I am sooo excited to announce that I have a new blog and website, complete with new branding!! I will no longer be updating this blog so be sure to add my new blog to your readers and update your RSS feeds!!
blog - http://www.nicolegreenblog.com
website - http://www.nicolegreenphoto.com
Dan's sister, Nicole, recently got married! :) We did a few photos for her and Justin before a small reception they had for friends and family in Ohio last month. Congrats to them! :)
(how fun is this truck we found!?)
I never in a million years thought this job would bring so many amazing people into my life. The Strand's are at the top of that list. I met the family a few years ago when Dan and I photographed Jon & Natalie's wedding. Earlier this year they asked me to photograph their family before Laurie, Jon's mother, started chemo treatments. Her cancer had come back from 6 years prior. I had an amazing time photographing everyone, being able to laugh and capture so many real emotions that day. From that point on I followed her blog where she spoke beautiful words and updated everyone on her treatments.
About two weeks ago, I received a call from Natalie that Laurie's time with them was coming to an end. Dan and I went to visit Laurie, Greg, Jon, Natalie, JD, Liz & Heather at their home. We all gathered in Laurie's room, talked & laughed for an hour or so. Everyone in the family has a photo (& new nickname) of each of them wearing Laurie's short blonde wig. Greg, Laurie's husband, took the wig out of the closet to model it for us and the next thing I know, Laurie is suggesting Dan & I each have our turn with the wig & have our photos taken. :) It was absolutely hilarious! I loved that we got to take such a wonderful memory of her with us that evening.
Today I heard the news that she had passed away. I'm still a bit taken back by the news. Laurie and I have only known each other for a short time but she still holds a place in my heart. Before we left their home, she got out of bed, pulled me aside in the hallway and shared some incredible words with me. I'll never forget what she said and I hope she knows how much each word she spoke meant to me. Thank you, Laurie!
To the Strand Family - My heart breaks for you today but I'm comforted in knowing how strong of a family you are. You surrounded Laurie with nothing but love and I am truly honored to call you my friends. Thank you for allowing Dan and I into your lives. We love you!
I love these guys .. especially because they are my family! :) Meet my cousin Becky and her three kiddies, Austin, Lexy & Abbi. They live in Iowa but we were all visiting my Grandma in Illinois recently so I stole them for a quick little shoot at one of our favorite parks. Time goes by so quickly. I can still remember holding Abbi when she was just a newborn!
Let me just first admit that during this shoot, I was an absolute nervous wreck! Peter & I met in photography school a few years ago & instantly became great friends. He wasn't just any regular photography student that attended OIP&T, he happened to be the most talented photographer in the entire school at that time! His work was (& still is) absolutely beautiful. Talk about pressure, right!? :) I'm photographing Peter & Mindi's wedding next year in Ohio and I can't wait! It seriously means so much to me that they chose me to photograph their day!
(Peter is the photographer behind the super cute pictures of Dan & I that are on my website .. back when Dan and I were in our skinny days) :)
Our little Penny turned one on Thursday and of course we had to celebrate. I'm so that person that puts birthday hats on their dogs and decides it's time for a photo shoot (see below). They look beyond thrilled to be wearing those ridiculous hats don't you think? :)
Just wanted to say congrats to Matt & Erin, who were married earlier this month in Port Clinton, Ohio! :) Matt and Dan have been best friends since high school and he was the best man in their wedding. I attended the wedding as a guest & not as their photographer (so weird!) so I only took a handful of pictures since I didn't have to work. :) Congrats guys!
I'm sorry but is this not the cutest picture ever!? My niece is way too cute! I thought this definitely needed to make an appearance on the blog.
I never realized how many wonderful people I'd become friends with when I started on on my little photography journey. Stefanie & Brock happen to be two of them. :) They needed a few updated photos for their website so we got together last week for a quick shoot & dinner. I always find it so intimating photographing other photographers but I was so excited about the photos we got. I just love these two kids! :)
It's been forever since I've posted anything about the latest addition to our family, Penny. Here's a little reminder of what she looked like when we first got her back in September of last year..
Such a cute little baby right? Well, check her out now! She weighs right around 47 pounds and her ears are 9 inches long (and she's still not fully grown yet!). Also, besides being the tallest basset hound on the planet, she has a major attitude (the most stubborn dog I've ever met!), is so in love with her brother, Otis, and has a problem with peeing in her sleep.
And apparently she enjoys winking during photo shoots. We're totally getting this framed! It's too perfect. :) She's soo weird!
Nicole has been in my family's life since she was born (it's not a coincidence we share the same name!). :) Her parents and my parents have been great friends since their younger years. :) Whenever we take trips back to my hometown of Silvis, Illinois, one of the things I've always looked forward to most is visiting with Nicole, her brother & sister and my 2nd favorite set of parents. :)
When Nicole & her mom asked me to take her senior photos, I couldn't have been more excited! She's so photogenic, I knew I'd end up with a lot of great photos .. not to mention since I was back in Silvis, I had brand new locations to work with! It was like Christmas .. beautiful subject and countless new backgrounds. We literally hopped in my mom's car and drove around town stopping whenever we found a cool alley, rusty fence or a huge pile of tires to sit on.
Here are a few of my favorites!
(p.s. Thanks to my mom for assisting and being our driver!!)
It's been way too long since my adorable niece, Reagan, has been on my blog! After an intense Play-Doh party when I was babysitting last week, we decided to have an impromptu photo shoot (crazy hair & all)! :) She was hilarious and was a total ham in front of the camera. I can't believe how big she's getting and how smart she is! She's a 2 1/2 year old genius. :)
