a lot that morning, but didn't shoot anything. Mainly, about the time David would look away to explain something to Chase, the birds would fly in - probably laughing!!!

Sadie got to swim around, since she didn't have to "work".

But, don't think that David doesn't have good trips. Him and his friend, JD got this haul this last weekend.

Have an AWESOME day!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! What a great day this has been! David and I got up this morning and got Chase up and we headed to the duck lease. This was Chase's 1st trip to go out there and actually sit in the blind. Once we got home, we gave a quick phone call to my sister in Florida and then over to stuff our faces at my in-laws houses!!

I have some BIG news!!! No, I'm not pregnant. When I say I have big news, someone always asks "are you pregnant!?!" I officially signed up for the New York Institute for Photography!!!!! This is the online correspondence course that I mentioned before that I wanted to sign up for after the first of the year. They raised the tuition so I wanted to get in before that happened.

Anyway, I'll post the pictures of our hunting trip tomorrow or when I get back over here! I'll be getting internet at the house after Christmas probably. David has to get back there (hopefully today) and get a hole drilled in my back room for the internet.

Anyway, have a great day and don't eat too much! Well, what am I saying - you're supposed to eat too much at Thanksgiving.

I AM Alive!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I was alive and kicking! I had to go to the ER on Sunday night--I have Kidney Stones. This is the worst pain that I've ever felt in my entire life. I'm at my in-laws just checking my email and thought I'd update everyone on where I've been. I'll probably be back at work on Monday. So, hopefully I'll be able to update next week.
Nicole

School's Never Out

Today, I was going to give you a little of my “education” so-to-speak. Besides, taking pictures for more than 2 decades, I am constantly trying to improve. School’s never out, right?! Well, I’m currently enrolled in a photography class at Brazosport Junior College. In October, I took a Natural Light Photography class. This class taught me tons of information about using natural light and shade to your advantage. And, as you’ve seen from my last post, I took an Intro to Weddings and Bridal Workshop that took place in Austin last weekend!!!!

In May 2009, I’ll be attending for the first time the Texas School of Photography, which will be held in Arlington, TX this year. This is a week-long "school" taught by professionals. You attend 1 class all week long during the days and in the evenings, there is fun, food, and fellowship. And, my ultimate goal is to get signed up for the National Institute of Photography in 2009! This is the ULTIMATE in education in the photography world. It's a school that has been around since 1910 (yes, you read it right) and it's a online course-I'm very excited about this new adventure. BUT, first I have to get past Christmas!!! :)

As you can see, I make photography and learning different aspects a priority in my life. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I’m a 2 year Brazoria County fair winner in the photography category. Here is the winning picture from this year!!!

Looking ahead: Monique turns 9 on Saturday! She's going to LOVE the present we have for her!

Wonderful Wedding Weekend!!!

On Sunday, me, an old friend and a new friend drove to Austin for an Intro to Wedding photography workshop. It was only 3 hours long and well worth the long round trip drive. I'll post a few pics and I'd LOVE to get your feedback!! Here I am in the back of a pick up getting a ride to the beautiful medieval house called Duvegan Keep.

This is the model, Anne, that I loved! She's so beautiful!!!!

I Love this shot - except for the light spot in the corner! I haven't ever touched up my photos, so this photo will probably be the 1st one to touch up, just to see if I CAN do it!!! I believe that photography is art with your camera. Photoshop is art of the computer. I have several opinions about photoshop, but I know there are lots of useful things about it - like getting rid of sun spots!!!

One of the other models there, Luba. She had a very sexy, cat-eye look! I loved it.

That is all for now, I have to get some more work done. Have a great day!

A little about me...

Well, some of you may or may not know me already, so here are the details of Nicole Jones!
I've been married since July 2000, I have a step daughter (Monique) who is turning 9 this month and a beautiful little boy (Chase) who just turned 6 last month! I have a jump-crazy Golden Retriever named Daisy who is also turning 1 this month!!!

I've been in LOVE with photography since I was a young child. My dad bought me a 110 camera and I've been taking pictures ever since. I took pictures of our cats, dogs, family and friends of course, sunsets and sunrises--and RAIN! :)

My mom, who passed away WAY too soon, encouraged me to go after my dream of having my own photography business, but it wasn't until she passed away that I felt that I NEEDED to do it. I've been procrastinating and have finally decided that I HAVE to do it. I have to start my own business. This does not mean that I'm going to be locked away in a studio and you'll have to bring your children to a some strange place. I am going to be an On-Location Photographer...which means, I go to YOU and your family. I can meet you at a location or I can come to your house, where your kids are already comfortable and freeze time for you! I see this business as really being all about YOU, and freezing a slice of time out for you to have -- long after the babies are grown, graduated, married, and having babies of their own. I specialize in portraits, sports, wedding, and other events. If you have an idea - I'd love to make that happen for you as well!

I'd love to get to know you, but in the mean time, here is a picture of my family, so you can get to know me!

Great Deal for YOU!

OK, So I've decided I am going to honor what my mom wanted me to be, what she believed I could be more than anything (besides a great mom)! I've waited TOO long as it is....2 years to be exact! I've been scared that I would fail before, but the desire has become too strong. I'm going to branch out and start taking pictures for more than friends and family. For some of you, you knew this was coming! Contact me directly for an AMAZING deal that you won't want to pass up - especially with the holidays around the corner!!!