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:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151478163101443.1073741838.218207456442&type=1

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

http://kylienicphotography.pass.us/bneck-grad-2013/

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

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kylie-Nic-Photography/218207456442

and read my other blog on graduation!

http://kylienic.blogspot.com/2013/06/on-graduation-los-angeles-annapolis.html

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

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

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!