Mandi Nikole Photography

The last few days I have seen a few blog post that have really stayed with me.  Matt Lange posted a link to a website that really moved me.  Photographer -Phillip Toledano writes about his 3 year journey with his father.  It is such a beautiful story.  His images and words are so moving.  It really made me think about the importance of family.  I also believe he is publishing the book.  I would recommend you go to website and read it for yourself.

I also was checking out Courtney Dellafiora’s blog. I have been a fan of Courtney ever since I interned with Luckett’s Photography a few years back. She was shooting weddings for them at that time. Anyway she commented about a scene on Grey’s Anatomy last night.   I’m also a big fan of Grey’s. I  too was very inspired by the words of Dr. Sheppard’s friend Isaac just before Sheppard takes him to surgery. His words reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson.  I have posted a shorter version of the quote that I heard on Akeelah and the Bee.

At this time in my life I need to be reminded of these words.  I have been home since May working to start my business while I complete some of my final classes to get my B.A. in Photography at LA Tech University.  As most new photographers know this is a competitive business and things can be slow.  This quote reminds me to not become discouraged and  continue and move forward.  To strive to be the best that I can be.  To take the talent God has given me and use it for His glory and the rest will fall into place.  To remember He has a plan and that I have to be patient and wait upon him.

This summer I have met some wonderful clients shooting new families and weddings.  I feel that I am so blessed to always be part of new beginnings when documenting a client’s life.  Pregnancies, new babies, first birthday’s, and marriages.  These are such happy times and as photographers we are so blessed to celebrate and share such precious moments.  I feel so blessed that God has given me a skill and talent that allows me to be touched by so many lives.  Clients welcome me into their home and trust that I will provide them with memories that they will treasure for their entire life.  Clients are so appreciative for what we do as photographers but today I want to thank them because it is I who am blessed by them and their families.

I often walk through my grandmother’s home and see the images of our family, of years past, and realize that another photographer at another time provided her with all those memories she now shares with me.  Each image coming with it’s own story.  She looks through photos albums and shares stories about my mom and her brothers and as she is talking I realize that someday my images will be passed through the generations.  That is why I strive not to only shoot pictures but to capture fleeting moments in time. To freeze frame minutes and seconds that are gone in a blink.  Lifestyle photography has really become that to me.  As I look through my lens I have the priviledge of capturing families as they interact with each other.  I pray that when a session is over I have capture the essence of who they are and how they feel at this time in their life.  I pray they will look back on the photos and they will remember that day with a smile.

May God bless you all and have a wonderful day

Mandi

P.S. If links are not pink, you can click on each photographers name and get to their website.

Purchased a couple of new toys a few weeks ago.  I love the look of images taken with a Holga camera.  Hadn’t shot with one since my first year at LA Tech though.  Film was not my thing, but I think I’ll try my hand at it again.  Had to buy the Fisheye camera also.  Just couldn’t pass it up.   Can’t wait til I get to use them.  I wanted them mostly to shoot Seniors, Fashion Models, etc.  Just to do some artsy work.  Maybe even use them with Brides if the lighting is right.  There was also a Pinhole camera I wanted to buy, but I’ll have to save up for it.