Is This What It Feels Like?

A few months ago when I decided to pursue photography completely full time, I was initially terrified with a capital T (I hid it well though).  As I sit at my desk all day and all evening, until 230am most nights, I still wonder to myself..."Is this really worth it?"  "Am I doing the right thing?" "Am I READY?" This is all very scary stuff.

Starting a business is hard...damn hard.  And I'm not even referring to the actual creative aspect.  It's everything else: the advertising, the marketing, the legality of a business, making the switch from satisfying the pallets of yourself, friends and family to being confident enough to exceed the expectation of your clients, people who have no idea who Nicole Andrea is..  Everyone that knows me, knows I am my harshest critic and I agonize over every detail, especially on work done for someone else.

The one thing that quiets my storm of emotion and fear in all this is...get ready...I'M HAPPY!!! :-D I am 100% happy doing something I absolutely love.  This is the stuff people with 9-5's long for...happiness in what they do everyday.  I get up early and stay up late and am tired, just as if I was working a standard J-O-B, but the difference is I truly enjoy what I spend my day doing.  The people who contact me, see my work and they like it.  They really like it!  I am surprised how at peace I am with this new endeavor in my life, but this is the stuff dreams are made of. 

THIS is what happiness feels like!

~Nicole

Guess Who Turned 5?!?

That's right! You guessed it! Aidan turned 5 years old.

For those of you who don't already know him, meet Aidan.  Adorable, well mannered, rambunctious and oh, so inquisitive.  He's fun loving, helpful, caring and loves to act like he's in charge.

His party was at the local movie theater with 10 of his favorite friends.  They had hotdogs and cupcakes and went to see Madagascar 3 in 3D.  He had a great time.

There's something about turning 5 that seemed to flip a switch in this child and automatically made him act more mature.   He looks out for his little sister like a big brother should.  Some days I am really amazed at how grown up he is, at just 5 years old. Despite the days where he's not on his best, or even good behavior, it's obvious he is really turning into a little young man.  

Without further or due, heeeeeere's Aidan!

Home with The House's

Last weekend, I had the pleasure to photograph two very important people in my life, my Mom, Maureen and my Stepdad, Greg.  The shoot was impromptu...just around the house and in the backyard.  Even the dogs got in on the action.

These two are silly, fun loving and obviously STILL in love. 

Look Mom, my magic brush worked!

For more pictures from the shoot, head on over to my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/picturethisbynicole or my website, www.picturethisbynicole.com