Finding Nikki Jay....

I've never been a "blogger".. honestly wasn't sure where to start and the thought of doing this actually scares the mess out of me.  However.. I need to put my big girl britches on and well.. BLOG!

So here goes..

Over the past 8 years I have been truly blessed.. something that started on accident, then became a hobby and now something so much more.. something that I can't even begin to explain.. something that I have devoted the last 8 years to, something that brings me so much joy!  Nikki Jay Photography has done so much for me.. a once very shy girl who now can meet complete strangers and feel totally comfortable with them.. a girl who had absolutely no artistic ability what so ever.. who didn't even own a camera.. and when she did she couldn't take a photo to save her life.  That is what this business has done for me.. it has also provided for my family, allowed me to work from home and spend more time with my kids, given me confidence, brought me close to so many, and made me very thankful for what I have been blessed with.  For that.. I thank you.. I thank my family, I thank my friends and I thank my clients.  This has been an amazing journey!

The journey will continue.. however.. It will continue in a different direction.. a direction that I have wanted to go in for so long.. a direction that my heart so desperately wants to go.. It's time that I listen to my heart.

This direction will call for many changes.. 

As most of you know, Child photography is where my heart is.  Maybe it's because I have three of my own.. or maybe it's because I'm still just a big kid at heart.  Who knows..

I also love weddings.. I love everything about them.. and fall in love with my Bride and Groom every time.. and love to watch their new family grow over the years.

With this being said.. in 2015 I will only be booking Weddings (engagement and Bridal), Children and Family sessions.  I know.. what about Newborns?  I will still take on several newborns for the year.. however only for in home lifestyle sessions.  2015 is the year that I get out of the posed, not so fun shots.  Back to where my heart has been taking me for years.. Back to EMOTION.. love, real smiles, and real life.

Mini sessions for 2015 will also be very limited.  Only three a year.. Spring, Fall and Christmas.  Mini sessions will also last 45 minutes.  Yay for an extra 15 minutes!

Now.. for the most important part of this transformation..  

While a posed photo every once in a while is great.. and I do them all the time.. I really want to avoid those as much as possible in 2015.  I want real life.. and emotion to shine through with your images.  If little Billy doesn't want to smile.. I'm not going to force him to do so.. I will photograph his innocence, his gorgeous face, his beautiful eyes, hands, feet, toes, and if he does decide to smile the cheesiest smile there is.. then I will photograph that.. just as he is.  Now I know I may lose some clients.. and that will make me very sad.. but this is just where my heart is taking me.  My favorite images of my own kids.. the ones what are worthy enough for canvas, worthy enough to be large on my wall.. and the ones that I proudly display for family and friends... are the ones that are candid, crooked smiles, natural and ooze emotion.. those are the photos that I want to look back on in 20+ years..  

Scabby knees, freckle faces, toothless grins, bare feet, natural laughing smiles and squinty eyes.  These things make me happy.. seriously take me to a very happy place.

This is a big move for me.. and I hope that all of you will support me in my decision.  I'm nervous yet very anxious for this change.  It will take me a year to prepare.. and I will start implementing some of the changes throughout 2014.  Offering more lifestyle sessions.. in home and out of the home and thriving for those heart string pulling shots and not so much the forced smile like I have been working so hard for.

Okay.. so I blogged.. I do feel a little bit better now.. I hope to have every one's support in this change.  I can't wait to see where this will take me in 2015.

Below are some images over the past couple years that have moved me to make this change.. if your child happens to be one of them.. tell them Mrs. Nikki says "Thank You".