Showing posts with label Nikki A Johnson Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikki A Johnson Photography. Show all posts

Friday, November 28, 2014

Strong, Beautiful & Brave-Surviving Breast Cancer

"Never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey".


The month of October recognizes breast cancer in a big way. So many of us have loved ones that have been effected by a form of cancer one way or another and we are reminded of it a lot more than once a year. 

Tonia is a friend I've met since living here in the Albany area. I never knew her pre-cancer. She is an amazing, lovely person with such a beautiful, positive spirit and I wanted to capture that image to celebrate her recovery. She was diagnosed just a little over a year ago, 9 days after her 41st birthday. Like most that receive the news, she was devastated but knew she had to remain positive for her daughter. Thankfully they caught it in the early stages and she has been in the clear for almost a year now. Tonia credits her faith for carrying her through the storm and reminds herself to live life to the fullest and not to sweat the small stuff. I think we all should live that way no matter what. Don't you?

Special thanks to the makeup artist, Heather for her awesome skills!

Here are some of my favorite shots!
 Pin It!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Feeling Inspired By One Of My Best Friends

This is my beautiful friend Gail. I know she's going to probably love/hate/cry, probably hate me more for this because she is the type of person that would never, ever draw attention to herself  or be the center of attention and she probably would never describe herself the way I'm about to. In fact being in front of the camera was very uncomfortable for her at first until I got her to relax a little and then we just had a blast. But I've been wanting to do a blog post about her ever since we did her photo session almost a year ago last winter.

I first met Gail when both our husbands worked together at the same grocery company in Michigan almost 14 years ago. Ever since, even though most of the time miles would separate us, she has become one of my most treasured friends. She is technically old enough to be my mother (not that age has anything to do with this, I often find that I click better with those older in age than I am) but she really is more like a sister and I appreciate her wisdom as I go through the things she already has. We've cried together, laughed even harder, eaten everything in sight, shopped til we couldn't any more, crafted together, exercised together, traveled together and have talked and talked and talked for hours. She always makes time for me and is always willing to help me with anything.

Recently I was lucky enough to have her close again when our husbands crossed paths once more in their careers in Central PA.

I was always knew this about her but was happily reminded again of what an amazing woman she is. She is talented in so many ways! Give this woman a hammer and a nail and she could build you a house! Don't tell this girl from Kansas her place is in the kitchen, although she's amazing there as well. Her craft room is filled with all the things necessary to make you the most beautiful quilt you've ever seen! Need to spruce up an old antique or just some old furniture that needs a little love? This girl can paint for days! She definitely has the patience and  passion to work with her hands. I'm convinced she's capable of building, painting, cooking, creating anything. But what strikes me more about her is her heart. Faithful. Loving. Giving. Kind. Caring. Soft. Open. Willing. Strong. Warm. Passionate. Loyal. The list could go on. I know the most important people on earth are her husband, her son and his family, and all of her extended family and friends. She would do anything for any of them. I'm lucky to have met her and to have her in my life. She is a HUGE inspiration! And the most down to earth person I know. Count your blessings if you ever have the privilege of crossing her path because your life will be richer as a result.

The following images are my favorites from our session together. Be sure to click on the images to see them larger.
 Pin It!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Coney Island Polar Plunge 2013

The fun doesn't stop in Times Square for New Years. On New Years Day we headed on over to Coney Island to check out the madness. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club and friends were plunging into the Atlantic!!! They are the oldest polar bear club in the U.S. About 1000 people took part. 
When we first arrived I happened upon these two packages!
Sweet Bot costume.
Notice this mans hat. A replica of the tower behind him.
Popeye!!!
Chan chillin out...pun intended.
I got my free hug!
Here they are lining up.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. I get cold just looking at these pictures.
Brave or Stupid?
I totally dig this outfit.
And they're off.
Captain Duck Face
No costumes needed, just guts. If these old geezers can do it I could totally do it but I'd rather not.
See? He's still alive!
Representing!
OH GRANNY!!!
Nice Tux!
I would love to know this man's story. 
Unfortunately, due to the mobs of overly eager photographers I wasn't able to see peeps jumping in the water.  But I had fun checking everyone out as they came out.

Cheers everyone! Stay warm!

Pin It!

NYE in NYC 2013

Since we're so close to New York City it only makes sense that we join the other million people there for the big celebration in Times Square. I really wanted to go last year and I wasn't going to miss my chance again. We booked a place in Brooklyn through Airbnb. A sweet way to travel if you don't want to spend a fortune, especially for a holiday. I will admit, I would love to take this adventure again some day. But I will not do again like we did it this year. A little more planning involved and I'm sure a lot more money out of pocket but it would be worth it to be comfortable. We pretty much did not drink a thing so we wouldn't have to use the restroom as it was going to be a very long wait and once in your spot, if you leave, you can't go back in. Plus there is no where to use a restroom if you have to go SO it's time to get creative or just hold it. The temperature was in the 30's so we packed hand and foot warmers to keep warm. Our adventure in the Times Square area began around 2pm.

As we tried to find a spot, they started closing roads and each road became extremely crowded with peeps near the viewing areas that you literally could not move.
As we traveled to the recommended street for access we pass security getting all prepared for the evening.
We finally made it to an entrance and are packed in like sardines. I've never been so close to so many strangers. At least we kept warm and chatted with a few people around us. It was pretty fun actually.
We could hear the music, kinda, and see the screen, kinda. It was Gangnam Style time! The crowd came alive and started singing and dancing.
Troy keeping his face warm.
Here we are!
The peeps behind us. Waiting, waiting and waiting.
Something to do while we WAIT some more....
Finally the count down...this is so exciting!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was sooooooo cooooooool. Raining confetti was the BEST!
 
Everyone disperses as fast as they can so they can PEEEEEE!
Love the colors on the Empire State building. To me a symbol of coming together no matter our race or religion and loving everyone, EVERYONE! Happy 2013! Peace-Love-Joy
Pin It!