Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Twinkling, Twilight, London

All is calm, all is bright.

I haven't posted any pictures from Europe this summer, for a few reasons.

One, I miss it dearly. The memories are so sweet that I know going through the images will be reliving the time.

Two, there's over 1000 images to go through. Ain't nobody got time for that.

But in the spirit of the new year, here's three that evoked an emotional response in me. May these mean whatever they do to you: peace, inspiration, quiet, beauty.

Thank you to all my readers, supporters, clients, family and friends. Thank you to everyone I met in Europe who touched my life.

Now go out there, enjoy the last day of 2013, and LIVE your life!

Until next year,

Kylie




Monday, December 9, 2013

Bastille @ KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas

Hailing from London, UK, Dan Smith's project Bastille brought emotive, tribal, synth-ridden anthems to the Shrine Auditorium last night.
Dan Smith of Bastille performs at KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Night 2. Photo: Kevin Winter, CBS, Getty Images

The Pompeii singer has professed in interviews that he dislikes performing. Preferring to write and record in the studio, one would expect that such an artist would sound on stage as he does on the album. Smith defies this, producing music even more energetic, mesmerizing and amazing than on his album "Bad Blood"-- quite a feat, considering the quality of his recorded music.

Dan Smith and Bastille jam, sing, and hit the steel drums for an emotive beat. Photo: Kevin Winter, CBS, Getty Images


The band's thirty minute set opened with their hit, "Things We Lost in the Fire". Dan jumped around, banging his head and moving constantly throughout the entire performance. They closed with their sensation, "Pompeii"-- my, and many others' first entrance into the music of Bastille. Dan jumped between the keyboard and the steel drums, pounding out a soul-touching syncopated beat without missing a note. His distinctive voice gives the band their own feel. The songs are relatable and timeless, touching on such wide-ranging topics as the television show 'Twin Peaks', the fall of Pompeii, and relationships.

Dan Smith jumps and sings, delivering a performance even more energetic than his album. Photo: Kevin Winter, CBS, Getty Images


Needless to say, this one performance was worth the price of my ticket to the KROQ concert. Bastille was the reason I attended, and I couldn't have been more satisfied with the performance. I'll be attending Bastille shows anywhere near me for awhile.

Credit: Bastille's Dan Smith: independent.co.uk
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Los Angeles Music Photographer Max Wagner

... and we're back!

I'm back in Los Angeles, living a great life. I'm continually blessed by friends and clients like Max who ask me to document their joy in life through using my own.

Here's some musician shots we took. Enjoy!






 cool guy shades.


... on the road again


and one of him and his beautiful girlfriend Nina, who acted as my AMAZING assistant, style guru and moral support. You rock!


Peace, Love & Joy,
Kylie

Monday, June 10, 2013

On Graduation- Los Angeles Annapolis Wedding Portrait Event Headshot Photographer




It's been two years since I donned the bright white mortar board hat, tassle hanging down (and hitting me in the face if I walked just right) and crossed the stage, officially ending my 12 years of compulsory education. Now here I was, entering the same Upper Marlboro Equestrian Center, the graduation ceremony mecca for Maryland schools near and far-- except this time I was headed for the stands, not the stage.

Two years have gone by- is this accurate? I've definitely spent a good amount of time at school in sunny Los Angeles-- I've taken some courses and made some great friends. But two years worth? And coming home; every time I come home it feels like I haven't left. My room is still as messy as I left it the previous time. Our 2004 Honda Odyssey (affectionately dubbed the "Swagger Wagon") still sits out on the street, the third family car for the high school student to drive to and from school. There's been a change here: the car used to be mainly mine, and then was shared with my younger brother. Now, he has commandeered it (shout-out to Krysia for that great word)-- I no longer use it. He tells me I can't: the smell will knock me off my feet.

I digress. Graduation is an exciting time. For the 500 graduates of Broadneck High School, this is a day of celebration. For some, it is the end of an era and the beginning of another: college, university, work, or travel. Others feel that this is it: high school is over and that's enough. Regardless of where you're headed, I urge you to keep a few things in mind:

1. Be Passionate. Find whatever makes you tick, invest time into perfecting it, and do it. This is the most fulfilling way to go through life.

2. Be Humble. As you move away from home and this stage in life, relationships with friends and family change. In my case, distance does make the heart grow fonder. Cherish the time you have with friends and family. Help out around the house. My parents were shocked when I came home this summer and started doing the dishes of my own accord. What I used to try everything in my power to avoid doing, I now do to serve my parents out of love.

3. Be Adventurous. Travel. Try new things. Do all this while you're young and have fewer responsibilities. Yes, I know "you only live once"-- apply a little YOLO if you want. Whatever you call it, make the most of the time you have NOW. Life already started.

That's all from me for now. Have a beautiful week!

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Broadneck High School Graduation 2013

Graduation is such an exciting time. This one day, complete with hats that look like you're balancing a square book on your head, is the culmination of years of hard work. Hard work in classes, struggling with AP Calculus problem sets until 2 in the morning. Hard work pulling yourself out of bed at 6 am every morning. Hard work coming up with ways to procrastinate homework, ways to get to WaWa without a car, and ways to get out of going to school after AP exams are over. Okay, so maybe there are a few different definitions of difficulty-- but you get the picture :)

Speaking of pictures (corny transition, wooh hoo!) I took some at Broadneck's Graduation on June 6, 2013 at the Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It was so weird being on the other side of graduation: read my thoughts here

On to the day's events!

Adam Greene sings the national anthem:
 Students enter the arena:
 The chorus sings an AMAZING medley arranged by 2013 graduate Anna Tayman. Anna, the arrangement was just fabulous. The singers are so talented-- I had chills!
 A tender moment of congratulations between Joe Kozik and my brother, Matt Nicholson. Mr. Kozik was both Matt and my guidance counselor. He is retiring this year. 
 Excited graduate Aris Karditas waves to his family in the stands.

 Ashton Ebert, SGA President, gives his remarks.
 My brother Matt Nicholson receives his diploma from Principal David Smith.
 Celebrate!
 Graduates.




 Beautiful Victoria Sames looks on.


 You did it!

To see more, look at the facebook album:

and even more on the PASS site (only active for 30 days):

While you're at it, go "like" Kylie Nic Photography on facebook:

and read my other blog on graduation!

That's all, folks! What is your favorite moment or memory of graduation? Comment below! I'd love to hear from you.

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Headshots in Annapolis, More of Miss Kathy! Los Angeles Headshot Photographer

Another one of miss Kathy! Such joy!


Today is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day in Annapolis! In contrast to the rainforest-like heat and humidity of yesterday, today was cooler and less humid. It was 66 degrees before noon! I thought I was back on the west coast for a moment!

Have a beautiful Tuesday,

Kylie

Monday, June 3, 2013

Annapolis Headshot Session- Los Angeles Portrait Photographer

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to photograph headshots for the beautiful and stunning Kathy Hughes! This woman has such a positive, loving spirit and is such a joy to be around. Here are just a few of my favorites from today.



a more serious note...



and... model shot! tee hee the wind was so perfect I couldn't resist :)



I hope everyone had wonderful Mondays! I know I sure did.

Photographically yours,

Kylie

EDIT: It's 1:21 am and I can't sleep. I had a small cup of coffee around 5 today- something I can do at school no problem, but apparently home is too slow-paced to have twice-daily caffeine fixes. So here I am, awake and online. Anywho, I'd love to share more with you about today! I woke up to pouring rain. Kathy and I had decided to play this morning by ear, knowing full well that there was at least a 50% chance of rain for every hour on the hourly forecast for today. However, after 10am, the doppler radar wasn't showing any more weather-- so we decided to venture out and give the shoot a try. I am SO glad that we did! :) I absolutely LOVE capturing someone's unique personality in images-- especially headshots! For actors, the headshot is how you are representing yourself to casting agents and others in the industry. It is important to have a headshot that showcases YOU; one that you absolutely love and are confident in. I work with you to get exactly this. I love my job and am so blessed to be able to pursue photography!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Getting a Little Sentimental... Los Angeles Concert Photographer

"You capture her spirit so well"

These are some of the greatest words I can be complimented.

I had the pleasure of photographing the first-year Thornton Popular Music students' final performance last week. These performances are some of my favorite gigs to photograph. What made this one so special was the presence of the students' parents. Throughout the year, these parents have seen my pictures of their kids pop up on facebook and on this blog. I didn't think anything of it, but I had multiple parents come up and express their gratitude for my images. To have a parent-- someone who's nurtured their child for over 18 years-- tell me that I capture his daughter's spirit in images means the world to me.

I seek to capture the essence of a person in my images. I want to capture the energy in a room, the moments onstage. This year has been great, but not without being surrounded by an amazing family of musicians who have adopted me as one of their own :) I am so blessed to have been embraced by this community. Thanks to the Popular Music Program and Chris Sampson for keeping me around!

Chase Kroesche and Malia Civetz. Malia's father is quoted in the first line of this blog.

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Friday, May 3, 2013

USC Thornton Popular Music Program SENIOR SHOWCASE! Los Angeles Concert Photographer



Hey Everyone!

As many of you know, the USC Thornton Popular Music Program had their Senior Showcase at the legendary Troubadour venue on Sunday, April 21st. The show was EPIC! I did a quick overview with images here.

This is the first graduating class from the popular music program. These students have spent 4 years studying, learning, playing, writing, and living their hearts out at the BEST school in the country- USC. I've had the pleasure of working alongside them for my 2 years here, and I can say that they are some of the sweetest, most energetic, inspiring and downright talented people around. As a tribute, I'll be blogging each of the featured bands/ seniors, giving each their own day/ post.

Stay tuned, and feel free to comment, tweet (@kylienic13), follow me on facebook: Kylie Nic Photography, and let me know what you think!

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Friday, April 26, 2013

Flower Friday! Los Angeles Photographer

Some color and nature to brighten your day! I just love the beauty that can be found if we take the time to look :) Have a wonderful weekend!




Photographically yours,

Kylie

Monday, April 22, 2013

USC Thornton Popular Music Senior Showcase at the Troubadour!

The first graduating class of the Thornton Popular Music Program at the University of Southern California put on an AMAZING show last night at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. These musicians are insanely talented and simply wonderful people as well. The featured seniors were:

Will Baldocchi
Nick Campbell
Leland Cox
Rozzi Crane
Annie Dingwall
Suemy Gonzalez
Barry Harris
Bryan Jarett
Peter Johnson
Lara Johnston
Justin Klunk
Megg Mahowald
Mia Minichiello
Matias Mora
Rob Nagelhout
AJ Peacox
Eric Radloff
Logan Shrewsbury
Christian Stranne
Luke Walton
Sam Wilkes

And bands:
Bear Attack!
Exist Elsewhere
Mora Mora
Party for One
& more

Here's just a few shots from the night. 

Exist Elsewhere.
Luke Walton rocks out.
Justin Klunk solos with Barry Harris and the Euphoria.
Justin Klunk.
The crowd loves Luke Walton.
Annie Dingwall.
Rozzi Crane.
Lara Johnston.
Megg Mahowld with Party for One
AJ Peacox.
Mora Mora.

Between sets, the parent's club announced a Chris Sampson Popular Music Scholarship. What an amazing gift in honor Chris, who leads the program.

The night closed with an onstage celebration. Congratulations to the entire Senior class!

Photographically yours,

Kylie

About Me

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Welcome to the official blog for Kylie Nic Photography. Here is where you can keep up with who i'm shooting, where i'm shooting, what's going on in my life, and all of my latest work. Hope to see you back here soon!

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