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!!!