Introducing Gift Certificates (& how Nikki doesn't like Black Friday)

I feel I should clarify that even though I'm writing this on Black Friday, I actually don't love the idea of the Christmas season being ushered in by pushing and shoving and spending yourself into a coma. If it weren't for the prospect of scoring some long-desired camera equipment for a great price, I'd actually be observing "Buy Nothing Day."

Still, I know the vast majority of people give gifts to those they cherish, which in most cases they must purchase, and I'm definitely not against that. I love to give meaningful, special things (which are rarely found at the mall, with its garish, superficial, made-in-china sort of energy).  So after a fair bit of inner turmoil, I decided to publish this blog on Black Friday anyways.  Not in any way to honor (or worse, try and capitalize upon) the spending sprees of Black Friday, but simply because I just finished it, and can't wait any longer.  :)

So without further adieu, I'm pleased to introduce something that would truly make a meaningful, special and long-lasting present: a gift certificate for the photography services of yours truly.  (Isn't it pretty??)

You can choose any denomination you like. The certificate, as it says, is good for products and services -- so your lucky recipient can use it towards a photo shoot as well as books, prints, cards, full-resolution images...anything I offer.  The certificate is good for one year from purchase.  It's printed on thick paper, comes in a nice square envelope, and will be mailed to you (in a separate envelope) at no charge, ready to be gifted!

You can purchase gift certificates through me directly. Click here to email nikki moore photography, or give me a call at 402-882-1066.  I'll get your info and let you know where to send your check.

So if you've decided to stay home from the malls today (like me), that's totally okay. And guess what: if you've decided to observe Buy Nothing Day yourself...it'll be here tomorrow too. :)

Photography Developments (Pun Very Much Intended)

The times, they are a-changing!

In the next few months I hope to unveil a dedicated website for all of my photography, including this auspicious blog.  This has been a plan of mine for quite some time, and I am just now beginning to actually do real research and development.  I am very excited about it. I will be able to showcase my "people" photos, like engagements, weddings and senior portraits (I hate using the word "portrait" because it sounds like I have a stuffy, frumpy studio with fake backgrounds on rollers).  And, on this same website, I am planning to sell my art prints as I do now in my Etsy shop.  I can see your panic now: will my Etsy store go away?  Fear not. At this point, it's my plan to convert it into a dedicated vintage shop, rather than having photography and vintage together. But under my new "road map" (sorry, I've been around politicians too long), all my work--events, people, art, blog--will be in one place. A beautiful, glorious place.

In other news, I am going to get a new camera. Soon. Maybe not soon.

Right now I'm looking at the Canon 7D.  Eventually I'll hopefully be able to justify a full-frame splurge, but until then, the 7D seems like the obvious choice for better performance than I have now. And who am I kidding?  My XTi does its job pretty darn well. Let there be no doubt: it has been a wonderful first "serious" camera, especially given the quality lens I've been able to pair it with (as a gift from my husband and parents). We'll see whether I can wait the entire summer before making this large purchase.  Part of the fun of a new treasure, though, is the anticipation and the wait. 

So, keep your eyes peeled. 'Cause everyone loves the idea of peeled eyes.

a public service announcement

I'm taking a break from photos to tell you about something really important. This has been on my mind and heart for several months now, and I want to share it with you, and show you how you can help! :)

Every year, many hundreds or thousands of Nepalese girls are kidnapped or tricked into traveling to India. Some are "married" with the promise of a better life. When they arrive in India they are sold into sex shops where their lives are beyond miserable. If they don't die in the brothels, they are thrown onto the streets. The girls who do make it home are rejected by their families and communities. They have little hope for life beyond the brothels.

100% of my photography proceeds until the end of the year will be given to the Princess Home, a Christian rehabilitation center for young women rescued from the extensive sex-trafficking network of Nepal and India. These women receive care and job training...they are given hope for a new and better life. The organization also works to stop sex slavery, focusing on freeing women before they even cross the border into India. Read all about the Princess Home and their parent organization, Tiny Hands International, here: http://bit.ly/1Ok6lT Looking through the photos and stories of these girls, and the hope that the Princess Home gives to them, it is hard not to be affected.

During this holiday season, please consider purchasing artwork to benefit a much larger cause. The stakes are high, and it does not take much money to completely change another person's life. Tiny Hands estimates that it only takes $10 to stop one woman from being enslaved.

If you're thinking about buying art for someone this Christmas, consider buying from my Etsy shop! Thanks for reading!

recent victories and some other cool things (and Not My Art!)

I just found out I am going to shoot my first paid wedding. I'll be doing like behind the scenes stuff, not posing people but just shooting what I see, making beautiful pictures. :) I haven't always been super excited about wedding photography, because it seems like weddings are almost all the basically same thing, but being given creative license is enough that I am pretty stoked.

I also have my first photo shoot next week with the music school here on campus! I'll be taking pictures of the wind ensemble as they rehearse, and eventually I'll be shooting a lot more events like concerts and such. Again, the creative license makes it fun - they don't want poses but they want more abstract, artsy stuff they can use for their website, brochures and other recruiting materials. Yes, I can do that.

Hmm, this has been kind of braggy today. So let me end with giving you some cool links to look at that aren't MY stuff. :)  Not all photography, but just cool things I've saved in my favorites on Etsy.



"reading the stars" cross stitch (not your mom's samplers) - by miniaturehino

i really love these because they are so different than everyday cross stitch patterns. the gray fabric really sets it apart. this artist has a lot of other awesome things too so check it out!



some awesome earrings that remind me of Frank Lloyd Wright - by taylorseclectic

there are countless unique jewelry items in this shop, run by a very nice person who has promoted my art in the past. many of the things look like stained glass - so beautiful.





glasses made from old wine bottles - by bodhicitta

super creative way to recycle old glass and look very cool in the process. :) i love how they're all different colors!







"the bird has flown" - by irenesuchocki

this was one of my first favorite things when i signed up on Etsy - there are so many cool photographs in this shop it was hard to pick one! they all have that cool grungy, vintage-ey feel.

a gallery and a philosophy

I've never had any of my photos for sale in any sort of "bricks-and-mortar" shop. My workplace is partly a gallery, and a while ago I was told I could hang some things there. But then it was decided that our store will no longer be a gallery and just concentrate on framing. This is a good decision for the store - but a teensy bit disappointing for me! :) It really made me nervous to think about hanging things up for the public to see (and potentially reject) though. I know art is different to everyone, and people are drawn to different things in art. But someone I don't know if I'm up for the possibility of no one liking it enough to buy it.

Back from a deep hole of school and wedding planning!

I've decided I'd like to keep this blog somewhat active - especially since I've decided to start promoting my Etsy site more. I made my second sale on that site today - very encouraging! I've also had a few family members and friends buy some prints, which is a huge blessing and encouragement to me.

My brother is getting married in June. He and his fiancee asked me to take their engagement photos. Not that I'm super experienced or anything, but it promises to be fun once the weather starts cooperating. I had one print done at Walgreens (I know, the true mark of a professional) just so we could see the coloring and stuff in print (computer screens are deceiving). We had some trouble picking it up because the Walgreens employees thought we were trying to illegally reproduce photos taken by a professional. I showed the apathetic employee my drivers' license, he was like "whatever" and made me sign a copyright release. So weird. But he said, in a bland, 18-year-old-making-$6-an-hour tone, "your pictures are kinda good, maybe you should be a photographer." You never know when a trip to the drugstore will enlighten you to your true purpose in life. A call to excellence from a bored Walgreens employee should never be taken lightly.