nicole angelo photography

Katie and Patrick

2010-06-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

You know the feeling when you meet a couple for the first time and you know in that first moment they were meant to be together forever? I do. I felt it when I met Katie and Patrick in Balboa Park for their engagement shoot. Their chemistry is undeniable, they have so much fun together, they constantly make each other smile, and everything just seems so simple and right. A couple like this sure makes my job easy! :)

(this picture makes me laugh!)

I can't wait for your wedding in July! :) :) :)

Valerie and Justin - The Wedding Details

2010-06-11T07:34:00.001-07:00

Baptism

2010-05-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Location: St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village, CA.
Congratulations Anastasia, Aiden, and Alexander! :)

Anastasia

Aiden

Alexander

The proud family

What a Beautiful Day

2010-05-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Day 18,253. Well, honey that's 50 years. Yeah, here's to you and me.
-Chris Cagle "What a Beautiful Day"

I recently met with a bride of mine and we had a great conversation about changes, choices, fears, and excitement. (I love starting friendships with my clients - It's the BEST! ;)) I feel like at this time of the year during Spring (and wedding season), there is always a lot of choices/changes taking place whether that be the colors for your wedding, the career path you are going to take, the relationships you are going to build, or the places you will go (Kindergarten Dr. Seuss reference there!). That also comes with a lot of fears about whether or not you are making the right choices. All I know is that sometimes you just have to follow your heart and not think twice and put a little faith and trust in yourself as hard as that may be!

With that said, I haven't been very good about posting on my blog because of the crazy schedule I've been keeping, but I'm loving every second of it. I have been training with Brian of ABM Wedding Photography and am officially "employed" now which is SO MUCH FUN. (And in case you are questioning, YES, I still have my own business going!)

(Speaking of ABM, I tried out Brian's splash page shot on a friend of mine - No Photoshop - Isn't that such a great idea!?)

Also, I have to include on here that Maryann Taylor and Aubyn Gominiak of Taylored Occasions in San Diego just coordinated an A-MAZING (there really aren't any words to describe it) wedding yesterday at the Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook. It was flawless. If you are looking for wedding coordinators, you will NOT be disappointed with these two!!!

Triple A

2010-04-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Anastasia, Aidan, and Alexander. The triplets.

I am seriously in love with them. AND, I get to shoot their baptism this weekend!!! :) :) :)

Here are a few of my favorites from their Easter session at Paradise Cove, Malibu.

Those LIPS! ;)

Quite a feat to get them all together!

Alejandro and Tasia

2010-04-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

Joybelles!

2010-04-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite people in the world came out to California to stay with me for a week, so of COURSE I took her around La Jolla for a quick photo session before we, um, painted. ;) Clearly all I had to do was push a button because she is so naturally STUNNING...
I LOVE YOU BELLES!!! I miss you, and can't wait to see you again in August!!!

Yanni and Alysia

2010-04-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

Mark and Jeenie

2010-04-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

Shealyn and Anthony

2010-04-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Could this couple seriously be ANY cuter???

Shannon and Mike Wedding

2010-04-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

Gosh I am behind on blog posts!

Shannon and Mike are co-workers of mine at my elementary school in Chula Vista. I think there is something in the water down there........ ;) When they asked me to shoot their engagement and wedding, I immediately agreed and was SO excited! I had John (John B. Mueller Photography) come down to Coronado (with a lot of arm-twisting...... yeah, right) and second shoot with me (yep, John Mueller took on the role as a second shooter...haha)! Here's a very small taste of the almost 2500 pictures we took... still not all edited I should add...Yikes. Don't worry, we're only overwhelming Shannon and Mike with about 700. ;)

Shannon's oldest daughter getting ready... Again, if you haven't yet noticed, I have a slight affinity for mirrors... Loving the double reflection!

She was so willing and easy to pose... LOVE HER!

Very 'Reservoir Dogs'... (Mike's son is on the right)

John's shot of Shannon walking down the aisle through Susan's sunglasses (sorry, Susan, but it's SUCH an awesome picture I had to share!)

I think between John and me, we had about 40X pictures from this 5-minute moment walking away and back in the water...

Yummy sunflare...

Another mirror. Kinda.

Another reflection... Shannon and Mike's shadow during their first dance with the kids watching from the window.

I took a few shots with the rings on chocolate covered strawberries, but they belonged in my stomach, not in a photograph!!! ;)

OK, now for a little behind the scenes............

Me on the "job," although I can hardly call it "work" :)

Hahahahaha... This makes me laugh... The not-so-often photographed side to wedding... ORGANIZING the family pictures.

Yes, I let him take a few shots with my camera! ;) This is the little man viewing his photog skills. Must be the teacher in me!

John having a moment with Grandma. Photographers get to have a little fun, too.... ;) (Here's a fun fact: I dance at every wedding I shoot....... Apparently, so does John)

We are a good photography team! The geeky wide-angle landscaper boy and the corny detail-oriented child-like girl.... Thanks again for coming to second shoot with me :)

The Value of a Photograph

2010-04-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Photographs capture memories for a lifetime and beyond. They tell a story about a moment in time filled with love and happiness. Even though we don't realize the importance of these photos at the time we hear the click of the button, it is a sacred click that helps us relive our most cherished memories later on. Often times these photos are filed away in photo boxes or organized into computer folders rarely viewed, but their existence is significant. I have been teased by my family and friends for being a "Paparazzo" and I myself often joke with others about my obsession with taking pictures. A time like this is a reminder of exactly why my love for photography has been a part of my life since I was little. As many of you know from my photojournalistic style, candids (artistic or not) are always my favorite shots because they are REAL and capture each moment for what truly exists. These are the pictures that mean the most.

If you are wondering where I am going with this, my loving Grandmother passed away this week. It was/is a devastating experience for our family.
Our world is now a little less magical.

Grandma Florence Riccardi Angelo, you will be dearly missed, but we know you are in a better place and we will all see you again one day.
Rest in peace.
We love you!!!

Things You Should Know About Nicole (not photography related!)

2010-03-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Things You Should Know About Nicole (not photography related!)

I am behind on blog posts since I’ve been so busy with shoots and editing. You would think that in order to start catching up my blog posts to my shoots, my next post would involve some sort of family or couple to share with the world…. but, no. Read on to learn 20 things about your photographer (me!) you may or may not want to know.

1. I skipped Kindergarten. Well, I was in about a month of Kindergarten before being moved to first grade. And, for those of you who don’t know, I am now a Kindergarten teacher. Ironic?

2. I have moved 10 times in the past 7 years… all in San Diego County, within a few miles of the beach.

3. I received one very traumatic “B+” (in DRAMA of all things) from 7th grade through completing my Master’s Degree. Needless to say, I am a huge nerd.

4. I have a TERRIBLE auditory memory and I forget things really easily unless it is written down or captured in a photograph.

5. I had college softball scholarship offers but I turned them down for an academic scholarship to USD.

6. I am pretty much obsessed with my Alaskan Klee Kai puppy, Miki. I adore her! She is the cutest puppy alive. I will post a blog entry about her soon… She turned 1 last Monday!

7. I HATE HATE HATE onions, having my feet tickled, smoke, being late, the 405 freeway, scary movies, roller coasters, and cold weather.

8. I am constantly dancing and singing. I always have a song stuck in my head.

9. I eat to live, not live to eat. There are only a few things that taste good to me (strawberries, pasta, fro-yo). I am a TERRIBLE cook because I honestly don’t know, or care, if something tastes good or not.

10. My favorite thing to do in the summertime (besides go to the beach of course) is attend outdoor country concerts! I lost count, but I have been to at least 40 country concerts in the past 6 years. Down-to-earth people, dancing to live music, margaritas, cowboy hats and boots, sunsets, tailgating… ::sigh::

11. I am instantaneously emotional and I fall in love a thousand times a day.

12. I like to assume that everyone means well and nobody is selfish, that their purpose is always to please others and make the world a better place. I live in the clouds.

13. I've traveled all over the United States to almost every state since I was young. Yep, even South Dakota.

14. I am obsessed with multiples of 3. Ex: Last names with 6 letters like mine!

15. I do not understand people who run for pleasure or go to gyms (I need sun!). Hike with me, bike with me, play catch with me… I need to have a purpose (preferably competitive) to what I am doing. I do not have the internal motivation to just run. I would rather just beat you at something! ;)

16. I absolutely despise talking on the telephone for more than a minute or two. Text me, email me, or make it a quick conversation to figure out where to meet in person.

17. I am completely phobic of Peeps… I could barely even type that. If you are having a Peep-themed reception, I’m NOT your girl.

18. I LOVE cupcakes. I’m pretty sure I know where there is a cupcake shop within a 10 mile radius of where I am at all times.

19. I am not at all shy, but I am quiet. There is a BIG difference. I feel strange starting my sentences with the word “I” since I am more of a listener than a talker.

20. I broke my leg yesterday when Joy and I went cliff jumping. Sorry future brides, I will be limping around your weddings..………………… Ok, ok... April Fools. :)

**Thank you John Mueller for the above photos!**

Sara and Brady Engagement

2010-03-24T18:01:00.001-07:00

Beach, bikes, ice cream, friends, laughter, and love. Does an engagement shoot get any better than that!?

I thought about editing out the vent and cropping the bikes out, but we agreed that it fits. Welcome to Ocean Beach.

True, the real beach was about a block away, but we couldn't resist... it's part of the OB charm.

This wall was was such a great find... LOVE, PURA VIDA, OB.

Thank you girls at Lighthouse Ice Cream and Yogurt for letting me go behind the counter to take this!

Please note the huge glob of ice cream on the ground in front of Brady!

Just so you know, the beach was NOT empty!

(I should post some of the outtakes to get this shot... Especially for facial expressions as the water washed over the 10's!) *please excuse the extreme low-res on the mosaic... I'll try to fix it later!

As you can see, Brady took hours getting ready.

I didn't think we were going to get any color, but there was about a 2 minute window and we caught it! Thank you Brian for the silhouette idea!

I can’t wait until their wedding in October… It is sure to be memorable… fire truck, tutu, and all!

...Thanks Brady!...

Stacey'z Salon

2010-03-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last night was a success! Stacey'z Salon and their amazing team had a Spring Soiree, and I met a lot of truly fabulous people. The best part is, they are all local! ;)
(My friends/contacts/clients tend to be VERY spread out all over the place.)

Stacey'Z Salon - 7527 La Jolla Blvd.

Yummy food and drinks...

...lots of elegant and gorgeous clothing and fabrics...

...stunning jewelry...

Melayni Brooke (seashells and wrapskirts)

...entertaining music and sensational hair products...

Catherine Lippincott (from Moroccanoil)

...timeless accessories (there was a YELLOW Hermes bag... I stopped myself from taking a picture of it so I wouldn't contemplate buying it after the night was over!)

...getting ready for Spring with Heather's Mobile Spray Tans (mobilespraytangirl@yahoo.com)...

...beauteous (yes, you just read that correctly!) decor...

...ME...

...and good company! Thank you Stacey (and Nicole and the rest of the Stacey'Z Salon Team) for a fun-filled night!

Stacey’z Salon Event!!!

2010-03-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

ONE STOP SHOP for all future brides, and everyone else who loves having their girly moments! :)

THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010! 6-8 PM!

Come by Stacey'z Salon for their first ever Salon Event!
7527 La Jolla Blvd.

Bring your friends!!!

Meet the REMARKABLE team at Stacey’z Salon (Nicole Straky did the hair for my sister’s wedding back in October and it was FABULOUS!!!)
Watch a Brazilian Keratin Treatment Demo!
Discounted Airbrush Spray Tan by Heather’s Mobile Tanning!
Trunk Show! Massages! HUGE deals on Hair Products! Manicures! Pedicures! Jewelry!
And Photography by ME! (what could be better!? hehe)

Oh, not to mention yummy food and champagne! ;)

www.staceyzsalon.com

(Kristina's wedding hair trial... LOVE!)

The photographs below were taken by Brian Kent of ABM Photography for my sister's wedding. Go check out his awesome new site!

(yep, that's me, Nicole from Stacey'z Salon, and my sister Kristina in the photos!)

Sposa bagnata, Sposa fortunata

2010-03-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

A wet bride is a lucky bride... And wet she was!

Ceremony: Ventura Cross
Reception: Santa Barbara Yacht Club
Weather Forecast: Torrential Downpour

Despite the rain and freezing cold, Jessica and Andres were both radiating. Jessica looked absolutely stunning and her hubby-to-be wore a smile the entire day! Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day (complete with a little commentary...)

LOVE mirrors! They are so much fun to play with.

The little ring bearer...

Andres is a HUGE Dodger fan... He had no idea about this until he took it off of her at the reception!

Note the direction of the wind...

Just for fun...

And a couple of my favorite guest shots:

And just to give you a better taste of the weather, this is a picture of Jessica walking down the aisle at the ceremony taken by John Mueller of John B. Mueller Photography:

(if you look closely, I am on the left photographing and trying to stay dry!)

The Ring

2010-03-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

2.5 ct. canary yellow diamond

One Word: YUMMY!

21 Years

2010-03-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

It's my adorable little brother's 21st birthday today!!! I can't even believe how much he has grown since that little boy dancing around the backyard in a poodle skirt... My sister and I tortured him, but he loved every second of it because he just wanted to be around his two big sisters. To this day he tells me he loves me all the time, and he makes me smile everyday. And, even though today was HIS day, he willingly let me take him on a little photoshoot around our neighborhood before going out to celebrate! I love you Snicky! :) Happy 21st Birthday!

Style is Eternal...

2010-02-27T10:48:00.000-08:00

It was pointed out to me that this dress is the "inverse of my blog"... ;)

It made me laugh and I HAD to share!

Define "Neglect"

2010-02-25T20:02:00.000-08:00

This quote defines my life:
"Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down."

I have been so busy lately. But I LOVE it, and I THRIVE on it! My mind is constantly going in millions of different directions, so it's a good thing I'm uber-organized! This is probably why I sat down to my computer to organize and work on my recent shoots and thought "I've been completely neglecting to update my blog and facebook..." only to realize I posted merely 2 days ago. Tuesday seems like it was MONTHS ago!!!

Sometimes it's nice to unwind and reflect on what is truly important. Since it's going to rain on Saturday so another one of my shoots will be canceled, Miki (my pup) and I are taking a mental health day.

Back to Kindergarten report cards! :)

Sunny San Diego

2010-02-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well, for the most part.

The weather here has been so strange and unpredictable... early morning clear skies and sunlight, 10 minutes of torrential downpour, late morning beach weather, a few hours of mid-day drizzle, and ending the day with the first sunburn of the year.

I hope everyone enjoyed their past weekend as much as I did! :) It's almost MARCH, can you believe it!?

Before I go, I have a little story to share to make you smile:
For those of you who don't know, I am a Kindergarten teacher. We were comparing the American and California flags today, so I walked my kids out to the flagpole at the front of the school. No wind = flat flags. I told my kids we would count to 3 and all blow as hard as we could up in the air to try to make the flags move. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life as 20 5-year-olds blew with all of their might into the sky!

It's the little things in life. ;)

'Tis the Season... Boudoir Season...

2010-02-17T20:22:00.000-08:00

I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. Ok, I'll admit it's about 95% love, 5% hate. It has helped me reconnect with so many people I have lost touch with over the years with one of them being my friend Rebecca.

Becca and I shared tons of fun, crazy, and hilarious memories before she moved just as we were beginning high school. We lost touch until the glorious FB world, and when she asked me about doing a shoot for her, of COURSE I was immediately on board. A boudoir shoot, one of my favorites, and a friend whom I've missed for years!? Sign me up! I thought it might be awkward with a hi, I haven't seen you in about 12 years, but here is my semi-naked body... but it was like time had never passed the second I walked through the door. (I can't wait to see you again soon!) :)

Plus, I love that when I asked Becca if I could post her pictures up on my blog she had absolutely no problem with it and said "It's fun to be a part of your growing business." LOVE THAT! So, THANK YOU girl... And thank you sorority life at LMU for providing us with such scandalous outfits to choose from! hehe!! :)

Happy ValentiMes Day!

2010-02-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

Love is a gift. I hope you enjoy the day with your significant other, family, friends, or someone that you love!

Pre-Computer Life Must Have Been Rough...

2010-02-09T17:05:00.001-08:00

This is my brief return to the blogging world... I have been neglecting my posts lately because my computer crashed over a week ago (possibly due to the fact that I had used 99.9 of 100 GB on my hard drive...yikes). I am behind on posts and editing, but with my 4-day weekend coming up (thank you, presidents) I will hopefully get all caught up. I have 2 boudoir shoots and an engagement shoot this weekend, too, so hopefully the weather will participate! We've had about 6 days this year, and I'm already tired of these little wet droplets coming out of the clouds some of you non-Southern Californians refer to as "rain." :)

For now, here are some of my past conceptual self portraits to keep your mind off of my absence! ;)

Rain, Rain, Go Away....

(this is a little insight to how I feel without my computer...)

This post made me realize how much I miss doing conceptual SP's!

Monday, Monday.

2010-02-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

I hope your Monday is going great... I have been SUPER busy with shoots, teaching, projects, and co-designing the school yearbook! I haven't blogged much lately, and I would love to catch up. So, this is my attempt! ;) I just booked 3 more boudoir shoots, an engagement shoot, and I have a wedding at the end of March! Whew! I am loving life, I just have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy each moment a little more. :)

Happy February!

Boudoir

2010-01-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Lauren's Valentine's Day boudoir session. Boudoir shoots are so much fun... what is better than dressing up girly and sexy!? The best part about this shoot? It was in MY bedroom so I literally rolled out of bed and was still wearing my black and pink polka-dot pajamas! These are just a few of the hundred photos from the session... and it doesn't hurt that Lauren is stunningly beautiful...

(adapted from Kelly Melissa)

Wachs Wedding

2010-01-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Roosevelt Hotel. Hollywood, California. With John Mueller of John B. Mueller Photography.

Harmony Maternity

2010-01-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

I forgot to include some pictures from Harmony's maternity session into my 2009 collage! These are just a few of our favorites. She might just be the cutest preggo person I have ever seen, and I love my GPhiB Big Sis! :)

Triplets

2010-01-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

"oh my goodness!"

Teaching and Photography

2010-01-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

Photography is my second career; my first is teaching. I am blessed to have two careers that I absolutely love... careers full of giving and receiving. I leave school each day knowing that I made a difference, but the impression that every student makes on my life is just as great. I teach something, and I learn something. The same happens for every photoshoot; I give someone a captured memory, I gain an experience. I start a new relationship or strengthen an old one.

This shoot represents the best of both worlds. I am a teaching colleague to Gema, the lovely mother of these two adorable boys, and her oldest son was in Kindergarten at my school two years ago.

Meet Jacob and Noah.

Valentine's Day!

2010-01-18T22:13:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up in 27 days (not that I am counting)! I am offering discounted boudoir shoots until February 10th! Please Contact Me if you are interested!

2010-01-18T22:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new nicole angelo photography blog!

I still have lots of updating to do (you will notice minor and major structure changes over the next few weeks), but I will fall far behind on my posts if I don't get started! :)

Instead of transferring all of the posts from my old blog over to this one, I decided to make a collage of my favorite pictures from some of the sessions during 2009. 2009 was a year of tremendous growth for nicole angelo photography, and I am excited to see what 2010 will bring! As soon as I catch up on my posts, I will keep this updated with weekly shots and information! :) I am about 5 posts behind, so check back again later this week!

2010-01-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of transferring my old blog to this new one! Stay tuned, it will be up-to-date very soon! :) Thank you!