renée hicks photography ♥: Personal

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Sunday Reflections: Visit to the Big Apple (NYC)

To say that I'm exhausted would be an understatement. I am beyond that. I've been busy shooting this weekend and I can't wait to share the pictures with you guys.

Last weekend we took a mini vacation and visited New York City. I'd been a few times before, but it was the hubby's first trip there. I even got to see some things that I didn't get to see the first couple times there like the Statue of Liberty. We had an amazing trip and did not want to leave.

We wanted to explore most of New York the cheapest was possible in just 3 short days, but didn't know just how to do that. Through research I found CitySights NY. This is a touring company that allowed us to pay a flat price and do the several of their different bus tours over a 48 hour period. If you ever want to see the sites of New York....this is the best bang for your buck. We highly recommend using CitySights!

The food out there was absolutely amazing! We will definitely be back for more. Bravo Pizza was amazing along with Crumbs Bake Shop......and you must try the little vendors that are on every street corner. To die for! We ate really good while in the NYC.

One unexpected thing that we did, was see a movie in TIMES SQUARE. I thought that was the coolest thing ever considering I am a HUGE movie buff! How many people can say that they've done that? Definitely one of the highlights for me! Go see Battle L.A. This movie was AWESOME!

Here are some of the pics from the trip!

Hope you guys had a great weekend!

xoxo

Renee

9-11 Memorial

The Greatest First Year Ever!

Can you believe that one year has gone by? One year to what you ask? One year since I purchased my first SLR camera. That was one of the most life changing purchases I have ever made. I can't quite recall when I opted to start a photography business, as it was about 5-6 months ago and I am very proud of the direct my camera has taken me.

I didn't get a chance to do a Sunday Reflections post, so I am reflecting on things now. First and foremost, I had a GREAT birthday weekend, filled with love from several of you. As a result of one of my birthday goals, I've started back working out (which I haven't done since a week prior to my wedding last May) and I look forward to getting back in shape. I purchased the Nike+ iPod device to help me along on this fitness journey, new running shoes, and the book "Skinny Bitch". I've never been a runner. Matter of fact, I have always hated it, but the hubby and I wanted to set a goal of running a 5k together. This will definitely be a challenge, but I am certainly looking forward to a fitter me. I also plan on using my new dancing games "Just Dance 2" and "Michael Jackson: The Experience" as part of my daily fitness routine as well as wiping the dust off of my Wii Active workout program and incorporating it too. I tried out the dancing games last night for the first time and had a blast! It's a great way to burn calories while having a TON of fun. I promise you that I played it for 2 hours straight! lol

Last but not least.....I finally ordered my 85mm 1.8 lens and it will be here on THURSDAY! I am soooooo excited! It was a little birthday present to myself as well as a present to celebrate my one year photography adventure! =)

Well........off to softball practice I go (we start playing games next week..OMG!) I should be the fittest girl in town come summer time! ;-)

Hope you guys are having a great week!

xoxo,

Renee

P.S- Here is a sneak peek of whats to come in couple days.....BOUDOIR!

Exciting Things Are Happening

Yesterday I spent the majority of the morning being extremely nervous. I was invited to a luncheon to mingle with fellow women photogs of the Atlanta area....many of which I admire greatly. Not sure why I was so nervous. Maybe it was the fact that I was getting ready to meet new people, or maybe it was the fact that I'm a newbie to all of this.

The luncheon was AWESOME! Thank you ladies for inviting me, accepting me, and teaching me! I really enjoyed all of you! I learned more about myself and photography in those 3 1/2 hours than I could have ever asked for. It gave me a sense of direction in where I want to be in my business. While I love weddings, couples, family portraits, newborns, and boudoir, my true love is for high school seniors. There aren't many CREATIVE photographers here in Atlanta (in my opinion) that focus their business mainly on seniors and I want to fill that gap! I want to give seniors something that I never had growing up. I want to give them the ability to think outside the box and have photos that really represent them and who they are in their senior year. I'll still be doing a variety of portraits, but you will see a lot more of high school seniors from me.

Another great thing that I wanted to tell you about is the [ b ] school!! I'd heard of it before, but was told at the luncheon yesterday that it got a make over and is a whole lot better than ever before. I joined! It does have a monthly charge ($20), but it's a great informative community that will help you with any of your photography questions. There are videos, forums, pictures, and some of the greatest photographers this world will ever meet. It's so worth it. I've been on for less than a day and I love it! Join the movement. Use the code 22THEBSCHOOL2 to get in for $10/mo. $10 isn't bad at all...that's just two less trips to McDonald's a month. You can do it! lol

Last but not least, it snowed last night. Literally dusted the grass. This is the kind of snow that I love.....looks pretty in the morning but is melted by the time I get home from work. You don't miss work for a week and you can go on living life like normal!

Happy Thursday!!

xoxo

Renee

Here is a pic that I took this morning before heading to work:

SOOC Photo 50mm f.1.8 ISO 200 f.2.8 1/4

Find me on the [b] school and add me as a friend. Leave me a comment below when you join or if you already have an account!!!

The Sound of Music

Music.

Yet another reason that I love life. I think the reason that I love music so much is because there are so many songs that seem like they speak to me. They are songs that speak words that my heart is feeling. My collection of iTunes is rather large and come to think of it, when I look at how much money I've spent purchasing music, it makes me sick to my stomach. I own 2,008 songs....so you do the math....

Any who, I feel like I am able to connect with artists through their music and that is important to me. Once I make that connection, I always come back for more. The artists and the music that I collect are also expressions of me and who I am as a person. It's funny because my collection of music is very eclectic. It ranges from Brad Paisley (yes, really!) to the likes of Kanye West. I warned you...I'm all over the place, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

I don't like to put limitations on my music style. Much like photography, it is a creative outlet....and when I put the 2 together....it can be creatively dangerous.

Lately one song has really been the backbone of the things I do in life. It's such an empowering song and a great edition to my playlist. Katy Perry's "Firework" It's kind of been like a theme song for me thus far in 2011.

Here is a snippet of some of the lyrics that really touched my heart:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

The words of this song just keep me going and it reminds my of the various reasons I continue to work so hard at this photography thing. No matter how many no's you get...eventually there will be a yes. Keep working hard and that moment, the one that let's you know that all your hard work has paid off.....that moment will come!

If any of you have "go to" songs that you love....please share! I am always looking for songs (old and new) to add to my collection.

Hope you're week has started off great!

xoxo

Renee

Sunday Reflections: Happiness

So I decided to try something new....and I decided to call it Sunday Reflections. My hope is to blog on Sundays and reflect on things currently going on in my life, new things that I stumble upon, ideas, dreams, quotes, and many other things going on in life. It will perhaps be a time for me to reflect on my photography, myself and where I am in life. It could possibly be a sum up of my week and the things to look forward to in the coming week. Who knows, but as the weeks go on I will be able to mold this post into what I want.

Today I want to focus on happiness.

hap·pi·ness

noun \ˈha-pē-nəs\

Definition of HAPPINESS

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

a : a state of well-being and contentment : joyb : a pleasurable or satisfying experience

Do what makes you happy! That is my #1 rule in life. You will come across many people on your journey that will try to tell you how to live your life and the decisions that you should make, but the fact of the matter is that you are the only one that knows what's best for you. I've taken many chances in life, especially in the past year and I don't regret a thing. These decisions were based on how I felt and what would make me happy as a person. When I followed my heart, the outcome was greater than I expected.

This week my goal will be to focus on happiness and what makes me happy with my photography. What things am I happiest shooting, what direction do I want my business to go in, and what things can I do to increase my happiness AND the happiness of others. There is ALWAYS room for growth and improvement!

If there is one thing that you can take away from this posts, it's do what makes you happy. If there is something in your life that makes you unhappy....change it! I promise you will feel like a brand new person.

This week reflect on doing things and making decisions on the things that will make you happy! I hope everyone has a great and HAPPY week!

xoxo

Renee

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence" ~ Aristotle

Oh yeah....and It's Superbowl Sunday!!! I guess you guys want to know who I'm rooting for? Well none other than the ATLANTA FALCONS!!! They will forever be my team! Although the last game that we played against the Packers was U-G-L-Y, I'm still proud of the great season we had! I'm no bandwagoner, so I will be sporting my Falcons gear today!

Good luck to whomever you are cheering for!!

Yay!! My Epiphanie Bag!!

As most of you know....I'd been sick the past few days and after sleeping for a VERY long time today....I am finally feeling much better! A big thanks to the hubby for taking care of me. I won't mention how he tried to feed me tomato paste last night though. Actually it was supposed to be tomato soup, but he didn't know he was supposed to add the one can of soup. **blank stare** What can you do though right? He is still the best!

Yesterday I received my Epiphanie camera bag in the mail. I'd been dreaming about this bag for months now and finally decided to treat myself to it. The camera bag I used before this one was a sling and it was really small. I couldn't fit much at all in the bag.....like my camera and 2 lenses. It was just hard to get in and out of and I couldn't carry the things I wanted in it.

I needed something that I could carry everyday. Something that would allow me to carry my camera at all times, along with my lenses, phone, wallet, and even my macbook. This epiphanie clover bag allows me to do all of that and more. I had totally forgot (due to being sick) that my laptop could fit in there. I got even more excited. This bag is the solution to my camera bag problems AND it's super cute. I tell ya what, camera bags have come a loooooooooooooog way. Trust me! I look forward to using my new purchase and carrying it around as I travel this year!

If you're in the market for a camera bag, I highly recommend epiphanie! The delivery was super fast, and the customer service was phenomenal. I even received a card with my name on it. It was awesome to be able to open the package and find that.

Yay for epiphanie!!

xoxo

Renee

(P.S.- the pictures look cut off or off center....but it's actually the blog layout! Wish I knew how to widen it *sigh*)