Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater Wedding Photographer | NikkiMayDay Photography

Baby Eagan | Fort Myers and Naples Family Photographer

nikkimayday — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:18:58 +0000

Last week I got to meet baby Eagan. What a little doll. He was one of the happiest baby clients I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing, from start to finish. And as you can see, he let me know at the end when he was “over it”. HA!

Bahahahaha! I had to include this next one because I just feel like he is saying “OK LADY! Enough already!!”

It was a pleasure working with Eagan and his family, and I can’t wait to see this little guy again soon!!

XOX – Nikki

Lisa and Tim’s Intimate Beach Wedding | Fort Myers and Naples Wedding Photographer

nikkimayday — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:03:52 +0000

Saturday I photographed my first beach wedding (barefoot) for the extraordinarily gracious couple, Lisa and Tim.

Lisa and Tim had a small, short intimate wedding on Captiva Island at the Tween Waters Inn Resort. The weather was perfect (not too hot, not too cold) with a bit of a breeze in the air, and gorgeous clear turquoise waters.

I’m so glad I got to meet and be a part of these newlyweds big day!

XoX – Nikki

Richard and Michelle | Fort Myers Portrait Photographer

nikkimayday — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:50:37 +0000

Richard contacted me on Friday about scheduling a couples portrait session for him and his wife Michelle. Richard and Michelle are both in the military and are currently at separate bases (Michelle is here in Florida and Richard is in flight school up in Missouri). Because they only get to see each other every few weeks, Richard thought he would surprise his wife with a portrait session while he was here in town. Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever?!? Richard was leaving on Monday afternoon, and originally wanted to do the shoot on Sunday, but I was already scheduled for an all day event so we decided to squeeze it in first thing Monday morning before he left.

We met up at 8am in Lettuce Lake Park just North of Tampa. It figures it was THE COLDEST morning we’ve had since I’ve moved here at an almost freezing 34 degrees. These two were troopers (no pun intended!!) though and toughed it out like total champs.

Thanks to these two for #1 being so incredibly sweet and adorable, and #2 for sacrificing their time together in order to serve our country. I hope you guys get to be together soon!

XoX!!!! -Nikki

Love in the Park | St. Petersburg Portrait Photographer

nikkimayday — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:23:49 +0000

Sunday afternoon I met up with Sarah and Ben at Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg. Sarah and Ben are wedding photographers in the Tampa area who I connected with in a local FB photographer group. Lucky for me they just so happen to be in the process of re-designing their website and were in need of some new photographs of themselves. Obviously I jumped on the opportunity to take them! I’m SO glad I got to meet and work with these two. The second Ben walked up wearing a bow tie and Sarah mentioned “drag bingo” I knew these were my kind of people. They had me cracking up the whole time, and were also gracious enough to give me a little walking tour of the area while we were strolling around photographing.

Here is a couple of sneaks from our Sunday afternoon in the park:

On top of being talented photographers, gracious tour gides and absolutely hilarious, these two are also incredibly cute together. Ben actually PUBLISHED a book of their personal love letters to each other. How stinkin’ adorable is that?!

Sarah and Ben have an adorable little pup named Charolette who joined us at the end of our shoot. She even wore a little purple bow to match her parents. Too. Cute.

XoX – Nikki

My First Florida Photo Outing with Grr | Sanibel Island Lighthouse

nikkimayday — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:37:39 +0000

I have been in Cape Coral Florida for 6 days now and I have been itching to start exploring, and by exploring I mean finding things OTHER than the essential grocery store, gas station and closest Taco Bell.

I haven’t picked up my camera (other than to pack it up to move) since my last wedding on Oct. 13. Then when I actually thought about it I realized that I haven’t photographed anything just purely for “fun” since my season started in the beginning of June! Even though I love and adore everything photography, I find myself slacking and not taking pictures if I don’t have anything scheduled. Bad bad bad! SO today I scheduled a shoot for myself with the Sanibel Island lighthouse.

Obviously my “thing” is photographing people. I enjoy photographing people. I enjoy their expressions and the moments they have between each other and the laughs and conversation. Although I admire the work of other photographers who do landscape and architectural photography, I personally find it a bit difficult (…boring) so I don’t do it very often. Unfortunately I don’t really know any people here yet, so Grr and local landmarks it is!! Ha!

So here it is. My first attempt at landmark photography in Florida (and of course Grr)!

Goodbye Erie – Heeelllloooo SW Florida!

nikkimayday — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:43:14 +0000

Goodbye Erie, Hello Tampa Bay!

I have been stressing over what I’m going to write in my “goodbye Erie” blog post for a couple of weeks now. I started to write it 10′s of times but then ended up deleting it because I thought it sounded cheesy or insincere, or i would sit in front of a blank computer screen and then get side tracked with the 1000′s of other moving tasks I had to complete. Earlier today I thought that maybe I would just skip it…

Well, as I lay on a couple of blankets on the floor of my completely empty and quiet house I have finally had a chance to reflect a bit on what brought me home, my time here and the next step I’m taking in my life. Also, I’m writing this on my phone so please forgive me is there are any errors

When I was 20 (holy crap, i just realized that was 10 years ago!!) I went on a college class trip to Salem Massachusetts. It was the end of October, so the Halloween Shenanigans were in full effect. I did the ghost tours, visited the witch trial museums and OF COURSE I had to have my palms read.

The palm reader used a marker to draw lines on the hand as she was reading to explain what it meant… Now, I know most of you haven’t seen my palms, but let me tell you, you will not see hands with more wrinkly palms than mine. I have hated it since I was little because I always thought they were gross…

Well by the time I walked out of the palm reader, basically my entire hand was purple with a 100 lines criss crossing all over the place. Most of what she said went in one ear and out the other, but one of the things stuck out to me then and didn’t really resonate until recently. She said “you will have many adventures in life and many new beginnings”.

I know, I know, it sounds kind of broad and could obviously describe just about anyone, but as I sit here ready to start all over again on a new adventure tomorrow, I am now TOTALLY convinced she knew exactly what she was talking about! Haha!

Although it was only a short 1 1/2 years, I am glad I came back. Erie was the perfect place for me to regroup and refocus what I wanted to do with myself, and also served to be a great jumping off point for my business. I have changed addresses quite a few times, but erie will always be my home town and have a special place in my heart. And if I wouldn’t have come back I wouldn’t have gotten Grr!!! Can you imagine?! Haha!

I am so very thankful for my friends here who welcomed me back with open arms and for the amazing new friends I made. Also, to all of my beautiful clients, I love you! You have all blessed my life like you couldn’t imagine.

I won’t lie and say my time back has been all fun and games. There has been a lot of ups and downs, but like anything in my life in hindsight I wouldn’t change anything. Every experience I’ve had I realize has been a lesson. Sometimes I pass sometimes I fail , but it’s always a lesson learned.

So for someone who couldn’t think of what to write I feel I am now blathering on, so I’m going to wrap this up. Goodbye Erie. It’s been swell, but now it’s time for another new adventure.

Heeeelllllooooo Tampa Bay!!

XoX – Nikki

Congratulations Drew and Gina | Fort Myers Wedding Photographer

nikkimayday — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 22:53:42 +0000

Yesterday I photographed Drew and Gina’s wedding. It was such an awesome day, and these two have grown to become one of my favorite couples this year, especially after their engagement session this summer. Here are just a few teasers from a whole day of awesomeness.

XoX – Nikki

A Rainy Day Wedding = Good Luck, Right? | Chataqua NY Wedding Photographer

nikkimayday — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:11:15 +0000

Saturday was a pretty miserable day as far as weather goes, but Amy and Nate didn’t let it rain on their parade (or wedding)! They say it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day. I call bullsh*t. But I think it’s GREAT luck if it rains on your wedding day and you can still have fun, in which case this couple has nothing to worry about

XoX – Nikki

Just a Couple of Girls in Love! | Youngstown OH Engagement Photographer

nikkimayday — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 03:17:37 +0000

Friday I had the privilege of photographing Sara and Jill’s engagement session. These two are so much fun and totally adorable together. Thankfully the weather held off on raining until the very end of our session!

Sara and Jill also happen to be one of my “exclusive couples” (haha) that I’m coming back to town to photograph in 2013, and I’m really looking forward to these two’s wedding!

XoX – Nikki

Meghann and Rick Rock Their Wedding Day | Fort Myers Wedding Photographer

nikkimayday — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:56:37 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing a very good friends wedding. Meghann and Rick’s big day was by far the funnest wedding I have photographed to date (and I’m not just saying that because they are friends)! Both Meghann and Rick were calm and relaxed and the whole day was about enjoying themselves and having fun. Exactly what every couple should do on their wedding day!

The girls started the day getting ready at Meghann’s house.

Sometimes being beautiful isn’t so glamorous! Ha!

The girls decided that some Mimosa’s were in order, so Meghann pulled out the bottle of champagne from the freezer. It was frozen. Apparently this is what happens when you open a bottle of frozen champagne.

Awesome photo bomb from brides-man Zach btw.

Meanwhile the guys got ready at Rick’s cousins house. Rick’s son Rory was the ring bearer for the wedding and there were so many good moments between father and son.

Meg and Rick left lots of time BEFORE the ceremony for portraits since we didn’t have too much time between the ceremony and reception — which I obviously LOVED. We headed downtown to look for a special “gift” that a friend made to honor their wedding.

How much more Rock -N- Roll can you get than to have your own personalized wedding graffiti?

Meg wanted some special pictures with her best friend and Maid of Honor Tamera to show their matching tattoo’s. Lock and Key.

We headed to the Warner Theater where the ceremony and reception were being held to do a little freshening up before heading back out for more portraits.

Meghann hand made her guest table setting tickets. How adorable and crafty are these??

Meghann’s cake was made by her good friend Bethany. Bethany also happens to be Meghann’s partner in their cupcake business 814 Cupcakes (which I am a HUGE fan of).

The ceremony was beautiful and short (thank you guys) HA!

Then it was off for a few more portraits before the reception started. Meghann and Rick killed it in these and they are some of my favorite images from the day.

This is what happens when you tell a bridal party to start fighting:

Meghann and her dads first dance started off pretty traditional, but then the sappy father daughter dance music stopped and was replaced by guitars, sunglasses and a little AC/DC.

Mr. Bill was really getting into it:

Bride’s Man Zach helped out with the show, and after seeing some of his moves I think Zach missed out on his calling of becoming a rock star.

Oh yeah. And if you make a dare at a wedding and put down $100 wager, this will happen (I love the groom’s face in the background):

Thanks to Meghann and Rick for letting me be a part of your big day. It was truly perfect and you two are definitely meant to be together.

Love you guys!

XoX – Nikki