DINNER!

You have to eat and if someone wants to cook for you, you might as well let them! You know I'm just the single girl that's fortunate to be at the right place at the right time! I love you guys!

mussels... not bad! and NO, IT DID NOT TASTE LIKE CHICKEN!

Obviously having a GREAT time!

 *photos by ninamdot

PICTURE FOR THOUGHT

*LINK

A letter on my door step. portraits are more than paper.

There will be no portrait photos in this post.  This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago.  I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now.  It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either.  If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

July 2nd, 2011

Jeanine - 

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons.  I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind.  I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby.  I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family.  After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you..  Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session.  Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip.  This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things.  My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor.  It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly.  I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice.  It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat. 

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me.  The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them.  Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it.  If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth.  I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos.  I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

THE BEGINNING

My number one beauty tip is to love yourself. Walk with confidence, talk with it and please hold your head up. Take your dreams seriously, they are not silly. Don't ever feel your looks or who you are, is inferior to ANYONE. If you've heard this a million and one times, GOOD. Every little bit counts.

I've watched her grow. From10 to 20 yrs old, good representation of  my point for this post!

Nai, I love you!

Bask in it!

*photos by ninamdot

Quotes are the best:

FANTASY PHOTO SHOOTS

1. Fat Joe
2. Scarlett Johansson
3. Rachel Roy 
4. Nia Long
5. Angela Simmons
6. Jeezy
7. Meek Millz
8. Selah Marley
9. Teyanan Taylor
10. Juila Roberts


Bonus: This guy I always see from around the way! His skin is so dark and smooth. And any time I see him he is suited! Please stay tuned. for. that, HA!




Pictures below are in order of the list.

high fashion

this woman is a classic

I use to be a use to.

Lauren Hills daughter.

this

to this! BEAUTIFUL!

ever since Pretty Woman!

*photo credit's: vibevixen.com, hiphopnewsspatemag.com, sdotbphotography.blogspot.com, hiphopworld.com, dont-trip-yet.blogspot.om, trulybeautiful.com, counterculturebeauty.com, & thatsenuff.com

CLOCKWORK

Usually on my off days, I'm chillin' hard! Even if it's required for me to wake up early (you know for an appointment or if a friend wants to meet up for breakfast.), there is a mental note to make sure I get real low key at some point in the day.
This off day was a littllllllllle different.
Kids up. Check.
Brush your teeth, wash your face.Check.
Clean clothes.Check.
Homework in the book bag. Check.
Eat breakfast before you leave.Check
Lunch packed... but here's some change if you want a snack.Check.
Time: 8 something. You better be on your way out the door for school.Check.
BEEEEEEEEP BEEP. Rides here. Check.
Kiss. Have a good day at school. Check.
And before it all, the Mister orchestrates this daily routine even though his presence is not physical this morning. I'm sure the kids were kissed and "I love baby" to the wife, were exchanged before he leaves out to be the man of the house. (because in the bible it says, "If a man shall not work, he shall not eat." Promise look it up. 2 Thes 3:10)
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy I want some juice.", echo's through out the course of the morning  day (Gee wiz, Why are kids so thirsty?!). I truly enjoyed it all though. When I get home, everything is so subdued. But being around the family life was a HOUSE PARTY PARTY! Ha! All day. Literally 12AM. And it wasn't even chaos. Everything was like clockwork.

Toast to the Domestic Life! 

OUTTAKES

PART OF A NEW SERIES

Usually my work involves people, but others things have struck my interest lately. 

This shot is a favorite of mine because it's so bright and on sight the picture seems as if a light is on. 

Please look forward to gallery showing for more of this series. Currently untitled. It is apart of my:

ARTWORK

*photo by ninamdot

CALLING ALL ADVERTISING AGENCIES

pause

spruce.I mean look at that  crease.

laugh infectious

Y'all already know! This is my brother. So uh, What's up Polo. Hello Timberland. Aw yes,Gillette we've been expecting your phone call(s).


These pictures were shoot some time last year by ninamdot.

Oh, but the reason I posted these were because growing up I looked just like my brother, right. Not so much anymore. I guess I'm in my ''Jenelle" phase of life.
I just wanna be my own person. HA!

ONE PERSON, MY BS (Big Sister)

At this point I'm beyond "just taking pictures".

ARTWORK

CAMERA TIME W/ MY BS (Big Sister)

"Nina,who does your hair?"
 My sister  Jenelle!


And yes, I know before you even say it: We do look exactly alike. And NO we're NOT twins.
This is my older sister and she is noticeably shorter than me. With our similarities,there are big differences. First of all my facial features are bigger than Jenelle's and a dead give-away is the height thing....but I digress:
Jenelle has been doing hair since she was nine years old and has now progressed into this BOMB cosmetologist!

you like it! I LOVE IT

this is the cutest picture!

WOMEN TO KNOW: Crystal Kendrick

WTK:

Crystal Kendrick is the woman behind The Voice of Your Customer.

The Voice of Your Customer is a minority owned marketing firm that assists clients to penetrate niche markets using survey research, focus groups, secret shopping, business training, and media campaigns. 

I have to say that I just love meeting new business women here in Cincinnati. The Voice of Your Customer office is located in the Walnut Hills area and you probably pass it all the time driving down Gilbert Ave. Crystal was also kind enough to allow my camera and I into her home. Take a look at the photos below:

  

Company logo on the welcome carpet.

Gotta love those nude heels!

In the office.

The cutest breakfast nook.

So Victorian 

                                                                                       

*photos by ninamdot

WEIGHT LOSS

Who: Kathy
Purpose: Loose weight to prevent diabetes, congestive heart failure, and heart disease. 
Time frame: 30 days (29, because she started yesterday!)
Goal: 15 lbs

Pictured above is a friend of mine in pursuit to DROP THE POUNDS! And no it's not because June is tiptoeing around the corner like a creeper.
You know at some point you just have to end the madness!
Because when your feet are swelling up and your shoes don't fit: IT'S A PROBLEM!
So Kathy has set her goal and plans to move aggressively given her time frame.
She will report back here on ninmdot in 15 days! Pray for her : ) 

A.C.C.O.U.N.T.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y