Valentines Photography Specials in New Orleans, La

Do you want to have a Valentines to remember?  Forget fighting the crowds at your favorite restaurant.  Skip the cheesy card, and sugary chocolates.  Do something really unique that you can hold onto forever, with a Valentines Photography Experience!   Please read below for the 3 choices of photography packages that I will be offering at a reduced rate for Feb.14-18th in New Orleans, Louisiana only.  If you have a creative idea you want to implement or any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.  I won’t be able to spend Valentines with my significant other this year, so I would love to help make your Valentine’s the most memorable ever.  Also, if you are looking for a unique marriage proposal idea or a date experience that will never be forgotten, then read below for details on “The Proposal Package.” All photo sessions will be taking place in the French Quarter, except for the Proposal Package which can be customized to fit your needs.  I will only be booking a very limited number of sessions, so please don’t delay. Make this Valentine’s Day the experience of a lifetime, captured on camera!

Date Night or Marriage Proposal Ideas in New Orleans

Date Night or Marriage Proposal Ideas in New Orleans

Do you want to see samples of more couple’s portraits and their love that I have captured on camera?  For more pictures of engagements, proposals in the New Orleans French Quarter, and couples just documenting their lives together, please play the slideshow below.  Love doesn’t discriminate: LGBT friendly

Need some ideas for Valentines?  for a Wedding Gift?  Read what one of my clients had to say about her pin-up photography experience:

Hey Nicole,
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much fun I had last week!   I never expected to finally be able to do a pin-up/boudoir shoot but you really made a dream of mine come true! (It now ranks right alongside the time I got to drive a bull-dozer)!  I really appreciate your professionalism, as well as that of your assistant. While I am used to dressing and undressing in front of people (as a theater performer) I have never been in the position to POSE in front of them without clothes on. It was just a great experience all around! I can’t wait for the unveiling to talk to you soon.

Best wishes,
Ann K

Boudoir Pin-up pictures by Denver, CO photographer Nicole Nichols

Denver Pin-up Photography

Pin-up pictures by Denver, Colorado photographer

Artistic pin-up pictures by Denver, Colorado Boudoir photographer

I met Anne last year at the Quality Hill Bridal show at Grant Humphrey Mansion, and she went on to win my Boudoir Photography Facebook Contest.   In 2010 I gave away a Boudoir Bachelorette Party, and I have a new sexy fun give-away this year that I’m soo excited about …so make sure you come to the Quality Hill Bridal show on Jan.29th to find out about it!
Did I mention its the best bridal event of the year? Trust me brides, you don’t want to miss this event!  Read my recent blog post to find out more about it!
To see more pictures from Ann’s pin-up photo shoot, play the slideshow below:

New Orleans Engagement Pictures with St.Charles Ave. streetcar

Jenna & Norwood met & fell in love in New Orleans.  However, just a few weeks ago they moved to Denver, CO where Norwood got a great job offer and where Jenna also happens to be from.  So when they found me online and realized that I work in both New Orleans & Denver, it couldn’t have been a better fit!  They wanted to do their engagement pictures in New Orleans to capture the unique art and enormous oak trees of City Park, as well as the historic streetcars of  St.Charles Ave.  We had fun playing around at City Park, and then headed Uptown and crossed our fingers we would catch some streetcars.  Well, we couldn’t have gotten any luckier!  We saw a few streetcars parked and just chilling on the street, so we immediately pulled over & parked and I started quickly photographing them in front as the last rays of daylight drifted away.  Then, when we realized this streetcar didn’t’ appear to be heading anywhere anytime soon, I sweet talked the conductor into letting us hop on for some pictures, and he gave us about 10 minutes to have full reign of a streetcar all to ourselves, it was perfect!  Night photography is not the easiest, especially when you have moving objects involved that only pass by every 15 minutes, so we could not have gotten luckier then to have one stop for us for and allow us to do pictures on board,  a photographers dream come true, hehe.  This beautiful loving couple is planning to host their wedding in Denver, where their lives now continue together.  Play the slideshow below to view the engagement book design I created of all of their favorite pictures from their engagement session.  For the best view make sure to click the “Full Screen” icon.

Quality Hill Bridal Show – Sunday, January 29, 2012

Grant Humphrey’s Mansion in Denver, CO
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
No RSVP necessary • Onsite registration
Free admission for everyone!

Grant Humphrey Mansion wedding

Located in the historic Quality Hill District, Grant-Humphreys Mansion’s wedding showcase is Denver’s finest, boutique bridal event of the year. This is a necessary for any couple – newly engaged to finalizing your ceremony – featuring Colorado’s best wedding experts in the relaxing and magnificent environment of a historic landmark. Best of all, this event is FREE! But, it only comes around once a year so be sure to bring your fiance, mom, maid-of-honor and friends!

I would recommend this show to all brides looking for a little guidance with their wedding planning, as well as an enjoyable personable experience. And make sure to stop by my booth upstairs in the bridesmaid room, I’ll be doing a drawing to give away a Bridal Boudoir photo shoot as well as an Engagement Session! Scroll down for more info. and play the slideshow below to see more pictures from weddings I have photographed at this beautiful Denver venue.

- Taste incredible food from seven of Colorado’s top caterers & bakers
-Talk one-on-one with experts: photographers, DJs, bridal salons, planners
- Obtain ideas by viewing work samples from linen companies, invitation designers, florists, and hair & make-up artists
- Observe live models boasting the latest wedding fashions
- Take with you an incredible canvas re-usable goodie bag which includes a keepsake 40-page wedding planning guide and lots of goodies!
- Listen to live pianist and take notes for your own wedding music!
- Register to win door prizes, including a $200 gift certificate towards any 2012 participating Q.H. Bridal Show vendor!
- Click here to view the 2011 exhibiting vendors-

- Some of my personal favorite wedding vendors that will also be there include:
Bliss Elevated /Events Unwrapped / The Wedding Connectors / Tussie Mussie Floral

If you haven’t figured out your New Years resolution yet…why not make it a fun one and commit to a fun, funky, fine art photo session to document a special time in your life, or your growing family.  We all have a story to tell, and we all deserve to have our lives documented with beautiful pictures.   Receive an additional $50 print credit for all sessions booked by March 31, 2012.
Please email me for current prices & more information.

family, baby, maternity, and portrait photography by Denver, CO photographer Nicole Nichols Photography

2011 Year in Review

Mardi Gras in Denver

2011 was the first year since I was about 3yrs. old that I was not in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  Those from New Orleans understand the cultural importance of this festive holiday….others are surprised to learn that “Girls Gone Wild” is not the standard and that Mardi Gras is really more of a family affair.   So what did I do on Fat Tuesday in Denver?  Well, I took the day off of work to edit my pictures of past Mardi Gras and my husband and I threw a huge party the Saturday before to teach our friends the real meaning of Mardi Gras….complete with gumbo, king cake, mask-making, costumes, and even a mini walking parade down our Broadway neighborhood!   The night was such a hit that we promised to do it every year we are unable to attend the real Mardi Gras…..but sorry we couldn’t miss 2 in a row, so  we already got our plane tickets for carnival 2012!

3rd Wedding Anniversary

In March my husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary with a fun editorial style photo shoot .  Molly Plann, my 2nd photographer and a dear friend, documented us doing some of the things we enjoy the most – a good martini & a game of pool at our favorite neighborhood bar, Skylark (it takes a drink to convince my husband to have his picture taken) and cooking an Italian dinner at our house.   We also both turned 30 about 6 months prior, so it was time for some new pictures to celebrate this milestone.

Weddings, Portraits, and Birthdays……

This year I booked more photo sessions then ever before!   Boudoir portraits were big this year, as were birthday parties. I was honored to document a 1yr. old birthday, followed by the birthday of a (truly young at heart) 90yr. old woman.

From my perspective the recession scare disappeared as the whole wedding industry was seeing a large increase in bookings & money spent.  Whether the Royal wedding had anything to do with it, we may never know…but it was a good feeling to see people feel confident enough again to plan large weddings…one of my favorites being a Steampunk themed wedding complete with Victorian era costumes, an incredible clock & gear hand built wedding cake…and a custom designed metal wedding album that I can’t wait to deliver to the bride any day now!

Venice Destination Wedding & an Italy Vacation:

However, it will be hard for any wedding to top the one I photographed in Italy Labor Day weekend.  My husband Steven took time off of work to assist me, and while he still needs a lot of camera training, he did an amazing job as a bag carrier, body guard, and travel planner, thanks babe – hopefully more practice in foreign destinations to come soon!

I had the chance to play more with video this year, click this link to photo/video fusion of Talia & Kris’ wedding day in Venice, Italy.

Thankfully Steven was able to take 2 weeks off and after the work was complete we toured around Italy and enjoyed what felt like a 2nd honeymoon!  And as crazy as it was to take 2 weeks off during wedding season, it was exactly what I needed!

Saints & the South

By the fall it was back to the South for warmer weddings in Florida & New Orleans, one of an old college friend which I got to simply enjoy as a guest instead of as staff, which is always a nice treat.

Business stayed booming till the last Christmas print order & wedding album of the year went out.  Steven & I got to go home to New Orleans for Christmas to spend some quality time with our families.  And before I left NOLA I got to enjoy an amazing Monday night football game where Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke the all time passing yards record for a touchdown pass against rival team Atlanta Falcons!….. I have a feeling we may be looking at round 2 of the Superbowl for the Saints!

Now that its a New Year it feels good to reflect and remember all the positives of the past year.  And with so many amazing new adventures in 2011, I can’t even begin to imagine what 2012 may have in store for us!  But I do know that I will be continuing specializing in weddings (hoping for lots more destination weddings too…perhaps Hawaii or Greece, anyone?) while expanding my boudoir & baby photography line.  I am also going to give back to the world, and start donating a percentage of all my sales to a non-profit I support in Africa, more details of that to come.  And brides-to be, please come find me Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the Quality Hill Bridal Show at the Grant Humphrey Mansion.

And if you haven’t figured out your New Years resolution yet…why not make it a fun one and commit to a fun, funky, fine art photo session to document a special time in your life, or your growing family.  We all have a story to tell, and we all deserve to have our lives documented with beautiful pictures.  =)

Kristy & Travis’ Wedding Picture Preview: The Omni Hotel, The Bourbon Orleans Hotel,  The Riverview Room, and Pat O’Brian’s in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana by destination wedding photographer Nicole Nichols Photography

Bride & Groom celebrating at the after-party at Pat O'Brians in the New Orleans French Quarter

The bride Kristy currently lives in Denver, CO but spent her college years at LSU (Gueax Tigers!) as well as much time in the New Orleans area, so she was delighted to be able to go back to New Orleans for her wedding.   After all, New Orleans is considered one of the most romantic cities, and it is the #2 wedding destination location after Las Vegas.   I can’t tell you how many people I meet that have left part of their heart in New Orleans (me included), or got engaged in NOLA (see last blog post), so it only makes sense for them to come back to New Orleans to share the city they love, and their love of each other with the people that they love (wait, I think I said that last part in my own wedding toast, haha).

I got to document this couple’s rehearsal dinner the previous night at Tujague’s (click for that blog post) and spent the whole next day documenting their wedding celebration from the getting ready at the Omni Hotel to the after-party at Pat O’Brian’s.

The Omni is a beautiful majestic hotel right in the heart of the French Quarter.  It was a perfect spot for everyone to get ready and for the bridal portraits.   I absolutely loved Kristy’s dress, which she found in Mandeville at Southern Bridal.  We then all headed to the elegant ballroom of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel for their wedding ceremony.  New Orleans Finest Musicians and singer Carrie Helm provided the live music.  Their was a lot of emotion and tears of joy flowing in the ballroom that day.  And in traditional New Orleans style the ceremony was followed by a second line parade.  The Storyville Stompers brass band met us outside the Bourbon Orleans Hotel and led a 2nd line parade through the French Quarter.  The bride and groom had custom white handkerchiefs made for all the guest with their name & date on it (see picture below), and Kristy & Travis had beautiful parasols made decorated with fleur de lis and flair.  Once we got to the Jax Brewery the band played their last song and everyone headed up to Riverview Room at the top of the building.  At the Riverview Room the DJ kept the crowd dancing all night and there was so much food I don’t know how anyone could have even tried it all!  Also, The Royal Cakery made a beautiful and delicious white wedding cake.   Travis’ artist sister, Brooke,  who is also a caricature artist in Denver (see LOL Caricature Company), created a handmade caricature cake topper….along with a caricature drawing that all the guests signed around in place of a traditional guest book.
After the last song was played and the last drink was served, Kristy & Travis left in style with elaborate carnival masks and a horse and buggy ride.  Everyone then grabbed their custom to-go cups (filled of course, this is New Orleans after-all) and headed to the famous Pat Brian’s Patio Bar for a casual after-party.  My 2nd photographer, Ashley, and I had a wonderful time photographing this amazing wedding and were so glad to be a part of it!  Thanks again Kristy & Travis for having us there….plenty more pictures to come, but for now enjoy your “picture preview” below:

I photograph a lot of weddings, but its rare for me to actually get to document the beginning of a couple’s engagement – the actual proposal.  And this marriage proposal certainly topped the charts! Jeff and Amy are from New York and were planning a vacation in New Orleans , the future groom-to-be, came up with the perfect unique idea to propose to Amy on their trip.  Jeff hired Second Line Weddings and Events to come up with a scheme that involved having her husband, and partner in crime, pretend to be a college friend meeting the couple at Cafe du Monde, the famous cafe au lait & beignet stop in the French Quarter.  I hid behind the Cafe du Monde green draped wall until Katie, from Second Line Events, came by pretending to be doing a random 2nd line parade to help market the Baby Boyz Brass Band.  Kaite got the couple and everyone around, to join in on the parade.  So I pretended myself to be a camera happy tourist that joined the parade just for fun.  It was difficult trying to catch candid pictures of the couple dancing without my lens aimed at them raising any suspension….the last thing I wanted to do was ruin the surprise.  So I kept a safe distance and tried to make it look like I was taking pictures of everyone and everything.  The band led the crowd through the French Quarter, around Jackson Square, and then up to the Riverwalk.  Once they walked a ways down the Riverwalk the brass band slowed down their tempo and that is when Jeff got down on one knee and made his move!  The crowd circled around to watch and everyone started cheering & clapping.  It was truly magical to witness such a romantic moment, I even had to keep from tearing up myself.  We then headed back to where everything started, at Cafe du Monde, and I took a few quick portraits of the couple with their new diamond ring.  It was so romantic and a fantastic idea for a surprise proposal!  Hit play on the picture below to watch a mini-music video I put together of some of my favorite pictures (and I recommend hitting the bottom right button to view full screen).  Congratulations Jeff & Amy, I hope to see you again for a wedding in New Orleans!!

Fall Baby Pictures in Denver, Colorado

Denver Lifestyle Baby & Portrait Photographer in City Park

I am a supporter of the non-profit Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center and every year donate a photography portrait session for their big fundraiser.  Last year Blair’s sister won my boudoir session from the fundraiser and ironically Blair won it this year.  So, I recently had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful Young family in Denver’s City Park.  It was the day after Thanksgiving and the poor baby woke up with an upset stomach from too many new holiday foods. So we postponed a bit, but lucky for us it was a warm overcast day so even at 11am there was a nice lighting without any blaring sun (really not good for sensitive baby eyes). We also got a few pictures with their beloved dog and I just got so many cute shots I had to share!  If you are wanting some holiday portraits with your family, its not too late!  There is still time to do a session and get prints made for priceless Christmas gifts…..are you can always make them New Years cards too    Simply contact me for more detailed information on family and portrait photography sessions in the Denver and Boulder area.

Family Portraits in Denver, CO

Baby Pictures at City Park in Denver, CO

I am always excited when one of my brides asks me to shoot their rehearsal dinner. It’s a great chance for me to meet the family and wedding party before the wedding day, figure out who everyone is and try to learn everyone’s names. And what I really love is getting to listen in on the toast, or catching glimpses of their childhood slideshows, it really gives me a chance to get to know a different side of the bride & groom. I wasn’t expecting Kristy to announce at the end of the toast that she wanted to thank me (yes, moi!) for everything I had done and for being there to photograph her weekend, it kind of left me speechless, but thank you Kristy, I really did appreciate that! This rehearsal dinner was certainly filled with a lots of toasts, cute kids, gifts, and of course great food (thanks for that too, yummy!). Here are a few of my favorite shots from Kristy & Travis’ rehearsal dinner at Tujagues’s Restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, LA.  This wonderful couple’s wedding was held the next day at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel with a reception at the Riverview Room, keep an eye out for that picture preview to come soon!