Nicole Nichols Selected for 20 Incredible Portrait Photographers of Denver, CO

I was selected by I Love Photoblogs as one of 20 top “incredible portrait photographers in Denver, CO” based off of the quality of my images.  I know most of the other photographers also selected and must say that I am quite humbled to be listed next to these guys, some of whom I have been admiring for years!

Picture Preview: Jessica & Eric’s Engagement Photo Session at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO

Take today to tell all your loved ones how much they mean to you, stop to smell the roses, and cuddle up to that special someone.  Happy Valentines to all the wonderful couples out there!  Here is just one of them below….

Red Rocks Engagement Pictures

Jessica & Eric met me at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO for their engagement shoot. Every time so far this year that I have scheduled an outdoor photo shoot the weather has warmed up for us. There will be a foot of snow & -20 degree weather a few days before, but by the time my photo shoot day gets here the weather warms up!  Perhaps I need to start scheduling a photo shoot every day!
I was actually hoping for some snow covered red rocks, but that’s OK because no matter the season or weather, Red Rocks always looks amazing for pictures!  One of my favorite shots is a portrait I took of Jessica & Eric that looks like a raging fire is in the background.  The sun was setting over the rocks which made the rocks glow like fire, play the slideshow below to see what I’m talking about.   I also had a lot of fun playing with some textures when editing these photos, see if you can tell which ones have a canvas or torn texture layer blended to the image.   These two lovebirds are getting married this summer at The Franciscan in Centennial, CO.

Engagement Picture Preview: Jennell & Rick

I met up with Jennell & Rick for a fun &  funky engagement session in downtown Denver.   We started about an hour before sunset, which gave us  dramatic lighting & shadows to play with.  Then as the sun went down we headed to the bridge that runs over Platte River for a view of the sun setting over downtown.  And then the fun really began as day turned to night & we kept shooting with the city lights as our background.  I scoped the area the day before because I heard there were some new sculptures that lit up at night, and I was really excited when I discovered these red fiery sticks.  Photographing at night is really challenging, but I think that’s why I like it so much…and you can get some amazing shots if you know how to do it right!  By the time the sun went down it did start getting really cold, so we had to move fast.  But luckily Jennell & Rick were great sports & snuggled up & kissed a lot to try too stay warm.

Jennell & Rick are getting married this summer at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park.  So it worked great to have these edgy urban winter pictures for their engagement photo shoot…a stark contrast from the mountain nature summer setting we will have for their wedding pictures.
Keep scrolling down to see a few more of the pictures from their downtown Denver engagement portrait session.

Downtown Denver engagement photography

Denver Couple Portraits

Night Engagement Photography around Denver

Justin Donovan at Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge in Denver, CO

I recently was asked to photograph singer/songwriter Justin Donovan for his CD release show at Dazzle Lounge in Denver.   Justin Donovan truly surpassed my expectations & is certainly someone I recommend keeping an eye on…or better yet, keeping an ear to.  His soulful voice, complimented by his guitar licks & the bands horns & drums created a fusion of jazzy-blues-funk that I can’t imagine anyone not digging.  And just by watching Justin & the other musicians play one can confirm their passion for music.   OK, now I feel like more of a music writer then a photographer….but I can’t help it, I get really excited when I discover new local music!  And excuse me for saying this, but good musicians, particularly in the jazz & blues category, are hard to find in Denver.  Having been born into the musically inspired city of New Orleans, I suppose I’ve been quite spoiled in the past when it comes to live music…which is also one reason why I’m quite picky with my music.   But trust me, unless you’re headed to New Orleans anytime soon, then head out and catch Justin Donovan’s next performance, you won’t regret it!

Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge in Denver, CO

Jazz Blues musician Justin Donovan

Photos by live music photographer Nicole Nichols Photography

Brides, come find me here tomorrow!! I will be giving away a free Engagement session & there will be lots of other prizes & giveaways, not to mention cheese & champagne!

Aaron & Catie’s Wedding Picture Preview: A Military Love…and Goodbye

Katie prepares for the big day

Aaron & Catie held their wedding January 22nd at a family member’s Southern cottage style home in Pearl River, LA.  Catie chose a rich dark purple for her color & had a unique 1940’s vintage yet modern style going on from head to toe.  Gotta love the birdcage veil & glittery blue shoes!
Catie & Aaron did a “first sight” before the ceremony so they could have most of their pictures taken while the sun was still out & have more time to enjoy the party with their guests.
Right before the ceremony I was warned…”watch out for the crazy neighborhood dog, but if you see him wandering around you gotta snap a picture of him.”  And sure enough he popped up right in the middle of the ceremony.  Thankfully he just quietly watched from the back so I don’t think anyone noticed him but me and my other photographer.
We got lucky with beautiful weather…until the sun went down, then it turned into a chilly winter night.  But people danced & hugged to stay warm, and Catie kept looking beautiful in her white fur shawl.
One thing that really shocked me at the wedding, was how the toast were read.  For the first time in over 100 weddings, I saw toasts read off of cell phones!   And not just once, but by 3 different people! I suppose this group is just ahead of the times, because I can only imagine it won’t be long before ministers are reading their sermons off of i-pads.
After the wedding Catie & Aaron are taken off to Hawaii where he was stationed for the Marines.  Sure it sounds romantic getting whisked off to a beautiful island with your lover…but I could see on the wedding day how heartbroken those were who had to say “goodbye.”  There were a lot of tears shed, and sad but well wished goodbyes, even from a few cute kids that Catie babysat for.  She will be surely missed by her friends & family.   Now Catie & Aaron are honeymooning in Colorado Springs, where I’m sure the current -20 freezing temperatures are making her wedding night feel warm in comparison.  Best wishes in Hawaii Catie & Aaron, and thanks so much for having me be a part of your wedding day!

First Sight

wedding details

military 1940's style wedding

Louisiana Wedding

Wedding Reception

reception pictures

contest winners at The Warwick in Denver, CO

I recently photographed Tamara & her friends, the winner of of my 2010 Bachelorette Boudoir Party Contest.  For winning the contest, I provided a suite at The Warwick Hotel for the photo shoot, a couple bottles of champagne, a mini boudoir session for each girl, and a few extra little goodies for the girl’s night out.  I love doing boudoir shoots at The Warwick because its the only hotel in Denver that has  a rooftop pool patio & a balcony in each room, perfect for pictures! Luckily it was a warmer then normal winter day so we were able to take full advantage of these features. Tamara’s honest & creative answers got her in the finalist selection.  Then her friends rallied for her support which led to her receiving the most votes to win the contest.  Congratulations to Tamara for winning!  Below are some of their more “PG” photos I was given the OK to post…the others will have to stay secret for their eyes only.  Here is Tamara’s winning contest entry:

1) I want to win the Bachelorette Party because… as graduate students, my friend Ali and I are both getting married with a minimum of fuss; we haven’t had time or money to kick it and celebrate like we’d like. This would be a way for us lo let go and let down our hair in a safe environment. We spend a lot of time being careful not to do anything that might get back to our students, or slow our program down, or tick our advisers off… If I were to win, there would be two bridal celebrants; Ali (who gets married in July) would never think to enter a contest like this, even though she’s a fantastic dancer. This would also allow me to have all my Maids of Awesome (who live in three cities, across three time zones) together for the first time. Grad students need a break. We’re not bad; we just made bad life choices!

3) My girlfriends are the best… because some of them have been around forever; some of them have been front and center for my biggest crashes and burns; some of my friends have stood next to me even as I tried to hurt them, and I have stood by them in similar circumstances. But to a woman, I could not have dreamed up a more diverse and perfect support system. These women are my rocks.

4) If you have a fun unique idea for your bachelorette party, please share.
My colors are lemon, slate/platinum and white, and I heart Jessica Rabbit and Betty Boop. I also think every woman should dance, just to appreciate how her body moves and talks back to her. My dream shower involves us all getting together for a complete girls weekend. Hotels, manis, pedis, Prosecco, some sexy dance moves in a pole dance class, then boudoir photos, a long, lingering lunch over Indian food, the change-and-go with snapshots at the hotel, the raucous dinner, Latin dancing, then late night street food (gyros, anyone?), before going back to the hotel for hot tub, pomegranate martinis, and ice cream and snacks over movies until we fall asleep, one by one, draped in colorful pajamas over every couch and chair in our suite. My girls all together for one weekend- that’s my plan for my bachelorette party, whether it is in Colorado, Ohio, or New York City.

Boudoir Bachelorette Party contest winners

Boudoir Bachelorette Party contest winners